Patent Abstract:
A target practice apparatus adapted to receive projectiles fired at it by a remotely positioned shooter includes a motor having an output shaft, a motor housing, and a post secured to the motor and motor housing. A target disc is secured to the output shaft and rotates with it. A frame supports the motor housing and the target disc. An L-shaped elbow member is attachable to the frame in a plurality of differing configurations. The post is also attachable to the frame in a plurality of differing configurations and is further attachable to the L-shaped elbow member in a plurality of differing configurations. This enables the target disc to be positioned in a vertical plane facing the shooter or on edge to the shooter and a horizontal plane on edge to the shooter. A non-rotating blocker disc having window openings partially obscures the target disc in the shooter-facing configuration.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to devices having utility for target practice. More particularly, it relates to a versatile device that has multiple configurations to challenge the shooter. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Stationary targets have utility for target practice but moving targets provide a greater challenge to the shooter. 
     Targets that rotate in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis are well known. To make such a target more challenging, U.S. Pat. No. 1,488,647 discloses such a target which is masked by a stationary wall having an arcuate window formed therein. The curvature of the window matches the curvature of the rotating target. Accordingly, the target is seen only briefly by the shooter as it passes behind the window. 
     There are also multiple patents that disclose amusement park devices that present multiple small moving targets to a shooter that fold away from the shooter when struck with a pellet or other low power projectile. Each target returns to its upright position of repose shortly after having been struck by a low power projectile. 
     A common characteristic of prior art devices in this field is that they have a single configuration, i.e., they present a particular challenge to a shooter and cannot be modified to present a different challenge to the shooter. The shooter thus tires of the device for the same reason that shooters tire of stationary targets. 
     Another common characteristic of the prior art devices is that they are essentially indestructible because they are made with materials that are substantially impervious to low power projectiles and therefore can be struck with projectiles thousands of times with little or no deterioration. 
     Professional civilian, law enforcement, military and private indoor and outdoor gun ranges throughout the U.S. include targets and target backgrounds made of corrugated or fluted cardboard, fiberboard, heavy-duty layered stock paper, single and mufti-ply paper and paper decals as a part of standard practice, procedures and safety standards. 
     There is a need for an apparatus that exhibits a high level of versatility so that it can be configured into multiple configurations, each of which offers a high degree of challenge to a shooter. 
     There is also a need for a target practice apparatus where low, medium and high-power projectiles may be used and which has targets made of low cost materials which are eventually destroyed by the projectiles after extended use and which are then easily replaced. 
     However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art how the needed target practice apparatus could be provided. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an improved target practice device is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. 
     The novel target practice apparatus is adapted to receive projectiles fired at it by a remotely positioned shooter. It includes at least one motor having an output shaft, a housing for the motor and a motor housing post secured to the motor and the motor housing. A target disc is releasably secured to the output shaft for conjoint rotation therewith. 
     A base supported by a floor, the ground, or other support structure holds a vertical column of hollow construction. In a first embodiment, the motor housing post is slideably received within the hollow interior of the vertical column in differing orientations so that the output shaft of the motor may be positioned parallel to the path of travel of a projectile fired at a target disc that rotates conjointly with the output shaft of the motor or perpendicular to said path of travel. In the former orientation, the target disc faces the shooter and in the latter orientation, the target disc is positioned on edge relative to the shooter. 
     A frame supports the motor housing and the target disc. An L-shaped elbow member is releasably attachable to the frame in a plurality of differing configurations. The motor housing post is also releasably attachable to the frame in a plurality of differing configurations. The motor housing post is releasably attachable to the L-shaped elbow member as well in a plurality of differing configurations. 
     The target disc is disposed in a vertical plane in a first configuration of the apparatus and is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation. The horizontal axis of rotation is substantially parallel to a path of travel of a projectile fired by the remote shooter and aimed at the target disc. The target disc is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel. 
     In a second configuration of the apparatus, the target disc is disposed in a vertical plane and is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation. The horizontal axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to a path of travel of a projectile fired by the remote shooter and aimed at the target disc. The target disc is positioned in a plane that is substantially parallel to the path of travel. 
     The target disc is disposed in a horizontal plane and is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation in a third configuration of the apparatus. The vertical axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to a path of travel of a projectile fired by the remote shooter and aimed at the target disc. The target disc is positioned in a plane that is substantially parallel to the path of travel. 
     At least one target tab is connected to the target disc and is foldable so that it extends therefrom at about a ninety degree angle thereto when the target disc is in the second or third configuration where the target disc is seen on edge. 
     A non-rotating blocker disc is disposed in closely spaced, parallel relation to the target disc when the target disc is in its first configuration. The non-rotating blocker disc has a size and shape substantially similar to a size and shape of the target disc. At least one window is formed in the non-rotating blocker disc so that the target disc is visible to the shooter through the at least one window. At least one target decal is applied to the target disc so that the target decal is visible to the shooter through the window for each revolution of the target disc about its axis of rotation. 
     The frame includes an upstanding hollow tube or vertical column of telescopic construction so that its height may be varied. An L-shaped elbow member has a first leg slideably connected to the vertical column in axial alignment with the vertical axis of symmetry of the upstanding tube. A second leg of the L-shaped elbow member is disposed at a ninety degree angle relative to the first leg and at a ninety degree angle to the vertical axis of symmetry of the vertical column. 
     The motor housing post may be connected to the second leg to position the target disc in a plane perpendicular to a path of travel of a projectile fired at the target disc or it may be connected to the second leg to position the target disc in a plane parallel to a path of travel of a projectile fired at the target disc, said parallel plane causing said target disc to be seen on edge by a shooter and requiring bending of at least one of said target tabs relative to the plane of the target disc. 
     Still further embodiments include a horizontally-extending platform arm connected to the vertical column. Rotating target discs may be mounted to either or both ends of the platform arm in perpendicular or parallel relation to the shooter to increase the number and complexity of the targets available to the shooter. 
     The target discs as well as the blocker discs and blocker boards are made of various types of paper or other suitable material so that projectiles pierce through them and do not ricochet therefrom and so that they are gradually destroyed by repeated hits by such projectiles. Each target or blocker disc is therefore formed of inexpensive and readily available paper. Removal of destroyed target and blocker discs and their replacement with new discs requires very little time. Each disc is centrally apertured and is easily slipped onto an output shaft of a motor. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevation view of a target disc having unfolded target tabs secured thereto about its periphery; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front elevation view of the structure depicted in  FIG. 1A  but with the target tabs folded; 
         FIG. 1C  is an end elevation view of the structure depicted in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a front elevation view of a blocker disc prior to removal of its perforated windows; 
         FIG. 1E  is a front elevation view of the blocker disc when positioned in blocking relation to the rotating target disc and after removal of the perforated sections to form windows in said blocker disc; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front elevation view of the novel assembly when configured to have one rotating target disc and associated non-rotating blocker disc in a front vertical configuration; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the parts depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of the parts depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front elevation view when the novel assembly is configured to display two rotating target discs and their associated non-rotating blocker discs in lateral relation to one another in a front vertical configuration; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the parts depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front elevation view of the novel assembly when configured to display three rotating target discs and associated non-rotating blocker discs in a front vertical configuration; 
         FIG. 4B  is substantially the same as  FIG. 4A  but with the rotating and non-rotating discs attached; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front elevation view of the novel assembly when configured to display four (4) sets of rotating target discs and associated non-rotating blocker discs in front elevation relative to a shooter; 
         FIG. 5B  is substantially the same view as  FIG. 5A  but with the rotating target discs and non-rotating blocker discs attached; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of the structure depicted in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front elevation view of the novel assembly when two laterally disposed rotating target discs are disposed in end vertical configuration relative to a shooter, there being no non-rotating blocker discs in such configuration; 
         FIG. 6B  is a top plan view of the structure depicted in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front elevation view of the novel assembly when two laterally disposed rotating target discs are disposed in end horizontal configuration relative to a shooter, there being no non-rotating blocker discs in such configuration; 
         FIG. 7B  is a top plan view of the structure depicted in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when one (1) target disc is used; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when one (1) target disc is used; 
         FIG. 8C  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when one (1) target disc is used; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when two (2) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 9B  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when two (2) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 9C  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when two (2) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 10A  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when three (3) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when three (3) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 10C  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when three (3) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 11A  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when four (4) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 11B  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when four (4) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 11C  is a front elevation depicting a configuration of the novel parts when four (4) target discs are used; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded perspective view of the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 12B  is an assembled perspective view of the parts depicted in  FIG. 12A ; and 
         FIG. 12C  is a plan view of the base assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Novel system  10  is a modular, expandable shooting target arcade system that can be configured into a large plurality of configurations to offer a large number of shooting challenges. System  10  is compact and portable and can be used indoors and outdoors. Its targets are expendable because they are destroyed after repeated usage. 
     Novel system  10  improves basic firearm shooting skills for shooters of primer cartridges, rim fire cartridges, black powder, metal pellets, plastic pellets for AIRSOFT® shooting-related sports, BB and all other types and brands of ammunition for hand guns and rifles, projectiles launched from slingshots as well as arrows used by bows and crossbows in archery sports. 
     Primary components of the rotating target system are formed from plastic tubing, corrugated cardboard, corrugated or dense flat paper board, heavy-duty layered stock paper and single or multi-ply paper. These paper materials provide an intrinsic safety feature because they are ricochet-resistant. The paper also allows high velocity bullets, pellets or BBs that miss the paper target and strike the blocker disc, rotating target disk or the body of the target system to pass through the paper. All projectiles pass cleanly through the paper target material. 
     The use of these materials provides easy, rapid and inexpensive replacement of parts by the on-scene user without need for special tools or extensive training and helps mitigate “down-time” thus providing more time to actively shoot. 
     The various parts of the novel system that may be subject to damage if struck by higher velocity projectiles include small electric motors, portable batteries, battery housings, electrical conductors, screws, nuts and a plastic or cardboard handle. These items are preferably positioned at respective maximum distances from the targets. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts an illustrative embodiment of rotating target disc  12   a . In this particular example, disc  12   a  is flat and has an octagonal shape although such shape could be circular as its name implies, i.e., disc  12   a  may be provided in any predetermined geometrical configuration. 
     In this example, four (4) paper target decals, collectively denoted  14 , are secured to disc  12   a  in circumferentially and equidistantly spaced apart relation to one another. Target decals  14  may be provided in any shape or size and in any random orientation, not just the orderly orientation depicted. 
     Target tabs  16  are depicted in  FIG. 1A  as being coplanar with disc  12   a  but said target tabs are not used in that configuration. They are first releasably attached to disc  12   a  by inserting tabs  17  into tab-receiving cut-outs formed in disc  12   a  as depicted in said  FIG. 1A , said cut-outs being clearly depicted and not numbered to avoid clutter. 
     At least one target tab is then folded along folding line  16   a  so that it is perpendicular to the plane of disc  12   a  as indicated in  FIGS. 1B and 1C . A second fold is then made along folding line  16   b . Tab  17  is removed from its cut-out and fit into slot  17   a  formed in said disc  12   a . As best understood by comparing  FIG. 1B  with  FIG. 1C , two (2) tabs are mounted so that a first tab extends perpendicularly in a first direction relative to the plane of target disc  12   a , and a second tab extends perpendicularly in a second, opposite direction. Target tabs  16  remain flat when disc  12   a  is in its  FIG. 1A  or  1 B position, i.e., when disc  12   a  lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the shooter&#39;s line of sight, i.e., substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of each projectile fired by the shooter. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1C , target tabs  16  are needed when disc  12   a  is parallel to the shooter&#39;s line of sight so that only the edge of disc  12   a  can be seen. Although not depicted, target decals  14  are also attachable to target tabs  16  although some shooters may elect to use each tab  16  as a whole as a target in view of its relatively small size. Shooters may elect to place target decals on either the front or reverse sides, or both, of target tabs  16  because disc  12   a  can be controlled to rotate in either direction. 
     The three (3) apertures in the center of disc  12   a  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are collectively denoted  12   c . The center aperture receives the output shaft of a DC motor that rotates disc  12   a  and the outlying apertures are used to mount disc  12   a  to a support member disclosed hereinafter. 
     System  10  further includes at least one non-rotating, blocker disc  12   b , depicted in  FIG. 1D . Blocker disc  12   b  is mounted in front of rotating target disc  12   a , in spaced apart, parallel relation thereto, when said disc  12   a  is oriented in the facing-the-shooter position of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  so that the shooter cannot see rotating target disc  12   a . Blocker disc  12   b  serves no purpose and is not used when disc  12   a  is in its  FIG. 1C  on-edge position relative to the shooter. 
     Both discs  12   a  and  12   b  are formed, preferably, of corrugated or fluted cardboard (also known as fiberboard), cardstock, poster board and single or multiple ply paper of various thickness and density depending on the application and type and caliber of projectiles used. 
     Rotating target disc  12   a  and non-rotating blocker disc  12   b  may be provided in any predetermined geometrical shape such as circular but the depicted octagonal shape is preferred. It is also preferred that blocker disc  12   b  have the same shape and size as rotating target disc  12   a  but blocker disc  12   b  could be made of a shape and size that differs as long as it performs its function of blocking rotating target disc  12   a  from the shooter&#39;s view. Each disc  12   a  and  12   b  is pre-notched, pre-cut, pre-slotted and pre-drilled to facilitate its use. 
     Perforation lines  18  in  FIG. 1D  enable a user to easily remove at least one or any other quantity of the cardboard areas surrounded by said perforation lines. When a surrounded area is punched out, a window is formed in said blocker disc  12   b . The windows may be of any quantity, size and shape, but they must be positioned so that at least one decal target  14  on rotating target disc  12   a  becomes visible when it rotates past a non-rotating window. 
       FIG. 1E  differs from  FIG. 1D  in that the perforation-surrounded areas have been removed to form windows  20  in blocker disc  12   b , thereby revealing parts of rotating target disc  12   a  and revealing each target tab  14  when such tab rotates behind a stationary window  20 . Windows  20  provide temporary visual exposure of decal targets  14  to the shooter as said decal targets travel with rotating target disk  12 , i.e., windows  20  provide brief opportunities for the shooter to shoot a target decal  14  through a window. The target reappears on the following revolution of rotating target disc  12 , affording the shooter the opportunity to check the accuracy of the previous shot as well as the opportunity to resume shooting. 
     It is within the scope of this invention to provide a blocker disc  12   b  having only one (1) window  20  formed therein but the preferred embodiment has multiple windows and one (1) or any other number of them may be punched out/removed from the blocker disc, depending upon the selection of the user. From the shooter&#39;s view point, windows  20  cause the rotating decals  14  to momentarily appear when aligned with a window and to disappear as rotating target disc  12   a  continues to rotate, thereby closing each window of opportunity for the rotating decal  14  to be hit with a projectile. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C, discs  12   a  and  12   b  are mounted to the uppermost end of vertical support column  11  which is hollow and preferably square in transverse section, and preferably of telescoping construction as well so that its vertical extent is adjustable. Vertical, telescoping columns that may be locked into any preselected position of height adjustment are well-known so the locking means is not depicted in order to avoid needless cluttering of the drawings. The lowermost end of vertical column  11  is mounted to base  13  which may take any well-known form. In this particular example, base  13  has a plus-sign (+) shape when viewed in the plan view of  FIG. 2B . 
     Both discs  12   a  and  12   b  are apertured as at  12   c  as mentioned and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-E  to enable attachment of said discs to plastic, polycarbonate or wooden mounting disc  26   a  ( FIG. 2A , disc  12   a ) and blocker arm  28  ( FIG. 2B , disc  12   b ). 
     Platform  15  is centrally apertured to slidingly receive vertical support column  11  and is lockable to said vertical column at any preselected position by suitable locking means. Spacer  15   a  adjacent platform  15  is best understood by comparing the side elevation view of  FIG. 2C  with the front and top views of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . It secures blocker arm  28  against rotation as best understood in connection with said  FIG. 2C . 
     The output shaft of DC motor  24  is denoted  24   a  in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and its housing is denoted  24   b  in  FIG. 2B . Housing  24   b  also houses a battery, a battery holder, wiring, toggle switches and the electrical connectors that interconnect the battery to said DC motor. 
     Motor mounting post  25  is formed integrally with motor  24  and motor housing  24   b . Said post  25  is releasably and slideably received within the uppermost end of hollow vertical column  11  as depicted in  FIGS. 2A-C  so that target and blocker discs  12   a  and  12   b  are facing the shooter. Said post could be rotated about its vertical axis in either direction ninety degrees (90°) to present target  12   a  on edge. Blocker disc  12   b  is not used when target disc  12   a  is presented on edge to the shooter. 
     Moreover, an elbow member having two hollow parts disposed at a ninety degree (90°) angle to one another, disclosed hereinafter and not depicted in  FIGS. 2A-C , may also be releasably and slideably received within said hollow vertical column  11  in differing orientations. Motor housing post  25  may be releasably and slideably received with the respective hollow interiors of said elbow parts, thereby providing a large number of possible configurations for the target and blocker discs. 
     The output shaft of motor  24  is denoted  24   a  in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C. Circular mounting member  26   a , preferably of polycarbonate construction, is mounted on said output shaft  24   a  for conjoint rotation therewith. There are two (2) diametrically opposed openings for screws formed in polycarbonate mounting member  26   a , radially outwardly of output shaft  24   a , and said screw openings are clearly depicted but are not numbered in order to avoid clutter. The center aperture of the three (3) apertures denoted  12   c  in the center of rotating target disc  12   a  is placed into registration with output shaft  24   a  and said two (2) screw openings are aligned with the two (2) apertures that flank said central opening when disc  12   a  is secured to mounting member  26   a  with a pair of nylon screws and wing nuts, denoted  27   a  in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , that are inserted into said two (2) apertures. 
     Non-rotating disc  12   b  is normally secured directly to its adjacent cardboard support components with a screw and wing nuts  27   b  as best understood in connection with  FIG. 2B . 
     Mounting member  26   a  may be formed of polycarbonate, plastic, ABS, wood or metal. 
     Blocker disc  12   b  has substantially the same construction as a rotating target disc  12   a  and can be used as a target disc, just as a rotating target disc  12   a  can be used as a blocker disc  12   b . Each blacker disc  12   b  is a pre-notched, pre-cut, pre-slotted and pre-drilled section of corrugated or fluted card board (also known as fiberboard), cardstock, poster board and single or multiple ply paper of various thickness and density or circular or other predetermined geometric configuration. Corrugated or fluted card boards can also be stacked and layered to produce a more robust product for use with heavier caliber projectiles and arrows. 
     Blocker arm  28 , mentioned above, is an elongate flat member that is vertically oriented in this particular embodiment. It is positioned behind blocker disc  12   b  but in front of target disc  12   a , motor  24  and motor housing  24   b . Its function is to protect said motor and motor housing from projectiles. Blocker arms  28  also serve to block the shooter&#39;s view of motor  24  and motor housing  24   b  thus indirectly helping the shooter to concentrate on the rotating target decals. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front elevation and top plan views, respectively, of an arrangement where novel system  10  is arranged so that two rotating discs  12   a , depicted in  FIG. 3B  but not in  FIG. 3A , and their associated blocker discs  12   b , also depicted in  FIG. 3B  but not in  FIG. 3A , are positioned in laterally spaced apart relation to one another with adequate spacing to prevent torn pieces of still-attached cardboard, naturally produced by exiting projectiles and emerging on the reverse side of  12   b , from contacting and interrupting the rotation of  12   a . This allows a shooter to try to hit targets by quickly aiming to the left and to the right in alternating sequence as target discs  12   a  rotate. The rate of rotation as well as the direction of rotation may also be different for the two rotating discs  12   a ,  12   a.    
     Mounting arm  30  is preferably provided in the form of a single piece of ABS plastic. It is inserted into and pushed through platform  15  so that platform  15  is mid-length of said mounting arm. Another function of platform  15  is also disclosed in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Platform  15  is hollow and enables the mounting of mounting arm  30  aforesaid so that said mounting arm  30  extends in a horizontal plane on opposite sides of vertical column  11 . Targets may be secured in multiple configurations to the outboard ends of mounting arm  30 . Mounting arm  30  is protected by flat blocker arms  28 ,  28  which are parallel to mounting arm  30  and which are positioned between the shooter and mounting arm  30 . The mounting arm is square in transverse section. 
     Ninety degree (90°) elbow  22  is preferably formed of plastic square tubing. This elbow shape enables motor output shaft  24   a  and therefore discs  12   a  and  12   b  to be positioned in multiple orientations. 
     Motor housing post  25  which is square in transverse cross section is releasably and slideably received within vertical column  11  which is also square in transverse section in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-C  as disclosed above. In many other embodiments, said post is received within elbow part  22   a  or  22   b , and said elbow parts are in turn received within vertical column  11  or within mounting arm  30 . Vertical column  11  and mounting arm  30  are slideably received within the elbow parts. 
     There are two (2) elbow members  22  in the configuration depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . First part  22   a  extends into the plane of the paper in  FIG. 3A  as best understood in the top plan view of  FIG. 3B . Second part  22   b  thereof is disposed in ensleeving engagement with its associated platform mounting arm  30 . Motor housing post  25  is releasably and slideably received within the hollow interior of elbow part  22   b.    
     Accordingly, elbow parts  22   a  are superfluous in this particular arrangement because motor housing posts  25 ,  25  can be inserted directly into the hollow interiors of elbow parts  22   b.    
     The square-in-transverse-section of vertical column  11 , each motor housing post  25 , mounting arm  30 , and each elbow part  22   a ,  22   b , enables multiple interconnections of said part  30  and thus enables the output shaft  24   a  of each motor  24  to be oriented in multiple configurations. 
       FIG. 3B  in particular demonstrates that motor housing post  25  can be releasably and slideably received within the hollow interior of elbow part  22   a  so that motor output shaft  24   a  would extend out of the plane of the paper or into the plane of the paper in said  FIG. 3B , and that each elbow part  22   a  could be rotated from its  FIG. 3B  position relative to mounting arm  30  into three (3) additional positions. 
     More particularly, elbow part  22   a  in  FIG. 3B  can be rotated ninety degrees (90°) from its depicted position so that it extends into the plane of the paper, another ninety degrees (90°) so that it is positioned in the plane of the paper but extending downwardly instead of its upward extension as depicted, and another ninety degrees (90°) so that it extends upwardly from the plane of the paper. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3B , each blocker disk  12   b  is releasably mounted on its associated blocker arm  28 . Although a screw and wing nut is depicted, such mounting may also be accomplished by VELCRO® hook and loop fastening means or other releasable fastening means. 
     A pre-drilled hole near the free end of each blocker arm  28  enables the shooter to attach a blocker disc  12   b  in a stationary position in front of an associated rotating target disk  12   a  to temporarily block the shooter&#39;s view of rotating decal targets  14  as aforesaid. 
     Each elbow section  22   b  may slideably receive mounting arm  30  at its inboard end as mentioned above and each elbow section  22   b  may slideably receives motor housing post  25  at its outboard end. Where each mounting arm  30  is square or otherwise non-round in transverse section and where each elbow part  22   b  is also square or otherwise non-round in transverse section to slidingly and non-rotatably mate therewith, elbow  22  may be attached to the platform mounting arm  30  in four (4) different positions, only one (1) of which is depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     Where post  25  is also square or otherwise non-round in transverse section, motor housing  24   b  and hence motor  24  and its output shaft  24   a  can also be rotated relative to elbow part  22   b  in the same way. Moreover, post  25  can be slideably removed from elbow part  22   b  and slideably connected instead to elbow part  22   a  and it may be further rotated in the same way relative to said elbow part  22   a , all of which will become clearer as this disclosure continues. 
     Elbow  22  thus enables rotating target disk  12   a  and blocker disc  12   b  to be positioned in multiple orientations, such as front view orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A and  5 B, an end view vertical orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , or an end view of a horizontal orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
       FIGS. 8A-C ,  9 A-C,  10 A-C and  11 A-C provide examples of possible configurations using one, two, three, and four targets, respectively. The multi-combination position of the DC motor configuration and rotating target disks serve to further challenge the skills of the shooter. 
     Elbow  22  and motor housing post  25  are quickly and easily removed by hand and positioned into a preselected orientation, thus enabling the shooter to tailor the configuration of system  10  into said front-vertical, edge-vertical and edge-horizontal orientations. 
     In the vertical orientations, rotating target disc  12   a  rotates in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis and the shooter has either a frontal view of the target which requires no target tabs  16  or an edge view thereof which does require said target tabs. In the horizontal orientation, rotating target disc  12   a  rotates in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and therefore target tabs  16  are required. 
     The speed and the direction of revolution of rotating target disk  12   a  is regulated by a controller positioned between the battery and motor  24 . 
     The size of each rotating target disc  12   a  may be decreased or increased and the shape of each target decal  14  may be changed to any predetermined geometrical configuration. The size of each window  20  formed in blocker disc  12   b  may be increased or decreased, and the geometrical configuration of each window may be changed. The direction of rotation of rotating target disk  12   a  may be changed. Moreover, the distance between the shooter and said rotating target disc may be changed. 
     An arrangement of parts that essentially combines the arrangement of  FIG. 1A  and that of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . This arrangement provides the two laterally-spaced apart targets of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  and includes a second vertical column  11   a  that is surmounted by a single target. This arrangement of parts further challenges the shooter relative to the challenge provided by the two-target embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     An arrangement of parts that adds a second set of laterally spaced apart targets is depicted in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C. This arrangement includes a second vertical column  11   a  like the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  but replaces the single top target with a second pair of laterally spaced apart targets, thereby providing four (4) targets to still further challenge the shooter. The embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-C  is essentially the same as the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there being a second set of laterally spaced apart targets in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-C . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  disclose an arrangement of two laterally spaced apart targets, both of which are on edge to the shooter and thus require target tabs  16 . Both targets in this arrangement rotate in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis. No blocker discs  12   b  are needed when targets discs  12   a  are presented on edge to the shooter as depicted. 
     Yet another configuration indicating the large number of differing configurations that may be provided by this novel system is depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Two laterally spaced apart target discs  12   a  are mounted about a vertical axis for rotation in a horizontal plane so tabs  16  are needed as depicted. Note that for each rotating target disc  12   a , only two (2) tabs  16 ,  16  are normally mounted in perpendicular relation to the plane of said target discs. 
       FIGS. 8A-C ,  9 A-C,  10 A-C and  11 A-C depict various configurations made with this invention as mentioned above. Note that blocker disc  12   b  is not used whenever target disc  12   a  is presented on edge to the shooter as mentioned above. 
       FIG. 12A  depicts the base assembly in exploded form and  FIG. 12B  depicts it in assembled form. Rubber-type grommets, not depicted, are placed on vertical column  11  to maintain platform  15  in a pre-selected position. 
       FIG. 12C  is a plan view that best shows why post  11  is offset with respect to base  13 . Part  13   a  is a hollow tube glued or otherwise secured into the depicted position. Said part  13   a  is a sleeve that receives vertical column  11 . The offset mounting of sleeve  13   a  with respect to base  13  is not critical to the invention. Many other mechanically robust bases could be used to support the operative elements of the invention. All alternative bases are within the scope of this invention. 
     Novel system  10  can be mounted on the ground, a floor, a table, or other support surface. It may also be suspended from an upstanding support. A handle, not depicted, could be provided to envelope a small gauge wire for hanging purposes. Novel system  10  may be used at indoor and outdoor shooting ranges or home venues. 
     Two or more of the novel systems in any configuration may be interconnected to one another by a vertical connector member. The vertical connector, not depicted, would include a plurality of perforated and pre-scored lines. The vertical connector could also be used to hang a bracket which would allow the system to be suspended as mentioned above. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5