Patent Abstract:
A target stand providing improved adjustability is provided. The target stand is suitable for use in reality-based training methods and may advantageously position a target holder in realistic settings for an improved training experience. The target stand has at least one target holder for securing at least one of a target and/or target trap, may be height adjustable, may support the target holder on flat and non-flat surfaces, and may allow for adjustment of the target holder in at least two axes of rotation.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/206,361, filed Jan. 31, 2009 by Jose Medina and Arthur G. Randolph, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to target stands suitable for use with reality-based methods of target training, as well as shooting skill development through the use of simulation or marking round firearms. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, shooting skill development and law enforcement/counter terrorism tactics have advanced through the use of paintball, simulation and marking round weaponry. The use of targets in such activities is a critical component in such activities. However, the limitation on target placement can significantly lessen the benefits of such activities. Those persons involved in such activities need the ability to position targets consistent with behavior that a live person would exhibit, in a rapid fashion without support from walls, string from ceilings, or other means that would reduce the experience of a participant. The use of conventional target stands do not enable these activities to occur in a variety of locations needed to provide a more realistic simulation and more meaningful training experience. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved target stand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An adjustable target stand suitable for use in reality-based training methods is provided. The target stand may advantageously position a target holder in realistic settings for an improved training experience. The target stand has at least one target holder for securing at least one of a target and/or target trap, may be height adjustable, may support the target holder on flat and non-flat surfaces, and may allow for adjustment of the target holder in at least two axes of rotation. 
     In one embodiment, an adjustable target stand includes a base, a post, a tee support and a first target holder. The post is coupled to and extends vertically from the base. The post is additionally tiltable relative to the base. The tee support is coupled to the post and rotatable relative to the base. The first target holder is coupled to the tee support. 
     In another embodiment, an adjustable target stand includes a post extending vertically from a base and a target holder. The base has legs positionable between a horizontal and non-horizontal orientation. The target holder is coupled to an end of the post opposite the base. The target holder is rotatable relative to the base on a first axis and rotatable relative to the base on a second axis 
     In yet another embodiment, an adjustable target stand includes a base, a post, a tee support and a target holder. The base has at least two legs coupled to a cross-member, wherein the legs are rotatable about an axis defined through a center of the cross-member. The post is coupled to and tiltable relative to the base. The post includes at least two sections. A first section of the post is coupled to and extends vertically from the base. The tee support is coupled to the post and rotatable relative to the base. The tee support includes tee-coupling joining the tee support to a section second of the post and a plurality of end members. The first target holder is coupled to the tee support. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a target stand having a base, a post, and a tee support; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional view of one embodiment of a joint coupling component of the base of the target stand; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial, sectional view of one embodiment of the base illustrating rotation of a leg of the base; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial, sectional view of the target stand having the base shown deployed on an uneven surface; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the target stand; 
         FIG. 3A  is a partial sectional view of the target stand illustrating the movement of the post relative to the base; 
         FIG. 3B  is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a post of the target stand; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of one embodiment of a target holder. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
     It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of an adjustable target stand  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The target stand  100  includes a base  102 , a post  104 , and a tee support  106 . The post  104  is coupled to the base  102  and to the tee support  106 . The post  104  generally extends vertically upward from the base  102 , and is tiltable relative to the base  102  in at least one vertical plane. The tee support  106  is rotatable relative to the base  102 . The tee support  106  and optionally the post  104  include one or more target holders  122  suitable for securing a target and/or target trap ( 180 , shown in phantom) to the target stand. The tiltable post  104  and rotatable tee support  106  allow the target and/or target trap to be readily positioned in a variety of locations thus increasing the effectiveness of the training experience. 
     The base  102  is suitable for supporting the post  104  and the tee support  106  when placed on the ground, floor, or other surface. The base  102  is also configured to support the post  104  and tee support  106  when placed on a flat surface, an incline, or an uneven surface, such as stairs or rocky terrain. In one embodiment, the base  102  includes a plurality of legs  108  coupled by a cross-member  110 . The cross-member  110  may be coupled to the post  104  at a midpoint of the cross-member  110 . The cross-member  110  is further coupled to a first leg  108  at a first end  112  of the cross-member  110  and to a second leg  108  at a second end  114  of the cross-member  110 . Although the base  102  has an “H” configuration in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that other configurations will be utilized. 
     The cross-member  110  and the plurality of legs  108  may be coupled together in any number of suitable methods. In one embodiment, the cross-member  110  and legs  108  are coupled together in a manner that allows ease of disassembly for storage and transportation. The cross-member  110  and plurality of legs  108  may also be fitted together in any manner that allows the legs  108  to be rotated in the X-Y plane. In one embodiment, the cross-member  110  and legs  108  may be fit together using a male-female engagement. In one embodiment, the leg  108  may be press or snap fit to cross-member  110 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of a joint  200  between one of the legs  108  with the cross-member  110 . The joint  200  allows the leg  108  to rotate about an axis  220  defined through the centerline of the cross-member  110 . In one embodiment, the leg  108  may be rotated at least 90-degrees relative to the cross-member  110 . 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the leg  108  comprises two end members  202  and a tee-coupling  204 . The tee-coupling  204  includes male couplers  206  and a male coupler  208 . The male couplers  206  are configured to engage mating features  216  formed in the end members  202 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the male couplers  206  may be press fit into mating features  216 . In one embodiment, the male coupler  208  is a tube, and the mating feature  216  is the inside diameter of the end member  202 . The end members  202  may be secured to the tee-coupling  204  via a press or snap fit of the end members  202  to the tee-coupling  204 , or as depicted in  FIG. 2 , an elastic cord  210  may be secured to each of the end members  202  and routed through the tee-coupling  204  such that when end members  202  are detached from the tee-coupling, the end members  202  may be collapsed against the side of the tee-coupling  204  and retained together for ease of transportation and storage. In one embodiment, end caps (not shown) may be disposed on the distal end of each end member  202 . 
     Similarly, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the male coupler  208  of the tee-coupling  204  is configured to engage mating feature  214  of the cross-member  110 . The cross-member  110  may be secured to the tee-coupling  204  via a press or snap fit of the cross-member  110  to the tee-coupling  204 . In one embodiment, an elastic cord  212  may be secured to the tee-couplings  204  on opposing sides of the base  102 , and routed through the center of the cross-member  110 . In one embodiment, the elastic cord  212  may be secured by a knot  222  tied on the inside of a hole  224  formed in the tee-coupling  204 . 
     The coupling of the male coupler  208  to mating feature  214  permits rotation of the leg  108  along an axis  220  defined by the centerline of cross-member  110 . This feature allows the base  102  to be utilized on non-flat surfaces, such as stairs  280  and an incline  282  (shown in phantom), as depicted in  FIG. 2B . For example, one leg  108  of the base  102  may be placed on an upper step  234  of the stairs  280  while the other leg  108  may be rotated to set on a lower step  232  of the stairs  280 . In another example, the legs  108  may be rotated to follow the incline  282 , and the post  104  may be adjusted to a vertical orientation. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , an optional locking member  284  may be used to selectively secure the orientation between the cross-member  110  and tee-coupling  204 . In one embodiment, the optional locking member  284  may engage tee-coupling  204  through a threaded hole  286  formed through the cross-member  110 . In one embodiment, the locking member  280  may be a set screw or a knob. 
       FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of the post  104 , which secures the tee support  102  at a predefined elevation above the base  102 . The post  104  comprises at least one section. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the post  104  comprises a plurality of sections, shown without limitation to number as an upper section  324  and a lower section  326 . The upper section  324  is joined to the lower section  326  at a joint  320 . In one embodiment, the joint  320  comprises a male coupler  330  secured to the upper section  324  and adapted to engage a mating feature  340  of the lower section  326 . In one embodiment, an elastic cord  328  routed through the centerline  330  of the post  104  to axially retain the sections  324 ,  326  when assembled, and to keep the sections  324 ,  326  from becoming separated when disassembled. 
     In one embodiment, the lower section  326  of the post  104  may be coupled to the base  102  via a joint  300 . The joint  300  may comprise a tee-coupling  204  joining the lower section  326  to end members  302  of the cross-member  110 . The lower section  326  and end members  302  may be coupled to the tee-coupling  204  in a similar manner as that described above with regard to joint  200 . The end members  302  may be secured to the tee-coupling  204  via a press or snap fit. In one embodiment, the joint  300  may be configured to permit rotation of the post  104  through an X-Y plane relative to the base  102  about an axis  220  defined through the cross-member  110  as depicted in  FIG. 3A . In one embodiment, the joint  300  may be configured to permit 360-degree rotation of the post  104 . Alternatively, or in addition to, the post  104  may be tilted in the X-Y plane by rotation of the cross-member  110  relative to the legs  108  via the joint  200 . In one embodiment, the post  104  may be tilted to an angle at least 15-degrees from vertical. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , the upper section  324  of the post  104  may be coupled to the tee support  106  via a joint  350 . The joint  350  may comprise a tee-coupling  204  joining the upper section  324  to end members  352  of the tee support  106 . The joint  350  is also configured similarly to the joints  200 ,  300  described above. The end members  352  may be secured to the tee-coupling  204  via a press or snap fit of the end members  352  to the tee-coupling  204 . In one embodiment, end caps (not shown) may be disposed on the distal end of each end member  352 . In one embodiment, at least one of the joints  300 ,  320 , or  350  is configured to permit rotation of the tee support  106  relative to the base  102  on an axis  330  defined through the post  104  through at least 90-degrees, and in some embodiments up to 360-degrees, of rotation. 
     The target holders  122  are coupled to the target stand  100  at various locations. The tee support  106  features at least one target holder  122 . In one embodiment, a target holder  122  may be disposed on each distal end of the end members  352 . Another target holder  122  may be coupled to the joint  350  or portion of the post  104  proximate the tee support  106 . The post  104  also features at least one target holder  122 . In one embodiment, at least one target holder  122  may be disposed one of the upper or lower sections  324 ,  326 , proximate the mid-point of the post  104 . 
     The post  104  may be configured to reduce the height of the target stand  100 . In one embodiment, one of the lower section  326  or the upper section  324  may be removed, and the tee support  106  may be coupled directly to the base  102  using a single section. With the stand at about half the height with one of the sections removed, the target and/or target trap may be readily deployed in a more confined space than could a conventional target stand. 
     In another embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 3B , the post  104  may be configured to telescope. For example, the upper section  374  may slide axially into the lower section  376 . A locking mechanism  370 , such as a collet, selectively fixes the upper section  374  relative to the lower section  376  so that the tee support  106  may be set at a desired distance relative to the base  102 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a sectional view of one embodiment of the target holder  122 . The target holder  122  is suitable for affixing a target and/or a target trap to the target stand  100 . The target holder  122  may be coupled to the post  104  by any suitable means, for example, by screws, rivets, or other fasteners. In one embodiment, the target holder  122  includes a hook  402  coupled to a clamp  404 . The hook  402  is adapted to suspend a target or target trap by, for example, engaging a hole in the target or target trap. The clamp  404  includes spring-loaded jaws  406 ,  408  adapted to engage and retain the target and/or target trap. The jaw  408  not having the hook  402  includes one or more holes  410  for securing the target holder  122  to the post  104  or the tee support  106 . 
     Thus a target stand has been disclosed which allows a target and/or target trap to be positioned in a variety of locations. The target stand is light weight and easily transported. Moreover, the target stand may be readily and rapidly adapted to position a target on a wide variety of flat, rough, horizontal and non-horizontal, non-planar surfaces when enhancing the training experience, thereby improving the readiness of law enforcement and counter-terrorism professionals. 
     Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiment that still incorporate these teachings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5