US20080078900A1

US20080078900A1 - Portable Target Assembly for Shooting

Info

Publication number: US20080078900A1
Application number: US11/532,534
Authority: US
Inventors: Dale Alan McClellan
Original assignee: Special Tactical Services LLC
Current assignee: Special Tactical Services LLC
Priority date: 2006-09-17
Filing date: 2006-09-17
Publication date: 2008-04-03

Abstract

A portable target assembly includes an upper plate unit, an upright and a base unit. The upper plate unit is comprised of a strike plate and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket comprises a top plate, a side plate, a bottom plate and an upright housing. The side plate of the mounting bracket has an X-shaped opening. The side plate of the mounting bracket is welded to the strike plate through the X-shaped opening. The bottom plate of the mounting bracket has a protrusion. The upright housing of the mounting bracket is welded to the top plate of the mounting bracket and extends vertically through the protrusion of the bottom plate of the mounting bracket to receive the upright. The upright housing has a crest for a tight fit of the upright. Furthermore, in the present embodiment the base unit is comprised of a base and a post. The post is welded to the base. The post extends vertically to receive the upright. The post is positioned in relation to the base in such way that upright could be switched in positions when it received by the post.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to a steel target for shooting and more particularly to a steel target that can be assembled and re-assembled depending on the circumstance; these are easily portable.
2. Description of Related Art
As is well known there is a need for a target support structure that can be easily assembled and re-assembled. Today, various targets are employed by law enforcement agencies, military units, and shooting competition organizations. Such targets are usually configured as integral, heavy-gauge metal frameworks consisting of a large number of interconnected braces that provide a rigid assembly on which strike plates are mounted. As a result, such a support structure is effectively permanent and it cannot be readily disassembled, transported and reassembled for use at different shooting ranges.
Examples of devices generally related to this art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,925 issued on Sep. 8, 1987 to Paul Scholem (Portable Steel Target for Pistol Shooting).
However, none of the targets disclosed in this prior art provide adequate personal protection, while being easily transported and assembled. In this regard, most prior art target assemblies typically have a steel circular target affixed vertically to the mounting base of the target support structure.
It would be desirable to provide a portable target assembly that provides enhanced general protection for upright users but is easy to transport and to assemble with no tools involved.
It would also be desirable to provide a new and improved bulletproof target assembly, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It would likewise be desirable to provide a new and improved target assembly of a durable and reliable construction.
Finally, it would be desirable is to provide a new and improved target assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such target assemblies economically available to the buying public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of this invention, a portable target assembly includes an upper plate unit, an upright and a base unit. The upper plate unit is comprised of a strike plate and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket comprises a top plate, a side plate, a bottom plate and an upright housing. The side plate of the mounting bracket has an X-shaped opening. The side plate of the mounting bracket is welded to the strike plate through the X-shaped opening. The bottom plate of the mounting bracket has a protrusion. The upright housing of the mounting bracket is welded to the top plate of the mounting bracket and extends vertically through the protrusion of the bottom plate of the mounting bracket to receive the upright. The upright housing has a crest for a tight fit of the upright.
In the present embodiment the upright has a tight fit into the upright housing.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment the base unit is comprised of a two pairs of legs and a post. The post is welded at an intersection of the two pairs of legs. The post extends vertically to receive the upright. The post is positioned in relation to the legs in such way that upright could be switched into positions when it is received by the post.
Furthermore, personal safety can best be achieved when the strike plate is at on deflection angle of 10°-30° to the upright when it is received by the upright housing of the mounting bracket and the post of the base unit. Better results are achieved when the lo strike plate and the upright are at a deflection angle of 15°-25°. However, the best results appear to be achieved when the strike plate and the upright are at a deflection angle at approximately 20°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These aspects, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable target assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a mounting bracket of the exemplary embodiment of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the exemplary embodiment of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an upright of the exemplary embodiment the portable target assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a portable target assembly 10 formed of an upper plate unit 20, an upright 30, and a base unit 40.
The parts of the assembly may be formed from AR500 (Abrasion resistance) material that withstands virtually any standard caliber of handgun or short gun ammunition. A strike plate 21 is a rectangular or flat plate, which in one embodiment is ½″ thick and size 12″×12″ or 12″×18″. In another embodiment the strike plate is ⅜″ thick. The strike plate 21 is formed from AR500 material.
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate unit 20 is comprised of the strike plate 21 and a mounting bracket 22. The mounting bracket 22 has a top plate 23, a side plate 24, a bottom plate 25 and an upright housing 26. The side plate 24 of the mounting bracket 22 has an X-shaped opening 24A. The side plate 24 of the mounting bracket 22 welded to the strike plate 21 through the X-shaped opening 24A. The bottom plate 25 of the mounting bracket 22 has a protrusion 25A as shown in FIG. 2. The upright housing 26 of the mounting bracket 22 is welded to the top plate 23 of the mounting bracket 22 and extends vertically through the protrusion 25A of the bottom plate 25 of the mounting bracket 22 to receive the upright 30. The upright housing 26 has a crest 26A for a tight fit of the upright 30.
In the present embodiment the upright 30 has a tight fit into the upright housing 26. The upright 30 has a top portion 31 and a bottom portion 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the top portion 31 of the upright 30 is received into the upright housing 26 of the mounting bracket 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the upright 30 also has a flat section 33 and an angled section 34.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment the base unit 40 is comprised of two pairs of legs 41 and 42 and a post 43. The post 43 is welded at an intersection of the two pairs of legs 41 and 42. The post 43 extends vertically to receive the bottom portion 32 the upright 30 as shown in FIG. 3. The post 43 is positioned in relation to the legs in such way that upright 30 could be switched into various positions, when the upright bottom portion 32 is received by the post 43 as shown in FIG. 3. Moreover, personal safety can best be achieved when the angled section 34 of the upright 30 is facing the shooter.
In the actual embodiment each of the pair of the iron legs 41 and 42 may comprise of ½″1½″×18¾″ section steel iron approximately 3 feet in length. The post 43 may comprise 6-inch-thick steel plate 43 with the size 1⅜″×6″. More generally the base unit 40 is shaped to provide a stable footing.
Furthermore, personal safety can best be achieved when the strike plate 21 at a deflection angle 44 (deflection angle 44 in FIG. 3) of 10°-30° to the upright 30 when its top portion 31 is received by the upright housing 26 of the mounting bracket 22 and its bottom portion 32 is received by the post 43 of the base unit 40. Better results are achieved when the strike plate 21 and the upright 30 are at a deflection angle of 15°-25°. However, the best results appear to be achieved when the strike plate 21 and the upright 30 are at a deflection angle at approximately 20°.
The above assembly provides 100% true ballistic integrity even if mounted on uneven ground. As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided.
This assembly provides enhanced general protection for upright users but is easy to transport and to assemble without any tools involved. Further, this embodiment provides that the target assembly has laser-cut smooth borders and radius corners to eliminate sharp edges for safe handling and gives a professional appearance. Further, the above-mentioned angles provide additional protection by deflecting bullets to one side or the other (in case of angled section 34 of the upright 30) or downwards (in case of the deflection angle formed between the strike plate 21 and the upright 30). Furthermore, the angled strike plate allows the shield to be tailored to its location. Finally, all target assemblies are built with all the surfaces, as mentioned above, angled so that fragmentation is directed in a reliable pattern away from the firing line.
With regard to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
For example, although the target assembly shown herein includes angled strike plates, it should be understood that the strike plate could be non-angled.

Claims

1. A portable target assembly, comprising:

an upper plate unit, wherein the upper plate unit comprises a strike plate and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket defining at least one plate and an upright housing, the mounting bracket welded to the strike plate;

wherein the plate of the mounting bracket defines a protrusion and the upright housing of the mounting bracket extends vertically through the protrusion;

an upright, the upright received by the upright housing; and

a base unit, the base unit comprising a plurality of legs and a post, wherein the post is connected to the plurality of legs;

wherein the strike plate of the upper plate unit is at a deflection angle of 10°-30° to the upright, when the upright is received by the upright housing of the mounting bracket.

2. The portable target of claim 1, wherein the post of the base unit extends vertically to receive the upright.

3. The portable target assembly of claim 2, wherein the plate of the mounting bracket defines an X-shaped opening.

4. The portable target assembly of claim 3, wherein the plate of the mounting bracket is welded to the strike plate through the X-shaped opening.

5. The portable target assembly of claim 4, wherein the upright housing of the mounting bracket has a crest for tight fit of the upright.

6. The portable target assembly of claim 5, wherein the base unit comprises two pairs of legs.

7. The portable target assembly of claim 6, wherein the post of the base unit is positioned in relationship to the two pairs of legs so that the upright may be switched in positions.

8. The portable target assembly of claim 1, wherein the deflection angle is 15°-25°.

9. The portable target assembly of claim 8, wherein the deflection angle of an approximately 20°.

10. The portable target assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper plate unit has resistance of at least AR500.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a first member, a second member and a third member;

the first member comprising a strike plate and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket defining at least one plate and an upright housing, the mounting bracket welded to the strike plate;

the second member is received by the upright housing of the first member; and

the third member comprises a base providing a stable footing for the apparatus and a post, wherein the post extends vertically to receive the second member, the post is welded to the base;

wherein the first member is at a deflection angle of 10°-30° to the second member, when the second member is received by the first and the third member.

12. A method for use with a base, an upright, and upper plate unit comprising a strike plate, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the base on the surface, relative to a shooting location;

mounting the upright upon the base, orienting the upright so that no flat surface of the upright faces the shooting location;

mounting the upper plate unit upon the upright, the strike plate of the upper plate unit angled at 10°-30° relative to the upright; and

firing bullets toward the strike plate.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps, performed after the firing step, of:

removing the upper plate unit for the upright; and

removing the upright from the base.