U.S. patent application number 15/374621 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-29 for method and apparatus for suspending a ballistic target.
The applicant listed for this patent is ANDREW FERNANDEZ. Invention is credited to ANDREW FERNANDEZ.
Application Number | 20170184378 15/374621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59088292 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170184378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FERNANDEZ; ANDREW |
June 29, 2017 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING A BALLISTIC TARGET
Abstract
A method and system for suspending a target above a surface that
provides for supporting a support member above the surface. A
hanger is used to suspend a target from the support member. When
the target is hanging from the support member, it is induced into
an angle so that its top portion is closer to a shooter. When the
target is struck by an incoming projectile, it is allowed to pivot
downward from its initial position and the target is also
restrained from rotating about the axis of suspension.
Inventors: |
FERNANDEZ; ANDREW; (LA
VERNE, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FERNANDEZ; ANDREW |
LA VERNE |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59088292 |
Appl. No.: |
15/374621 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15280964 |
Sep 29, 2016 |
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15374621 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41J 1/10 20130101; F41J
7/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41J 1/10 20060101
F41J001/10; F41J 7/04 20060101 F41J007/04 |
Claims
1. A method for suspending a target comprising: maintain a
horizontal support member above a surface; supporting a target from
the horizontal support member at a declining angle where a top side
of the target is closer to the source of an incoming projectile;
allowing the target to deflect from an initial position when struck
by a projectile; and substantially constraining the target from
rotating about the axis of suspension.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein suspending a target from the
horizontal support member at a declining angle comprises: applying
a torque component to at least one end of at least one hanger
suspended from the horizontal support member.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein suspending a target from the
horizontal support member at a declining angle comprises: applying
a torque component about pivot point of hanger suspended from the
horizontal support member, said torque component is substantially
derived from the weight of the target.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein suspending a target from the
horizontal support member at a declining angle comprises: attaching
a target to a hanger suspended from the horizontal support member,
said attachment disposed at a point on the target that is below the
center-of-gravity of the target.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein suspending a target from the
horizontal support member at a declining angle comprises: attaching
a target to a hanger suspended from the horizontal support member,
said attachment being accomplished at a point substantially at the
end of the hanger that is offset forward from the hanger's
suspension point toward the direction of an incoming
projectile.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein suspending a target from the
horizontal support member at a declining angle comprises: attaching
a target to a hanger suspended from the horizontal support member,
said attachment disposed at a point on the target that is below the
center-of-gravity of the target and offset forward a from the
hanger's suspension point toward the direction of an incoming
projectile.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein constraining the target from
rotating about an axis of suspension comprises: rigidly attaching
the target to a first hanger suspended from the horizontal support
member at a first peripheral position on the target; and rigidly
attaching the target to a second hanger suspended from the
horizontal support member at a second peripheral position on the
target.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein constraining the target from
rotating about an axis of suspension comprises: providing a
front-facing attachment surface at a bottom end a first hanger
suspended from the horizontal support member; positioning the
front-facing attachment surface against a rear surface of the
target; applying a force to a front surface of a target and a
substantially opposite force to a rear surface of the front-facing
attachment surface.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein constraining the target from
rotating about an axis of suspension comprises: providing an
orifice in the target, said orifice disposed below the center of
gravity of said target; applying a force to a front surface of a
target and a substantially opposite force to a rear surface of the
target, said forces applied proximate to the orifice; and
substantially restraining the forces from rotating about a
substantially vertical axis.
10. A system for suspending a ballistic target comprising:
horizontal support member comprising: plurality of leg bracket
receptacles; horizontal bar for supporting a hanger; plurality of
leg brackets, each comprising: vertical tab structured to couple
with the leg bracket receptacle included in the horizontal support
member; and two leg tabs disposed downward and set off at an angle
to form an "A"; and target hanger comprising: target attachment
flange disposed at a bottom end of the hanger, said target
attachment flange including a plane facing toward a shooter; target
attachment orifice disposed in the target attachment surface; and
top support orifice disposed at a top end of the hanger and
structured to pivot toward and away from a shooter when installed
over the horizontal bar included in the horizontal support
member.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the target attachment flange at
the bottom of the hanger includes an offset member that offsets the
attachment flange toward the direction of an incoming
projectile.
12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a target, said target
having attachment orifices that are situated below its center of
gravity.
13. The system of claim 8 further comprising a target, said target
being attached to the bottom of the hanger at a point that is below
the center of gravity of the target.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein the target attachment surface at
the bottom end of the hanger is offset toward the direction of an
incoming projectile.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/280,964, filed on Sep. 29, 2016, entitled
"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING A BALLISTIC TARGET, by
Fernandez, the text and figures of which are incorporated herein in
its entirety; the priority date of application Ser. No. 15/280,964
is claimed to the maximum extent allowed by law.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are many apparatus for suspending a ballistic target.
Most of these mechanisms are made of a hardened steel, which
typically, but not always an abrasion resistant material. The
targets themselves are also typically made of hardened, abrasion
resistant steel. These targets typically resemble a gong,
especially when they are attached to a corresponding suspending
mechanism.
[0003] Such gong type targets are quite commonplace. In fact,
target systems made by competing manufactures are very similar to
each other and there are little to no distinguishing
characteristics. This is typical in an industry where innovation
fell off early because the products are very simple and "low
tech".
[0004] Among the simplest gong target systems includes a pair a leg
assemblies where each leg assembly itself includes two legs and
each assembly is designed to fit over a horizontal bar. A
simplistic horizontal bar is inserted into receptacles included in
the leg assembly. One leg assembly is so provided on each side of
the bar to form a dual "A-Frame" much akin to a small children's
swing set. In the most simple of systems, the leg assembles are
structured to fit over a piece of lumber, e.g. a 2-by-4.
[0005] In these simplistic gong target systems suspend a target
from the horizontal bar using metal chain. There are several
problems with such simplicity, one of which has serious safety
implications. When a target suspended by chain is struck by a
bullet, the kinetic energy is dissipated in a completely
uncontrolled manner. At the moment of impact, the target is
displaced but its direction of travel in unpredictable. This means
that a bullet's path, post impact, cannot be predicted. Ricochet
derived injuries are a real threat.
[0006] Recognizing the lethality of ricochet events, the industry
has made some strides in restraining the movement of the target
when it is struck by a bullet. Some target suspension systems are
structured so as to partially restrain the target, but still cannot
maintain an orthogonal orientation of the target relative to the
shooter. So, there is always some axial rotation around a vertical
axis. A ricochet can still be directed toward others on the
shooting range.
[0007] In those systems that attempt to partially restrain a gong
target, the target is suspended using solid hanger members. These
prior art hanging members move independently and, worse yet, the
target itself can still rotate about the vertical axis because the
solid hangers are allowed to move independently. Also, these prior
art systems typically attach the solid hangers to the horizontal
bar using a free-moving attachment mechanism, for example a short
span of chain. The same type of attachment is also used at the
target.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Several alternative embodiments will hereinafter be
described in conjunction with the appended drawings and figures,
wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a pictorial a representation of one example
embodiment of a system for suspending a ballistic target;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that depicts one example method for
suspending a target;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method
for suspending a target at a declining angle;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram is a flow diagram that depicts one
alternative method for achieving a declining angle through
application of a torque component that is substantially derived
from the weight of the target itself;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative methods
for supporting a target at a declining angle;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method
for constraining a target from rotating about an axis of
suspense;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another
alternative method for constraining a target from rotating about an
axis of suspension;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram dedicates yet another alternative
method for constraining a target from rotating about an axis of
suspension;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram that depicts one alternative
example embodiment of a horizontal support member;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates how a
target, according to one illustrative embodiment, is attached to a
hanger;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram that depicts the forces at
work that cause a target to be suspended at a declining angle;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an illustrative embodiment that depicts the
forces applied to hold a target against a mounting flange included
at the lower end of a hanger;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a pictorial depiction of how, in one example
embodiment, a hanger is installed over a horizontal bar; and
[0022] FIG. 14 is a pictorial representation that illustrates how
legs are attached to a leg attachment bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a pictorial a representation of one example
embodiment of a system for suspending a ballistic target. According
to one example embodiment, a system for suspending a ballistic
target comprises a horizontal support member 100. The horizontal
support 100 itself comprises a plurality of leg bracket receptacles
which receives leg receive legs 140. When all of the legs 140 are
installed onto the leg brackets 130, the assembly resembles an "A"
frame support structure. According to this example embodiment, the
horizontal support member 100 includes a horizontal bar 100. The
horizontal bar 100 spans a first "A" support structure to a second
"A" support structure. It should be appreciated that these two
support structures are created by the two legs 140 to a single leg
bracket 130. Then, the leg bracket 130 is installed into the leg
bracket receptacles included in the horizontal support member
100.
[0024] In further illustration of one example embodiment of a
president system, FIG. 1 further illustrates that a target 150 is
suspended from a the horizontal bar 110 using one or more hangers
120. It should be appreciated that, according to this illustrative
embodiment, the hangers 120 includes amounting flange 125. The
amounting flange, according to some embodiment, also includes a
front-facing attachments surface 123. The front-facing attachments
surface 123 is disposed against a rear surface of the target 150.
It should likewise be appreciated that the target 150, in this
illustrative embodiment, is attached using fasteners. Fasteners are
received through attachment orifices 155. It should also be
appreciated that the attachment orifices 155 included in the target
150 are set below a center of gravity 160 of said target 150.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that depicts one example method for
suspending a target. According to this example method, a target is
suspended by maintaining a horizontal support member above a
surface (step 5). Then, a target is supported from the horizontal
support member. It should be appreciated that, according to one
alternative illustrative use case, the present method is applied in
situations where the horizontal support member includes a
horizontal bar from which a target is supported. In either of these
alternative methods, the target is supported from the horizontal
support member at a declining angle (step 10). In this illustrative
method, the declining angle is such that the top side of a target
is positioned closer to the source of an incoming projectile.
[0026] When the target is struck by a projectile (step 15), is
allowed to deflect from its initial position (step 20). In this
example method, the target is also substantially constrained from
rotating about the axis of suspension (step 25). It should be
appreciated that by ensuring that the target is supported at a
declining angle, an incoming projectile will not only deflect the
target further downward, any ricocheting projectile will also be
directed substantially downward rather than outward toward the
direction of a shooter. This is a significant safety enhancement
over prior art technology in this realm.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method
for suspending a target at a declining angle. According to this
alternative method, suspended target is caused to be oriented at a
declining angle by applying a toward component to at least one end
of one hangar suspended from the horizontal support member (step
30). It should be appreciated that such a toward component must be
applied so as to cause the bottom of the target to be further away
from the source of a projectile and the top of the target to be
closer to the source of a projectile.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram is a flow diagram that depicts one
alternative method for achieving a declining angle through
application of a torque component that is substantially derived
from the weight of the target itself. As will become apparent by
additional teachings in this disclosure, a hangar 120 supported
from a horizontal bar 110 included in a horizontal support member
100 will typically angle from a horizontal bar 110 at a
substantially vertical angle. Referring again to FIG. 1, this
vertical angle is natural since the weight of the hangar 120 is
substantially uniformly distributed immediately below the
horizontal bar 110.
[0029] Even a mounting flange 125 included in a hangar 120 will not
significantly offset the center of gravity of the anger 120. As
such the anger 120 continues to dangle vertically from the
horizontal bar 110. Once on additional weight, for example the
weight of the target 150, is introduced, the center of gravity of
the hangar 120 and the target 150 is shifted and causes the hanger
120 to swing backward away from the source of a projectile. Hence,
the torque component is substantially derived from the weight of
the target (step 35). This toward component is then applied to the
hangar, which causes the hanger to pivot about a pivot point where
the target is suspended (step 37) from being horizontal support
member 100 (e.g. a horizontal bar 110 included therein).
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that depicts alternative methods
for supporting a target at a declining angle. According to one
example alternative method, An attachment point on a hanger is
offset forward toward the direction of an incoming projectile (step
45). It is to be appreciated that the offset is relative to the
center of gravity of the hanger. Then, a target is attached to the
hanger at this offset attachment point (step 50).
[0031] In yet another alternative method, at an attachment point on
a a target is selected such that international point on the target
is below the center of gravity of the target (step 40). The target
is then attached to the anger at the selected attachment point
(step 50).
[0032] And in yet another alternative method, the attachment point
on a target is selected such that the attached to put all the
target is below the center of gravity of the target (step 40), the
catcher point on the hanger is also offset forward from the center
of gravity of the hanger (step 45) and the target is then attached
to the hanger at the selected catcher point (step 50), in this
alternative method this is accomplished at the offset attachment
point on the hanger (step 50). Further illustration of these
methods is presented infra along with description of various
hardware structures utilizing these methods are described.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that depicts one alternative method
for constraining a target from rotating about an axis of
suspension. According to this alternative method, constraining a
target from rotating about an axis of suspension is accomplished by
rigidly attaching the target to a first hanger suspended from a
horizontal support member (step 55). The target is also attached in
a rigid matter to a second hanger suspended from the same
horizontal support member (step 60). It should be appreciated that
there must be some lateral spacing between the first and second
hangers, relative to the direction from which a projectile might be
fired toward the target, in order to resist torsional forces upon
the target when the target is struck by such a projectile.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that depicts yet another
alternative method for constraining a target from rotating about an
axis of suspension. In this alternative method, a front-facing
attachment surface is provided at a bottom end of a first hanger
(step 65). Typically, this front-facing attachment surface
comprises a planar surface that is oriented substantially facing
the direction from which a projectile may be received. The
front-facing attachment service included in the first hanger is
then positioned against the rear surface of the target (step
70).
[0035] To secure the front-facing attachment surface to the back of
the target, a force is applied to the front of the target and a
substantially opposite force is applied to a rear surface of the
front-facing attachment surface (step 75). It should be appreciated
that the surface included in the hanger is sufficient to restrain a
wobble movement of the target positioned thereon. Hence, according
to this alternative method, a projectile striking the target will
impart torsional forces that are resisted by the planar interface
between the rear surface of the target and the front surface of the
front-facing attachment surface provided at the bottom end of a
first hanger.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram dedicates yet another alternative
method for constraining a target from rotating about an axis of
suspension. In this alternative method, and orifices provided in
the target. It should be appreciated that, according to this
alternative method, the orifices provided in the target at a point
below the center of gravity of the target (step 80). A force is
applied to the front of the target proximate to the orifice (step
85). A substantially opposite force is applied to the rear of the
target, again proximate to the orifice (step 90). Additionally the
forces are substantially restrained from rotating about a
substantially vertical axis (step 95).
[0037] FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram that depicts one alternative
example embodiment of a horizontal support member. According to
this example embodiment, a horizontal support member 100 comprises
a horizontal bar 110. On either side of the horizontal bar 110,
there are included in the horizontal support member 100 a leg
bracket receptacle 300. Each leg bracket receptacle 300 further
comprises a tab 305 that is used to retain a leg bracket once the
leg bracket is received into the receptacle 300. A further
description of how the leg bracket interacts with the leg
receptacle is provided in the Incorporated reference at FIG. 10 and
corresponding text at Para. [0022].
[0038] FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram that illustrates how a
target, according to one illustrative embodiment, is attached to a
hanger. In this alternative example embodiment, the hanger 120
includes a pivot orifice 122. The pivot orifice 122 dispose around
the horizontal bar 110 included in the horizontal support member.
At the bottom end of the hanger 120, there is included in mounting
flange 125. It should be appreciated that the mounting flange 125
includes a front surface 123 and the rear surface 131.
[0039] In some alternative embodiment, the mounting flange 125 has
included therein that orifice 129, which is used to receive a
fastener that penetrates the mounting flange 125 and a target 150.
Accordingly, in such alternative embodiment, the target 150 has
disposed therein a corresponding orifice 155. It should be
appreciated that, according to this alternative example embodiment,
the target 150 is oriented such that the center of gravity 160 is
higher than the mounting orifice 155. This places a greater level
of the target's mass above the mounting flange 125.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram that depicts the forces at
work that cause a target to be suspended at a declining angle. It
should be appreciated that, when a hanger 120 is suspended from a
horizontal bar 110, it will ordinarily hanger downward such that is
center of gravity 273 will be below its pivot point 260. If a
target 150 were to be attached to the bottom of the hanger, which
is the hanging arrangement in prior art systems, the center of
gravity 160 of the target 150 with essentially be in vertical
alignment with the center of gravity 273 of the hanger 120. In
this, and other new embodiments described herein be target 150 is
offset 255 from the ordinary centerline 121 of the hanger 120. It
should be appreciated that this centerline 121 of the hanger 120 is
defined as a a line running through the center of the hanger 120
through its center of gravity 273 and through the pivot point
260.
[0041] It is important to realize that, according to various
embodiment is presented herein, attachment of the target 150 is
accomplished in such an offset manner. The amount of offset can be
adjusted to accommodate different targets of different amounts of
mass and also adjusted in order to achieve different angles of
declination as depicted in FIG. 11. Such analysis is not
necessarily presented here because such vector moments (e.g. 270
and 275) may be determined by simple static analysis, which is
based on the mass of the hanger 120 and the mass of the target
150.
[0042] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that such simple
static analysis would also consider the amount of offset in the
other geometries associated with any particular embodiment.
Accordingly, all such variations are intended to be within the
scope of the claims appended hereto. By positioning the center of
gravity 160 of the target 150 above the attachment point a greater
portion of the mass of the target may be displaced from the
centerline of the hanger. Hence, in one embodiment, the target 150
is situated so that its center of mass is higher than the
attachment point provided at the lower end of the hanger 120.
[0043] FIG. 12 is an illustrative embodiment that depicts the
forces applied to hold a target against a mounting flange included
at the lower end of a hanger. In this example embodiment, forces
280 are applied to the front of the target proximate to an orifice
155 disposed therein. Substantially equal and opposite forces 281
are applied to the rear surface of the mounting flange 125. In
various alternative embodiments, application of such forces is
accomplished by means of a fastener. For example, one alternative
embodiment utilizes a machine screw 290 and a corresponding machine
nut 285.
[0044] FIG. 13 is a pictorial depiction of how, in one example
embodiment, a hanger is installed over a horizontal bar. It should
be appreciated that, according to various alternative embodiment,
the horizontal support member 100 includes features for receiving a
leg bracket 130. In such embodiment, the leg bracket 130 is
received into a leg bracket receptacle 300, which is included at
least one end of the horizontal support member 100. Installation of
a hanger 120 over the horizontal bar 110 is accomplished by sliding
the pivot orifice 122 over the end of the horizontal support member
100.
[0045] Typically, the hanger 120 will be orthogonal to its normal
position but it is suspended by the horizontal bar 110.
Accordingly, a right angle path 113 is followed from the end of the
horizontal support member 100 around to the horizontal bar 110. It
should be appreciated that, in a plan view (e.g. the view presented
in FIG. 9), one example embodiment of a horizontal support member
100 resembles a very wide "U" shape. Accordingly, the hanger 120 is
positioned over one end of the "U" and is worked around to the
bottom of the "U" according to the right angle path 113 depicted in
FIG. 13. Once one or more hangers are installed onto the horizontal
bar 110 in this manner, the leg bracket 130 is inserted into the
leg bracket receptacle 300.
[0046] FIG. 14 is a pictorial representation that illustrates how
legs are attached to a leg attachment bracket. Just as taught to
the incorporated reference, the leg bracket 130, when it is
inserted into the leg receptacle 300, interacts with the restraint
tab 305 to reduce the possibility of inadvertent extraction from
the leg bracket receptacle 300. The leg bracket 130 includes a
large orifice 235 sized to fit over the restraint tab 305.
According to this example embodiment, a leg bracket 130 includes
leg tabs 245 there oriented downward and together substantially
form a A-frame shape. The leg tabs 245 are sized to fit into the
inner diameter of a leg 230. It should be appreciated that such
legs are typically made from some form of piping. The legs,
according to various alternative embodiments, may or may not be
included in the system for suspending a ballistic target.
[0047] While the present method and apparatus has been described in
terms of several alternative and exemplary embodiments, it is
contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations, and
equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings.
It is therefore intended that the true spirit and scope of the
claims appended hereto include all such alternatives,
modifications, permutations, and equivalents.
* * * * *