GB2212892A

GB2212892A - Target plate for rifle and pistol reactive targets

Info

Publication number: GB2212892A
Application number: GB8727646A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alan Vertanness
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-26
Filing date: 1987-11-26
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Also published as: GB8727646D0

Abstract

A target plate 1, for use with reactive target mechanisms, is made of rubber, rubber compounds or other elastic material. When a bullet or other projectile hits the target plate 1 the vibrations are detected by a sensor 4 which then activates the target mechanism 3 to move the plate 1 by means of an operating arm 2. The mechanism 3 will continue to operate even after a large number of bullets have hit the target; the number of hits being greater than a plywood target plate can accommodate. The target plate 1 will allow bullets to pass safely through it without ricochet, and can be hit by a large number of bullets without splintering, shattering or breaking. <IMAGE>

Description

TARGET PLATE FOR RIFLE AND PISTOL REACTIVE TARGETS This invention relates to target plates for rifle and pistol reactive targets.

Rifle and pistol shooting ranges from airweapons through .22 cal. rimfire to full bore and magnum weapons. It is practised by the military, by police forces and by sportsmen and women all over the world.

In competitions and in firearms training, shooters fire at targets. There are several types of targets available.

Airgunners generally use paper targets or steel targets shaped to resemble birds or small animals. Small bore and full bore shooters usually use plywood targets.

The most popular reactive targets for small and full bore shooting are electrically operated "Pop-Up" and "Turning" targets. The "Pop-Up" are targets which are horizontal when dormant and vertical when activated. The "Turning" targets are edge-on to a shooter when dormant and face-on when activated.

The target plates for these targets are usually of plywood faced with paper.

When the targets are hit by a bullet, the vibration triggers a sensor placed in contact with the target plate.

This sensor then activates the target mechanism which drops a "Pop-Up" target or turns a "Turning" target.

A bullet fired into a plywood target plate produces a hole in the target material; subsequent shots eventually tearing off pieces of plywood large enough to render the target unserviceable. Under normal use these target plates can only accommodate some fifty or so shots before requiring repairs or replacement.

This frequency of target plate replacement is disruptive to training exercises, time wasting, inconvenient and uneconomical.

Metal or "hard" target plates cannot be used for small and full bore shooting as they will cause ricochets which are dangerous.

There is a market for a target plate that will allow a reactive target to continue operating even after a large number of shots have hit the target.

An object of the present invention is to provide a target plate that will carry out the following functions: a) activate a sensor and thereby a reactive target mechanism even after a large number of bullets have hit the target plate; this large number of bullets being greater than a plywood target plate can accommodate and still continue to be serviceable.

b) Allow the bullets to pass safely through the target plate without ricochet.

c) Allow the target plate to be hit by bullets without splintering, shattering or breaking.

To this end, apparatus according to the present invention comprises: - means for allowing a target plate to operate a reactive target mechanism and continue to operate the reactive target mechanism even after a large number of bullets have hit the target plate; this large number of bullets being greater than a plywood target plate can accommodate and still continue to be serviceable.

- means for allowing bullets to pass safely through the target plate when hit.

- means for preventing a target plate from splintering, shattering or breaking when hit by a large number of bullets.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a target plate made of rubber, rubber compounds or other elastic material which allows bullets to pass through the target and activate the target sensor; which allows bullets to pass safely through it and which allows the target -plate material to close over the void made by the bullet and which continues to operate a reactive target mechanism even after a large number of bullets have hit the target plate; this large number of bullets being greater than a plywood target plate can accommodate and still continue to be serviceable; and which will not splinter, shatter or break when hit by a large number of bullets.

Use of the preferred embodiment of the invention gives rise to the folowing advantages: 1. A large number of rounds can be fired into the target plate before the target plate needs replacement.

One target plate of this invention will be the equivalent of a plurality of plywood target plates.

2. More efficient use of training time, as less stoppage time will be required, especially for long range firing practices.

3. More economical shooting.

4. Safer shooting.

In order that the invention may be well understood, the presently preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: - Fig 1 shows the general arrangement of the reactive target face-on.

- Fig 2 shows the side view of the reactive target.

A detailed description of the components of the invention followed by its operational functions are listed below with reference to the accompanying drawing: - In fig 1, item 1 is a rubber or elastic target plate fitted to an operating arm 2. Item 3 is a reactive target mechanism which moves the target plate by activating the operating arm. Item 4 is a sensor attached to the operating arm.

OPERATION OF TARGET PLATE When a bullet hits the target plate 1 the vibrations are felt by the sensor 4. The sensor activates the target mechanism 3 which moves the target plate by means of the operating arm 2.

The target plate is "self-healing", that is, the hole made by the bullet closes over, so that another bullet hitting the target plate in the same position will still cause the plate to send vibrations to the sensor. Thus a large number of bullets can strike the target plate in exactly the same position and still operate the reactive target.

Although the target plate detailed above has been described for use with small and full bore rifles and pistols, the apparatus can be used equally well with airweapons, darts and other projectiles.

Claims

1. A target plate made of rubber, rubber compounds or other elastic material - for use with reactive target mechanisms - that will operate the target mechanism through a sensor and will continue to operate the target mechanism even after a large number of bullets or other projectiles have hit the target; the number of hits being greater than a plywood target plate can accommodate and still continue to be serviceable.

2. A target plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein bullets hitting the target plate can pass safely through the target plate without ricochet.

3. A target plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the target plate will not splinter, shatter or break when hit by a large number of bullets.