Target Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/634,089, which was filed on Apr. 15, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of target devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a life-like animal target for shooting practice. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in target devices. Generally, people may enjoy shooting a traditional circular target for shooting practice. Further, traditional shooting targets, such as a bullseye or tin can may be enjoyable; however, these items can be boring and do not mimic a real life experience. Accordingly, people may be looking for more fun, realistic, and unique ways to practice shooting.

Further, the use of targets for shooting practice is well known in the prior art. However, it would be desirable to include a more realistic target to enhance the shooting experience. For example, it would be desirable to provide convenient, easy to assemble life-like animal targets for shooting practice. These items are often constructed from plywood and use supporting blocks to stand erect for better view of the hunter or shooter. Most animal targets are designed for display outdoors and are weatherproof. Accordingly, more traditional targets eventually become boring and hunters can grow tired of them.

Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved target device that is made in the likeness of an animal to offer a more realistic target practical experience. More particularly, there is a demand for a completely weatherproof realistic animal-like target that is especially adapted for use to enhance the shooting experience. Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a target device that provides convenient, easy to assemble, life-like animal targets for shooting practice. There is also a long felt need in the art for a target device that offers a lightweight, portable design to allow for effortless transporting from one shooting location to the next. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that enables users to sharpen their shooting skills, using targets that mimic the size and appearance of real animals. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that assists in improving accuracy and precision as users aim for specific target areas on the animal. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that provides fun and excitement for shooters of all skill levels. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that can be built in the shape of any animal that is desired by the shooter.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a target device. The device is a shooting target made in the likeness of an animal to offer a more realistic target practice experience. The target device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of the preferred animal that measures approximately a quarter of an inch thick and made from a 4×8 sheet of plywood. The body component would be a wooden structure shaped like an animal with the wood being sealed to allow for the whole component to be weatherproof for outdoor use. The target device also comprises a backboard component which is connected to the body component with brackets or is just embedded into the ground without connecting to the body component. Further, the target device comprises supportive blocks which are screwed into the bottom of the body component on both the front and back. Hook and loop fasteners are also used to ensure the fastening of these supporting blocks. Accordingly, poles and pole holders are also used to secure the target device to the ground. Thus, each target device functions as a suitable way of practicing shooting on a target, through different types of targets that are shaped like real animals. The device can be shaped as a suitable animal as is known in the art.

In this manner, the target device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides convenient, easy to assemble, life-like animal targets for shooting practice. The device is a plywood structure with a plastic target inside of it and blocks and poles anchoring it to the ground. The device can be manufactured of a plywood material but must also be sealed in order to ensure that the entire device is weatherproof for outdoor use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a target device. The device is a convenient, easy to assemble, life-like animal target for shooting practice. The target device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of an animal. The body component would be a sealed plywood structure to ensure that it is weatherproof for outdoor use. Thus, each target device functions as a suitable way of shooting at a target for practice, through different types of animal-like targets for a more realistic shooting experience.

In one embodiment, the target device comprises a body component, a backboard component, supporting blocks, and poles. The body component is adapted to depict any suitable animal which the shooter desires. The body component also comprises a plastic insert within it, so that the shooter can mark where on the target was shot.

In one embodiment, the target device comprises a body component which is a large sheet of plywood material constructed in the shape of an animal. This animal could be, but is not limited to, a deer, bear, or any other suitable animal known in the art. Typically, the plywood is only approximately a quarter of an inch thick, but the measurements of the animal itself can be any suitable measurement, such that the animal is life-like. Generally, the plywood of the body component is sealed in epoxy, waterproof paint, oil, or any other suitable material to allow the plywood to be weatherproof.

In one embodiment, a backboard component is attached to the body component. This backboard component is made of the same plywood material as the body component. The backboard component is comprised of a thin sheet of plywood attached to the back side of the body component. The backboard component is attached to the body component through brackets or other securing means, to keep it secured. The backboard component is configured in a rectangular shape, but can also be configured in any other suitable shape as is known in the art, such as square, oval, circular, etc. The backboard component is typically rectangular because that allows it to encompass the most surface area behind the body component.

In one embodiment, the backboard component is not connected directly to the body component but rather placed a distance behind the body component. In this embodiment, the backboard component also comprises poles that are connected to the back side of the backboard component and are embedded in the ground for maximum stability.

In one embodiment, the body component contains a slit-like opening within the top side of the wooden animal. The slit-like opening is sealed on the bottom and the opposing sides, leaving the top open for insertion of a plastic, paper or wood target. This opening is wide enough for a larger piece of plastic, paper or wood to fit inside, with direct measurements relating to which animal is being depicted as the target. The opening allows for a plastic, paper or wood insert to be placed inside the body component. This plastic, paper or wood insert has markings on it depicting various areas of the animal's body that would be most ideal to shoot. Thus, the bullet would go through the plywood of the body component and the plastic, paper or wood insert, which would allow shooters to mark exactly where on the animal they were hitting.

In one embodiment, the plastic, paper or wood insert is not within the body component but in front of it. The plastic, paper or wood insert is placed in front of the body component, so as to be seen by the shooter for aiming purposes. The plastic, paper or wood insert is connected to the front of the body component by a clear plastic folder or other transparent material, which allows the user to view the plastic, paper or wood insert. Further, the plastic, paper or wood insert is either glued or secured via hook and loop fasteners to the front side of the body component.

In one embodiment, supporting blocks are added to the body component to allow for the body component to stand upright on its own. The supporting blocks would also be made from the scaled plywood material and would be painted, so as to match whichever animal is depicted on the body component. Each device contains two supporting blocks; one on the front of the body component and one attached to the back. Any suitable number of supporting blocks can be utilized as is known in the art. And the supporting blocks can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art. Each of the supporting blocks is directly centered in the body component and flat on the ground. The supporting blocks are connected to the body component with self-drilling screws or any other suitable fastener that can be applied to the supporting blocks without the use of tools. The supporting blocks could also be attached to the body component with glue along with the screws for extra support. If still more added security is required, hook and loop fasteners could also be used for the securing of the supporting blocks to the body component along with the self-drilling screws.

In one embodiment, the body component also comprises pole holders. These pole holders would be round holes in the body component made from the sealed plywood material. These holes would be at the base of the body component and would align with the legs of the animal depicted on the body component. The pole holders are flush to the ground and rise up a few inches so as to securely hold a pole in place. The pole would be placed into the hole of the pole holder and then pushed into the ground. Thus, the pole rises up flush with the back of the body component for extra support. The pole can be any suitable length and size for maximum security of the body component.

In use, the target device is assembled by first connecting the supporting blocks to the bottom of the body component via self-drilling screws along with glue or hook and loop fasteners. When the supporting blocks are properly positioned, the target device is then placed on the selected location for shooting practice. The body component is then secured to the ground via poles that are placed into the pole holders on the body component. Once secured in place, the plastic target is then inserted into the back or front of the body component. Further, the target device is weatherproof/waterproof because of sealing the plywood material of the body component. Thus, the body component remains dry even if the target device is exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as torrential rains, blizzards, or extremely humid conditions, etc.

In one embodiment, the target device can be configured as any suitable animal, as is known in the art.

In yet another embodiment, the target device comprises a plurality of indicia.

In yet another embodiment, a method of using a target for shooting practice is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a target device comprising a body component, a backboard component, and supporting blocks that are configured in a sealed plywood, animal-like structure. The method also comprises attaching the supporting blocks to the body component. Further, the method comprises securing poles through the pole holders and into the ground to secure the body component. Further, the method also comprises inserting the plastic, paper or wood insert into the body component. Finally, the method comprises stepping back from the target to the user's discretion and shooting at the target.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the target device of the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the target device of the present invention showing the plastic insert on the front of the body component in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the target device of the present invention in use in the woods in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the target device of the present invention showing a different animal target in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the target device of the present invention showing the plastic insert within the body component in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of using a target for shooting practice in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that provides convenient, easy to assemble, life-like animal targets for shooting practice. There is also a long felt need in the art for a target device that offers a lightweight, portable design to allow for effortless transporting from one shooting location to the next. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that enables users to sharpen their shooting skills using targets that mimic the size and appearance of real animals. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that assists in improving accuracy and precision as users aim for specific target areas on the animal. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that provides fun and excitement for shooters of all skill levels. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a target device that can be built in the shape of any animal that is desired by the shooter.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel target device. The device is a shooting target made in the likeness of an animal to offer a more realistic target practice experience. The target device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of the desired animal and is comprised of a sheet of plywood that measures approximately a quarter of an inch thick, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long. The body component also comprises a backboard component which is attached to the body component by brackets or stands alone behind the body component. The body component also comprises a plastic target insert for careful aiming on the animal. Finally, the body component also comprises supporting blocks that are screwed, glued, or secured with hook and loop fasteners and poles and pole holders to secure the body component upright. Thus, each target device functions as a suitable way of practicing shooting on a target, through different types of life-like animals depicted on the targets. The present invention also includes a novel method of using a target for shooting practice. The method includes the steps of providing a target device comprising a body component, backboard component, and supporting blocks that are configured in a sealed plywood, animal-like structure. The method also comprises attaching the supporting blocks to the body component. Further, the method comprises securing poles through the pole holders and into the ground to secure the body component. Further, the method also comprises inserting the plastic insert into the body component. Finally, the method comprises stepping back from the target to the user's discretion and shooting at the target.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the target device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the target device 100 is an improved target device 100 that provides a user with a multipurpose, weatherproof target that is shaped in the likeness of an animal 110 for a more realistic shooting experience. Further, the device 100 is a structure made from weather-scaled plywood that is very thin. Specifically, the target device 100 comprises a body component 102 with a backboard component 104 and supporting blocks 106 and a set of poles 108 for securing the device 100 to the ground 112. Thus, each target device 100 functions as a suitable way of using a target during shooting practice, through different types of animals 110 being depicted as the targets.

Generally, the target device 100 comprises a body component 102, a backboard component 104, supporting blocks 106, and a set of poles 108. The body component 102 is adapted to depict the likeness of any animal 110 preferable to the user 114 including bears 116, deer 118, etc., or any other suitable animal 110 as is known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 2, the target device 100 comprises a body component 102 that is made of a thin plywood material 200 and shaped like any desirable animal 110. The body component 102 should measure the same size as the depicted animal 110 would be in real life. The plywood material 200 is sealed by either epoxy, waterproof paint, oil, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art, to allow the plywood material 200 to be weatherproof as the device 100 is meant to be used outdoors.

Additionally, a backboard component 104 is utilized to support the body component 102 while the body component 102 is being shot. The backboard component 104 is comprised of the same plywood material 200 as the body component 102. The backboard component 104 is usually configured in a rectangular shape, but can also be configured in any other suitable shape as is known in the art, such as square, oval, circular, etc. The backboard component 104 is typically rectangular in shape because in this shape it would be able to cover the most surface area behind the body component 102, which would give it the most use. In one embodiment, the backboard component 104 is attached to the body component 102 via brackets 202. The brackets 202 are metal and allow the backboard component 104 to screw directly into the back face 204 of the body component 102. The front face 206 of the body component 102 is facing the user 114. The backboard component 104 is connected to the body component 102 by brackets 202 on both the right 208 and left 210 sides of the backboard component 104. In another embodiment, the backboard component 104 is not attached to the body component 102. In this embodiment, the backboard component 104 has its own set of poles 212 to secure it into the ground 112. This set of poles 212 is connected to the back side 214 of the backboard component 104 via pole holders 216. These pole holders 216 are embedded within the backboard component 104 and are typically circular openings 218, where the set of poles 212 can be slid into. Thus, the backboard component 104 is not connected to the body component 102 at all, but rather stands close to (i.e., a predetermined distance away from) the back face 204 of the body component 102 to still maintain support for the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the body component 102 comprises supporting blocks 106 that allow for the device 100 to stand up on the ground 112. The supporting blocks 106 are made of the same plywood material 200 as the body component 102 and are sealed for the weather in the same way as well. The supporting blocks 106 are rectangular in shape but can be any other shape suitable to the art, such as circular, ovular, square, etc. The supporting blocks 106 are generally rectangular in shape as that allows them to be steady on the ground 112 and easily connect to the body component 102. The supporting blocks 106 are connected to the body component 102 through several means to ensure security. Firstly, the supporting blocks 106 are connected via self-drilling screws 300. The self-drilling screws 300 can be substituted for any screw or nail that allows the user 114 to drill into wood without the use of any tools as the target is meant for easy and quick use. The self-drilling screws 300 are drilled through the supporting blocks 106 and connect the supporting blocks 106 into the body component 102. The supporting blocks 106 are also secured to the body component 102 via glue 302 or hook and loop fasteners 304 in addition to the self-drilling screws 300 for extra security. Each device 100 contains four supporting blocks 106 which are each placed on the body component 102 so that they are touching the ground 112. The supporting blocks 106 are secured with two supporting blocks 106 being on the front face 206 of the body component 102 and two supporting blocks 106 being on the back face 204 of the body component 102. The supporting blocks 106 are usually placed in front of the leg 306 of the animal 110, but that does not necessarily have to be the placement. The supporting blocks 106 should be spaced so as to ensure that the device 100 can stand up on its own.

As shown in FIG. 4, the body component 102 also comprises a set of poles 108 which are then embedded in the ground 112 in order to secure the body component 102 even more. The set of poles 108 are connected to the body component 102 through specific pole holders 400. These pole holders 400 are within the body component 102 and are thus composed of the same plywood material 200 as the rest of the body component 102. The pole holders 400 are cylindrical shapes embedded into the back face 204 of the body component 102. These cylindrical shapes have their opening 402 towards the ground 112 so that the set of poles 108 can slide into the pole holders 400 and have the other end embedded into the ground 112. The pole holders 400 can be placed in virtually any position on the back face 204 of the body component 102 to ensure stability. Each device 100 contains two pole holders 400 in order to accommodate for the set of poles 108.

As shown in FIG. 5, the target device 100 also comprises a plastic, paper or wood insert 500. This plastic, paper or wood insert 500 depicts circular images 502 such as a traditional target and is large enough to encompass most of the body component 102. The circular images 502 on the plastic, paper or wood insert 500 are strategically placed so that they depict the spot on the animal 110 which is most desirable to hit when shooting. Thus, the plastic, paper or wood insert 500 serves as an accuracy device to determine whether the user 114 has hit the desired location on the animal 110. In one embodiment, the plastic, paper or wood insert 500 is inserted into the body component 102. This is done by a small opening 504 which is cut into the top 506 of the body component 102. This small opening 504 is wide enough to fit the plastic insert 500 within the thin plywood material 200 of the body component 102. The plastic insert 500 thus, placed within the small opening 504 so as not to be seen by the user 114 in order to make the device 100 appear more realistic. In another embodiment, the plastic insert 500 is attached to the front face 206 of the body component 102. This is done by a clear plastic folder 508 which is attached to the front face 206 of the body component 102 via either glue 510 or hook and loop fasteners 512. The clear plastic folder 508 allows the plastic insert 500 to be placed inside so that it can be visible to the user 114.

In one embodiment, the target device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 514. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 514 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 514 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be animal, target, or brand related.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of using a target for shooting practice. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a target device comprising a body component, a backboard component, and supporting blocks that are configured in a sealed plywood, animal-like structure. The method also comprises at 602, attaching the supporting blocks to the body component with the self-drilling screws and either glue or hook and loop fasteners. Further, the method comprises at 604, securing poles through the pole holders and into the ground to secure the body component. Further, the method also comprises at 606, inserting the plastic insert into the body component. Finally, the method comprises at 608, stepping back from the target to the user's discretion and shooting at the target.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “target device”, “shooting device”, “shooting target device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the target device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the target device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the target device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the target device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the target device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the target device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.