Buoyant target with laser reflectivity

a laser reflectivity and inflatable target technology, applied in the direction of reflecting targets, weapons, sport apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of not properly simulating the movement of a true battle target, unable to empty many conventional drogue chutes, and inability to provide a large number of “hard targets”

a laser reflectivity and inflatable target technology, applied in the direction of reflecting targets, weapons, sport apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of not properly simulating the movement of a true battle target, unable to empty many conventional drogue chutes, and inability to provide a large number of “hard targets”

US20150048572A1Inactive Publication Date: 2015-02-19AMERICAN PACIFIC PLASTIC FABTORS
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  • Buoyant target with laser reflectivity
  • Buoyant target with laser reflectivity
  • Buoyant target with laser reflectivity

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0029]Referring now in more detail to the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or like elements among the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a buoyant target 10 made of a flexible membrane material so it can be collapsed and folded to a small bulk. Part of the buoyant target 10 can be inflated for deployment on water. The membrane material is impermeable to the inflating gas. Suitable materials include without limitation polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene sheeting, which are preferable because structural seams can be heat sealed, solvent sealed, or cemented as desired.

[0030]The buoyant target 10 has an inflatable structure 11 that comprises a top panel 12, a bottom panel 13 and a sidewall 14 which enclose an air-filled chamber 16 upon deployment. The inflatable structure is substantially airtight. The sidewall 14 is rectangular and has a front panel 14a, a right panel 14b, a rea...

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Abstract

A buoyant target or ship decoy comprises an inflatable structure with a drogue chute attached to the periphery of the bottom of the inflatable structure. The drogue chute is an open flexible structure with a bottom end weighted with ballast to deploy it, and with ports through its side to permit water to flow into and out of it. A laser reflector member is attached to an exterior surface of the inflatable structure. The laser reflector member comprises a body having one or more laser reflective surfaces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 806,794, filed Mar. 29, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference it its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to a target for gunfire training and, more particularly, to a buoyant, inflatable target with laser reflectivity. The invention is optionally used for “man overboard” training exercises.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Naval battle exercises involve shipborne weapons and floating targets to be hit by gunfire. It is often desired that the targets simulate the size and / or movement of boats and other floating objects. A problem associated with such targets is that they must often be large in size, which makes providing a large number of “hard targets” impractical. To address this, it is common practice to provide buoyant, inflatable and collapsible structures for targets. Such targets can be folded to a relatively small si...

Claims

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Application Information

Patent Timeline
19 Feb 2015
Publication
US20150048572A1
IPC
F41J2/00
CPC
F41J2/00
Inventors
HOCHSCHILD, III, ARTHUR ANTON; HORECZKO, ROMAN