Portable Folding Target Stand

Abstract

Portable folding target stand 10 consists of a rectangular base having a rotatable middle cross-member with two PVC tee connectors into which are inserted two PVC pipe section which serve as vertical posts. A stabilizing bar which connects at right angles to the vertical posts provides rigidity to the stand assembly. Two PVC pipe sections, serving as target arms, are attached to the stand assembly, one on each of the vertical posts. A fiberglass rod is inserted into each target arm and the fiberglass rod is attached to a target plate which can be lowered or raised. Diagonal support pieces provide additional stability to the stand. The target plate and stand assembly can be folded onto the base enabling transport or storage as one piece.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.PRIOR ART

[0002] Reference is made to the prior art listed in US20120313324A1. In particular, the following U.S. patents or published U.S. patent applications appear to be the most relevant to the present invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,356; 5,967,523; 20090315265A1; 20110175294A1; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,985B2; 20160298942A1; U.S. Pat. No. 11,561,072B1; 0631175A and 0271647A. Of the foreign patents, the following appear to be the most relevant: GB560067A; GB2079164A and KR101610221B1.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Although there are outdoor rifle or pistol ranges that offer a target stand for use as part of a range fee, there are others that do not. For those that do offer a target stand, these are often heavy, bulky and generally in poor condition. There may also be restrictions on how high a target must be so that projectiles will hit a berm or backstop at a certain height.

[0004] This is where a desire for a suitable target stand is born. The most desired features of a target stand are portability and ease of set-up. The target stand should be lightweight, durable, stable and resistant to moderate wind conditions. Since there is a limited amount of time for set-up at the range, the target stand should be carried as one piece and not require tools or assembly of too many separate parts for set-up. Also, the height of the target should be adjustable to conform with range requirements.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention addresses each of the desired features of a target stand by using design features to make this a reality.

[0006] The portable folding target stand has a rectangular base that is composed of lightweight wood sections and is proportioned to provide a suitable footprint to insure stability against moderate wind conditions without the use of stakes. However, should stronger wind conditions require it, the target stand is equipped with an eye bolt in the center of both ends of the rectangular base so that stakes can be inserted through the eye bolts, rested on the rectangular base and pounded in place preferably at a 45-degree angle. A plastic plate on the base serves as a guide for the stake and also serves to protect the base from excessive wear.

[0007] The rectangular base has a middle cross-member comprising of a PVC pipe which is fitted with PVC tee connectors on each end and short PVC pipe sections that are inserted into short aluminum pipe sections that are located on either side of the base. The short aluminum pipe sections serve as bearings to allow rotation of the middle cross-member.

[0008] The two PVC tee connectors on the middle cross member are fitted with PVC pipe sections to form perpendicular vertical posts when the middle cross-member is rotated 90 degrees relative to the rest of the base. A cross-member which is connected near the middle of each vertical post provides stability to the stand assembly.

[0009] Attached to each of the vertical posts, on the outside surface relative to the center of the middle cross-member, is a PVC target arm. A bolt near the end of the target arm is threaded into a drilled and tapped hole located on the vertical post and serves as a pivot so that the target arm can be rotated.

[0010] Four inches above the bolt on the target arm is a hand knob which can also be threaded into the vertical post. Having a bolt and a hand knob joining each of the target arms to the vertical posts ensures that the target arms cannot be rotated after set-up.

[0011] Inserted within each of the target arms, is a fiberglass rod which can be extended to raise the height of a corrugated plastic target plate. A T-handle knob located near the end of the target arm can be tightened or loosened to adjust the length of the fiberglass rod. A corrugated plastic target plate is attached to each of the fiberglass rods using cable ties and cable tie mounting bases or other appropriate means.

[0012] Also attached to each of the vertical posts, opposite from where the target arms are located, is a hand knob with about an inch of exposed stud threading. The slotted end of a diagonal support piece is inserted onto the stud and the hand knob is tightened to secure the diagonal support piece.

[0013] The other end of the diagonal support piece is connected to a pivot anchor located on the base via a bolt and wing nut in such a way that the diagonal support piece can be rotated during target stand set up. The diagonal support pieces, when tightened against the vertical posts, prevent rotation of the middle cross-member thereby keeping the vertical post and target arms perpendicular to the base.

[0014] On a fully set-up target stand, the procedure for take-down first starts with loosening the hand knobs holding in place the fiberglass rods of the corrugated plastic target plate. The fiberglass rods are allowed to drop down as far as it will go and the hand knobs are re-tightened.

[0015] Next, the hand knobs securing the target arms to the vertical posts are loosened so that the studs are clear of the vertical posts. The target arms, rods and plate are allowed to be rotated forward, in a direction away from the anchors of the diagonal support pieces so that the top edge of the target plate is resting on the ground.

[0016] At this point, the vertical posts are still perpendicular to the base. The hand knobs securing the diagonal support pieces to the vertical posts are then loosened and the diagonal support pieces are rotated to clear the studs of the hand knobs. The diagonal support pieces are allowed to rest on the stabilizing bar of the vertical posts.

[0017] Finally, since the middle cross-member is free to rotate, the top portions of the vertical posts are grasped with both hands and the vertical posts are pulled and rotated in the direction of the diagonal support pivot anchors. Since the target arms are connected to the vertical posts, the target arms, rods and target plate are also moved in the direction of the anchors. Velcro strips can be used to secure the vertical posts, target arms and diagonal support pieces on both sides of the stand assembly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing the rectangular base with attached eye bolts, plastic guide plates for stakes, a stand assembly consisting of a PVC middle cross-member, attached PVC vertical posts, PVC target arms, fiberglass rods, a corrugated plastic target plate, as well as diagonal support pieces and pivot anchors, all in its fully assembled, unfolded configuration.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of one side of the PVC middle cross-member where the short PVC pipe section inserts into an aluminum bearing located on the side of the rectangular base.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken from line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing how the short PVC pipe section serves as a pivot when inserted into the aluminum bearing, thus allowing rotation of the middle cross-member.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of one side of the stand assembly showing how the target arm and the diagonal support piece connect with the vertical post in its assembled, unfolded configuration.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view of one of two diagonal support pieces. One end is enlarged and is slotted so as to be inserted onto a hand knob stud located on the vertical post. The other end connects to a pivot anchor on the rectangular base. The notched section with a screwed-on mending brace accommodates the hand knob stud on the vertical post when the target stand is placed in its folded configuration.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic elevational view of one of two target arms showing hand knobs, cap, and fiberglass rod.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken from line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing how a hand knob can be loosened and tightened to extend or retract a fiberglass rod, thereby allowing the raising or lowering of a corrugated plastic target plate.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a schematic elevational view of the portable folding target stand in its folded configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONFIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the portable folding target stand 10 having a rectangular base consisting of short segments 12 and 17, and long segments 11 and 16. All rectangular base segments are composed of light-weight wood such as pine or Douglas fir.

[0027] Short segments 12 and 17 are 23 inches long whereas long segments 11 and 16 are 44 ½ inches long. Short segments 12 and 17 are attached to long segments 11 and 16 using wood screws of appropriate size.

[0028] In the middle of the sides facing inwards towards the geometric center of the base, long segments 11 and 16 each has a 1″ diameter hole, drilled ½-inch deep. A ¾-inch long aluminum pipe section having a 1-inch O.D. is inserted into each hole by gently tapping into place with a small hammer. Aluminum pipe section 30 is inserted into long base segment 11 and aluminum pipe section 201 is inserted into long base segment 16. See FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0029] In the middle of short segment 12, there is a drilled hole into which the threaded part of eye bolt 15 is inserted in such a way that the “eye” of the eye bolt is facing inwards towards the geometric center of the rectangular base. The eye bolt is secured with hex nut 13. Similarly, the middle of short segment 17 is fitted with eye bolt 20 and secured with hex nut 503 as shown in FIG. 8. Both eye bolts 15 and 20 are 5 / 16 inch in size.

[0030] Also, in the middle of short segment 12, there is a 3-inch×1 ¼ inch×¼-inch thick plastic plate 14 which is attached with 2 wood screws. On the long edge of the plastic plate facing the geometric center of the base, there is a notch in the middle of the plate to serve as a guide and rest for a metal stake which can be inserted, when needed, through the “eye” of eye bolt 15, preferably at a 45-degree angle relative to the plane of the base. Similarly, plastic plate 21 is installed on short segment 17.

[0031] Also on short segment 17 are pivot anchors 18 and 22 for two diagonal support pieces which will be described later. Each pivot anchor is spaced 6 inches O.C. from the ends of short segment 17 and consists of a 1 ½-inch wide by 1 ¼-inch-high wooden block that is ¾-inch thick. The tops of the blocks are rounded and is secured in place using 2 #8×2-inch wood screws as shown in FIG. 8. There is also a drilled hole through the sides each wooden block and is fitted with a ¼-inch bolt and wing nut to accommodate diagonal support pieces.

[0032] The rectangular base has a middle cross-member consisting of PVC pipe section 27, which is 13 inches long. PVC pipe section 27 is fitted on one end with tee connector 25 and the other end with tee connector 28. Within the opposite port of tee connector 28, short PVC pipe section 29 is inserted. Similarly, within the opposite port of tee connector 25, short PVC pipe section 24 is inserted. Short PVC pipe section 24 and 29 are both 4 ½-inches long.

[0033] Each PVC pipe and tee connector described above are ½-inch in size and secured in place using PVC cement. All pipes are cut to the length described before glue-up.

[0034] During the assembly of the rectangular base, the middle cross-member is installed when the free end of short PVC pipe section 24 is inserted into aluminum pipe section 201 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) and the free end of short PVC section 29 is inserted into aluminum pipe section 30. See FIG. 8.

[0035] Vertical posts 26 and 31 are ½-inch PVC pipe sections 24 inches long and are inserted into middle cross-member tee connectors 25 and 28 respectively. They are secured in place using a ¼-inch bolt and hex nut via a drilled hole through the center ports of the tee connectors.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, vertical post 26, when placed in its vertical position perpendicular to the rectangular base, has a drilled hole tapped with 8 mm×1.25 pitch threading 1 inch below the top of the post and on the side of the post facing opposite to the geometric center of the rectangular base. 4 inches directly below the top hole is another drilled hole with 8 mm×1.25 pitch threading.

[0037] On the opposite side of vertical post 26, there is a drilled hole with ¼-inch×20 pitch threads 7 inches below the top of the post. T-handle knob 301 with a ¼-inch×20 pitch threaded stud 1 inch long and also fitted with a 1 ¼-inch diameter fender washer is threaded into the drilled and tapped hole about ¼-inch into the post.

[0038] Vertical post 31 is similarly drilled and tapped and is a mirror image of vertical post 26. It is fitted with T-handle knob 35 which also has a 1-inch long, ¼-inch×20 pitch threaded stud along with a 1 ¼-inch fender washer. The ends of vertical posts 26 and 31 are fitted with hole plugs 26A and 31A as shown in FIG. 8.

[0039] Target arms 41 and 37 are ½-inch PVC pipe sections 22 inches long. Target arm 41, in its vertical position, perpendicular to the rectangular base, has a 5 / 16-inch drilled hole right through the target arm, 1 inch above the bottom of the target arm. Stainless steel bolt 33 with 8 mm×1.25 pitch threading and 35 mm length fits loosely through the 5 / 16-inch thru-hole of the target arm and is threaded into the lower drilled and tapped hole of vertical post 26 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0040] Four (4) inches above the 5 / 16-inch thru-hole O.C., is a drilled hole, tapped with 8 mm×1.25 pitch threading right through target arm 41. Hand knob 34 with 8 mm×1.25 pitch×35 mm long stud is threaded right through target arm 41, and also into the upper drilled and tapped hole in vertical post 26 to keep target arm 41 in a vertical position.

[0041] Stainless steel bolt 33 is not completely tightened since it will serve as a pivot to allow target arm 41 to be rotated when hand knob 34 is screwed out of the drilled and tapped hole of vertical post 26.

[0042] Target arm 37 is similarly drilled and tapped and is a mirror image of target arm 41. It is fitted with hand knob 36 in the upper drilled and tapped thru-hole, and stainless-steel bolt 505 in the lower 5 / 16-inch thru-hole. Stainless-steel bolt 505 is threaded into the bottom drilled and tapped hole of vertical post 31 and hand knob 36 is threaded into the top drilled and tapped hole of vertical post 31 to keep target arm 37 in a vertical position.

[0043] Target arm 41 has ½-inch PVC cap 43 on the top end and hole plug 41A on the bottom end. Target arm 37 is similarly equipped with ½-inch PVC cap 39 on the top end and hole plug 37A on the bottom end.

[0044] Inserted within target arm 41 is fiberglass rod 44 which is 5 / 16-inch in diameter and 37 inches long. At the end of the fiberglass rod inside the target arm is a ½-inch threaded section onto which nut 401 with 8 mm×1.25 pitch is threaded and finger-tightened. (See FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.)

[0045] At the other end of target arm 41, short aluminum pipe sleeve 402 is inserted flush to the end of the target arm. Short aluminum pipe sleeve 402 is a ¼-inch nominal aluminum pipe that is 1 ½-inch long. After insertion of the sleeve, a hole is drilled 1 inch below the end of target arm 41 and also into sleeve 402. The holes are tapped with a ¼-inch×20 pitch tap and fitted with T-handle knob 42, which has a ¾-inch long ¼-inch stud as shown in FIG. 7. Once sleeve 402 is installed, fiberglass rod 44 is inserted through and past sleeve 402.

[0046] PVC cap 43 friction-fitted onto the top of target arm 41. There is a 5 / 16-inch drilled hole at the top-center of ½-inch PVC cap 43 to allow for the insertion of fiberglass rod 44 through and past the hole. Soft plastic cap 45E is inserted at the end of fiberglass rod 44.

[0047] Target arm 37 is fitted with fiberglass rod 40 which is identical to rod 44 and which also has an 8 mm×1.25 pitch nut threaded onto the end of the fiberglass rod located within target arm 37. At the end of target arm 37, a 1 ½-inch long aluminum pipe sleeve is inserted flush to the end of target arm 37, and a hole is drilled and tapped through the target arm and sleeve in an identical manner as described for target arm 41.

[0048] T-handle knob 38 with a ¾-inch long ¼-inch stud is threaded into the drilled and tapped hole. Once the sleeve is installed, fiberglass rod 40 is inserted through and past the sleeve.

[0049] The top end of target arm 37 is friction-fitted with ½-inch PVC cap 39 which has a 5 / 16-inch drilled hole through the top center of the cap to allow for the insertion of fiberglass rod 40 through and past the hole. Soft plastic cap 45F is inserted at the end of fiberglass rod 40.

[0050] Target plate 45, which is an 18-inch-long×20-inch-wide corrugated plastic sheet, is attached to fiberglass rod 40 via cable tie base 45A at the top and cable tie base 45B at the bottom as shown in FIG. 8. On the other side, target plate 45 is attached to fiberglass rod 44 via cable tie base 45D on the top and cable tie base 45C on the bottom. Each cable tie base has an adhesive backing which holds the base in place. Cable ties are used to secure each base to each designated fiberglass rod.

[0051] Located on short base segment17, is pivot anchor 18 which connects to diagonal support piece 19 via a ¼-inch bolt and wing nut 502. As shown in FIG. 5, diagonal support piece 19 is constructed of ½-inch×¾-inch wood molding in two segments, the longer segment measuring 23 ½-inches long and the short segment measuring 4 inches long.

[0052] The long segment is connected to the short segment via mending brace 303 in such a way as to leave a ½-inch gap between short and long segments. Wood screws 302 and 304 secures the two wood segments to the mending brace. In the folded configuration of portable folding target stand 10, the ½-inch gap accommodates the threaded stud of T-handle knob 301, and the knob can be finger tightened to secure diagonal support piece 19 onto vertical post 26.

[0053] Also located on short base segment 17 is pivot anchor 22 which connects to diagonal support piece 23 via a ¼-inch bolt and wing nut 504. Diagonal support piece 23 is identical in construction to diagonal support piece 19.

[0054] Both diagonal support pieces 19 and 23 have ¼-inch drilled holes on the rounded ends of the short segments to accommodate the ¼-inch bolts used to attach the diagonal support pieces to the pivot anchors 18 and 22 on the base respectively.

[0055] Both diagonal support pieces 19 and 23 have enlarged sections at the ends of the long segments. The enlarged sections can be made by first gluing a 1-inch-long piece of ½-inch×¾-inch wood molding at each end of each segment followed by gluing another 1-inch-long piece of ½-inch×¾-inch wood molding ⅜-inch apart from the first, thus forming a ⅜-inch notch. The glued-up pieces can be reinforced with #8×32 machine bolts and nuts. Rounding the ends of the enlarged sections on a disk sander completes the fabrication of diagonal support pieces 19 and 23.

[0056] Stabilizing bar 32, which is a 14 ⅜-inch-long, ½-inch×¾-inch wood molding with rounded ends, is screwed onto the back sides of vertical posts 26 and 31, 12 inches below the tops of each post. Stabilizing bar 32 provides rigidity to the stand assembly and when the vertical posts are rotated to its vertical position perpendicular to the base, diagonal support pieces 19 and 23, which rests on the stabilizing bar, are raised up higher near to where they can be more readily inserted onto the ¼-inch studs of T-handle knobs 301 and 35 for tightening.

Claims

1. A portable folding target stand comprising of:a rectangular base having two (2) long base segments of equal length attached to two (2) short base segments of equal length whereby:the middle of each long base segment has a large drilled hole fitted with a short pipe which will serve as a bearing and that the open ends of the short pipe bearings are facing inwards towards the geometric center of the rectangular base;in the middle and on the side of each short base segment, eye bolts are installed where the “eye” of the bolt is facing inwards towards the geometric center of the rectangular base;in the middle and on the top of each short base segment, there is, screwed-on, a plastic plate having a notch located near the “eye” of the eye bolt which serves as a guide whenever stakes are used to hold down the target stand;there are two (2) pivot anchors composed of small rectangular pieces, with a drilled hole on the side of each piece, that are screwed on top of one of the short base segments in such a way that the pivot anchors are spaced equally, on centers, from each end of the short base segment, and that this particular short base segment shall be referred to as the back of the target stand;a middle cross-member consisting of a long pipe section fitted on both ends with tee connectors, and short pipe sections, connected to each of the opposite ports of the tee connectors, whereby, each of the short pipe sections are inserted into bearings located in the middle of each long base segment of the rectangular base to make the middle cross-member rotatable;a stand assembly consisting of two (2) pipe sections which are inserted into each of the middle ports of the tee connectors of the middle cross-member and secured in place via drilled holes going through the tee connector middle ports as well as inserted pipes and fitted with bolts and nuts, tightened to prevent movement wherein:each pipe section of the stand assembly shall be hereafter referred to as a vertical post and shall also be referred to in its vertical position perpendicular to the rectangular base;each vertical post is fitted at the free end of the post with hole plugs;each vertical post has a drilled and tapped hole below the top of the vertical post, on the side opposite from the geometric center of the rectangular base, and another drilled and tapped hole spaced below the first hole;each vertical post has a drilled and tapped hole below the top of the vertical post, on the side facing the geometric center of the rectangular base, and each of the drilled and tapped hole is threaded with a T-handle knob having a stud of appropriate length and fitted with a fender washer;each vertical post is connected to a stabilizing bar appropriately spaced below the top of each vertical post and secured with screws, anda pair of diagonal support pieces which are connected to the stand assembly on the sides facing inward towards the geometric center of the rectangular base whereby:each of the diagonal support pieces has an enlarged section with a slot at one end of the diagonal support piece, and that the slot enables the diagonal support piece to be inserted onto the studs of the T-handles located on the inner sides of the vertical posts;each of the diagonal support pieces are connected to pivot anchors located on the back short segment of the rectangular base, and appropriately fitted to allow for rotation of the diagonal support pieces during folding and unfolding procedures of the stand assembly.

2. A portable folding target stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising of:a pair of target arms composed of pipes of equal length whereby:each target arm, in its vertical position, is connected to a vertical post of the stand assembly, on the side opposite from the geometric center of the rectangular base, with a hex bolt passing through a drilled hole above the bottom of the target arm and threaded into the lower of two threaded holes on the vertical post with the hex bolt finger-tightened only to allow for rotation of the target arm;each target arm has a drilled and tapped hole straight through the target arm, spaced above the lower hole housing the hex bolt, and is threaded with a hand knob, whereby, to maintain the target arm in a vertical position, the stud of the hand knob is also threaded into the upper drilled and tapped hole of the vertical post;each target arm has a tight-fitting internal sleeve inserted flush to the top of the target arm, and is held in place via a drilled and tapped hole going through the target arm and internal sleeve, and threaded with a T-handle knob;each target arm is inserted with a rod which passes through a drilled hole in a pipe cap that is fitted onto the end of the target arm, as well as through the internal sleeve at the end of the target arm, and that each rod, in the section that is housed inside the target arm has a a stop, so that the rod cannot be extended out past the internal sleeve at the top of the target arm:each target arm has a hole plug at the bottom of the target arm, anda target plate which attaches on each side to the rods of the target arms described above, whereby, the rods, when fully inserted into the target arms, are long enough to enable attachment of a target plate, and that loosening and tightening the T-handle knobs located on the target arms will enable the extension and retraction of the rods to desired lengths, and thereby enabling the raising and lowering of the target plate.

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