Gravity Resetting Rotatable Target Plate with High Visibility Hit Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shooting range targets are inefficient to reset and provide feedback, often requiring additional hardware and manual or mechanical processes, and long-range shots are challenging to verify without optics.
Innovation Solution
Gravity resetting range targets with a rotatable target plate cut from a single piece of material, allowing for automatic resetting and high visibility hit indicators that rotate into view after being hit, eliminating the need for additional steps or optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional targets are used that fall backwards or to the ground when shot, then the target provides feedback to the shooter, but the target requires manual resetting which is cumbersome and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The target plate is designed to automatically reset itself after being struck by a projectile. The rotatable target plate rotates upon impact and then returns to its original position automatically, eliminating the need for manual resetting by the shooter or range operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The target plate transitions from a static position to a dynamic rotating motion when struck, and then automatically returns to its initial position. This dynamic behavior provides both shot feedback and automatic resetting functionality.
2Extent of automation
If additional hardware mechanisms are added to reset targets automatically, then resetting becomes automated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the kinetic energy from the projectile itself to drive the rotation and resetting mechanism, eliminating the need for external motors, sensors, or control systems. The target plate rotates upon impact and uses the same impact force to return to its original position.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable target plate serves multiple functions: it provides the shooting target, indicates a hit through rotation, and automatically resets itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate resetting hardware.
3Length of moving object
If long-range targets are used, then shooting distance is increased, but visually identifying the result of the shot becomes challenging without optics
Solution Approach 1:
The target plate uses high-visibility contrasting colors on its front and back surfaces. When struck, the plate rotates to reveal the contrasting color on its reverse side, providing a clear visual indication of a successful hit that can be detected from long distances without optical aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The static target becomes dynamic upon impact, rotating to reveal a different surface or color. This motion and visual change provide clear feedback that can be observed from long ranges, solving the hit detection problem without requiring optics.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing processes are used for targets, then targets can be produced, but the manufacturing efficiency is low and substantial waste product is created
Solution Approach 1:
The target plate is integrated with its mounting structure and resetting mechanism as a single unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps for multiple components and reduces material waste from assembling separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The target system is designed as a modular unit that can be manufactured efficiently and replaced as needed. The rotatable target plate is a distinct component that can be optimized for manufacturing while maintaining its integrated functionality within the target assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, automatic resetting of targets and provides immediate visual feedback of successful shots without additional hardware or optics, reducing waste and improving shooting accuracy at long ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable target plate is configured to rotate around a rotation axis that extends through the fixed target body in response to receiving an impact with a projectile
Data Source
AI summary
Gravity resetting range targets include rotatable target plates that rotate around a rotation axis extending through a fixed target body. The rotatable target plates rotate 360 degrees around the rotation axis and through a target plate aperture of the fixed target body, resetting to a ready position using gravity forces acting on the weight of the rotatable target plates. High visibility hit indicators include long-range hit indicators rotatably mounted to the fixed target body opposite the rotatable target plate such that the long-range hit indicator rotates around the rotation axis substantially 180 degrees from the rotatable target plate. The rotatable target plates are cut from the fixed target bodies within a single piece of material and remain connected via tabs until assembly is desired.