Light-Activated Target Advancement System for Shooting Range Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shooters need to manually remove their firearms from shooting positions to advance new targets, and existing systems require complex and costly transmitter/receiver combinations, which can interfere with medical/communication devices and are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A light-activated target advancement system using a motor and gearset to automatically bring new targets into position without requiring the shooter to leave their firing position, utilizing inexpensive rolled paper targets and a unique backing material that prevents snagging and supports the target upon impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual target advancement is used, then the shooter can control target replacement, but the shooter must remove the firearm from shooting position and travel downrange, increasing time loss and reducing training speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining speedVSAvoiddownrange travel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical target advancement with an automated electromechanical system. A motor-driven mechanism automatically feeds new targets into the shooting position using light activation, eliminating the need for the shooter to manually handle target replacement and travel downrange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service target advancement where the target mechanism automatically replenishes itself. The light-activated motor drives a feed system that continuously supplies fresh targets to the shooting position without human intervention, allowing the shooter to remain stationary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If expensive coated paper rolls are used as targets, then target durability is improved, but cost increases and the targets become heavy and cumbersome to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget durabilityVSAvoidtarget cost and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive, disposable target materials such as printer paper, copy paper, or other common paper products instead of expensive coated paper rolls. These cheaper materials are fed continuously through the automated mechanism, eliminating the need for heavy rolled targets while maintaining adequate durability for training purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the target material from heavy, rolled coated paper to lighter, disposable print paper. This parameter change reduces weight and handling difficulty while the automated feed mechanism compensates for the reduced material durability through continuous replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If radio transmitter/receiver systems are used for target advancement, then remote target control is achieved, but the system becomes complex, requires multiple power sources, and high transmission power may interfere with medical/communication devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote target controlVSAvoidtransmitter/receiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex radio frequency transmitter/receiver systems with a simple light-activated optical sensor system. A light source (such as a laser pointer or flashlight) activates a sensor that triggers the motorized target feed mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple power sources, frequency coordination, and high-power transmission while achieving remote control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 faster and more cost-effective training with reduced downrange travel time, allowing each shooter to reset their own targets immediately, and supports the use of reactive steel targets, improving training efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The device is activated by shining a laser sight, flashlight, or other light source onto a light-activated sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9010760B2Target apparatus utilizing laser light to actuated target advancement with a supportive backing allowing targets of inexpensive or recycled roll paper

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 MCMILLAN III EDWARD LEE

AI summary

Shooters must presently take their firearms out of their hands to then manually actuate a new target into shooting position. This Target Apparatus will allow the shooter to shine his laser light, infrared light, flashlight, or multi-spectrum light onto a Target Apparatus-mounted sensor that engages a drive means mounted upon the target frame that then forwards a new target into position without removing the firearm from its' shooting position. The unit also uses a unique target backing material that does not require targets to be made of rolls of coated or heavy material stock. The system can utilize rolls of cash register paper, cut sections of gift wrapping paper, hand towel rolls, or even paper towels as target materials without snagging and preventing the next target from being presented.