Portable Target Apparatus with Rotating Plates for Visual Hit Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firearm training targets lack visual feedback on accurate projectile hits and require manual resetting, leading to uncertainty in hitting vital anatomical regions and inefficiencies in training time.
Innovation Solution
A portable target apparatus that rotates out of view when accurately struck by a predetermined number of projectiles, featuring target plates representing vital areas and an automatic reset mechanism to maintain training efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a target produces only an audible sound when hit by a projectile, then the target provides feedback to the shooter, but the personnel is uncertain as to whether a vital anatomical region was hit by the projectile
Solution Approach 1:
The target is divided into multiple target plates, each representing a different anatomical region. When a projectile hits a specific target plate, that plate rotates independently to provide visual confirmation of the hit location, allowing personnel to distinguish between vital and non-vital regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The target plates are configured to rotate into view or change their visual state when struck by a projectile, providing color or position-based feedback that indicates whether a vital anatomical region was hit, complementing the audible sound feedback.
2Measurement precision
If a target drops out of the personnel's field-of-view when hit by a projectile, then the target provides visual feedback, but the target does not distinguish between vital and non-vital anatomical regions
Solution Approach 1:
The target is segmented into multiple target plates corresponding to different anatomical regions. Each target plate can rotate independently when struck, providing differentiated visual feedback that indicates which specific region was hit, enabling precise discrimination between vital and non-vital areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The target plates are designed to rotate dynamically when struck by a projectile, changing their position from a first position to a second position. This dynamic response provides immediate visual feedback about the hit location, allowing personnel to understand whether a vital region was struck based on which plate rotates.
3Productivity
If a target must be manually reset, then the target can be reused, but training time is lost because a user must physically walk to the target to manually reset it
Solution Approach 1:
The target plates are designed to automatically reset themselves after being struck. The rotational mechanism allows the plates to return to their initial positions without manual intervention, enabling continuous training drills without the need for personnel to physically reset the target, thus improving training efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If a target does not provide a way to predetermine the number of projectile hits required before dropping out of the FOV, then the target is simple to operate, but accurate training on multiple hits to vital regions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The target system uses multiple target plates that can be independently configured. Each target plate can be set to rotate after a predetermined number of hits, allowing trainers to specify different hit requirements for different anatomical regions. This segmentation enables precise control over training parameters without requiring a complex centralized control 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
Provides visual confirmation of accurate hits and reduces training time by eliminating the need for manual resetting, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of firearms training.
Implementation Method 1
The support member is operable to move the main body from the upright position to a non-upright position when the first target plate is struck by at least one projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A portable target apparatus is disclosed that includes a main body and a first target plate adjacent the main body. The first target plate is operable to move independent of the main body when struck by at least one projectile. A support member is coupled to the first target plate and is operable to retain the main body in an upright position when the main body is struck by at least one projectile and move the main body from the upright position to a non-upright position when the first target plate is struck by at least one projectile.