Portable Target Stand With Pivotable Legs And Central Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing target stands are often heavy, bulky, and difficult to move or store, making them impractical for portable and versatile use in various shooting scenarios, especially for law enforcement and military training.
Innovation Solution
A portable target stand design featuring a central bracket with pivotable legs and a handle, allowing for compact storage and easy transportation, with features like offset plates and support arms to stabilize targets and prevent backspatter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional target stands are designed for stability and durability, then they become heavy and bulky, but this makes them difficult to move and store
Solution Approach 1:
The target stand is divided into separate components: a central bracket assembly and multiple detachable legs. The legs can be removed and stored separately, allowing the central bracket to be transported easily while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both portability (through separation) and stability (when assembled together).
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the central bracket through pivotable connections with pins and slots. This dynamic configuration allows the stand to transition between a compact portable state (legs removed or folded) and a stable operational state (legs attached), resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and operational stability.
2Ease of operation
If target stands are made lightweight and compact for portability, then they become easy to move and store, but this may compromise their structural strength and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The central bracket incorporates multiple functions merged into a single component: it provides the structural core, contains attachment points for all legs, includes a target mounting mechanism, and features a handle for carrying. This merging allows the structure to be lightweight yet strong, as the integrated design eliminates redundant parts while maintaining structural integrity through strategic reinforcement at connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand utilizes composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties: aluminum or aluminum alloy for the central bracket (providing high strength-to-weight ratio), and potentially different materials for legs and mounting components. This composite approach enables the structure to be both lightweight for portability and sufficiently strong for stability during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If target stands are designed with multiple attachment points and adjustable features for versatility, then they can accommodate various shooting scenarios, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The central bracket is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple leg configurations and target mounting options. The standardized pin-and-slot attachment system allows different leg arrangements (tripod, quadpod, bipod) to be created using the same core component, providing versatility across shooting scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket features localized attachment points and adjustment mechanisms positioned at specific locations to provide versatility where needed (target mounting, leg attachment) while keeping other areas simple. The handle is positioned for easy carrying, pins are located at optimal points for leg attachment, and slots are placed to enable various configurations, achieving adaptability through strategic local features rather than complex overall design.
4Reliability
If target stands use traditional heavy materials for durability, then they can withstand repeated use and rough handling, but this increases weight and reduces ease of repair
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is segmented into modular components (central bracket, legs, target mounting) that can be independently inspected, removed, and replaced. If one component becomes damaged, only that specific part needs to be repaired or replaced rather than the entire structure, significantly easing maintenance while maintaining overall durability through the use of durable materials in each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables easy discarding of damaged components and recovery/replacement with new or spare parts. The standardized connection systems allow quick swapping of legs or other components, and the central bracket can be recovered and reused with new attachments, facilitating efficient repair and maintenance while maintaining durability through component replacement rather than complete replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable target stand include a central bracket having a plurality of slots and holes and a plurality of legs with pins which rest in the holes so that the legs can pivot with respect to the central bracket.