Projectile Target Pivot Mechanism for Consistent Surface Presentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectile targets, such as walker type targets, tend to rotate 90 degrees, making them non-viable and requiring variable shooting distances due to their design, which affects the consistency and effectiveness of shooting practice.
Innovation Solution
A projectile target system with a pivot arrangement that ensures one of a pair of targets always presents a broad surface by rotating between two positions, using a support structure with inclined arms and a hinge system that maintains stability and counterbalances gravity, allowing for consistent target presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If walker type targets are used, then the target rotates after being hit, but the target eventually assumes a position presenting no viable target surface and the shooting distance becomes variable
Solution Approach 1:
The target system uses dynamic elements that allow the target to rotate between two positions, transitioning from a static to a dynamic state. The target arms are designed to pivot on hinges, enabling automatic repositioning when struck, thus maintaining continuous viability without requiring manual intervention or fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the target by 90 degrees between positions. When one target is struck and rotates away, the second target rotates into position, ensuring that the broad surface is always presented to the shooter at a consistent distance, eliminating the parameter degradation seen in traditional walker targets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional walker targets rotate 90 degrees after being hit, then the target moves away from the shooter, but this creates variable shooting distances and eventually presents no viable target surface
Solution Approach 1:
The target system is segmented into two separate target arms, each with its own broad surface. This segmentation allows one target to rotate away while the other remains viable, ensuring continuous target availability. The division into discrete segments enables the system to maintain reliability through redundancy rather than through continuous rotation of a single target.
Solution Approach 2:
The target arms are arranged asymmetrically at obtuse angles to each other, with the second target positioned to become viable only after the first target rotates away. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the targets do not occupy the same space and that the transition between targets is smooth and maintains consistent shooting distance.
3Ease of operation
If a pivot arrangement with obtuse angle arms is used, then one target can present a broad surface while the other is displaced, but the structure must maintain stability against projectile strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with a stable base that counteracts the forces generated by projectile strikes. The base provides a counterbalancing moment that prevents the entire structure from toppling, while the hinged arms are free to rotate. This counterbalancing design allows smooth target transitions while maintaining overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The target arms are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration with obtuse angles between them, rather than in a simple linear or planar arrangement. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows the targets to rotate away from each other in different planes, reducing interference and maintaining stability of the support structure while enabling smooth transitions.
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
The system ensures that at least one target in each pair remains viable by presenting a broad surface to the shooter, maintaining stability and consistent shooting distance, improving the effectiveness of shooting practice by always providing a valid target.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second targets are biased to either the first or the second position and biased against any transitional position between the first and second position
Implementation Method 2
the striking of one of the first and second targets displaces the struck target causing rotation of the pair of targets
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A projectile target (10) comprises a support structure (20) adapted to support two or more targets (30). The targets (30) are ideally off the ground (12), that is spaced from the ground (12). Each target (30) is, in turn, supported by an arm (32) extending from a common hinge (34). Each pair of targets (30) includes a first main target 30a and a second target (30b). In a first position 38a, the first target (30a) presents a first broad target surface (36a) to an operator or shooter (not shown). The second target (30b) is displaced so that it does not present a viable target to the operator. However, the second target (30b) is adapted to move into a second, viable, target position (38b) when the first target (30 )a is struck substantially on its broad target surface (36a) by a projectile, such as a.22 calibre bullet.