Shooting Target Assembly Tool-Free Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shooting target assemblies face safety and durability issues due to the use of wooden components that can splinter, exposed chains or wires that break or cause ricochets, and welds that can weaken the target, along with the need for tools and time to replace or adjust the target.
Innovation Solution
A shooting target assembly that secures the target plate without fasteners or welds, using a post element with a target receptacle slot and a target plate with a stem slot, allowing for height and angle adjustments without tools, and featuring a bridge portion that securely holds the target plate at an angle to deflect bullets and fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners or welds are used to secure the target plate, then the target is firmly attached, but the assembly requires tools and significant time to replace or adjust the target
Solution Approach 1:
The target assembly is divided into separate components: a target plate with a stem portion and a post element with protrusions. The stem portion can be independently inserted into and removed from the post element, allowing quick target replacement without tools while maintaining secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the target plate and post element is made dynamic rather than static. The stem portion can be quickly inserted and removed from the post element, enabling rapid adjustment and replacement of targets without requiring tools or permanent attachment methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If wooden components are used in the assembly, then the structure is simple, but the components can generate splinters or break when unintentionally struck by bullets
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful wooden components are completely removed from the assembly. The invention uses only metal or non-wooden materials for the post element and target plate, eliminating the source of splinters and breakage while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If exposed chains, straps, wire, or rope are used for attachment, then the assembly is flexible, but these components can break or cause ricochets when struck by bullets
Solution Approach 1:
All exposed attachment components such as chains, straps, wire, and rope are removed from the design. The invention uses a direct structural connection where the target plate's stem portion fits into the post element, providing both flexibility and safety without exposed vulnerable components.
4Strength
If welds are used to secure the target plate, then the attachment is strong, but the welds can weaken the target in the welded area causing breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is achieved through separate, non-invasive components rather than joining the target plate to the post through welding. The stem portion of the target plate inserts into the post element, providing strong attachment without compromising the target's structural integrity through heat-affected zones or stress concentrations from welds.
Data Source
AI summary
Shooting target assemblies have a post element having spaced-apart upper first and second protrusions defining an elongated target receptacle slot, the target receptacle slot having a closed lower end and an open upper end, a target plate having a main portion and an elongated stem portion extending from the main portion, the stem portion having parallel stem legs spaced apart to define a stem slot, a bridge portion connected between the stem legs away from the main portion and defining a lower end of the stem slot, the stem slot of the target plate being adapted to closely receive one of the first and second protrusions of the post element, and the target receptacle slot of the post element being adapted to closely receive the bridge portion of the target plate. The target receptacle slot may have a slot width adapted to closely receive the bridge.