Single-Piece Walking Target Resolving Weld Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking targets are prone to weld damage and increased costs due to the need for welding or bolting multiple metal pieces together, which can lead to safety concerns and reduced durability under repeated projectile impacts.
Innovation Solution
A walking target formed from a single piece of metal, where all impact surfaces are initially in the same plane and bent or twisted to create different planes for target impact areas, eliminating the need for welds or bolts and reducing the risk of splatter and structural failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple metal pieces are welded or bolted together to form a walking target, then the target can achieve the desired pyramidal shape and functionality, but the welds are susceptible to damage from vibration and repeated projectile impacts, leading to safety concerns and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple metal pieces into a single integrated structure by forming the walking target from one continuous piece of metal. This merging eliminates the welds and fasteners that were previously required to join separate components, thereby removing the vulnerability points where vibration and projectile impacts could cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments a single piece of metal into multiple functional portions that form the pyramidal shape. By cutting and forming one continuous metal piece into distinct sections (base, arms, target impact areas) without separating them into independent components, the design achieves the desired complex geometry while maintaining structural integrity throughout.
2Shape
If multiple metal pieces are welded or bolted together to form a walking target, then the target can achieve the desired pyramidal shape and functionality, but this increases manufacturing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple metal pieces into a single integrated structure by forming the walking target from one continuous piece of metal. This merging eliminates the welds and fasteners that were previously required to join separate components, thereby removing the vulnerability points where vibration and projectile impacts could cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments a single piece of metal into multiple functional portions that form the pyramidal shape. By cutting and forming one continuous metal piece into distinct sections (base, arms, target impact areas) without separating them into independent components, the design achieves the desired complex geometry while maintaining structural integrity throughout.
3Shape
If multiple metal pieces are welded or bolted together to form a walking target, then the target can achieve the desired pyramidal shape and functionality, but the additional components increase the risk of splatter and structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple metal pieces into a single integrated structure by forming the walking target from one continuous piece of metal. This merging eliminates the welds and fasteners that were previously required to join separate components, thereby removing the vulnerability points where vibration and projectile impacts could cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the harmful elements (welds, bolts, flanges) from the structure by forming the entire target from a single piece of metal. By extracting these intermediate joining components, the design eliminates the sources of splatter and potential failure points while retaining the essential pyramidal functionality.
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 single-piece design enhances durability, reduces costs, and minimizes safety hazards by avoiding weld failure and bolt-related issues, while allowing for various configurations to challenge shooters with changing target positions.
Implementation Method 1
a single piece of metal, wherein all four of the impact surfaces are initially in the same plane and bent or twisted so that two of the target impact areas are disposed in a different plane (generally perpendicular) to the plane(s) in which the other target impact areas are disposed
Data Source
AI summary
A walking target may include a plurality of target impact areas which are oriented in at least two different planes so that a plurality of target impact areas rest on a surface and hold one target impact area generally upright. The walking target may be formed from a single piece of metal.