Spring-Loaded Target Arm for Automatic Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shooting target systems require users to manually reset targets, disrupting their shooting position and limiting simultaneous competition between multiple users, as they rely on gravity for target movement.
Innovation Solution
An automatically resetting target device with a spring mechanism that allows targets to be securely positioned and reset by the energy of a projectile, featuring a target arm, pivot end, center support member, and biasing member (such as a spring) to move from a first ready position to a second ready position without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravity-based target movement is used, then the target can move and reset automatically, but the user must manually reset the target which disrupts shooting position
Solution Approach 1:
The target system performs self-resetting through the spring mechanism that automatically returns the target to its initial position after being struck, eliminating the need for user intervention and allowing continuous shooting without leaving the shooting position
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded in a compressed state before the target is struck, storing potential energy that is automatically converted to kinetic energy to return the target to its ready position, enabling automatic reset without user action
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual target reset is required, then the target can be securely positioned, but multiple users cannot compete simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
Each target arm independently resets itself through its own spring mechanism after being struck, allowing multiple targets to be reset simultaneously without requiring a single user to manually service all targets, thereby enabling multi-user competition
3Extent of automation
If spring mechanism is added for automatic resetting, then user position is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target system is divided into independent target arms, each with its own spring mechanism, allowing the complexity to be distributed and managed at the component level while achieving overall automatic resetting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using gravity to reset the target downward, the spring mechanism applies force in the opposite direction to push the target back to its initial position, achieving automatic reset through reversed force application
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
Enables users to shoot and reset targets without leaving their position, enhances shooting skills by allowing simultaneous competition, and operates independently of gravity, providing a secure and consistent target movement mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
biasing member having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a point along the length of the target arm and the second end attached to an attachment member spaced apart from the pivot end of the target arm, wherein the biasing member passes across the pivot end of the target arm and causes the target arm to move from a first ready position to a second ready position when an outside force from a projectile is applied to the target
Data Source
AI summary
An automatically resetting target device includes a target arm having a target end, a pivot end and a length therebetween, a target support member for pivotally supporting the pivot end of the target arm, and an automatically resetting mechanism. The automatically resetting mechanism includes a center support member attached to the target support member and biasing member having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a point along the length of the target arm and the second end attached to an attachment member spaced apart from the pivot end of the target arm, wherein the biasing member passes across the pivot end of the target arm and causes the target arm to move from a first ready position to a second ready position when an outside force from a projectile is applied to the target. The automatically resetting target device assists one or more targets into a desired location securely and allows one or more users, through the energy of a projectile, to shoot and reset a target without moving from a shooting position. The target device also provides a method for enhancing shooting skills while also allowing two users to compete with one another.