Shooting target apparatus having pneumatic drive mechanism

Abstract

A pneumatically-driven shooting target apparatus that can transition between presented and concealed positions and can be used in a variety of shooting environments. The shooting target apparatus generally includes a frame, an obstruction, a movable target holder, a pneumatic drive mechanism attached to the movable target holder, and a target. According to one embodiment, activation of the drive mechanism tilts the target between a concealed position where it is hidden behind the obstruction and a presented position where the target is revealed to the shooter. In another embodiment, activation of the drive mechanism causes a movable target holder linkage system to pivot between concealed and presented positions.

1 . A shooting target apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame;    an obstruction mounted to said frame;    a drive mechanism mounted to said frame;    a movable target holder coupled to said drive mechanism; and    a target coupled to said movable target holder and generally located behind said obstruction, wherein activation of said drive mechanism moves said target between generally coplanar concealed and presented positions, in said concealed position said target is hidden from a shooter by said obstruction, and in said presented position said target is revealed to the shooter.    
   
   
       2 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a first pair of upright posts having lower ends that attach to a base, and upper ends that support said obstruction.  
   
   
       3 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said obstruction is representative of a hostage and said target is representative of a hostage taker.  
   
   
       4 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said movable target holder includes a plurality of posts for supporting said target, a cross member attached to said posts, and a pivot arm attached to said cross member.  
   
   
       5 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said pivot arm is pivotally attached to said frame so that said movable target holder can tilt between said generally coplanar concealed and presented positions.  
   
   
       6 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said drive mechanism is coupled between an upright bracket extending from said frame and a pivot bracket extending from said pivot arm.  
   
   
       7 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said movable target holder further includes an actuator main frame that is coupled to said drive mechanism and prevents it from rotating.  
   
   
       8 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said movable target holder includes a plurality of posts for supporting said target, and a plurality of linkage members pivotally attached to said posts and said frame.  
   
   
       9 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism is a pneumatic system that includes a plurality of air cylinders.  
   
   
       10 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the state of said air cylinders determines whether said apparatus is in said concealed position or said presented position.  
   
   
       11 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said presented position includes a left-presented position and a right-presented position.  
   
   
       12 . A shooting target apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame;    an obstruction attached to said frame;    a movable target holder generally located behind said obstruction and including a pivot arm pivotally connected to said frame;    a pneumatic drive mechanism including at least one air cylinder connected between said frame and said movable target holder; and    a target attached to said movable target holder, wherein activation of said pneumatic drive mechanism causes said air cylinder to tilt said movable target holder about said pivotal connection so that said target is moved between a concealed position and a presented position.    
   
   
       13 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said movable target holder further includes a pivot arm to which said pneumatic drive mechanism is coupled.  
   
   
       14 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said pneumatic drive mechanism includes first and second air cylinders such that activation of neither of said air cylinders results in said target being in a first presented position, activation of one of said air cylinders results in said target being in a concealed position, and activation of both of said air cylinders results in said target being in a second presented position.  
   
   
       15 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said frame includes a shield for protecting said pneumatic drive mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . A shooting target apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame;    an obstruction attached to said frame;    a movable target holder generally located behind said obstruction and including a plurality of linkage members pivotally connected to said frame;    a pneumatic drive mechanism including at least one air cylinder connected between said frame and said movable target holder; and    a target attached to said movable target holder, wherein activation of said pneumatic drive mechanism causes said air cylinder to pivotally move said plurality of linkage members so that said target is moved between a concealed position and a presented position.    
   
   
       17 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said movable target holder further includes at least one spring attached to said frame and one of said linkage members.  
   
   
       18 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said obstruction includes a lower shield for protecting said pneumatic drive mechanism, and an upper shield for blocking said target when it is in said concealed position.