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, a movable target holder, a pneumatic drive mechanism attached to the movable target holder, and a target assembly. According to one embodiment, activation of the drive mechanism rotates a target between a horizontal concealed position which is hidden from the shooter, and a vertical presented position that is visible to the shooter. In another embodiment, activation of the drive mechanism causes an obstruction that is concealing the target to rotate out of the way, at the same time that the target is lifted and presented to the shooter.

1 . A shooting target apparatus capable of transitioning between presented and concealed positions, comprising: 
 a frame;    a drive mechanism mounted to said frame;    a movable target holder coupled to said drive mechanism; and    a target assembly coupled to said movable target holder and having at least one generally flat component, wherein activation of said drive mechanism rotates said generally flat component through an angular range so that said apparatus can transition between said presented and concealed positions.    
   
   
       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 rotatably support said target assembly on a first pivot axis.  
   
   
       3 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said movable target holder includes a second pair of upright posts having lower ends that attach to a lift bar and upper ends that rotatably support said target assembly on a second pivot axis.  
   
   
       4 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said movable target holder further includes at least one roller element for providing smooth movement in response to activation of said drive mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said generally flat component of said target assembly is a target for a shooter to shoot at.  
   
   
       6 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein activation of said drive mechanism can: i) raise said lift bar, ii) reposition said second pivot axis with respect to said first pivot axis, and iii) rotate said target assembly about said first pivot axis so that said target transitions between a vertically-aligned presented position and a horizontally-aligned concealed position.  
   
   
       7 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said movable target holder includes a plurality of linkage members for supporting said target assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said generally flat component of said target assembly is an obstruction for concealing a target from a shooter.  
   
   
       9 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein activation of said drive mechanism can: i) extend said linkage system, ii) raise said target, and iii) rotate said obstruction so that it transitions between a vertically-aligned position concealing said target and a horizontally-aligned position presenting said target.  
   
   
       10 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism is a pneumatic system that includes an air cylinder and a controllable valve.  
   
   
       11 . A shooting target apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame including a first plurality of upright posts;    a movable target holder including a second plurality of upright posts;    a pneumatic drive mechanism including an air cylinder attached to said frame and said movable target holder; and    a target assembly rotatably coupled to said first plurality of posts via a first pivot axis and rotatably coupled to said second plurality of posts via a second pivot axis, wherein activation of said pneumatic drive mechanism causes: i) said air cylinder to move said movable target holder, ii) said target assembly to rotate about said first pivot axis, and iii) said target assembly to rotate about said second pivot axis as said second pivot axis moves in a path around said first pivot axis.    
   
   
       12 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said movable target holder further includes at least one roller for providing smooth travel of said movable target holder.  
   
   
       13 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said air cylinder includes a first end attached to said frame via a pivotal connection for providing said movement of said second pivot axis around said first pivot axis.  
   
   
       14 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said frame further includes a shield for protecting said pneumatic drive mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A shooting target apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame including a plurality of upright posts;    a movable target holder including a plurality of linkage members;    a pneumatic drive mechanism including an air cylinder attached to said frame and said movable target holder; and    a target assembly attached to said movable target holder and including an obstruction and a target, wherein activation of said pneumatic drive mechanism causes: i) said air cylinder to move said movable target holder, ii) said target to move between lowered and raised positions, and iii) said obstruction to rotate between positions that conceal and present said target.    
   
   
       16 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of linkage members includes upper and lower linkage members that generally move together in a parallel manner.  
   
   
       17 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said obstruction is fixedly attached to said movable target holder such that a uniform angle is maintained therebetween during rotation of said obstruction.  
   
   
       18 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said target is rotatably attached to said movable target holder such that a varying angle is maintained therebetween during movement of said target.  
   
   
       19 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said movable target holder further includes at least one spring attached to said frame and one of said linkage members.  
   
   
       20 . The shooting target apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said frame further includes a shield for protecting said pneumatic drive mechanism.