Shooting target

Abstract

A target device for practicing shooting with live ammunition includes a target member, a support member and a connection device that secures the target member to the support member in a manner that positions the target at an acute angle to the ground and provides lateral movement of the target member about a point defined by the connection device so that the target member absorbs the shock of the ammunition strike in a realistic manner and quickly returns the target member to a starting position thereafter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target practice device, comprising:
 a target member;   a support member; and   a connection device positioned to interconnect the target member with the support member, the connection device being structured to position the target member at an acute angle to the ground and to provide lateral movement of the target member relative to a vertex point defined by the connection device.   
     
     
         2 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises a retention member for receiving a suspension device in engagement therewith, and further comprising a fastening device secured to the target member for engaging the suspension device. 
     
     
         3 . The target practice device of  claim 2 , wherein the fastening device is positioned on a rear face of the target member to provide pendency of the target member from the connection device at said acute angle to the ground. 
     
     
         4 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the acute angle at which the target member is positioned is between 20 degrees and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The target practice device of  claim 2 , wherein the suspension device comprises a chain having at least two interlocking links. 
     
     
         6 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the target member comprises a plate-like body made of ballistic steel. 
     
     
         7 . The target practice device of  claim 6 , wherein the target member is configured as a substantially round shape. 
     
     
         8 . The target practice device of  claim 6 , wherein the target member is configured with a generally torso-like shape. 
     
     
         9 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the target member is positioned, relative to the support member, to shield the connection device at a point behind the target member. 
     
     
         10 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises at least two legs oriented to contact the ground or other supporting surface, and at least two upwardly extending arms structured to retain the connection device. 
     
     
         11 . The target practice device of  claim 10 , wherein the support member further comprises at least one anchoring device for anchoring the support member to the ground or other supporting surface. 
     
     
         12 . The target practice device of  claim 11 , wherein the anchoring device is structured with at least one hole for receiving an anchoring pin therethrough to anchor the target practice device to the ground or other supporting surface. 
     
     
         13 . The target practice device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two legs are integrally formed with the at least two upstanding arms. 
     
     
         14 . The target practice device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two legs are removably secured to the at least two upstanding arms. 
     
     
         15 . The target practice device of  claims 14 , wherein the at least two arms are adjustable relative to the at least two legs to provide adjustable height of the target practice device relative to the ground or other supporting surface. 
     
     
         16 . The target practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the target member is a plate-like body that is structured with at least one aperture formed through a thickness of the plate-like body, and further wherein at least one movable paddle member is secured to a rearward oriented surface of the plate-like body to obscure the said at least one aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The target practice device of  claim 16 , wherein the target member has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and wherein the at least one paddle member is secured to the plate-like body in a manner that allows the paddle member to move from a first position in which the paddle member obscures a first aperture to a second position in which the paddle member obscures a second aperture.