Method, product and modular system for shooting practice

Abstract

A system and method for target practice, the system including at least one modular shooting target, the shooting target formed of a multilayer panel including a compressible inner layer formed of a low density polymeric foam having a first and a second side, a first bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to the first side, and a second bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to the second side.

1 . A system for target practice, the system comprising:
 at least one modular shooting target;   the shooting target formed of a multilayer panel including:   a compressible inner layer formed of a low density polymeric foam having a first and a second side;   a first bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said first side; and   a second bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said second side.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one modular shooting target is formed from a flat target blank shaped and configured to be folded and assembled on site to form the target and disassembled and unfolded to said flat target blank for storage and transportation. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a target base formed of a flat base blank shaped and configured to be folded and assembled on site to support the target and disassembled and unfolded to said flat base blank for storage and transportation. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein said target base blank is integrally formed with the target. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the target base blank includes connection elements for coupling the target base to the target. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the base blank is formed from a multilayer panel including:
 a compressible inner layer of low density polymeric foam having a first and a second side;   a first bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said first side; and   a second bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said second side.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam is selected from a group including: low density, cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene foam, polypropylene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, ethylene -vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, copolymers of SEBS, polychloroprene, neoprene, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, plasticized polyvinyl chloride and wherein said first and second rigid sheets are formed of material selected from group including high density polyethylene, HDPE, Polypropylene, nylon  6 . 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the target is formed of Panellofoam™. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the target base base blank is formed of Panellofoam™. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control system including an electronic controller and communication means, the control system disposed for monitoring hits in the shooting target and outputting signals corresponding thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a matrix of electrical conductors embedded in the shooting target and circuitry connecting the matrix to the electronic controller adapted and configured for monitoring the electrical conductors and for providing a signal to the electronic controller indicating the location where the projectile penetrated the matrix. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one of a microphone, a camera, a loudspeaker associated with the target and coupled to the electronic controller. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one accessory mounted on the target, said accessory selected from group including a speaker, noise generator, a lighting device, a smoke machine, an electrically or mechanically controller canister of smoke. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one target includes a plurality of shooting targets, each having an embedded matrix and circuitry corresponding to that matrix, and the electronic control system is configured to receive signals from each of the different shooting targets for monitoring, individually, performance of each of a number of shooters simultaneously and characterize the shooting level of each said shooter. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of said shooting target that is removable. 
     
     
         16 . A method for providing target practice, the method comprising:
 providing at least one modular shooting target, the shooting target formed of a multilayer panel including:   a compressible inner layer formed of a low density polymeric foam having a first and a second side;   a first bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said first side; and   a second bendable rigid high density polymeric sheet affixed to said second side;   reversibly folding on site at least one flat base blank and reversibly assembling therefrom a target base to support the target; and   mounting the at least one shooting target in the at least one target base.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  further comprising disassembling and unfolding said target base to said flat base blank for storage and transportation. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said shooting target includes an embedded matrix of electrical conductors and circuitry connecting the electrical conductors to an electronic controller; and
 the method further comprising:   monitoring the electrical conductors;   detecting a projectile passing through the matrix by the circuitry;
 providing a signal from the circuitry to the electronic controller indicating the location where the projectile penetrated the matrix; and 
 determining in the electronic controller, from this signal, where the target was hit. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising transmitting data indicating the location where the projectile penetrated the matrix, via a communication system to which the electronic controller is coupled, to at least one destination selected from the group including: the shooter, a trainer, and a commander. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising calculating statistics of each shooter during his or her practice session and forwarding this information. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising: detecting a penetration of the shooting target; and
 in response thereto, sending a signal to actuate at least one device selected from the group including a sound generator, a light, a smoke machine, and an electronically actuated accessory.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the controller can be re-programmed by a remote controller to actuate different electronic accessories or a different arrangement or switch between them.