Reactive target

Abstract

A reactive target can comprise a support structure, an anchor coupled to the support structure, a target portion comprising one or more contact surfaces and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to the support structure, and a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the anchor, wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially between a first resting position and a second resting position in response to a contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the target portion, the force directing the target portion to the first resting position or the second resting position.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A reactive target comprising:
 a support structure;   an anchor coupled to the support structure;   a target portion comprising one or more contact surfaces and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to the support structure; and   a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to the anchor;   wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially between a first resting position and a second resting position in response to a contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces;   wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the target portion, the force directing the target portion to the first resting position or the second resting position.   
     
     
         2 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein a midpoint rests between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein the spring is configured to exert a force directing the target portion to the first resting position when the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the midpoint and wherein the spring is configured to exert a force directing the target portion to the second resting position when the target rotates radially between the second resting position and the midpoint. 
     
     
         3 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein a midpoint rests between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein the target portion is configured to rotate radially from the first resting position to the second resting position if the contact force exerted on one of the one or more contact surfaces is greater than the force the spring is configured to exert on the target portion. 
     
     
         4 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein the spring rotates radially around the anchor. 
     
     
         5 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to rotate radially around the anchor and the extended portion is configured to enable the spring to pass through a portion of the target portion as it rotates radially around the anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein the first resting position and the second resting position are separated by an angle of 180°. 
     
     
         7 . The reactive target of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor defines a first rotational axis at a first axis location and the extended portion at the point of which it is coupled to the support structure defines a second rotational axis at a second axis location, wherein the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are parallel 
     
     
         8 . A reactive target comprising:
 a target portion comprising a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and an extended portion, the extended portion being rotatably coupled to a support structure; and   a spring comprising a first end coupled to the target portion and a second end rotatably coupled to an anchor, the anchor coupled to the support structure;   wherein the target portion rotates radially between a first resting position and a second resting position when a contact force is applied to the first contact surface or the second contact surface, wherein the first resting position and the second resting position have a midpoint therebetween;   wherein the spring applies a force directing the target portion to the first resting position when the target portion is positioned at the first resting position or between the first resting position and the midpoint;   wherein the spring applies a force directing the target portion to the second resting position when the target portion is positioned at the second resting position or between the second resting position and the midpoint.   
     
     
         9 . The reactive target of  claim 8 , wherein the spring is configured to rotate radially around the anchor as the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the second resting position, wherein extended portion is configured to allow the spring to pass through a portion the target portion as it rotates radially around the anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The reactive target of  claim 8 , wherein the target portion rotates radially between the first resting position and the second resting position if the contact force applied to the first contact surface or second contact surface is greater than the force applied by the spring directing the target portion away from the midpoint. 
     
     
         11 . The reactive target of  claim 8 , wherein the target portion rests perpendicular to the support structure in the first resting position and the second resting position. 
     
     
         12 . The reactive target of  claim 8 , wherein the spring is adjustable to increase or decrease the force on the target portion. 
     
     
         13 . The reactive target of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure and the anchor form a unitary structure. 
     
     
         14 . A reactive target system comprising:
 a vertical stem;   two or more support structures coupled to the vertical stem;   two or more anchors coupled to the two or more support structures;   two or more target portions each comprising two contact surfaces and an extended portion, each extended portion being rotatably coupled to one of the two or more support structures; and   two or more springs each comprising a first end coupled to one of the two or more target portions and a second end rotatably coupled to one of the two or more anchors;   wherein the two or more target portions rotate radially between a first position and second position in response to a contact force applied to one of the two contacting surfaces;   wherein the two or more springs apply a force on the two or more target portions to direct the two or more target portions to the first positions or the second positions.