Target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback

Abstract

The embodiments herein provide for accuracy-based distinctively acting visual feedback targets through independently active target portions. In particular, the target systems herein have a center target portion and one or more concentric or nested outer portions, where each of the center and outer portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile, and is specifically configured to not move any portion further inward of the hit portion. In one embodiment, concentric target portions (e.g., rings) spin around an axis independently when hit, thus indicating a center hit or the distance from center of the hit (i.e., no portion further inward or outward spins other than the hit portion). In another embodiment, nested paddle targets are configured such that knocking down a particular paddle correspondingly knocks down all other paddles that may be further outward (i.e., leaving any portion further inward of the hit portion unmoved/standing).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, comprising:
 a plurality of rotating target portions, each of the plurality of portions configured with an original position and to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by rotation of the respective portion about an axis;   an innermost portion of the plurality of portions;   one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions extending outwardly from the innermost portion, each of the one or more nested outer portions configured to not move any portion of the plurality of portions that is further inward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.   
     
     
         2 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of portions is substantially circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of portions is substantially non-circular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more portions of the plurality of portions are based on different shapes than one or more other portions of the plurality of portions. 
     
     
         5 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of portions comprise a material selected from a group consisting of: metal; steel; polymer; and plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein the projectile is selected from a group consisting of: a bullet; a pellet; a BB; a paintball; a foam dart; a ball; and a bean bag. 
     
     
         7 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein the axis for each portion is based on an aperture established internally and laterally through the respective portion. 
     
     
         8 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein the axis is horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by independent spinning rotation of the respective hit portion about a substantially central axis of the respective hit portion, wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the respective portion is hit by a projectile. 
     
     
         10 . The target as in  claim 9 , wherein each portion is configured to gravitationally reset to the original position. 
     
     
         11 . The target as in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a weight differential between a heavier bottom half of each of the portions and a lighter top half of the respective portion created by a technique selected from a group consisting of: a thickness differential; a material differential; an additional material on the s heavier bottom half; one or more holes in the lighter top half; and one or more filled holes in the heavier bottom half, the filled holes being filled with a material that is heavier than a material of the respective portion.   
     
     
         12 . The target as in  claim 9 , wherein each portion has one or more visually differentiating features from a front side and a back side of the respective portion selected from a group consisting of: a different color from the front side to the back side; and a reflective material on the back side. 
     
     
         13 . The target as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by knock-down rotation of the respective hit portion about a distal axis of the respective hit portion. 
     
     
         14 . The target as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any further inward portion of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile, and are configured to move all portions of the plurality of portions that are further outward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.   
     
     
         15 . The target as in  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of portions having a subsequently outward portion of the plurality of portions comprises a contacting segment configured to contact the respective subsequently outward portion, the contacting segment selected from a group consisting of: a flange overlapping an inset of the respective subsequently outward portion; and a bar across at least one supporting structure of the respective subsequently outward portion. 
     
     
         16 . The target as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the s respective portion is hit by a projectile.   
     
     
         17 . The target as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a resetting trigger to return each portion to the original position.   
     
     
         18 . The target as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an auto-popper action configured to automatically return each portion to the original position.   
     
     
         19 . The target as in  claim 13 , wherein the axis for each portion is based on an aperture established through a technique selected from: drilling the aperture; bending material around the aperture; and installing an additional bracket around the aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The target as in  claim 13 , wherein the axis is vertical.