US2020217627A1PendingUtilityA1

Sharp implement throwing target

43
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jan 9, 2019Filed: Jan 9, 2020Published: Jul 9, 2020
Est. expiryJan 9, 2039(~12.4 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Stanley J. Checketts
F41J 1/10F41J 1/01
43
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Claims

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for receiving thrown sharp implements. The apparatus comprises a plurality of modular target blocks arranged in an array. The apparatus further comprises a compression device configured to retain together the plurality of modular target blocks in the array.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for receiving thrown sharp implements, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of modular target blocks arranged in an array; and   a compression device configured to retain together the plurality of modular target blocks in the array.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array of modular target blocks is at least a four-block by four-block array. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the modular target blocks are made from green wood. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compression device comprises at least one engagement piece that distributes a compressive load from the compression device across multiple modular target blocks. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one engagement piece uniformly distributes the compressive load from the compression device across the multiple modular target blocks. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the compression device further comprises a plurality of engagement pieces; and   each one of the plurality of engagement pieces distributes a compressive load from the compression device across a different set of multiple sets of multiple modular target blocks.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compression device comprises a strap that extends circumferentially about an outer periphery of the array of modular target blocks and applies a radially inwardly directed force to the modular target blocks of the array. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compression device comprises a plurality of fasteners in engagement with the array and adjustable to adjust a compressive force applied to the array. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a frame positioned about and spaced apart from the array, wherein the plurality of fasteners extend at least partially through the frame into engagement with the array. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the array defines a target area comprising a target surface of each one of the plurality of modular target blocks of the array;   each one of the plurality of modular target blocks comprises multiple target surfaces; and   each one of the plurality of modular target blocks is reversibly arrangeable in the array such that any one of the multiple target surfaces of each one of the plurality of modular target blocks defines a portion of the target area of the array.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each one of the plurality of modular target blocks is individually rotatable relative to another one of the plurality of modular target blocks to select any one of the multiple target surfaces of the modular target blocks to define the portion of the target area of the array. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of modular target blocks of the array is individually removable from the array relative to another one of the plurality of modular target blocks. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each one of the plurality of modular target blocks comprises a long-grain surface; and   the long-grain surface of each one of the plurality of modular target blocks defines a portion of a target area of the array.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each one of the plurality of modular target blocks comprises four long-grain surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for receiving thrown sharp implements, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame with an open front, a backing, and movable tabs at the open front; and   a plurality of groups of modular target blocks removably coupled to the frame and removably retained within the frame by the backing and the movable tabs, wherein each one of the modular target blocks of any one of the plurality of groups of modular target blocks is fixedly coupled to at least one other modular target block of the one group.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the modular target blocks are made from green wood. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each one of the plurality of groups of modular target blocks is individually removable from the frame relative to any other one of the plurality of groups of modular target blocks. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the plurality of groups of modular target blocks collectively define a target area comprising a target surface of each one of the modular target blocks of the plurality of groups;   each one of the plurality of modular target blocks comprises multiple target surfaces; and   each one of the groups of modular target blocks is reversibly arrangeable in the frame such that any one of the multiple target surfaces of each one of the plurality of modular target blocks defines a portion of the target area of the array.   
     
     
         19 . A method of making an apparatus for receiving thrown sharp implements, the method comprising:
 arranging a plurality of modular target blocks into an array; and   compressing together the plurality of modular target blocks of the array.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 uncompressing the plurality of modular target blocks of the array;   removing at least one of less than all of the modular target blocks from the array;   at least one of:
 rotating the at least one of the modular target blocks removed from the array to and arranging the rotated at least one of the modular target blocks back into the array to form a rearranged array; or 
 replacing the at least one of the modular target blocks removed from the array with at least one new modular target block to form the rearranged array; and 
   compressing together the plurality of modular target blocks of the rearranged array.

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