Rocking Target

Abstract

A device that is capable of being in three states: (1) a first stable state, (2) a second stable state, wherein said device teeters back and forth when hit by a force, and (3) and a third stable state, wherein said device will topple completely over when hit too hard by a force. The device comprises a target piece and a base. The base is configured to lay flat on a surface and contains a curved section, a ledge, and a ledge perimeter. The target piece may contain a top piece attached on the opposite side which the base is attached, which may contain a hollow cavity, a shot glass holder cavity, or take the shape of a target for use in target practice. The device may be used in many different applications including in recreation games, drinking games, target practice, and fighting practice.

1 . A rocking target, comprising:
 a top piece;   a stem extending downward from said top piece;   a base attached to said stem;   wherein said base has a flat section surrounded by a curved section;   wherein said base is configured to rest on a surface on said flat section;   wherein said base has a circular ledge extending outward form said curved section:   wherein said rocking target has a center of gravity lying a distance from said flat section;   wherein said center of gravity has a gravity vector extending downward from said center of gravity;   wherein said flat section is bounded by a circle defined by a contact point;   wherein said ledge is bounded by a ledge perimeter;   wherein said distance of said center of gravity from said flat section, a first radius defining said contact point, and a second radius defining said ledge perimeter are selected such that,   said rocking target has a first stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward through said flat section while permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampens over time;   said rocking target has a second stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward between said contact point and said ledge perimeter while permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampens over time; and   said rocking target has a third stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward outside said ledge perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The rocking target of  claim 1 , wherein said base is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The rocking target of  claim 1 , wherein said target piece has a top piece attached to opposite end of said target piece where said base is attached. 
     
     
         5 . The rocking target of  claim 4 , wherein said top piece is spherical in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The rocking target of  claim 4 , wherein said top piece has a hollow top, said hollow top being capable of holding a liquid or an object. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A rocking target, comprising:
 a top piece;   a stem extending downward from said top piece;   wherein said stem has a height, a first end, and a second end;   wherein said first end of said stem is attached to said top piece;   wherein said second end of said stem is attached to a base;   wherein said base has a flat section surrounded by a curved section surrounded by a ledge;   wherein said ledge has a ledge perimeter;   wherein said ledge perimeter is the outmost perimeter of said ledge;   wherein said base is configured to rest on a surface on said flat section;   wherein said rocking target has a center of gravity lying above said base;   wherein said center of gravity has a gravity vector descending downward from said center of gravity;   wherein said flat section is bounded by a circle defined by a contact point:   wherein a distance of said center of gravity from said flat section, a first radius defining said contact point, and a second radius defining said ledge perimeter are selected such that,   said rocking target has a first stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward through said flat section while permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampens over time;   said rocking target has a second stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward between said contact point and said ledge perimeter while permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampens over time; and   said rocking target has a third stable state, wherein said gravity vector extends downward outside said ledge perimeter.   
     
     
         13 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said base is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said top piece is spherical in shape. 
     
     
         15 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said top piece has a hollow top, said hollow top being capable of holding a liquid or an object. 
     
     
         16 . The rocking target of  claim 15 , wherein said hollow top is in the shape of a shot glass. 
     
     
         17 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said base is a weight-holding base, wherein said weight-holding base further comprises an outer cup attached to said target piece of said rocking target, wherein said outer cup is a hollow cavity capable of holding a weight bearing substance. 
     
     
         18 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said top piece is attached to said first end of said stem and said base is attached to said second end of said stem via magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         19 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said rocking target further comprises a meter that measures the angle at which said rocking target swayed when hit with a force. 
     
     
         20 . The rocking target of  claim 12 , wherein said mcking target further comprises a meter that measures the force with which said rocking target was hit. 
     
     
         21 . A rocking target, comprising:
 a target piece;   wherein said target piece has a length and a height;   wherein said target piece is a rectangular prism in shape;   wherein said rocking target is configured to rest flat on a surface;   wherein said rocking target has a center of gravity;   wherein said center of gravity has a gravity vector;   wherein said gravity vector extends downward from said center of gravity;   wherein said rocking target has a first stable state;   wherein said rocking target lies flat on said surface;   wherein said rocking target has a second stable state;   wherein said rocking target no longer lies flat on said surface;   wherein said rocking target has a third stable state; and   wherein said rocking target lies horizontally on said surface.   
     
     
         22 . The rocking target of  claim 21 , wherein said rocking target has a base, wherein said base has a flat section surrounded by a curved section, wherein said flat section of said base is configured to rest on said surface. 
     
     
         23 . The rocking target of  claim 22 , wherein said curved section of said base is surrounded by a ledge, wherein said ledge has a ledge perimeter. 
     
     
         24 . The rocking target of  claim 21 , wherein said target piece is attached to said base via magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         25 . The rocking target of  claim 21 , wherein said rocking target further comprises a meter that measures the angle at which said rocking target swayed when hit with a force. 
     
     
         26 . The rocking target of  claim 21 , wherein said rocking target further comprises a meter that measures the force with which said rocking target was hit.