Method for Optimizing a 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.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target, comprising:
 (a) providing a base, having
 (i) a flat section lying in a base plane, 
 (ii) an axis of symmetry perpendicular to said base plane, 
 (iii) a point A on said base separated from said axis of symmetry by a distance R 2 , 
 (iv) a point B C  on said base separated from said axis of symmetry by a distance R 1 , 
 (v) said points A and B C  in combination defining a critical angle for said rocking target; 
   (b) providing a stem extending upward form said base along said axis of symmetry;   (c) providing a hollow top piece on said stem;   (d) defining a volume of liquid to be placed in said hollow top piece;   (e) defining a full center of gravity for said rocking target representing a combination of said rocking target and said defined volume of liquid, said full center of gravity being offset a distance L 3  from said base plane; and   (f) setting values for R 1  and R 2  such that a gravity vector passing downward from said full center of gravity, when said rocking target is at said critical angle, passes between said points A and B C .   
     
     
         2 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said defined volume of liquid has a liquid center of gravity offset a distance L 2  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 2  by adjusting a length of said stem and said defined volume in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         3 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adjusting a geometric configuration of said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         4 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 2 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adjusting a geometric configuration of said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         5 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adding a weight to said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         6 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 2 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adding a weight to said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         7 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 3 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adding a weight to said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .   
     
     
         8 . The method for optimizing the operating characteristics of a rocking target as recited in  claim 4 , comprising:
 (a) wherein said rocking target has an empty center of gravity offset a distance L 1  from said base plane; and   (b) adjusting said distance L 1  by adding a weight to said base in order to obtain a desired value for said distance L 3 .