Self Leveling Target Holder

Abstract

A rocking target holder for target shooting has a rocking base which supports a target mount thereon. The rocking base will move rearward in a direction away from a projectile impact upon the target mount. The rocking motion provides two functions. First, it positions the target mount substantially upright when the target holder is located on an uneven support surface. Secondly the rocking motion provides shock absorption upon the impact of a projectile with the target mount.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rocking target holder apparatus comprising:
 a rocking base having a first end for positioning upon a support surface and having a second end; and   said second end of said rocking base coupled to a target mount for holding a target positioned thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said rocking base having a first curved rocking member thereon which is positionable upon a support surface; 
 said rocking base coupled to said target mount by a first upright; 
 said first upright engaged at a first end with said first curved rocking member; and 
 said first upright engaged at a second end with one of said target mount or a target member engaged with said target mount. 
 
     
     
         3 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said rocking base having a first curved rocking member and having a second curved rocking member; 
 a first upright engaged at a first end thereof to a central area of said first curved rocking member; 
 a second curved upright engaged at a first end thereof to a central area of said second curved rocking member; 
 a target member in an engagement at a first end thereof, to a second end of said first upright; 
 said target member engaged at a second end thereof to a second end of said second upright; 
 said target mount positioned upon said target member in between said first end of said target member and said second end of said target member; and 
 wherein upon impact of a projectile a rearward rocking of said target mount in a direction away from said impact, will thereby absorb force from said impact. 
 
     
     
         4 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 said first curved rocking member having a first contact surface for positioning upon said support surface; 
 said second curved rocking member having a second contact surface for positioning upon said support surface; 
 a first bump stop extending from said first contact surface; 
 a second bump stop extending from said second contact surface; and 
 contact of said first bump stop and of said second bump with said support surface limiting said rearward rocking of said rocking base. 
 
     
     
         5 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said first end of said target member to said second end of said first upright being a first removable engagement; 
 said engagement of said second end of said target member to said second end of said second upright being a second removable engagement, whereby said targeting member with said target mount attached thereto is removably engageable with said rocking base. 
 
     
     
         6 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 4  additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said first end of said target member to said second end of said first upright being a first removable engagement; 
 said engagement of said first end of said target member to said second end of said second upright being a second removable engagement, whereby said targeting member with said target mount attached thereto is removably engageable with said rocking base. 
 
     
     
         7 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said first end of said target member to said first upright being a first rotational engagement; 
 said engagement of said second end of said target member to said second upright being a second rotational engagement; and 
 said target member being rotatable to position said target mount to varying angled positions. 
 
     
     
         8 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 4  additionally comprising:
 said engagement of said first end of said target member to said first upright being a first rotational engagement; 
 said engagement of said second end of said target member to said second upright being a second rotational engagement; and 
 said target member being rotatable to position said target mount to varying angled positions. 
 
     
     
         9 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 5  additionally comprising:
 a first rotating connector engaged between said first end of said target member and a central area of said target member connected to said target mount; 
 a second rotating connector engaged between said second end of said target member and said central area of said target member; and 
 said central area of said target member rotatable to position said target mount to varying angular positions. 
 
     
     
         10 . The rocking target holder apparatus of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 a first rotating connector engaged between said first end of said target member and a central area of said target member connected to said target mount; 
 a second rotating connector engaged between said second end of said target member and said central area of said target member; and 
 said central area of said target member rotatable to position said target mount to varying angular positions.