Shooting gallery devices and methods

Abstract

Shooting gallery devices and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting gallery includes a plurality of targets rotatably connected to a plurality of target connectors. The targets rotate between an extended position and a fallen position. The target and target connector assembly at least partially retains the targets in the extended position and/or prevents the targets from rotating from the extended position to the fallen position. Furthermore, the targets and target connector assemblies are configured to reset from the fallen position to the extended position without a rail guide or reset cam.

1 . An automatic shooting gallery, comprising:
 a first plate;   a support frame coupled to the first plate;   a power source;   a conveyor driven by the power source, wherein the conveyor travels in a predetermined path having an active zone and a return zone;   a plurality of target connectors coupled to the conveyor; and   a plurality of targets being movable between an extended position and a fallen position, the targets are rotatably connected to the target connectors, wherein the target connectors at least partially retain the targets in the extended position in the active zone of the path, and wherein the targets in the fallen position are configured to reset to the extended position from the fallen position during the return zone of the path without the aid of any other mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1 , further comprising a second plate coupled to the frame, wherein the targets at least partially rest against the second plate in the fallen position in the active zone. 
   
   
       3 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein each target connector comprises a protrusion at least partially retaining the targets in the extended position. 
   
   
       4 . The shooting gallery of  claim 3  wherein the target connectors further include protrusions configured to at least partially resist rotating the targets from the extended position to the fallen position, such that a first force is required to move the targets from the extended position past the protrusions to the fallen position, and a second force is required to reset the targets from the fallen position past the protrusions to the extended position, and wherein the first force is greater than the second force. 
   
   
       5 . The shooting gallery of  claim 4  wherein the first force comprises an impact force of a projectile. 
   
   
       6 . The shooting gallery of  claim 4  wherein the second force comprises gravity. 
   
   
       7 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein each target connector comprises a stop, wherein the stop at least partially supports the targets in the fallen position in the active zone. 
   
   
       8 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein:
 each target connector further includes a sleeve configured to receive a rotation device, the sleeve further configured to receive a locking removable pin.   
   
   
       9 . The shooting gallery of  claim 8  wherein the sleeve is integral with the target. 
   
   
       10 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein the targets are removable without the use of a tool. 
   
   
       11 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable conveyor tensioning device. 
   
   
       12 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein the power source is configured to drive the conveyor at different speeds. 
   
   
       13 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control for directing the power source. 
   
   
       14 . The shooting gallery of  claim 13  wherein the remote control is wireless. 
   
   
       15 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor guide positioned proximate to the conveyor, wherein the conveyor guide at least partially maintains the conveyor on the predetermined path when the targets move from the extended position to the fallen position. 
   
   
       16 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of targets are nonmetallic. 
   
   
       17 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein a geometry of the targets distributes a target weight such that the target weight at least partially retains the targets in the extended position. 
   
   
       18 . The shooting gallery of  claim 1  wherein the shooting gallery is sized to allow a user to hand carry the gallery. 
   
   
       19 . An automatic shooting gallery, comprising:
 a frame;   one or more gears rotatably coupled to the frame;   a power source coupled to the one or more gears;   a conveyor disposed on the one or more gears, wherein the power source drives the conveyor through a loop comprising an active zone and a return zone;   a plurality of target connectors coupled to one or more of the gear; and   a plurality of targets, wherein individual targets comprise a bracket that removably and pivotally couples the targets to the individual target connectors, and wherein the targets are configured to rotate between extended and fallen positions and wherein the bracket is configured to at least partially retain the targets in the extended position in the active zone.   
   
   
       20 . The shooting gallery of  claim 19 , wherein the targets are non-metallic. 
   
   
       21 . The shooting gallery of  claim 19  wherein the bracket further includes a protrusion for at least partially retaining the targets in the extended position. 
   
   
       22 . The shooting gallery of  claim 21  wherein the protrusion is configured to at least partially resist rotating the targets from the extended position to the fallen position, such that a first force is required to move the targets from the extended position to the fallen position, and a second force is required to reset the targets from the fallen position to the extended position, and wherein the first force is greater than the second force. 
   
   
       23 . The shooting gallery of  claim 21  wherein the target connectors further comprise a stop that at least partially contacts the protrusion when the targets rotate, wherein the protrusion provides a greater rotational resistance in the direction of rotating from the extended position to the fallen position than in the direction of rotating from the fallen position to the extended position. 
   
   
       24 . The shooting gallery of  claim 19  wherein the targets further comprise a geometry configured to at least partially rotate the targets from the fallen position to the extended position. 
   
   
       25 . The shooting gallery of  claim 19  wherein the targets are constructed of a composite material.