Shooting target apparatus

Abstract

A shooting target apparatus has a portable base capable of staying put on a surface and a target holder for holding a target for shooting. The target holder is supported by the base for pivotal movement. There is a battery-operated drive mechanism in the base for causing movement of the target holder between a concealed position, concealing a target held by the target holder, and a revealed position, revealing the target. Also included is a control circuit controlling the drive mechanism, which includes a wireless signal receiver for receiving a wireless control signal to activate the drive mechanism to cause movement of the target holder from the concealed position to the revealed position and from the revealed position to the concealed position.

1 . A shooting target apparatus comprising:
 a portable base stably supporting the shooting target apparatus on a surface;   a target holder for holding a target for shooting, the target holder being movably supported by the base for movement relative to the base;   a battery-operated drive mechanism in the base for moving the target holder between a concealed positions concealing a target held by the target holders and a revealed position, revealing the target held by the target holder; and   a control circuit for controlling the drive mechanism, the control circuit including a wireless signal receiver for receiving a wireless control signal to activate the drive mechanism to cause movement of the target holder from the concealed position to the revealed position and from the revealed position to the concealed position.   
   
   
       2 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the target holder is supported for pivotal movement between the concealed position, in which the target lies on a first imaginary plane co-planar with a general viewing direction by a shooter, and the revealed position in which the target lies on a second imaginary plane, perpendicular to the general viewing direction. 
   
   
       3 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the target holder is pivotable between the concealed position, which is horizontal and the revealed position, which is vertical. 
   
   
       4 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the target holder is supported on a lateral side of the base for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. 
   
   
       5 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the target holder is pivotable between the concealed position, which is vertical, and the revealed position, which is also vertical. 
   
   
       6 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the target holder is supported above the base for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. 
   
   
       7 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor, a drive transmission system for transmitting output drive of the motor, and an output member driven via the drive transmission system and attached to the target holder such that the target holder is movable by the motor in at least one of two opposite directions. 
   
   
       8 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the target holder is resiliently biased by a spring to move in a first direction between the concealed position and the revealed position, and the drive mechanism is arranged to move the target holder in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, between the concealed position and the revealed position and the drive mechanism includes releasing means for releasing the target holder in the first direction so the target holder is moved by the spring. 
   
   
       9 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the base supports a rechargeable battery pack for powering the electric motor. 
   
   
       10 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base incorporates a plurality of legs which project outwardly for stabilizing the shooting target apparatus on the surface. 
   
   
       11 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the legs is telescopically extendable and retractable to a selectable length. 
   
   
       12 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the legs includes a foot for engaging the surface, the foot being adjustable to a selectable position. 
   
   
       13 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base has a handle for carrying the shooting target apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the control circuit further includes an antenna connected to the receiver for receiving the wireless control signal, the antenna being located in the handle. 
   
   
       15 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit further includes an antenna connected to the receiver for receiving the wireless control signal. 
   
   
       16 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a remote controller that includes a wireless signal transmitter for transmitting the wireless control signal to the receiver. 
   
   
       17 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the remote controller includes a key to initiate transmission of the wireless control signal. 
   
   
       18 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the remote controller includes one or more keys to determine a period of time from when the drive mechanism causes movement of the target holder to the revealed position to when the drive mechanism causes movement of the target holder to the concealed position. 
   
   
       19 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the remote controller includes a plurality of keys identifying respective shooting target apparatus for simultaneous operation of a plurality of shooting target apparatus. 
   
   
       20 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the transmitter comprises a radio frequency signal transmitter. 
   
   
       21 . The shooting target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises a radio frequency signal receiver.