Reality based training target trap

Abstract

A target trap having improved portability is provided. The target trap is suitable for use in reality-based training methods and may advantageously capture pellets and marking rounds for improved clean-up and cost-saving re-use of ammunition. The target trap has a replaceable strike panel and face panel and allows for paper or cardboard targets of various dimensions to be hung on its front surface by using clamps or tacks or other type of clips.

1 . A target trap, comprising:
 a frame assembly having a bottom wall coupling a first sidewall to an opposing second sidewall, wherein the frame assembly includes an opening defined between the first and second sidewalls, and wherein a back slot is defined between the first and second sidewalls;   a strike panel removeably disposed within the back slot opposite the opening of the frame assembly; and   a face panel removeably disposed within the frame assembly between the opening and the strike panel, the face panel and strike panel disposed in a spaced-apart relation.   
     
     
         2 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises:
 opposing back channels coupled to each of the sidewalls, the back channels defining the back slot.   
     
     
         3 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the strike panel and the face panel are of different lengths. 
     
     
         4 . The target trap of  claim 3 , wherein an upper portion of the longer panel is bent towards the shorter panel to maintain the panels in a spaced apart relation. 
     
     
         5 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the back slot is sufficiently wide enough to allow lateral movement of the strike panel in a direction perpendicular to the opening within the back slot. 
     
     
         6 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall comprises an open tray having three sides and an open front aligned with the opening of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The target trap of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a target support coupled to the sidewalls.   
     
     
         8 . The target trap of  claim 7 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises:
 a first pair of mounting holes formed through the sidewalls and arranged to receive mounting ends of the target support when the target trap is used in a substantially vertical orientation; and   a second pair of mounting holes formed through the sidewalls and arranged to receive the mounting ends of the target support when the target trap is used in a substantially horizontal orientation, wherein the spacing between the first pair of mounting holes is equidistant to the spacing between the second pair of mounting holes.   
     
     
         9 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises a lip extending from at least one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         10 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises:
 a back wall coupled to the sidewalls, the back wall having at least one mounting feature located on a vertical centerline of the back wall and at least one mounting feature centered on a horizontal centerline of the back wall.   
     
     
         11 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the strike panel and the face panel are spaced about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches apart. 
     
     
         12 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly is fabricated from at least one of corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, and aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the strike panel is fabricated from corrugated cardboard or corrugated plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The target trap of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls and strike panel are fabricated from corrugated material, and wherein fluting of the corrugated material comprising the strike panel is oriented perpendicular to fluting of the corrugated material comprising the sidewalls. 
     
     
         15 . A target trap, comprising:
 a frame assembly having a bottom wall coupling a first sidewall to an opposing second sidewall, wherein the frame assembly includes an opening defined between the first and second sidewalls, and wherein a back slot is defined within the frame assembly, the back slot open to a top of the frame assembly;   a strike panel removeably disposed within the back slot opposite the opening of the frame assembly, the strike panel being loosely retained in the back slot such to allow lateral movement of the strike panel in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening;   a face panel removeably disposed within the frame assembly between the opening and the strike panel, the face panel and strike panel disposed in a spaced-apart relation; and   a back wall coupled to the frame assembly, the back wall having at least one mounting feature located on a vertical centerline of the back wall and at least one mounting feature centered on a horizontal centerline of the back wall.   
     
     
         16 . The target trap of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a target support coupled to the sidewalls.   
     
     
         17 . The target trap of  claim 16 , wherein the frame assembly further comprises:
 a first pair of mounting holes formed through the sidewalls and arranged to receive mounting ends of the target support when the target trap is used in a substantially vertical orientation; and   a second pair of mounting holes formed through the sidewalls and arranged to receive the mounting ends of the target support when the target trap is used in a substantially horizontal orientation, wherein the spacing between the first pair of mounting holes is equidistant to the spacing between the second pair of mounting holes.   
     
     
         18 . The target trap of  claim 17 , wherein the frame assembly is fabricated from at least one of corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, and aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The target trap of  claim 17 , wherein the strike panel is fabricated from corrugated cardboard or corrugated plastic, and is slideably removable from the back slot through the top of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The target trap of  claim 17 , wherein the sidewalls and strike panel are fabricated from corrugated material, and wherein fluting of the corrugated material comprising the strike panel is oriented perpendicular to fluting of the corrugated material comprising the frame sidewalls.