Method and apparatus for supporting a target hanger

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting a post used to support a ballistic target. A post is supported in a vertical position by retention in a post stand. The post stand is assembled using a bottom plate, a top plate and two side plates. Once assembled, the post stand receives a post. Two types of posts are contemplated. One post type is made of wood. A second post type is made of steel and projects a low profile toward a shooter. A top hanger is then installed over the post and provides mounting holes so that a target can be suspended therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for supporting a target comprising:
 coupling a bottom plate to a first side panel;   coupling the bottom plate to a second side panel;   maintaining the distance between the first and second side panels according to a width of the bottom plate;   maintaining the bottom plate substantially at a first pre-established angle with the first side panel;   maintaining the bottom plate substantially at a second pre-established angle with the second side panel;   coupling, in a substantially contemporaneous manner, a top plate to the first and second side panels; and   providing a slot in the top plate for accepting a post.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling the bottom plate to the first side plate comprises:
 inserting a butterfly tab included in the bottom plate into a rotational butterfly receptacle included in the first side plate; and 
 rotating the bottom plate to a position where the butterfly tab in the bottom plate is retained in the rotational butterfly receptacle included in the first side panel. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising maintaining the position of the of the bottom plate so that it does not rotate back to a position where the butterfly tab can be retracted from the rotational butterfly receptacle included in the first side panel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling, in a substantially contemporaneous manner, a top plate to the first and second side panels comprises:
 situating a first butterfly tab disposed at rear portion of a right side of the top panel over a horizontal receiver included in the first side panel; 
 situating a second butterfly tab disposed at rear portion of a left side of the top panel over a horizontal receiver included in the second side panel; 
 situating a first vertical tab disposed at from portion of a right side of the top panel over a vertical receiver included in the first side panel; 
 situating a second vertical tab disposed at from portion of a left side of the top panel over a vertical receiver included in the second side panel; 
 lowering the top panel into a first détente position; 
 moving the top panel forward so that the butterfly tabs included in the top panel enter a restraint section included in the horizontal receivers included in the first and second side panels; and 
 dropping the first and second vertical tabs into a second détente position in the vertical receivers included in the first and second side panels. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises providing a slot in the bottom plate for accepting a post. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprises accepting a post through the bottom plate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 accepting a bottom end of a post through the top plate: 
 positioning an upper bracket at a top end of the post; and 
 attaching a target onto the upper bracket. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein attaching a target onto the upper bracket comprises providing an orifice at a portion of the upper bracket that is opposite the post. 
     
     
         11 . A method for attaching a top bracket to a post:
 receiving a post through a bottom flange included in a top bracket;   abutting the post against a top flange included in the top bracket;   maintain the bottom flange and the top flange at a pre-established distance; and   providing a target mount on at least one of a forward extending portion of the bottom panel and a forward extending portion of the bottom panel.   
     
     
         12 . A method for attaching a top bracket to a post:
 receiving a post through slot included in the top bracket;   restraining the top bracket at a fixed point on the post; and   providing a target mount on a forward extending portion of the top bracket.   
     
     
         13 . A post support comprising:
 first and second side plate each comprising:
 rotational receptacle for a butterfly tab; 
 horizontal detent receiver disposed along a top edge toward a rear portion of the side panel; 
 vertical detent receiver disposed along a top edge toward a front portion of the first side panel; 
   bottom plate having a right side and a left side and comprising a first butterfly tab disposed along the right side and a second butterfly tab disposed along the left side;   top plate having a right side and a left side and comprising:
 first butterfly tab disposed along a rear portion of the right; 
 second butterfly tab disposed along rear portion of the left side; 
 first vertical tab disposed along front portion of the right side; 
 second vertical tab disposed along a front portion of the left side. 
   
     
     
         14 . The post support of  claim 11  wherein the first a second side panels further include horizontal tab receptacles disposed toward a lower front portion of each side panel and where the bottom plate further includes a first horizontal tab disposed along a front portion of the right side and a second horizontal tab disposed along a front portion of the left side. 
     
     
         15 . A target bracket comprising:
 top flange that includes a front facing extension that includes a mounting orifice;   separation web being linearly attached to the top flange opposite the front facing extension; and   bottom flange being linearly attached to the separation web and including a slot sized to accommodate a post.   
     
     
         16 . A target bracket comprising:
 top flange;   bottom flange that includes a front facing extension that includes a mounting orifice; and a slot sized to accommodate a post; and   separation web being linearly attached to the top flange and the bottom flange opposite the front facing extension included in the bottom flange.   
     
     
         17 . A low-profile post comprising:
 side profile;   front profile; and   retention notch disposed on a rear profile and sized to accommodate a thickness of target hanger.   
     
     
         18 . A low-profile target hanger comprising:
 Substantially rectangular plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;   slot cut through the plate being sized according to a side profile and a front profile of a low-profile post; and   a mounting orifice being cut through the plate and disposed at a position forward of the slot.