Target stand and steel target

Abstract

A target stand includes an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end. A target adapter socket includes a support element removably coupled to the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member. The socket member has an upwardly directed socket. A steel target has a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end. The steel target has no extraneous elements which would affect a bullet strike or compromise the strength and hardness of the steel. The tab portion of the steel target is removably received by the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target stand comprising:
 an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end, wherein the upright assembly comprises:
 a central tubular member having the aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, the longitudinal aperture removably receiving the support element of the adapter socket at the upper end of the upright assembly; 
 a first tubular member having a longitudinal aperture therethrough and coupled to a side of the central tubular member, the longitudinal aperture of the first tubular member removably receiving a first leg at the lower end of the upright assembly; and 
 a second tubular member having a longitudinal aperture therethrough and coupled to an opposing side of the central tubular member, the longitudinal aperture of the second tubular member removably receiving a second leg at the lower end of the upright assembly; 
   a target adapter socket having a support element removably inserted into an aperture formed in the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member, the socket member having an upwardly directed socket; and   a steel target having a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end, the steel target having no extraneous elements;   wherein the tab portion of the steel target is removably received by the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket.   
     
     
         2 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising adjustable legs coupled to the lower end of the upright assembly. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the second leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the upright assembly further includes:
 a first engagement member carried by the first tubular member at the lower end of the upright assembly for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the first leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the first leg between the extended position and the retracted position; and 
 a second engagement member carried by the second tubular member at the lower end of the upright assembly for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the second leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the second leg between the extended position and the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         6 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the adapter socket upright assembly holds the steel target at a downward angle toward a shooter. 
     
     
         7 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the central tubular member has a longitudinal axis, and the support element of the target adapter socket holds the socket member at a downward angle to the shooter and an angle relative the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the angle relative the longitudinal axis is approximately 20 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . A target stand comprising:
 an upright assembly having a lower end and an upper end, the upright assembly further including a first longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the upper end, a second longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end, and a third longitudinal aperture extending therethrough from the lower end;   a target adapter socket having a support element removably received in the first longitudinal aperture at the upper end of the upright assembly and fixedly coupled to a socket member, the socket member having an upwardly directed socket;   a steel target having a planar target surface, a lower end, and a tab portion extending from the lower end removably received in the upwardly directed socket of the target adapter socket, the steel target having no extraneous elements;   a first leg removably received by the second longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly; and   a second leg removably received by the third longitudinal aperture at the lower end of the upright assembly.   
     
     
         10 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the first leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the second leg is independently movable between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the upright assembly further includes:
 a first engagement member carried at the lower end of the upright assembly proximate the second longitudinal aperture for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the first leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the first leg between the extended position and the retracted position; and 
 a second engagement member carried at the lower end of the upright assembly proximate the third longitudinal aperture for movement between an engaged position preventing movement of the second leg, and a disengaged position allowing movement of the second leg between the extended position and the retracted position. 
 
     
     
         12 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the adapter socket upright assembly holds the steel target at a downward angle toward a shooter. 
     
     
         13 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the upright assembly has a longitudinal axis, and the support element of the target adapter socket holds the socket member at a downward angle to the shooter and an angle relative the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . A target stand as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the angle relative the longitudinal axis is approximately 20 degrees.