| Target device -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Target deviceUSPTO Application #: 20060157937Title: Target device Abstract: A target device is worn by a user in a game comprising projectiles covered with either hook or loop fasteners. The device includes a supporting element for being supported on the user which carries target panels having a target surface covered with hook or loop fasteners for mating connection with the projectiles. The target surface has an irregular in contour comprising various raised protrusions formed of resilient material. The irregular contour of the target surface results in a surface which lies at various angles, thus increasing the likelihood of a shot from any direction being perpendicular to a portion of the target surface for better attachment of the projectiles to the target surface in a hook and loop type game. The resilient nature of the protrusions also absorbs some of the impact force of the projectiles to reduce the tendency for the projectiles to bounce off of the target surface. (end of abstract) Agent: Ade & Company Inc. - Winnipeg, MB, CA Inventor: Barry Belog USPTO Applicaton #: 20060157937 - Class: 273348400 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Aerial Projectile Game; Game Element (e.g., Target, Etc.) Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Target, Having Bristled, Hooked, Or Looped Surface For Adherence Of Complementarily Surfaced Projectile Thereto The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060157937. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/630,575, filed Nov. 26, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a target device for being worn by a user in a game using projectiles which remain attached to the target device upon impact by hook and loop fasteners. BACKGROUND [0003] Various types of games are known using projectiles which remain attached to a target device upon impact. U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,092 to Simons Jr. et al. discloses on example of such a game wherein the target device comprises a coat type garment including various panels thereon upon which the projectiles can be attached on impact. When firing hook and loop type projectiles, using a compressed air powered gun similar to what is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,629 to Ratliff, the high velocities of the projectiles make it difficult for the projectile to attach itself to the target when fired at a sharp angle in relation to the surface instead of being normal thereto. When playing a game in which the target device is worn by an opponent, it is common to be shooting projectiles at random angles relative to the surface of the target device and accordingly it is commonplace for impacts to be improperly recorded when playing due to the projectiles bouncing off of the targets. Also, known targets to be worn by a user tend to be relatively stiff, which further encourages the occurrence of projectiles bouncing off of the targets. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a target device for use in a game comprising projectiles covered with one of either hooks or loops of a hook and loop fastening system, the target device comprising: [0005] at least one target panel having a target surface covered with the other one of the hooks or loops of the hook and loop fastening system; and [0006] a supporting element for supporting said at least one target panel on a body of a user of the device; [0007] the target surface of said at least one target panel being irregular in contour. [0008] The irregular contour of the target surface results in a surface which lies at various angles, thus increasing the likelihood of a shot from any direction being perpendicular to a portion of the target surface for better attachment of the projectiles to the target surface in a hook and loop type game. The irregular surface can also be more readily configured into a flexible design allowing the user wearing the target device more range of movement and more comfort. The resiliency of the protrusions forming the irregular contour absorbs some of the impact force of the projectiles to further reduce the tendency for the projectiles to bounce off of the target surface. [0009] The target surface is preferably covered with the hooks of the hook and loop fastening system. [0010] The target surface may comprise a plurality of protruding surfaces at various angles relative to one another in a non-planar configuration and formed of resilient and flexible material so that the target panels are also foldable. [0011] The target panel may further comprise a textured and resilient substrate, for example an undulating surface, forming various raised protrusions thereon and supporting the target surface thereon. The raised protrusions of resilient material may comprise elongate ridges or domed formations formed on the substrate and may include either a hollow core or a core of resilient soft foam material. [0012] In one embodiment, the target panels comprise a plurality overlapping sections of the target surface which are moveable relative to one another. The protrusions of the target surface may also be movable relative to the substrate of the target panels. [0013] In the first illustrated embodiment, the supporting element comprises a garment to be worn about the torso of the user. The garment supports a plurality of target panels thereon in which each target panel is selectively secured to the garment for detachment and reattachment thereto. In this instance, the supporting element preferably supports a front chest panel and a pair of shoulder panels. The supporting element may further comprise a pair of arm bands including adjustable fasteners for securement about an arm of a user in which an outer surface of each arm band comprises a target surface. [0014] In a further illustrated embodiment, the supporting element comprises a helmet including a transparent visor portion and a surrounding shield portion supporting the target surface thereon. The target surface in this instance is preferably also resiliently deformable. [0015] There may be provided a target indicator supported on the supporting element which is operable between an indicating condition which indicates that the target surface has been impacted by a projectile and a non-indicating condition which indicates that the target surface has not been impacted by a projectile. [0016] When the supporting element comprises a helmet, the target indicator preferably assumes the indicating condition automatically responsive to an impact of a projectile onto an actuating portion of the supporting element. [0017] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the target device shown with a projectile and a gun for shooting the projectile at the target device; [0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the target device according to FIG. 1 after an impact has occurred; [0020] FIGS. 3 through 8 illustrate various embodiments of the configuration of the target surfaces of the various embodiments of the target device; and Continue reading... Full patent description for Target device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Target device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Target device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multiple way stud poker games Next Patent Application: Archery target Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Target device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.1537 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
||
