Hit-scoring apparatus and target panel for shooting practice

A hit-scoring apparatus for shooting practice, comprising:

• a target holder having a body constituting a fixed first jaw and a movable second jaw of a clamping device, said first jaw and said second jaw being electrically insulated from one another, a closure mechanism for imparting to said second jaw a substantially linear movement relative to the first jaw;
• and
• a target panel clampable between said first and second jaws, said target panel having a plurality of layers including an electrically conductive first layer and an electrically conductive second layer separated and spaced apart from said first layer by at least one electrically non-conductive layer, wherein when said target panel is clamped between the first and second jaws of said target holder, separate electrical contacts are established between predefined areas of said first and second layers and said first jaw, said electrical contacts being further connectable to a hit-scoring unit;
• characterized in that:
• a. the first jaw supports on a rear surface thereof a plurality of first and second electrical contacts, at least one of which first electrical contacts is adapted make contact with at least one respective area of the electrically conductive first layer and at least two of which second electrical contacts are adapted make contact with respective areas of the electrically conductive second layer through one or more respective apertures or gaps formed in the first layer;
• b. each of the first electrical contacts is connectable to a source of first polarity DC voltage, each of the second electrical contacts is connectable to a source of opposite second polarity DC voltage via a respective normally open switch that is adapted to close in response to a bullet penetrating between the first layer and the second layer thereby applying said first polarity DC voltage to the respective switch coupled to the second electrical contact;
• c. a respective first indicator is coupled to each of the first electrical contacts and is responsive to the switch closing for producing a first signal indicative of an area in the first layer hit by the bullet;
• d. a respective second indicator is coupled to each switch and is responsive to the switch closing for producing a second signal indicative of an area in the second layer hit by the bullet;
• and
• e. said hit-scoring unit is adapted for coupling to each of the first indicators and to each of the second indicators and is responsive to the respective first and second signals for determining an area of the target that is commonly connected to the respective first and second contacts.