# US 2020/0400409 A1 · Projectile target with hit indicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0400409 A1 - Document ID: US20200400409A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/911,164 - Filed: 2020-06-24 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-24 - Assignees: Hornady Manufacturing Company - Applicants: Hornady Manufacturing Company - Inventors: Matthew Mack - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200400409A1 ## CPC - F41J 5/056: Switch actuation by hit-generated mechanical vibration of the target body, e.g. using shock or vibration transducers - F41J 5/02: Photo-electric hit-detector systems {(comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10)} - F41J 5/14: Apparatus for signalling hits or scores to the shooter, e.g. manually operated, or for communication between target and shooter; Apparatus for recording hits or scores - F41J: TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS {(targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204)} ## Abstract The present invention provides an improved target system for use by target shooters. The target system includes any target that is solid enough to transfer a portion of the impact to the frame supporting the target. An impact sensor that is independent from the target is attached to the frame supporting the target. When the target is hit by a bullet, the impact causes the impact sensor to light an indicator light to indicate that the target was hit. In some embodiments, the indicator light is housed in a housing that includes an adjustable lens to focus the light and concentrate its direction toward the shooter. In other embodiments, a remote indicator light is utilized and the impact sensor sends a radio signal to the indicator light to cause it light up when the target is impacted. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A target system for projectiles comprising: a target hit indicator, said target hit indicator including at least one visual indicator for indicating that a target in which said target hit indicator is attached was impacted by a projectile, said target hit indicator including a housing, said housing including a light source secured therein, an electronic component secured within said housing and electrically connected to said light source, said electronic component being constructed and arranged to detect the impact of a projectile against a target, a translucent cover for covering said light source, said translucent cover allowing light to be transmitted therethrough, one or more energy sources in electrical connection with said electronic component, said electronic component being constructed and arranged to transfer electrical energy to said light source upon detection of an impact exceeding a predetermined threshold to said target, said electronic component ceasing said transfer of electrical energy after a predetermined period of time, said electronic component automatically resetting to detect additional impacts after said predetermined period of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein electronic component is constructed and arranged to detect mechanical vibration of said target to cause said light source to illuminate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein electronic component is constructed and arranged to detect acceleration of said target to cause said light source to illuminate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said electronic component includes two or more predetermined thresholds for sensing impacts to said target each said threshold causing said light source to illuminate in a different visible manner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said one or more energy sources are contained within said housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The target system for projectiles of claim 5 wherein said energy sources are batteries. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a parabolic reflector positioned with respect to said light source to create focal point of said light source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said parabolic reflector is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of said target hit indicator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said translucent cover includes a lens portion, said lens portion constructed and arranged to modify a light beam produced by said light source upon illumination. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said housing includes at least one sight for aiming the trajectory of a light beam produced by said light source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The target system for projectiles of claim 10 wherein said at least one sight is a set of open sights. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The target system for projectiles of claim 10 wherein said at least one sight is a set of peep sights. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The target system for projectiles of claim 10 wherein said at least one sight is a telescopic sight. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The target system for projectiles of claim 10 wherein said housing includes at least one rail constructed and arranged for attachment of said at least one sight. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said electronic component includes a transmitter for transmitting signals to a remote receiver, said remote receiver including at least one said light source for providing a visual indicator of target impact with a projectile. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The target system for projectiles of claim 11 wherein said housing is adapted to be secured to a target or target stand. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 wherein said projectile is a bullet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The target system for projectiles of claim 1 including a target, said target secured to a stand to retain said target in a position suitable for visibility, said target remaining secured to said stand after impact by a projectile. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The target system for projectiles of claim 18 wherein said target is secured to said stand to allow for movement of said target when impacted by a projectile to dissipate kinetic energy from said projectile. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The target system for projectiles of claim 18 wherein said target is constructed from metal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The target system for projectiles of claim 18 wherein said target is constructed from polymer, said polymer being a self-healing polymer whereby an aperture opened through said target by a projectile automatically closes after passage of said projectile through said target ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The target system for projectiles of claim 18 wherein said housing includes an attachment system suitable for use in securing said hit indicator system to said target. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The target system for projectiles of claim 18 wherein said mount system includes a first loop sized for encircling a portion of said hit indicator system and a second loop for encircling a portion of said target, said first loop and said second loop arranged at right angles with respect to each other. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The target system for projectiles of claim 23 including a swivel securing said first loop and said second loop together for angular adjustment between said first loop and said second loop. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The target system for projectiles of claim 23 wherein said first loop and said second loop are constructed from a stretchable polymeric material. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The target system for projectiles of claim 22 wherein said attachment system includes two or more arms projecting radially outwardly from said housing, each said arm including a forwardly facing foot adapted for releasably retaining an elastic member extending from one of two or more arms to the other of said two or more arms, a portion of said target positioned between said two or more arms and said elastic member.