WO2013004598A1

WO2013004598A1 - Arrow shooting method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2013004598A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/062631
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte; Jean-Marc Fouques
Original assignee: Laporte Holding
Priority date: 2011-07-01
Filing date: 2012-06-28
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Also published as: EP2726811A1; FR2977311A1; FR2977311B1; EP2726811B1; US20140239593A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for shooting arrows (3) at targets, comprising at least one device (2) for shooting arrows (3), at least one target (5) and at least one arrow (3), characterised in that it comprises a reflection wall (6) and in that the arrow (3) comprises a head portion (4), said reflection wall (6) and head portion (4) being configured to return the arrow (3) in the direction of the shooting device (2) when the head portion (4) hits the reflection wall (6) instead of the target (5).

Description

"Arrows system and method"

The present invention relates to a system and method for shooting target arrows. It finds its application in the field of archery.

Conventional archery requires a lot of substantial size equipped with the necessary protection systems against the dangers of arrows. Shooting distances induce a significant amount of time for the collection of arrows, which, moreover, present a certain danger for archers and spectators. In addition, coats of arms (that is, fixed targets) are quickly damaged by the impact of the arrows.

The present invention overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of traditional archery practices. In particular it proposes a new technique to limit the stroke of the arrows and shorten the distances that must go through the archer for the collection of arrows. Another advantage of the invention, in a preferred embodiment, is to greatly eliminate the risk of accidents with arrows having a protective tip.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention. Previously, it is stated that the invention relates to a system for shooting target arrows comprising at least one arrows firing device, at least one target and at least one arrow, characterized in that it comprises a wall of reflection and that the arrow has a head portion, the reflection wall and the head portion being configured to at least partially absorb the energy of the impact and return it to return the arrow towards the firing device when the Head portion impacts the reflection wall instead of the target.

In advantageous but optional embodiments that can be accumulated or used alternately, the system is such that:

the target is configured to damp more impact of the head portion than the reflection wall.

- The reflection wall is a substantially vertical wall wall.

the head portion comprises an elastically deformable end piece and connection means to an arrow rod.

the tip is made of a flexible plastic material.

- The tip is made of polymer foam.

it comprises a machine for launching the at least one target, said machine being configured to launch the target in front of the reflection wall relative to the firing device.

the machine is configured to launch the at least one target in a vertical plane.

the vertical plane is closer to the reflection wall than to the shooting device.

- The reflection wall and the vertical plane are parallel and spaced a distance of between 1 meter and 3 meters and wherein the firing device and the vertical plane are spaced a distance between 7 meters and 1 1 meters. - The reflection wall has a height of between 7 meters and 12 meters.

- It is configured so that the arrow is returned at a distance between 50% and 85% of the distance between the reflection wall and the firing device when it impacts the reflection wall.

the at least one target has an outer shape in a portion of a cylinder. The invention also relates to a target arrow firing method for archer comprising a step of firing an arrow towards a target, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

placing a reflection wall in a firing zone around the target;

- formation of a portion of the head on the arrow;

when the arrow does not impact the target, returning the arrow to the archer by rebounding the head portion on the reflection wall.

According to preferred embodiments, this method is such that:

- The arrow is returned at a distance between 50% and 85% of the distance between the reflection wall and the archer.

- The target is launched prior to the shooting stage so as to evolve in front of the reflection wall relative to the archer during the shooting stage.

- the target is launched at a height greater than 2 meters and less than the height of the reflection wall.

The invention will be better understood in view of the drawing plates in the appendix, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention and which comprise:

- Figure 1 illustrating a shooting phase towards a target, in side view.

- Figure 2 which shows an arrow bouncing on a reflection surface, in the direction of an archer.

- Figure 3 which shows an arrow in its position back to the archer.

- Figure 4 which schematically an arrow impacting a target.

- Figure 5 illustrates the fallout of an arrow after touching the target. - Figure 6 showing in perspective an example of usable arrows.

- Figure 7 which shows an example of throwing machines.

As represented in FIG. 1, the system according to the invention allows an archer 1 using an arrows firing device 2 to operate a firing step on a target identified by the mark 5. The firing device 2 can be a arc of conventional design or any other weapon allowing the projection of arrows or darts. Crossbows are for example also concerned. The term "archer" refers here to any user of such a shooting device 2.

An example of a usable arrow 3 is shown in FIG. 6 in more detail with a rod 1 0 of variable size and a head portion 4 provided with an end piece here in non-spherical non-ionic shape making it possible to form a low-hazard assembly in case possible accident. Preferably, the head portion 4 has a portion at least partially exposed at the tip of the boom 3 of elastically deformable material. For example, a polymeric foam plastic may be suitable. It is easy to understand that the head portion thus produced can absorb a portion of the energy generated by the impact of the boom 3 on an obstacle. This energy can be restored at least partially because of the elastic deformability of the material used for the head portion 4. The connection of the head portion 4 on the rod 10 can be effected by connecting means and in particular by fitting into force or by a threaded connection. At the other end of the rod 1 0, called the distal end 1 1, a tail is present and a positioning system on the rope of the firing device 2. This set 1 1 may be of current design.

Note that it may be advantageous if at least a portion of the arrow 3 is of a predetermined color. It may for example be the head portion 4. Thus, when using a plurality of arrows 3, they can be identified or identified sets of arrows 3 in particular to dedicate a color to an archer 1. It is therefore easier to count the number of successful hits per user.

Returning to FIG. 1, another aspect of the invention is represented, namely a reflection wall 6. In the example, it is a wall wall provided with a rigid outer surface, for example concrete, and advantageously oriented in a vertical plane. For example, the reflection wall 6 may have a useful surface, opposite the archer 1, of substantially rectangular shape with a width of several meters and a height for example between 7 and 12 meters. These values are nonlimiting, however, because the reflection wall 6 can be adapted according to the space available, especially in a room.

According to a first possibility, the target 5 is fixed relative to the reflection wall 6 and is for example simply fixed to the surface of the wall 6. According to another, preferred, possibility the target 5 is movable in front of the reflection wall 6 as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. It will be understood that in this embodiment the target 5 evolves between the reflection wall 6 and the firing device 2 carried by the archer 1.

Target type 5 is not limited by the invention. However, advantageously, at least one target 5 will be used in the form of a cylinder portion which may for example have a diameter ranging from 1 to 40 centimeters and advantageously from 25 to 33 centimeters with a thickness of between 3 and 10 centimeters. The target 5 thus forming a kind of puck is preferably made of polymer material in one or more layers. For example, a polymer foam with a density of between 25 and 160 kg / m 3 gives satisfaction. Advantageously, the faces of a puck are substantially flat, which does not exclude certain reliefs in particular to improve the visibility of the target during its movement, to improve its stability or otherwise. Advantageously, the target 5 is projected so as to operate from bottom to top and from top to bottom in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. Optionally, a slight inclination may be produced especially when it is desired to modify the projection effect and vary the difficulty of the shot. Advantageously, the faces of the target 5 are substantially parallel to the reflection wall 6 during the movement.

Still, preferably, the target 5 is launched in view of the archer 1 at a distance substantially between 7 and 1 1 meters represented by the dimension L3 in Figure 1. Overall, the spacing between the archer 1 and the reflection wall 6 shown L1 may be substantially equivalent to a ten meters. The length L 2 representing the spacing between the target casting zone 5 and the reflection wall 6 is for example between 1 and 3 meters.

Taking the example of Figure 1, the overall height of the reflection wall 6 is marked H1. The target 5 is projected so as to have a maximum height H2 less than the height H1. For example, a margin of 2 to 3 meters between H1 and H2 can be preserved.

An example of a method used for launching target 5 is given below. The example given below can be reproduced for a plurality of targets 5.

More particularly, FIG. 1 shows a launching machine 7 comprising a base in the form of a carriage surmounted by a launching zone provided with a launching arm 9 itself surmounted by a barrel 8 allowing the superimposed storage of targets. 5. A throwing machine 7 is more clearly visible in Figure 7 at which the machine is partially shown in side view. At this level, the barrel 8 comprises at least one column for the stack of targets 5 whereas several columns are shown in the variant of FIG. In the lower part of the figure, a curvilinear surface makes it possible to receive a target 5 in a substantially vertical position for projection by means of an arm 9 mounted for example in a rotational manner along a substantially horizontal axis. Between the barrel 8 and the projection zone, the machine is equipped with a transfer system for delivering a target 5 to the arm 9. Any machine design can be used according to the invention. The throw can also be manual.

The reflection wall 6 is advantageously made of rigid material so as to produce as efficient a rebound as possible of the boom 3 equipped with the elastically deformable head portion 4. However, another solution is that the impact surface of the arrow 3 on the reflection wall 6 is also elastically deformable or elastically deformable in replacement of the elastic deformability of the head portion 4. The general principle remains that the arrow 3 undergoes a rebound after an impact on the reflection wall 6. Thus, any configuration that absorbs at least partially the energy of the impact and return it to reflect the arrow 3 in the opposite direction to the appropriate shot.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, an exemplary implementation of the method of the invention and use of its system is given below. As indicated previously, in FIG. 1, a target 5 has been projected by the machine 7 and the archer 1 has made a step of firing an arrow 3 through the device 2. Preferential arrangements are made so that the target reaches a height level greater than the firing height of the arrow 3. As shown in the illustration by the solid line arrow, the arrow 3 is directed towards the target 5 but fails to touch it, the archer having shot too low. As a result, the arrow 3 moves towards the reflection wall 6.

In Figure 2, the arrow 3 has already impacted the reflection wall 6 and is rebounding. In this way, it is now oriented to be sent back to the archer 1. The head portion 4 is thus directed towards the archer 1. Figure 3 shows the end of the trajectory of the arrow 3.

At this point, the arrow 3 descends substantially in front of the archer 1 at a distance that can be adjusted according to the shooting conditions and the elastic deformation properties allowing the rebound.

For example, the system may be configured so that the arrow is returned at a distance between 50% and 85% of the distance between the reflection wall 6 and the firing device 2. To achieve this, a wall of rigid reflection (its surface is hard) at a distance of 10 meters from the archer 1 and the launching machine 7 so that it projects the targets 5 at a distance of 1, 5 meters in front of the reflection wall 6. With an arc whose power is voluntarily limited to 26 pounds and an arrow 3 having a 65 mm diameter diameter spherical head portion 4 of elastic polymer foam, it is possible to reach an initial speed of arrow 3 of the order of 30 to 40 meters per second. This speed decreases greatly because of the relatively large weight of the assembly formed (for example between 30 and 40 grams and preferably 35 grams), most of which is placed at the level of the head portion (for example between 20 and 25 grams). It should be noted that the spherical portion of the head portion 4 is also slightly aerodynamic which promotes deceleration. With these parameters and a reflection wall 6 consisting of a rigid classic wall wall, it was surprisingly found that one could bounce the arrow so that it lands about 2 to 3 meters in front of the archer in case of missed target 5. This distance can be easily adapted by playing on the elasticity properties during the rebound and the speed of fire.

In the case of FIG. 4, the archer 1 has managed to touch the target 5. At the moment of impact, the target 5 absorbing more the shock than the reflection wall 6, the arrow 3 is strongly braked and goes down again quickly. . This is shown in FIG. 5 with a fall of the arrow 3 substantially behind the throwing machine 7 close to the reflection wall 6. The fact that the targets 5 are projected further increases the damping phenomenon of the movement of the arrow 3.

Finally, Figure 5 shows that it is easy to discriminate arrows 3 having been fired successfully and arrows 3 from a failure. The successful shots are indeed revealed by arrows near the reflection wall 6 while the missed shots are revealed by arrows having bounced and returned close to the archer 1.

REFERENCES

1. Archer

2. Shooting device

3. Arrow

4. Head portion

5. Target

6. Reflection wall

7. Throwing machine

8. Barrel

9. Launching arm

10. Stem

1 1. Distal end

Claims

1. System for shooting target arrows (3) comprising at least one arrows firing device (2), at least one target (5) and at least one arrow (3),

characterized in that it comprises a reflection wall (6) and that the arrow (3) comprises a head portion (4), the reflection wall (6) and the head portion (4) being configured to absorb at least partially the energy of the impact and return it to return the arrow (3) towards the firing device (2) when the head portion (4) impacts the reflection wall (6) instead of the target (5).

2. System according to claim 1 wherein the target (5) is configured to damp more impact of the head portion (4) than the reflection wall (6).

3. System according to one of the preceding claims wherein the reflection wall (6) is a substantially vertical wall wall.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims wherein the head portion (4) comprises an elastically deformable tip and connecting means to a rod (10) of arrow (3).

5. System according to the preceding claim wherein the tip is a flexible plastic material.

6. System according to the preceding claim wherein the tip is polymeric foam.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims comprising a launcher (7) of the at least one target (5), said machine being configured to launch the target (5) in front of the reflection wall (6) relative to the device shooting (2).

8. System according to the preceding claim wherein the machine is configured to launch the at least one target (5) in a vertical plane.

9. System according to the preceding claim wherein the vertical plane is closer to the reflection wall (6) than the firing device (2).

10. System according to the preceding claim wherein the reflection wall (6) and the vertical plane are parallel and spaced a distance. between 1 meter and 3 meters and wherein the firing device (2) and the vertical plane are spaced a distance of between 7 meters and 1 1 meters.

1 1. System according to the preceding claim wherein the reflection wall (6) has a height of between 7 meters and 12 meters.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims configured so that the arrow (3) is returned at a distance between 50% and 85% of the distance between the reflection wall (6) and the firing device (2) when it impacts the reflection wall (6).

13. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one target (5) has an outer shape in a cylinder portion.

14. Method of firing arrow (3) on target (5) for archer (1) comprising a step of firing an arrow (3) towards a target (5), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

placing a reflection wall (6) in a firing zone around the target (5);

- formation of a head portion (4) on the arrow (3);

- when the arrow (3) does not impact the target (5), at least partial absorption of the energy of the impact, returning the arrow (3) to the archer (1) by rebound of the portion of head (4) on the reflection wall (6).

15. Method according to the preceding claim wherein the arrow (3) is returned at a distance of between 50% and 85% of the distance between the reflection wall (6) and the archer (1).

16. Method according to one of claims 14 or 15 wherein the target (5) is launched prior to the firing step so as to evolve in front of the reflection wall (6) relative to the archer (1) during the shooting stage.

17. Method according to the preceding claim wherein the target (5) is launched at a height greater than 2 meters and less than the height of the reflection wall (6).