GB2251924A - Military target panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A target panel 30 for military ranges is made up of a number of interlocking bricks each having a through-cavity. The interlocking arrangement allows the bricks to be assembled and to slide in courses axially of the cavity but not laterally. Two or more target panels may be connected together to provide a target wall. <IMAGE>

Description

TARGET PANEL AND BRICK THEREFOR The present invention relates to a target panel and a brick therefor. Such target panels are of particular use on military ranges, for example, where they provide shooting targets during military exercises. The target panels can be mounted on a carriage which in turn travels on a rail system so as to simulate the motion of a real target.

Traditionally, target panels have been used which are made of long sheets and are robust. As such, the panels are often cumbersome to transport and erect and, when they have been holed by a number of shells or missiles, have to be completely replaced. Indeed, a shell or missile striking such a target panel may result in the total destruction of the target panel and the supporting vehicle. Furthermore, some fusing systems used on the carriage or rail system are highly sensitive, and therefore the substantial impact of the munition on a traditional heavy wall is likely to blow a fuse. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved target panel.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a target panel comprising a plurality of interlocking bricks, each brick including at least one projection and socket means to interlock one brick with a further brick, the or each projection and socket means allowing the first brick to slide relative to the further brick. Such a target panel can be easily assembled and dismantled thereby facilitating transportation of the panel. Furthermore, the target panel is particularly straightforward to repair after shell damage by replacing a single brick rather than replacing the whole panel.

Preferably the or each projection and socket means allows the first brick to slide axially relative to the further brick, but substantially prevents transverse movement between said bricks.

Each brick may include a central bore and, conveniently, each brick may have a substantially elliptical transverse cross-section. Such bricks are light but sufficiently strong to form a target panel. Therefore, a munition which penetrates the target panel is unlikely to explode as it would against a conventional heavy target panel and only a small portion of the target panel is damaged by the munition. Furthermore, the target panel offers substantially less resistance to the impact of the munition than on known heavy target panels and the impact is therefore less likely to blow a sensitive fusing system.

Preferably, the co-operating projection and socket means comprises a mail dovetail connection extending along a first longitudinal edge of the brick, and a female dovetail connection extending along a second longitudinal edge diametrically opposed to the first edge. Such an arrangement provides a particularly effective interlocking connection between bricks.

The target panel may comprise a plurality of rows of said bricks, one row being attached to a further row by interlocking male and female dovetail connections, and each row comprising a plurality of bricks in end to end abutment. Such a target panel is particularly straightforward to assemble and damaged bricks may be replaced easily. If desired, a plurality of target panels may be connected together to form a target wall.

In order to provide a free-standing target panel, two rows of full length bricks may be spaced by a row including two half-length bricks.

In addition, the base brick of each row may be a solid square brick to improve stability.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a brick for a target panel comprising an elongate body having a female interlocking connection extending along a first side and a male interlocking connection extending along a second side. Such a brick can be assembled easily into a target panel.

The said interlocking connections may be dovetail connections. The brick may have an elliptical, rectangular or Z-shaped transverse cross-section and preferably includes a hollow portion between the side walls Such a brick is particularly light but sufficiently strong for a target panel. Conveniently, the first side may be diametrically opposed to the second side.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a transverse cross-section through a first type of brick in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a transverse cross-section through a second type of brick in accordance with the invention, Figure 3 is a plan view of a third type of brick in accordance with the invention, Figure 4 is a side view of the brick in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a plan view of a target panel in accordance with the invention with the bricks of Figures 1,2 and 3, Figure 6 is a front elevation of the target panel shown in Figure 5, Figure 7 is a plan view of a plurality of target panels of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6, Figure 8 is a plan view of a fourth type of brick in accordance with the invention, and Figure 9 is a plan view of a fifth type of brick in accordance with the invention, also showing an end cap.

In Figure 1, a brick (10) has a substantially cylindrical body with a central bore (9).

Extending axially along an outer surface (11) of the brick (10) are flat surfaces (12). A dovetail projection (13) extends centrally from the surfaces (12) and is provided along the complete length of the brick (10).

The dovetail projection (13) includes two angled surfaces (14) which extend from the flat surfaces (12) and which are inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said surfaces (12).

The dovetail projection (13) has a flat surface (15) which lies substantially parallel to the surfaces (12) and which connects outer edges (16) of each angled surface (14).

Second flat surfaces (17) are also provided on the outer surface (11) and which are diametrically opposed to flat surfaces (12). A dovetail socket (18) extends inwardly from the surfaces (17). The dovetail socket (18) comprises two angled surfaces (19) which lie at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the surfaces (17), and an inner flat surface (20) which connects inner edges (21) of each angled surface (19).

The dovetail socket (18) is dimensioned such that the dovetail projection (13) of a second brick (10) can fit within the socket (18).

Figure 2 shows a brick (23) having a hollow body of substantially elliptical cross-section.

The arrangement of dovetail sockets and projections is the same as described with reference to Figure 1 and has been numbered accordingly.

Figures 3 and 4 show a base brick (8) also having a dovetail projection (13) and a dovetail socket (18). The brick (8) has a substantially square cross-section and is solid. The brick (18) also includes a V-shaped recess (7) along its upper surface which, in use, helps drainage of water.

Each brick (8,10,23) can engage a further brick (8,10,23) by means of the dovetail projections (13) and dovetail sockets (18).

In use, the dovetail projection (13) at the end of one brick (8,10,23) is aligned with the dovetail socket (18) at an end of the second brick (8,10,23). The dovetail projection (13) can then be slid within the dovetail socket (18). In this position the flat surfaces (12) of the first brick (8,10,23) lie adjacent and co-planar with the flat surfaces (17) of the second brick (8,10,23).

This dovetail arrangement thereby prevents the bricks (8,10,23) being separated in a transverse direction but allows them to slide axially relative to each other.

In Figures 5 and 6 a number of bricks (8,10) has been arranged to make a target panel (30).

The target panel (30) has six rows of bricks (10). Rows 31, 33, 35 comprise three full length bricks (10) and one full length base brick (8).

Rows 32, 34, 36, which lie alternately between rows 31, 33, 35, comprise three full length bricks (10) with a half-length brick (39) at one end and a half-length base brick (8) at the other end.

This provides a 'staggered' appearance of bricks as is commonly seen in conventional brick walls but with the courses staggered to provide stability. The solid base bricks (8) improve the strength and stability of the panel (30).

A lower end (40) of the target panel (30), which comprises the base bricks (8), rests upon a surface (41). The target wall (30) can be restrained from falling over by suitable attachment means adjacent the top (such as shown in Figure 7).

Whilst the target panel in Figures 5 and 6 is shown in use with bricks (10) of the type shown in Figure 1, it should be appreciated that bricks (23) of the type shown in Figure 2 could also be used.

In Figure 7, a number of target panels (30) are shown connected together to form a target wall. Each target panel (30) is alternately laterally offset from an immediately adjacent target panel (30). The target panels (30) are attached to each other by an attachment piece (42). Each attachment piece (42) comprises an elongate section (43) having lugs (44) extending transversely from each end. Each lug (44) engages within the bore (9) of the brick at the end of adjacent target panels (30).

Figure 8 shows an alternative interlocking brick (50). The brick (50) is hollow and has a substantially square transverse cross-section.

Three dovetail projections (51) are provided along one face of the brick (50) and three corresponding dovetail sockets (52) are provided along an opposite face.

In use, a brick (50) engages a second brick (50) (shown in broken outline) by engagement of the projections (51) within the sockets (52).

Figure 9 shows a further interlocking brick (60). The brick (60) comprises two elongate side walls (61) spaced apart by a web (62). The web (62) is inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the walls (61). The brick (60) is thereby Z-shaped in plan. Angular projections (63) are provided at one end of each wall (61) and angular recesses (64) are provided at the other end of each wall (61). In use, the projections (63) of one brick (60) engages within the recesses (64) of another brick (60) (shown in broken outline) to provide an interlocking connection between the bricks (60).

In Figure 9 an end cap (65) is shown engaging the brick (60) shown in broken outline. The cap (65) comprises a wall (66) having projections (63) on each side. A cap with corresponding recesses may be provided for engagement with the other side of the brick (60).

Such a cap (65) prevents ingress of water etc. into a cavity (67) defined by the wall (61) and the web (62) and prevents wind damage.

The bricks (8,10,23,50,60) may be formed of any suitable material, preferably fire retardant.

Whilst reference has been made herein to a brick, it should be understood that the term brick refers to any interlocking element for use in a target panel.

Claims (9)

1. A target panel comprising a plurality of interlocking bricks, each brick including at least one projection and socket means to interlock one brick with a further brick, the or each projection and socket means allowing the first brick to slide relative to the further brick.

2. A target panel according to claim 1, wherein the or each projection and socket means allows the first brick to slide axially relative to the further brick, but substantially prevents transverse movement between said bricks.

3. A target panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each brick includes a central bore and has a substantially elliptical transverse crosssection.

4. A target panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the co-operating projection and socket means comprises a male dovetail connection extending along a first longitudinal edge of the brick, and a female dovetail connection extending along a second longitudinal edge opposed to the first edge.

5. A target panel according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of rows of bricks, one row being attached to a further row by interlocking male and female dovetail connections, and each row comprising a plurality of bricks in end to end abutment.

6. A target wall comprising a plurality of target panels in accordance with any of claims 1 to 5, connected together.

7. A brick for a target panel in accordance with any of claims 1 to 5, comprising an elongate body having a female interlocking connection extending along a first side and a male interlocking connection extending along a second side.

8. A target panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A brick for a target panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.