US20230184521A1

US20230184521A1 - Target device

Info

Publication number: US20230184521A1
Application number: US17/546,369
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael V. Lastoria
Original assignee: Syntharise Chemical Inc
Current assignee: Syntharise Chemical Inc
Priority date: 2021-12-09
Filing date: 2021-12-09
Publication date: 2023-06-15

Abstract

A target device is disclosed. The target device includes a back board; a front board attachable to the back board; one or more initiators attachable to the back board at a back surface of the one or more initiators; one or more pyrotechnic compositions contactable with the one or more initiators at a top surface of the one or more initiators, the one or more pyrotechnic compositions retainable between the front board and the back board when the front board and the back board are attached.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of target shooting and, in particular, to target devices.

BACKGROUND

Targets are employed in target shooting to provide a user with an object to aim and shoot at. This can be used to improve a user's aim for future target shooting and for enjoyment. Safety for the user and others is paramount.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a target device includes a back board; a front board attachable to the back board; one or more initiators attachable to the back board at a back surface of the one or more initiators; and one or more pyrotechnic compositions contactable with the one or more initiators at a top surface of the one or more initiators. The one or more pyrotechnic compositions are retainable between the front board and the back board when the front board and the back board are attached.
In some embodiments, the one or more pyrotechnic compositions comprises copper oxide thermite, black powder, smokeless powder, flash powder, or any combination of same.
In some embodiments, the one or more initiators is Armstrong's mixture.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes one or more effect compositions. A back surface of the one or more effect compositions is contactable with the one or more pyrotechnic compositions at a top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more effect compositions and the top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.
In some embodiments, the puncturable material is tissue paper.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes a wrapping surrounding an outer surface of the front board and an outer surface of the back board.
In some embodiments, the wrapping comprises tissue paper.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes a targeting indicator at an outer surface of the front board.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes a tab attachable to the target device and configurable to support attachment of the target device to an object.
In some embodiments, the back board comprises an about 1.5 mm thick poster board, the front board comprises an about 1 mm thick poster board, and the target device is about ⅝ inches thick measured from a back surface of the back board to a front surface of the front board.
In some embodiments, the front board is attachable to the back board to form an enclosure retaining the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.
In some embodiments, the target device further includes a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions and the top surface of the one or more initiators.
In some embodiments, the puncturable material is tissue paper.
In some embodiments, the one or more effect compositions includes smoke dye powder, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, iron oxide thermite, copper oxide thermite, magnesium, a crackling effect mixture, or any combination of same.
In some embodiments, the one or more effect compositions includes a smoke dye powder having about 34% smoke dye, about 30% potassium chlorate, about 18% lactose, about 16% magnesium carbonate, and about 2% sodium bicarbonate.
In some embodiments, the one or more effect compositions includes a crackling effect mixture having about 65-75% bismuth trioxide, about 10-15% copper oxide, about 5-15% magnalium and about 5-15% aluminum.
In some embodiments, the one or more effect compositions includes a layer of paraffin wax pellets covered with copper oxide powder.
In some embodiments, the one or more initiators includes: KClO₃in the range from about 45% to about 50%; antimony sulfide in the range from about 28% to about 33%; accroides resin in the range from about 3% to about 5%; and sulfur in the range from about 12% to about 24%.
According to an aspect, a method for exploding in target shooting includes providing a thin separation between one or more initiators and one or more pyrotechnic compositions; igniting one or more initiators and one or more pyrotechnic compositions following application of a force; and exploding the one or more pyrotechnic compositions to produce an effect following the igniting.
Other aspects and features and combinations thereof concerning embodiments described herein will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the instant disclosure of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and figures are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding. Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein in the figures:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a back board of a target device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a back view of a front board of a target device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the back of a target device having a tab, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a target device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a side view of compositions included in a target device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 , is an angled perspective view of a back board of a target device, according to some embodiments

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a target device, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a target device, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation and not of limitation. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7 , a target device 50 includes a back board 100, a front board 200 attachable to the back board 100, one or more initiators 110 attachable to the back board 100 at a back surface of the one or more initiators 110, and one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 contactable with the one or more initiators 110 at a top surface of the one or more initiators 110. The one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 is retainable between the front board 200 and the back board 100 when the front board 200 and the back board 100 are attached. In some embodiments, the target device 50 includes one or more effect compositions 140, where a back surface of the one or more effect compositions 140 is contactable with the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 at a top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130. Each surface can refer to a surface formed by the aggregate of the respective composition(s) or initiator(s), such as a surface formed when same is arranged in a layer. As an example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the one or more initiators 110 is arranged in a layer below a layer of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, which is arranged in a layer below a layer of the one or more effect compositions 140, according to some embodiments. Each layer may not completely cover the adjacent layer, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the layer of the one or more effect compositions 140 is not included.
In some embodiments, the target device 50 further includes a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more effect compositions 140 and the top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130. For example, the puncturable material can be tissue paper. The tissue paper can help prevent, reduce, and/or mitigate scratching and/or frictional effects between the one or more initiators 110 and the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and, in turn, ignition of either of same, such as before the target device 50 is contacted by a sufficient force and/or the puncturable material is punctured or breached.
FIG. 1 shows a top surface of a back board 100 having one or more initiators 110, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the one or more initiators 110 can include material that retains one or more initiator compositions, such as Armstrong's mixture. In some embodiments, the one or more initiators 110 is Armstrong's mixture. The material can be strips or an arrangement of caps (overlapping or otherwise) containing one or more initiator compositions, such as Armstrong's mixture caps, as shown in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the one or more initiators 110 are attached to the back board without any such material. For example, the one or more initiators 110 can be a spread, a spray, or other composition that includes one or more initiator compositions, such as Armstrong's mixture, and is applied to the back board 100 at the top surface. An initiator composition can include Armstrong's mixture, a mixture of the following composition, or other suitable substance.

- KClO3: about 45% to about 50%
- Antimony Sulfide: about 28% to about 33%
- Accroides Resin: about 3% to about 5%
- Sulfur: about 12% to about 24%

In embodiments using the Armstrong's mixture as part of an initiator, the Armstrong's mixture is contained in a thin layer in a suitable amount, such as in milligrams.
The back board 100 can be comprised of cardboard, poster board, or paper, for example.
FIG. 2 shows a back surface of the front board 200.
The front board 200 can be comprised of cardboard, poster board, or paper, for example. In various embodiments, creasing, fold lines, tabs, and/or breaks in the material are included to facilitate attachment of front board 200 to back board 100 in various configurations, as designed. For example, as shown, front board 200 includes tabs at each corner. On assembly, the tabs are folded inward and attached to a surface of an adjacent wall. This can form one portion of an enclosure, which is formed upon attachment of front board 200 to back board 100. Complementary tabs and folded edges forming walls can be included in either or both of front board 200 and back board 100 and can be pasted together.
In some embodiments, the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 is copper oxide thermite. Example pyrotechnic compositions 130 are copper oxide thermite, black powder, smokeless powder, and flash powder. In some embodiments, the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 includes black powder, smokeless powder, flash powder, or any combination of same. Copper oxide thermite powder can be used and prepared according to the following chemical reaction. 100 g CuO and 33.9 grams of aluminum are used to prepare a 133.9 g batch of copper oxide thermite powder, for example. In one example, copper oxide thermite powder in a range from about two grams to about five grams are used as the one or more pyrotechnic compositions. An example aluminum used is aluminum with a small amount of charcoal, such as German Black (pyro) aluminum.
3CuO+2Al===>Al₂O₃+3Cu
The one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 is contactable with the one or more initiators 110 at a top surface of the one or more initiators 110. For example, FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment including the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 arranged in a layer over a layer of the one or more initiators 110. Such contact can be direct or indirect. In some embodiments, for example, tissue paper or other suitable material separates the initiator from a pyrotechnic composition. The tissue paper can be thin to allow for swift direct contact upon a suitable force being applied to the tissue paper, such as at or shortly after the target device is shot. The tissue paper can also help reduce or mitigate scratching or ignition before target device 50 is shot.
In some embodiments, one or more effect compositions 140 are included in the target device 50. The one or more effect compositions 140 is contactable with the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 at a top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130. For example, FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment including the one or more effect compositions 130 arranged in a layer over a layer of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions. Such contact can be direct or indirect. For example, tissue paper or other suitable material may separate the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 from an effect composition 140. The tissue paper can be thin to allow for swift direct contact upon a suitable force being applied to the tissue paper, such as at or shortly after the target device 50 is shot. The tissue paper can also help reduce or mitigate scratching or ignition before target device 50 is shot. As shown in FIG. 5 , a layer of the one or more initiators 110, a layer of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and a layer of one or more effect compositions 140 are arranged sequentially. In some embodiments, a thin material, such as tissue paper or other puncturable material, separates each layer.
The one or more effect compositions 140 is selected to customize an effect. For example, an effect includes the explosion's blast or smoke colour, sound, loudness, or other visual or auditory effect. The one or more effect compositions 140 can include smoke dye powder, strontium nitrate (e.g., to produce a red flare-like explosion), barium nitrate (e.g., to produce a green flare-like explosion), iron oxide thermite (e.g., to produce iron spark blasts), copper oxide thermite (e.g., to increase the loudness of the effect), magnesium, a crackling effect mixture, or any combination of same. The one or more effect compositions 140 can include a layer of paraffin wax pellets covered with copper oxide. This can be prepared by rolling wax pellets in copper oxide powder. The one or more effect compositions 140 can include other materials that produce these or other effects or facilitate production of same. The one or more effect compositions 140 can be arranged in a layer. The one or more effect compositions 140 can be powder.
An example smoke dye powder is about 34% smoke dye, about 30% potassium chlorate, about 18% lactose, about 16% magnesium carbonate, and about 2% sodium bicarbonate.
An example crackling effect mixture is about 65-75% bismuth trioxide, about 10-15% copper oxide, about 5-15% magnalium, and about 5-15% aluminum.
The one or more initiators 110, one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and/or one or more effect compositions 140 are powder, according to some embodiments. The one or more initiators 110, one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and/or one or more effect compositions 140 are granular (e.g., powder), according to some embodiments. In embodiments where one or more effect compositions 140 are included, the size of the granules of the one or more effect compositions 140 are selected such as to maintain the pressure of the granules on the one or more initiators 110 within an acceptable range, such as to maintain the stability of the target device 50 and/or reduce the likelihood that the target device 50 or its component composition(s) or initiator(s) ignite, react, or scratch. The larger the granules of the one or more effect compositions 140, the greater is its pressure at its points on the one or more initiators 110 through the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130.
The front board 200 is attachable to the back board 100. In some embodiments, the front board 200 is integral with the back board 100 as shown in FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the front board 200 is separate from the back board 100. The one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 are retainable between the front board 200 and the back board 100 when the front board 200 and the back board 100 are attached. In some embodiments, the front board 200 is attachable to the back board 100 such that the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 are compressed therebetween and the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 are retained in a layer over a layer of the one or more initiators 110. The attachment can be by an adhesive (e.g., glue), engagement of portions of the back board 100 with the front board 200 (e.g., through folding tabs or outer corners of either or both of same), and/or other mechanical means. For example, in some embodiments, the front board 200 is attached to the back board 100 so as to form an enclosure. The enclosure retains the one or more initiators 110, one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and, in embodiments where included, one or more effect compositions 140.
FIG. 6 shows an assembled back board 100, according to some embodiments. As shown, back board 100 is folded near its outer edges to form walls extending frontwards. Front board 200 is folded near its outer edges to form walls and/or tabs extending backwards, and assembly of target device 50 includes attachment of front board 200 to back board 100. For example, complementary walls and/or tabs of each of front board 200 and back board 100 can be attached together to form an enclosure. The enclosure can be complete or partial. The enclosure retains the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130. The one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 are retainable between the front board 200 and the back board 100 when the front board 200 and the back board 100 are so attached. The outer walls of the enclosure are protective.
In some embodiments, target device 50 further includes a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 and the top surface of the one or more initiators 110. An example puncturable material is tissue paper.
In some embodiments, the target device 50 further includes a wrapping surrounding an outer surface of the front board 200 and an outer surface of the back board 100. An example wrapping is tissue paper. In some embodiments, surrounding the outer surfaces can be indirect. For example, in embodiments where tab 120 is attached to the outer surface of the back board 100, the wrapping can surround the outer surface of the back board 100 by surrounding an outer surface of tab 120. The wrapping can increase the safety with which target device 50 can be handled.
In some embodiments, as shown in example embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4 and 7 , the target device 50 further includes a targeting indicator 210 at an outer surface of the front board 200. The targeting indicator 210 can be on an outer surface of a portion of the wrapping that surrounds the outer surface of the front board 200, for example. The targeting indicator 210 can be a targeting dot, such as a neon or yellow dot. In an example embodiment, the wrapping is blue tissue paper and the targeting dot on the wrapping at the front surface of the front board is a neon or yellow dot.
FIG. 3 shows a tab 120 attachable to the target device 50 and configurable to support attachment of the target device 50 to an object (e.g., while hanging), according to some embodiments. Some embodiments do not include tab 120. In some embodiments, tab 120 is attached to the target device 50 at a top edge of the target device 50, such as at the back board 100 or at the front board 200 or both. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8 , a portion of tab 120 is integral with the back board 100 and a second portion of tab 120 is integral with the front board 200. The two portions of tab 120 can be attached together, such as upon assembly of target device 50, to form tab 120 attached to the target device at a top edge of the target device. FIG. 7 shows an assembled target device 50 having tab 120. FIGS. 3 and 4 show tab 120 with holes 125 through which the tab 120 can be pinned to an object, such as a wall. Such holes 125 are optional, as shown in the example target device 50 of FIG. 7 . A mechanical device, such as a clip or clamp, or an adhesive, such as glue, can be additionally or alternatively attached to tab 120 or a back surface of back board 100 to allow tab 120 to support target device 50 attached (e.g., suspended) at an object. For example, an adhesive 105 can be applied to a back surface of back board 100. In some embodiments, tab 120 extends upwards from the top edge of the other portions of target device 50. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 , tab 120 also includes a further portion and is attachable to a significant portion or the entirety of the back surface of the back board 100, and a mechanical device or adhesive 105 can be applied to the back surface of the tab 120. This can allow tab 120 to support target device 50 attached to an object.
FIG. 8 shows an example target device 50 before assembly, according to some embodiments. In particular, instead of a back board 100 separate from front board 200, back board 100 is integral with front board 200 as shown. Further, instead of a tab 120 separate from the other components of the target device 50, tab 120 is integral with back board 100 and/or back board 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , a portion of tab 120 is integral with a top edge of back board 100 and a separate portion of tab 120 is integral with a top edge of front board 200. On assembly, the two portions of tab 120 are attached together to form tab 120 at a top edge of back board 100. The dimensions shown in FIG. 8 are example measurements according to some embodiments. Other dimensions can be used.
Target device 50 can be a variety of different shapes and sizes, according to various embodiments. As examples, the size can be one inch by one inch, two inches by two inches, three inches by three inches, or four inches by four inches, and the shape can be square, rectangular, triangular, circular, or polygonal. As an example, back board 100 can be about 1.5 mm thick, front board 200 about 1 mm thick, and target device about ⅝ inches thick measured from a back surface of the back board to a front surface of the front board. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the length of each square tab at each of the four corners of front board 200 can be ⅝ inches, and the length of each outer edge of front board 200 measured at the broken lines can be two inches each. The broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 denote lines on which each of the back board 100 and front board 200 are folded during assembly, according to some embodiments. The upper end of the range of acceptable thicknesses of front board 200 is lower than that of the back board 100. FIG. 4 shows an example target device 50 having straight walls. FIG. 7 shows an example target device 50 having tapered walls, such tapering being towards the centre of the front surface of the front board 200.
Target device 50 is configured to explode or ignite. According to some embodiments, target device 50 provides an easy and safe way for users to pin and shoot at pre-prepared pyrotechnic targets that can produce a variety of effects. Target device 50 may be shot at, for example, with BB guns, pellet guns, crossbows, sling shots, or small firearms, which include pistols, and rifles. Upon or shortly after contact, target device 50 is configured to explode or ignite as the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 and one or more initiators 110 ignite. Further effects can be produced upon or shortly after contact by the one or more effect compositions 140 in embodiments where included. A package of target device 50 can contain multiple target devices 50 per package.
In some embodiments, a method for target shooting includes providing a thin separation between one or more initiators 110 and one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130; igniting one or more initiators 110 and one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 following application of a force; and exploding the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 to produce an effect, such as an explosion, sound, or other auditory or visual effect, following the igniting. In some embodiments, following the igniting, one or more effect compositions 140 are also ignited and are also exploded. Ignition of any one of the initiators 110, pyrotechnic composition(s) 130, or, where included, effect composition(s) 140 can trigger ignition of the others.
In some embodiments, a method for assembling target device 50 includes attaching a front board 200 to a back board 100; attaching one or more initiators 110 to the back board 100 at a back surface of the one or more initiators 110; contacting (directly or indirectly) the one or more initiators 110 at a top surface of the one or more initiators 110 with one or more pyrotechnic compositions 140; and retaining the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 between the front board 200 and the back board 100 when the front board 200 and the back board 100 are attached. The retention can be provided by forming an enclosure, such as a box of one of a variety of shapes, surrounding the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 and/or other initiator(s) 110 and compositions included within. In some embodiments, the method further includes contacting (directly or indirectly) a back surface of one or more effect compositions 140 with the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 at a top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130.
In some embodiments, the one or more initiators 110, one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and the one or more effect compositions 140 are contactable or arranged in relation to each other similarly to the ways elsewhere described herein, except at a different surface or portion than elsewhere described herein. For example, the one or more initiators 110 can be arranged to be in contact with (or contactable with) the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130, and the one or more pyrotechnic compositions 130 can be arranged to be in contact with (or contactable with) the one or more effect compositions 140.
In an example embodiment, target device 50 is assembled by adding 2 to 5 grams of copper oxide thermite powder on top of strands of pasted overlapping or interlocking Armstrong's mix composed caps containing a thin layer of Armstrong's mixture in milligram amounts. The overlapping Armstrong's mixing caps are attached to a cut-out, which may be composed of paper or cardboard. The cut-out, once folded and glued, has tabs to allow a user to attach it to an object, such as a target. The copper oxide thermite powder can be prepared as follows:
3 CuO+2 Al===>Al₂O₃+3 Cu, using 100 grams CuO and 33.9 grams of aluminum for a 133.9 g batch.
The aluminum is German black (pyro) aluminum.
The Armstrong's mix can also be substituted with a suitable mixture as described herein.
To customize the explosion's blast or smoke colour, target device 50 in the example embodiment is modified by adding a thin layer of tissue paper above the copper oxide thermite powder and adding additional powders on top including smoke dye powder, strontium nitrate (red flare-like explosion), barium nitrate (green flare-like explosion), iron oxide thermite (iron spark blasts), additional copper oxide thermite (added inside for extra loudness), a frontal magnesium layer, or a crackling effect mixture frontal layer. The Armstrong's mix can be substituted for an initiator mixture. The initiator mixture is covered with tissue paper before the copper oxide thermite (or other composition) is added, which is then covered with tissue paper before the effect layer is added on top.
A further example exploding target device will now be described, according to some embodiments. The exploding target device comprises a body with two halves that paste together; initiator backing pasted to the back half of the body; and a tab with three holes to allow the device to be pinned. The back and front halves are joined together with glue. The body of the device is made from a posterboard material with a thickness of 1.5 mm for the back half 100 and 1 mm for the front half. The initiator strips may comprise Armstrong's mix pasted to the inner layer of the back half of the body and covered with a layer of tissue paper as if it were a paper cap. The initiator may be laid out as a spread or laid out in strips. The walls of the body act as protective walls for the device and the front half can be thinner. The front half may not be touched. The tab on the back half of the device can be used for pinning the device or pasting the device with an adhesive to a surface. After the device is pasted together, it is wrapped in tissue paper, similarly to a fireworks device, and a yellow or neon coloured dot is added to the front half of the body on the tissue paper. The device is available in sizes of 1 inch by 1 inch, 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches, 2 inches by 2 inches, 3 inches by 3 inches, or 4 inches by 4 inches. The device may be shaped as a square, circle, or triangle. The device can be shot at with by BB guns, pellet guns, cross bows, sling shots, small firearms, which include pistols and rifles, to set off an explosion.
According to another example embodiment, the device comprises one piece of poster board which may be folded and pasted together similarly to that shown in FIG. 8 . The dimensions can differ from those shown. Once the sides of the device are folded and pasted, the device may be pinned or pasted to a surface.
According to this example embodiment, the device comprises layers of explosive powders similarly to that shown in FIG. 5 . Each layer is separated with a piece of tissue paper. The first layer comprises initiator strips comprised of Armstrong's mix pasted to the back half 100 of the body. The Armstrong's mix may be substituted with a mixture comprising 45 to 50% potassium chlorate, 28 to 33% antimony sulfide, 3 to 5% accroides resin, and 12 to 24% sulfur. The second layer contains 2 to 5 g of a copper oxide powder mixture 130 comprising copper oxide thermite or a mixture of copper oxide, and German Black aluminium. The copper oxide thermite mixture is prepared with a mixture of 100 g of copper oxide with 33.9 g aluminum for a 133.9 g batch. The aluminum used is German Black Aluminum (e.g., a composition of aluminium with a small amount of charcoal). The third layer comprises a customizable effect layer. The effect layer may include powdered smoke dye for coloured explosion clouds, combustion effects, coloured flare-like explosions, crackling effect, or a combustion effect. The smoke mix comprises a composition of 34% smoke dye, 30% potassium chlorate, 18% lactose, 16% magnesium carbonate, and 2% sodium bicarbonate. The crackling effect comprises a composition is 65 to 75% bismuth trioxide, 10 to 15% copper oxide, 5 to 15% magnalium and 5 to 15% aluminum. The crackling effect can be made in a variety of granular sizes, but smaller granular sizes are used to avoid pressing against pressure points on the backing of the initiator through the copper oxide layer. The combustion effect comprises a layer of small paraffin wax pellets rolled or covered with copper oxide powder.
According to this example embodiment, the effect layer can be further customized by adding strontium nitrate for a red flare-like explosion, barium nitrate for a green flare-like explosion, iron oxide thermite to produce iron spark blasts, additional copper oxide thermite for increased volume of the explosion, or a front magnesium layer. The effects may be added to the device regardless of its size or shape.
Although various embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A target device, comprising:

a back board;

a front board attachable to the back board;

one or more initiators attachable to the back board at a back surface of the one or more initiators;

one or more pyrotechnic compositions contactable with the one or more initiators at a top surface of the one or more initiators, the one or more pyrotechnic compositions retainable between the front board and the back board when the front board and the back board are attached.

2. The target device of claim 1, wherein the one or more pyrotechnic compositions comprises copper oxide thermite, black powder, smokeless powder, flash powder, or any combination of same.

3. The target device of claim 1, wherein the one or more initiators is Armstrong's mixture.

4. The target device of claim 1, further comprising one or more effect compositions, a back surface of the one or more effect compositions contactable with the one or more pyrotechnic compositions at a top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.

5. The target device of claim 4, further comprising a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more effect compositions and the top surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.

6. The target device of claim 5, wherein the puncturable material is tissue paper.

7. The target device of claim 1, further comprising a wrapping surrounding an outer surface of the front board and an outer surface of the back board.

8. The target device of claim 7, wherein the wrapping comprises tissue paper.

9. The target device of claim 1, further comprising a targeting indicator at an outer surface of the front board.

10. The target device of claim 1, further comprising a tab attachable to the target device and configurable to support attachment of the target device to an object.

11. The target device of claim 1, wherein the back board comprises an about 1.5 mm thick poster board, the front board comprises an about 1 mm thick poster board, and the target device is about ⅝ inches thick measured from a back surface of the back board to a front surface of the front board.

12. The target device of claim 1, wherein the front board is attachable to the back board to form an enclosure retaining the one or more pyrotechnic compositions.

13. The target device of claim 1, further comprising a puncturable material between the back surface of the one or more pyrotechnic compositions and the top surface of the one or more initiators.

14. The target device of claim 13, wherein the puncturable material is tissue paper.

15. The target device of claim 4, wherein the one or more effect compositions comprises smoke dye powder, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, iron oxide thermite, copper oxide thermite, magnesium, a crackling effect mixture, or any combination of same.

16. The target device of claim 4, wherein the one or more effect compositions comprises a smoke dye powder having about 34% smoke dye, about 30% potassium chlorate, about 18% lactose, about 16% magnesium carbonate, and about 2% sodium bicarbonate.

17. The target device of claim 4, wherein the one or more effect compositions comprises a crackling effect mixture having about 65-75% bismuth trioxide, about 10-15% copper oxide, about 5-15% magnalium and about 5-15% aluminum.

18. The target device of claim 4, wherein the one or more effect compositions comprises a layer of paraffin wax pellets covered with copper oxide powder.

19. The target device of claim 1, wherein the one or more initiators comprises:

KClO₃in the range from about 45% to about 50%;

antimony sulfide in the range from about 28% to about 33%;

accroides resin in the range from about 3% to about 5%; and

sulfur in the range from about 12% to about 24%.

20. A method for exploding in target shooting, comprising:

providing a thin separation between one or more initiators and one or more pyrotechnic compositions;

igniting one or more initiators and one or more pyrotechnic compositions following application of a force; and

exploding the one or more pyrotechnic compositions to produce an effect following the igniting.