The present invention relates to a bullet trap for receiving and containing projectiles, such as bullets, fired at the bullet trap.
In order to maintain their proficiency with various types of firearms, law enforcement officers and others routinely engage in target practice. For many years, target practice was conducted in environments in which there was little concern for recovering the bullets. Firing ranges commonly used a large mound of dirt to decelerate the bullet after it had passed through the target. Such a system was generally safe, in that the dirt was effective in stopping the bullet and preventing injuries. While the most common projectile at a firing range is a bullet, other projectiles, such as shot, can also be present.
Because of concerns about the lead contained in the bullet, release of the lead into the environment when a bullet fragments upon impact, firing ranges increasingly use bullet containment chambers to capture fired bullets and fragments thereof. Bullets may be recycled or otherwise disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations, thereby significantly reducing the risks of lead escaping into the environment. In addition, bullet containment chambers typically include an opening through which the bullet enters, a deceleration mechanism for slowing the bullet to a stop, and a container mechanism for holding the bullet until it is retrieved from the containment chamber. Either end of the containment chamber includes a sidewall which limits the lateral travel of the projectile. If a projectile impacts the side wall, it may ricochet or, if a high powered round, may puncture the side wall.
Examples of bullet containment chambers can be found in the following patent disclosures: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,662; 7,194,944; 7,775,526; 7,793,937; 7,275,748; 7,306,230; 7,653,979; 8,276,916; and 8,485,529. These containment systems utilize angled impact plates to decelerate bullets. Once the bullets are slowed sufficiently, they fall into a canister mounted below the containment chamber.
The above containment systems, however, suffer from a common problem—the repetitive impact of bullets transfers a significant amount of kinetic energy to the system, which causes structural fatigue, reduces the life of the components of the system and increases the expense of maintenance and repair.
Thus, there is a need for an improved bullet trap which minimizes structural fatigue, extends the life of the bullet trap system and reduces costs.
The present invention generally relates to a bullet trap device comprising a vibration dampening gasket disposed between an impact plate and a support structure.
In one particular embodiment, the bullet trap comprises a plurality of support frames; one or more impact plate positioned on and supported by the support frame; and a gasket disposed between the one or more impact plate and one or more of the plurality of support frames, wherein the gasket absorbs kinetic energy transferred from the one or more impact plate.
In another embodiment, the vibration dampening gasket isolates the one or more impact plate from the plurality of support frames.
In another embodiment, the gasket is continuously disposed and provides an airtight seal between the one or more impact plate and the support frames.
In another embodiment, the gasket is comprised of a material selected from one or more of the following: closed cell foam, visco-elastic foam, rubber, plastic and silicone. In a particular embodiment, the material is closed cell foam.
In yet another embodiment, the one or more impact plate, plurality of support frames and gasket form a containment chamber.
In yet another embodiment, the bullet trap further comprises an air pump configured to provide negative air flow from within the bullet trap to an air filter configured to remove particulate matter.
In yet another embodiment, the bullet trap further comprises a second gasket positioned between one or more impact plate and one or more upper channel plate and lower channel plate.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
It is appreciated that not all aspects and structures of the present invention are visible in a single drawing, and as such multiple views of the invention are presented so as to clearly show the structures of the invention.
Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numeral designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the pending claims. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the components of the individual embodiments discussed may be selectively combined in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that various embodiments will accomplish different objects of the invention, and that some embodiments falling within the scope of the invention may not accomplish all of the advantages or objects which other embodiments may achieve.
The present invention is generally directed to a bullet trap configured to absorb kinetic energy transferred to the bullet trap from bullets that impact the bullet trap. Bullet traps generally comprise one or more support frame on which is positioned impact plates that safely stop the trajectory of bullets. Because the impact plates are subject to repetitive impact from high velocity bullets, they absorb a significant amount of kinetic energy and transfer that kinetic energy to the remaining bullet trap structure. This transfer of kinetic energy to the bullet trap structure is the source of significant damage and fatigue to bullet traps, causes weakening of welds and other components of the system, and ultimately results a significant shortening of the lifespan of the bullet trap and an increase in the cost of maintenance and repair.
As described herein and shown in the figures herein, the various embodiments of the present invention are directed to bullet trap systems having vibration dampening gaskets disposed between the impact plates and the support frames, which isolate the impact plates from the support frames and absorb the kinetic energy of impact from bullets that would otherwise be transferred from the impact plates directly or indirectly to the support frames and other structures (for example, the welds joining the various components of the support frames together, the tightening cams used to secure the impact plates to the support frames, and other support structures). By isolating the impact plates from the other components of the bullet trap system the transfer of kinetic energy from the impact plates to the support frame is reduced, the cost of maintenance and repair is reduced, and the life expectancy of the support frame is increased.
In addition to the aforementioned vibration dampening advantages, the vibration dampening gasket, when continuously disposed between the one or more impact plate and the plurality of support frames, also possesses a secondary advantage, namely, the gaskets seal the connection between the impact plates and the support frame to allow the dust containment unit to more efficiently provide a negative pressure in the bull trap chamber and remove lead dust created by bullet disintegration. Sealing the chamber with replaceable gaskets provides for a more efficient and consistent seal than the prior use of silicone beads along the corners where the impact plates abut against the support frame.
In accordance with one particular embodiment, the bullet trap comprises a plurality of support frames, between which is positioned one or more impact plate that are supported by the support frames. Disposed between the one or more impact plate and one or more of the plurality of support frames is a gasket, which absorbs kinetic energy transferred from the one or more impact plate when a bullet strikes the impact plate.
It is understood that in some embodiments the vibration dampening gasket may be utilized on only one, or a few impact plates. In other embodiments the vibration dampening gasket may be utilized on all of the impact plates used in a given bullet trap. It is not, therefore, necessary that all impact plates must be isolated from the bullet trap system with a vibration dampening gasket. Because certain impact plates directly behind the entry channel of the bullet trap system will be subject to more frequent impact and greater forces, it is advantageous that those impact plates in particular utilize a vibration dampening gasket. In some instances, certain impact plates will receive infrequent bullet hits (or ricocheting bullets or bullet fragments that transmit less kinetic energy) and will benefit to a lesser degree from the use of a vibration dampening gasket. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the vibration dampening gasket is utilized on only some of the impact plates that receive the greatest number of bullet impacts. In other embodiments, the vibration dampening gasket is utilized on all or substantially all of the impact plates.
Moreover, to the extent that a particular bullet trap design benefits from negative air pressure (vacuum) within the bullet trap chamber to prevent dispersion of toxic lead dust, some embodiments of the present invention contemplate that the gasket is continuously disposed and provides an airtight seal between one or more, and in some instances all, of the impact plates and the support frame.
In some embodiments, the vibration dampening gasket isolates the one or more impact plate from the plurality of support frames. In some embodiments, the vibration dampening gasket comprises a long strip of material that is laid flat on the support frame flange on which the impact plates will be positioned. The long strip of material may be flattened, or may be rounded or rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, the vibration dampening gasket isolates the one or more impact plate from the flange surface, while the ends of the impact plates are not isolated from the main body of the support frame and may actually touch the support frame. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that an impact plate will transmit significantly less kinetic energy to the main body of the support frame, which is positioned perpendicular to the long axis of the impact plates, since a bullet impact to the impact plate will result in the end of the impact plate simply sliding along the surface of the support frame main body. Accordingly, there is less need for the end of the impact plates to be isolated from the support frame. However, in some embodiments, a vibration dampening gasket or an additional vibration dampening gasket, may also be positioned so that it is between the end of the impact plate and the main body of the support frame, so that the impact plate is isolated in its entirety from the support structure.
In yet another embodiment, the gasket is continuously disposed and provides an airtight seal between the one or more impact plate and the support frames. It is understood, of course, that the gasket may also be discontinuously disposed or positioned between the impact plates and the support frame for purposes of absorbing kinetic energy from the impact of bullets on the impact plates, such that only selected impact plates are isolated from the support frame, or that impact plates have their own individual gaskets (with small spaces between the gaskets of individual impact plates). For example, those impact plates that are impacted by bullets at a higher angle of impact will be subjected to a greater amount of transferred kinetic energy and will therefore have a greater need for vibration dampening gaskets, while other impact plates that are impact at a lower or shallower angle of impact will have less kinetic energy transferred and may not require any vibration dampening gaskets at all. Accordingly, the vibration dampening advantages need not require a continuously disposed gasket. However, in the event that it is desirable to provide greater control of negative pressure within the bullet trap system (for purposes of collecting toxic lead dust and preventing human exposure to such dust), some embodiments of the present invention contemplate that the gasket is continuously disposed along the flange of the support frame so as to eliminate sources of airflow from within the bullet containment area to the outside of the bullet trap.
The vibration dampening gasket used in connection with the present invention may comprise any one of a number of different materials that effectively reduce the transmission of kinetic energy from the impact plate to the support frame. The gasket may be comprised of any soft pliable material that absorbs vibrational or kinetic energy and that is sufficiently durable to withstand the weight of the impact plates, which tend to be heavy. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the gasket may be comprised of a material selected from one or more of the following: closed cell foam made from Neo/EPDM Polymeric blends such as WesLastomer™ closed cell foam, visco-elastic foam made from PER-Elastomer (polyether urethane) such as SLAB SL-030, rubber, plastic, and/or silicone. In some particular embodiments, the gasket is comprised of closed cell foam, such as Weslastomer™ Neo/EPDM Polymeric closed cell foam.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the bullet trap further comprises an air pump configured to provide negative pressure within the containment chamber. As noted above, the use of a vibration dampening gasket of the present invention confers the additional advantage of provide an airtight seal between the impact plate the support frame. Accordingly, an air pump may be used to provide negative pressure or negative airflow within the containment chamber of the bullet trap system so as to direct toxic lead dust laden air from within the containment chamber to a filter for removing such dust from the environment and prevent dissemination of the toxic lead dust outside the bullet trap.
In yet another embodiment, the bullet trap of the present invention may further comprise a second gasket positioned between one or more impact plate and one or more upper channel plate and lower channel plate. The upper channel plate and lower channel plate of the bullet trap system generally directs the trajectory of a bullet into the bullet trap. In many instances, the upper channel plate or lower channel plate are the first structures to be impacted by a bullet. Although the angle of impact is typically small, since the upper channel plate and lower channel plates are positioned at an acute angle so as to direct bullets toward the entrance to the bullet containment chamber, the upper and lower channel plates are still subject to repetitive bullet impacts, which collectively may cause wear and tear on the bullet trap. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a bullet trap system in which a vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the upper and lower channel plates, on the one hand, and the support frame to which the channel plates are attached.
As shown in the accompanying figures, row of impact plates 32a, 32b, 32c, etc. form a primary impact surface 32 and other impact surfaces 32 are supported by one or more interior support frame(s) 40 having support legs 44. In one embodiment, the support frames 40 comprise a vertical main body 41 with horizontal flanges 42 that are perpendicular to the main body 41. The impact plates forming the impact surfaces are supported by the horizontal flanges 42. In one particular embodiment, for example, the impact plates are supported on the outer surface (the side opposite the containment chamber 16) of flange 42 of the support frame 40. In this embodiment, the impact plates 32 form a series of impact surfaces that curve around to form a generally circular containment chamber.
The impact plates 32 can, for example, be secured to the support frame 40 by any suitable means. In one particular embodiment, the impact plates 33 are secured to the flange 42 of the support frame 40 by means of a series of “offset” or “asymetrical” cams 33 that when turned force the impact plates 32 against the outer surface of the flange 42. The asymetrical cam, when turned, applies a compressive force against the impact plates to force the impact plates against the flange of the support frame and thereby secure the impact plate in place and prevent bullets from passing between the flange and the impact plates. The cams 33 may be pivotably attached to the main body 41 of the support frame 40 by means of bolts 35. Once the impact plates 32 are disposed adjacent the flange 42, the cam device 33 is rotated about bolt 35 and the wider portion of the flange forces the impact plates 32 against the flange 42.
Referring to
In addition, a vibration dampening gasket may also be positioned between a support frame flange and the upper and lower channel plates. For example, as shown in
As the projectile travels between the upper plate surface 20 and the lower plate surface 22 and through the narrow opening 30, it enters the containment chamber 16 and impacts the surface of one of the primary impact plates 32. As with the channel 14, the interior of the containment chamber is formed by a plurality of impact plates 32, which are secured to the main support frame 40 in a horizontal line.
The impact plate 32 may be at an equal or greater angle of incidence with the generally horizontal zone of projectile travel so that the impact with the impact plate 32 is of equal or greater force than the general impact the projectile may have had with either the upper 20 or lower 22 channel plate. The result of projectile impact with the primary impact plate 32 is that the bullet or fragments thereof are deflected into in a sequence of impact plate surfaces which may be at an angle of incidence that is greater than the angle of impact at the primary point of impact. As with the other plate surfaces, the impact plate surfaces 34 are preferably formed by a plurality of impact plates held together in generally horizontal lines.
A terminal impact plate surface 32z terminates adjacent the chamber entrance 30. Thus, the impact plate surfaces 32 form a series of more or less continuous impact surfaces extending from the top of the chamber ingress 30, around to the bottom of the chamber entrance. Likewise, by having the surfaces of the channel 14 and containment chamber 16 formed by horizontally juxtaposed plates, a channel 14 and containment chamber 16 can be formed with considerable width without the use of sidewalls. The absence of sidewalls allows the bullet trap 10 to be used for cross-shooting, i.e. shooting at a variety of angles, without the disadvantages sidewalls provide.
Not only does the above system save on manufacturing costs, as there is no welding, but it also allows the plates to move slightly each time they are impacted by a bullet, thereby partially absorbing some of the kinetic energy of the bullets. This in turn tends to knock lead debris from the plates, rather than allowing the debris to accumulate. This system also allows the plates to be secured without any mounting hardware (screw heads, nuts, etc.) to be exposed to the path of the bullet, which would damage these pieces and possible cause the plate to become loose or dislodge. It is understood, of course, that the impact plates may be secured to the support frame by any one of many other different techniques known to those skilled in the art. For example, the impact plates may be bolted onto the flange by means of holes in the impact plate and the flange, with a nut and bolt assembly inserted through the holes. Alternatively, the impact plates may be secured to the support frame by means of a clamp assembly. Any other structures or techniques for joining plates may also be used.
An additional advantage of this approach is that the impact surfaces can be readily replaced. For example, the primary impact plate 32 is prone to wear faster than other impact surfaces because bullets impact that surface at a higher velocity and frequency. If the bullets cause wear of the primary impact surface, the operator of the range need only disassemble and remove the primary impact surface. A new primary impact surface can then be added and reassembled.
In addition to holding the support frame 40 in place, the support legs 44 support the weight of the trap. This is important because the bullet trap of the present invention is generally not built as individual containment units and then brought together. Rather, a plurality of open segments are attached to one another to form a large containment chamber having extended width without sidewalls, or elongate impact surfaces are formed and then they are placed in an array to form an elongate bullet containment chamber. This distance is greater than eight feet wide and preferably much wider, i.e. 20 to 40 feet wide. Such width allows for a much greater angle of cross-shooting while minimizing the risks of ricochet, etc. It also helps to minimize costs, as it reduces the number of support frames required.
Also shown in
In another embodiment, shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment shown in
The particular embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the horizontal arm 164 of the main bracket 166, and the horizontal arm 164 of the secondary bracket 167, which form the two arms of the U-shaped channel, are initially angled such that they are non-parallel or at an angle greater than 0 degrees, so that when the two arms are compressed between the top mouth 132a and the back shell 132 they form a tight seal that is impervious to bullet fragments.
In another embodiment, the bullet trap gasket guard comprising the U-shaped channel, horizontal extension and vertical support arm, consists of two separate pieces that are welded together. For example, as shown in FIG. the U-shaped channel, horizontal extension and vertical support arm may consist of a first piece comprising an upper portion of the U-shaped channel, a back support of the U-shaped channel, the horizontal extension and the vertical support arm; and a second piece comprising a back portion of the U-shaped channel and a bottom portion of the U-shaped channel; wherein the back portion of the U-shaped channel of the second piece is fixed to the back support of the U-shaped channel of the first piece.
In other embodiments, the side tabs 180, instead of being fabricated from a separate piece of metal, are made from the same piece of metal as the impact plate guard 160.
In another embodiment, the side tabs 180, instead of being fabricated from a separate piece of metal, are made from the same piece of metal as the top mouth guard 170.
Thus, there is disclosed an improved bullet trap. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications which can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62279221 | Jan 2016 | US |