Abstract:
A self clearing single and/or multiple spent shell catcher for use on autoloading guns comprising a plurality of pivoting spring loaded jaws with cam features which are released by a jaw trigger means and thereby catch an ejected shell. Caught shells are automatically cleared from said jaws by a reciprocating parking handle which actuates said jaws into shell catching and shell holding/stabilizing positions and places caught shells in a retention area in preparation for catching a subsequent ejected shell. The spent shell catcher removably straddles the guns ejection port by means of a plurality of dovetail like connections which are adhesively or mechanically attached to the gun and automatically position the device in proper relation to the ejection port.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to spent shell or cartridge catching devices for autoloading weapons, principally for such devices which are used or useable for autoloading shotguns although the present invention is adaptable for use on other types of guns as well. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Recreational target shooting with rifles, handguns and shotguns has been popular for many years. Shotgun shooting in particular is very popular and they are used in a variety of shooting activities including hunting as well as various clay target games such as trap, skeet and sporting clays. These activities require the ability to fire a rapid sequence of shots at multiple flying or moving targets. Generally shotguns used in these activities are either autoloaders which automatically eject fired shells and chamber a live round, or multiple barreled guns which provide repeated shots by firing shells from different barrels. These multi-barreled guns are typically configured as side by sides or over/unders which terms refer to the orientation of the barrels to each other. 
   Multi-barreled, also known as “fixed breech” guns typically have a hinge mechanism whereby the gun can be opened to expose the breech end of the barrels from which the fired shells are then removed by the shooter and unfired shells can be inserted in their place. The gun is then closed and ready for firing. 
   Autoloaders however typically utilize a mechanism powered by gas or recoil energy from a fired shell which operates a moveable breech bolt to extract a fired shell from the guns chamber, eject it clear of the gun, and chamber an unfired shell for firing at the next target. 
   Many participants in clay target shooting also reload their own ammunition which is an enjoyable activity in itself and also provides substantial cost savings over factory loaded ammunition. In addition by reloading his or her own shells the shooter can customize various loads to maximize ballistic efficiency which can vary based upon the type and/or quality of the components used to reload a shell. Also, many shooters simply enjoy reloading as it adds to the shooters self satisfaction in allowing him or her to produce their own ammunition. 
   As a result many clay target shooters collect their spent shells or cartridges for reloading. In the case of multi-barreled guns, after the shells are fired the shooter opens the gun and removes the spent shell from each barrel which he or she retains for reloading later, and inserts a live shell in each barrel in order to shoot at the next series of targets. 
   In the case of autoloaders, also known as semi-automatics, spent shell collection is more involved. After a shell is fired it is automatically extracted from the firing chamber by the autoloading mechanism and ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground. Depending upon a number of factors, the spent shell may land on the ground some distance from the shooter. If the shooter wishes to reload these fired shells, he or she must then locate and pick them up. This results in great inconvenience to the shooter and can cause considerable delay for the shooter or others in his or her shooting party. In addition ejected shells which are not retrieved contribute to an accumulation of litter which is an undesirable environmental result. 
   While the use of a fixed breech gun would appear to be the logical choice for reloaders, there are distinct advantages to the use of autoloading shotguns. Typically the autoloading mechanism is driven by the gas or recoil energy generated from the fired shell. The use of this energy to power the autoloading mechanism has the very desirable effect of reducing felt recoil which reduces the often painful effect of recoil to the shooter. Also, the dissipation of energy by the autoloading mechanism in ejecting a fired shell allows the shooter to recover control of the gun more easily for a quicker and more accurate next shot. Fixed breech guns are typically significantly harder recoiling because they do not have any such mechanism which dissipates the effect of recoil. In addition depending on the magazine capacity, autoloaders typically can hold many more unfired shells for rapid shooting while fixed breach guns are typically limited to a maximum of two shots. 
   As a result numerous inventors have been creating shell catching devices for use on autoloading shotguns since the invention of the autoloader over 100 years ago. Efforts to perfect such a device have been persistent over that period. 
   Existing devices fall into four general categories. The first of these consists of devices with rigid or flexible receptacles which are positioned over or near the guns ejection port and into which spent shells are ejected. The second category consists of two pronged fork-like devices which catch a single shell between the prongs. The third category are those devices which restrict the guns ejection port and thereby trap a single spent shell as it is partially ejected. The fourth category of devices are not true shell catchers, but merely deflect the spent shell as it is ejected from the gun. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,169 issued Mar. 11, 2003 to Frederick M. Griffin describes a rigid cage-like device which is pivotally attached to the exterior of the gun and covers the ejection port thereby catching shells ejected upon firing. The device is bulky and therefore obtrusive and must be pivoted out of position to cock and load the gun and otherwise access its internal mechanism. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,803 issued Jun. 17, 1986 to Floyd B. Muncy also describes a bulky container which covers the ejection port and is mounted on a large hinged bracket. The container must pivot forward to provide access to the ejection port for cocking, loading and otherwise accessing the guns internal mechanism. 
   The foregoing are examples of the rigid container versions of current devices. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,918 issued Oct. 2, 1990 to Kenneth M. Perez describes a combination deflector and associated bag-like device detachably mounted to the gun opposite the guns ejection port and into which fired shells are ejected. The device is large and awkward to use and interferes with the shooters ability to load and cock the gun. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,787 issued Aug. 18, 1992 to Ronald E. Riddle, et al. describes a similar deflector and bag-like device for catching and holding ejected rifle casings. 
   The foregoing are examples of the bag like devices in this category. All of the above rigid or bag-like devices, although in theory permitting the shooter to fire multiple shells, consist of bulky receptacles which impair the shooters ability to sight down the barrel and/or track a moving target while the gun is mounted to fire. They also have the added disadvantage of altering the guns dynamic balance and generally being obtrusive and unattractive. Furthermore they all completely obstruct the ejection port and thereby interfere with the shooters ability to cock and load the gun and otherwise access the guns features. They also require large unappealing clamps, frames and/or bolts to attach them to the gun. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,617 issued Sep. 6, 1966 to Ralph V. Seymour describes a two pronged fork-like device which replaces the guns breech bolt operating handle. The device reciprocates back and forth as the bolt moves through the firing cycle. A single ejected shell is caught between the prongs or arms of the fork as it moves rearward over the ejection port as the bolt cycles. The ejected shell and forks then move forward and stop in the guns foreend area where it is then removed by the shooter before the next shot is taken. This device is unreliable and is a potential cause of injury to the shooter due to its rapid oscillation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,387 issued Apr. 30, 1963 to Val Browning also describes a two pronged fork-like device which is mounted on the side of the gun. The flexible arms longitudinally straddle the ejection port and the distance between the arms is somewhat less than the diameter of the shell being used in the gun. As the fired shell is ejected from the gun it spreads and is trapped between the arms. The fired shell is then removed from the device by the shooter before the next shell can be fired. 
   These fork like devices, although smaller, lighter, and less obtrusive than the formerly discussed container type devices, can only catch a single shell and require the shooter to manually remove the spent shell from the device before the next shot is fired. Also, as in the case of a Seymour like device, the reciprocating action imparted to the device is a source of potential injury to the shooter in that the device is rapidly moved forward of the ejection port into the foreend area where the shooters forward hand grasps the gun. 
   The third category of devices partially obstruct the guns ejection port and thereby traps the spent shell before it can be completely ejected from the gun. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,946 issued Sep. 4, 1973 to F. Kieth Tomlinson et al describes a clip on shell catcher consisting of a plate like member which detachably engages and extends somewhat above the lower margin of the guns ejection port and the lower margin of the receiver. The upper portion of the device partially obstructs the ejection port causing a single fired shell to partially jam in the ejection port where it must be removed by the shooter prior to firing the next shell. The device must be removed for multiple shots. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,268 issued May 6, 1975 to Clarence C. Petersen describes a U shaped member one arm of which is pivotally attached to a base which in turn is attached immediately below the guns ejection port. In operational mode the U shaped member is pivoted into position opposite the ejection port thereby reducing its effective size. The fired shell is partially trapped in the ejection port where it must be removed by the shooter prior to firing the next shell. For firing multiple shots in autoloading mode the U shaped member is pivoted so that it no longer partially obstructs the ejection port and fired shells are thrown onto the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,900 issued Oct. 5, 1971 to William Bernocco, Jr. describes a bent rod type device which engages the upper and lower margins of the guns receiver and snaps into position. A portion of the device partially obstructs the ejection port where a fired shell is partially jammed upon ejection and removed by the shooter in order to fire the next shell. The device must be partially displaced in order to fire multiple shells in autoloading mode resulting in fired shells being ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground each time. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,610 issued Jul. 2, 1968 to Coy C. Jordan describes a U shaped wire or rod-like device which is inserted into holes drilled into the guns receiver immediately above and toward the rearward end of the ejection port. The device partially obstructs the ejection port serving to trap a single fired shell upon ejection which must be removed by the shooter in order to fire the next shell. The device must be removed from the gun in order to fire multiple shells in autoloading mode which are ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground each time. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,015 issued Sep. 7, 1971 to Kenneth W. Jensen consists of a rod slidingly mounted to a base which is attached to the side of the gun immediately rearward of the ejection port. The rod can be slid forward to partially obstruct the ejection port and thereby trap a single fired shell upon ejection which must then be removed by the shooter in order to fire the next shell. In order to fire multiple shells in autoloading mode the rod is retracted rearward of the ejection port and fired shells are ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground each time. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,253 issued Jul. 8, 1975 to Roy E. Weatherby et al describes a flat plate which is inserted in slots which are milled into the upper surface of the inside of the receiver and the barrel tang which connects the barrel to the receiver. So installed, the plate extends into and partially obstructs the ejection port serving to partially trap a fired shell upon ejection which must be removed by the shooter before firing the next shell. The device must be removed completely from the gun in order to fire multiple shells in autoloading mode which are ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground each time. 
   Some ejection port restricting type inventions employ means whereby the mounted device is automatically activated to catch a single shell or the “last in a series” of fired shells. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,421 issued May 24, 1983 to Lavern J. Rodgers describes a device consisting of a mounting plate attached to the side of the gun to which a blade is pivotally attached. The blade is under tension from a spring arm which holds the blade in an operative position whereby the blade partially obstructs the ejection port to partially trap a single fired shell for removal by the shooter prior to firing another shell. The device also has a locking arm which detects whether or not any unfired shells remain in the magazine. If the magazine holds any unfired shells the blade is held in an inoperative position clear of the ejection port and fired shells are ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground. When the autoloading mechanism extracts the last live shell from the magazine the blade is shifted into operative position and the last fired shell is trapped in the ejection port. Therefore the device is only capable of catching a single shell or the last in a series of shells. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,932 issued Oct. 12, 1976 to Thomas B. Morton describes a device capable of catching singly fired shells or, when shooting double targets, the second of two fired shells. The device consists of a spring wire hoop and loop which is attached to a metal plate which pivots on another plate attached to the gun. For singly fired shells the spring wire is positioned opposite the ejection port thereby partially obstructing it and causing the fired shell to be caught upon ejection. For double targets the device is cocked by the shooter resulting in the spring wire being held below the ejection port for the firing of the first shell which is ejected clear of the gun. The cycling of the bolt to chamber the second shell trips a latch which releases the plate to which the spring wire is attached causing it to partially obstruct the ejection port and thereby catch the second shell. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,075 issued Apr. 30, 1974 to Constantine Mylonas describes an ejection port restriction type device which is comprised of a convoluted plate-like member which is pivotally attached to the side of the guns receiver. The lower and forward portion of the plate like member has an extension which engages the base of the most rearward shell in the guns magazine. As the final shell in the magazine is chambered for firing, the extension no longer engages any shell and therefore the spring loaded plate like member pivots upward whereby the upper edge of the plate-like member partially obstructs the ejection port trapping a partially ejected shell. The device is only suitable for catching singly fired shells or the last in a series of shells in autoloading mode, the prior shells being ejected clear of the gun. In either case the caught shell must be removed by the shooter before the next shell is fired. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,728 issued May 22, 1973 to John S. Kuslich describes a wire-like catching member which is slidingly attached to a frame or casing which is mounted immediately rearward of the ejection port. The catching wire can be manually extended from the frame by the shooter to be placed in operative (extended) or inoperative (retracted) mode. In operative mode the catch wire is extended and thereby partially obstructs the ejection port to catch a singly fired shell. The device can also catch the second of two fired shells whereby the catch wire is retracted to allow the first fired shell to be ejected clear of the gun and onto the ground. The forward cycling stroke of the bolt operating handle in connection with the chambering of the second shell, engages the catch wire and extends it into operative position in order to catch the second fired shell. In either instance, caught shells must be removed by the shooter before the next shell is fired. 
   A fourth category of device consists of shell deflector style devices. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,444 issued Nov. 11, 1986 to Darryl P. Anderson describes a one piece device which replaces the bolt operating handle and extends forward of the bolt face. Upon firing, the bolt cycles rearward to eject the fired shell. As the shell is ejected from the gun it strikes the forward edge of the device and its path is deflected. Such deflection reduces the velocity of the ejected shell and directs the shell to the ground so that it does not land as far away from the shooter as it otherwise would. However the device does not catch fired shells and therefore the shooter must locate and retrieve them from the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,602 issued Sep. 7, 1976 to Edward Lucas Morrow, et al describes a deflector style device which snaps or clips to the receiver and has a tab which extends into the ejection path of fired shells and thereby deflects them downward. This tab can also be fitted with a removable cap which increases the tabs dimensions enough so that it partially obstructs the ejection port enough so that a single fired shell is partially trapped in the ejection port. The cap is installed for singly fired shells which are then caught and individually removed by the shooter. For firing in autoloading mode the cap is removed and fired shells are deflected by the uncapped tab and ejected clear of the gun to land on the ground. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,808 issued Dec. 3, 2002 to Donald C. Carey describes a combination spent shell deflector and single shell catcher which consists of a plate-like member which attaches to the ejection port side of the gun. The deflector feature of the device consists of an arm which extends from the plate-like base along the upper margin of the ejection port. Near the end of the arm is a tab or finger which extends downward into the ejection path of a spent shell. Upon firing, the spent shell strikes the finger as it exits the gun and is deflected downward to the ground. 
   The plate-like base also incorporates a catcher which is capable of sliding vertically into operative (up) and non-operative (down) positions. In the operative position the catcher partially obstructs the ejection port where singly fired shells are partially trapped and individually removed by the shooter prior to firing the next shell. In non-operative position the catcher does not obstruct the ejection port. For firing multiple shells in autoloading mode the catcher is placed in non-operative position and spent shells are deflected downward clear of the gun by the aforementioned deflector feature. 
   As a review of the prior art in general and those examples specifically referenced herein demonstrates, all of the spent shell catcher and/or deflector devices heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages: 
   (a) The container/bag like devices capable of catching more than one shell in autoloading mode are all bulky and/or heavy and disrupt the dynamic balance of the firearms to which they are attached. In addition they impair the shooters sight plane making it difficult to see a stationary target or track a moving target with the gun in the mounted position. Given their innate bulk and weight these style devices are primarily suited for rifles and pistols where the size of the spent shell is small and therefore the size of the device can be reduced accordingly. Catching large spent shotgun shells requires a correspondingly large and bulky version of this style device. Because of their bulk they are not aesthetic and detract from the overall appearance of the firearm to which they are attached. 
   (b) The fork and ejection port restriction style devices while smaller and less obtrusive than the container style devices are only capable of catching a single shell. As a result they can not be used in those instances requiring rapid multiple shots and they must be removed from the gun or deactivated to do so. In addition devices of this type which are attached to the breech bolt present a significant threat of injury to the shooter due to rapid movement of the device imparted by cycling of the breech bolt. 
   (c) The deflector type devices do not catch spent shells but merely deflect them to the ground where they must be located and retrieved by the shooter. 
   (d) The foregoing devices are unreliable and/or their operation is distracting to the shooter, preventing his or her full concentration on the target. 
   (e) These devices have large awkward attachment mechanisms which can damage the guns exterior and may require special tools and/or attachment means to attach them to or remove them from the gun. 
   (f) These devices interfere with the shooters access to the guns features thereby interfering with the normal manner of loading and other operational features of the gun. 
   The shear number of prior art patents and persistence of inventors efforts since the invention of the autoloader is indicative of the ongoing unsatisfied need for a practical single and/or multiple spent shell catching device and the novelty and non-obviousness of the present invention. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, in addition to the objects and advantages of the single and multiple shell catcher described in my patent, the present invention has a number of other objects and advantages such as:
         (a) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells;   (b) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which does not require the shooter to set the device in single versus multiple catch modes.   (c) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which is small and unobtrusive and which does not impair the guns dynamic balance or impair the shooters field of vision.   (d) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which catches, collects, and retains spent shells in such a manner that they are out of the way and don&#39;t distract the shooter.   (e) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which doesn&#39;t require the shooter to remove a spent shell from the ejection port before the next shell can be fired.   (f) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple spent shells and which automatically removes spent shells from the ejection port area and retains them in a convenient non-distracting position easily accessible to the shooter.   (g) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple spent shells which can be correctly positioned on and attached to the gun by the average shooter without requiring the services of a gunsmith or other special abilities.   (h) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which can be easily attached to and removed from the gun without any tools and without any permanent modifications to the gun.   (i) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which does not interfere with or alter the normal manner in which the gun is loaded.   (j) to provide a shell catching device capable of catching single and multiple shells which does not interfere with or alter the shooters ability to access operational features of the gun.       

   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present invention a practical, light weight, unobtrusive single and multiple shell catching device for use on autoloading weapons comprising: multiple pivoting spring loaded jaws with cam features which are releasable by a triggering means and which trap and hold ejected shells; jaw cocking means; and shell clearing and retention means. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     FIGS.  1  to  25   
       FIG. 1  shows a front orthogonal view of the invention mounted on an autoloading shotgun with mounting template also displayed. 
       FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the unmounted invention without the associated parking handle with related features, showing the upper and lower jaws in the uncocked position. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the anterior base with anterior dovetail. 
       FIG. 4  shows perspective views of upper and lower rails and upper and lower jaws and the detail of their attachment. 
       FIG. 4A  shows an alternate embodiment of the upper and lower jaws which incorporates an integral axle feature and eliminates the upper and lower rails as separate structures. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the detail of upper and lower torsion springs. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of posterior base and posterior dovetail and detail of the associated latch. 
       FIG. 7  shows an orthogonal view of the detail of the jaw trigger and compression springs. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the detail of the parking handle and associated shell damping device. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the mounting template used to properly position the invention on a gun, consisting of a base and guide. 
       FIG. 10  shows a front perspective view of the shell catcher, without the parking handle, showing the direction of movement of various components during the cocking of the device. 
       FIG. 11  shows a front perspective view of the shell catcher, without the parking handle, showing the device with the jaws in the cocked position. 
       FIG. 12  shows a rear (gun side) perspective view of the invention with the jaws in the cocked position. 
       FIG. 13  shows a rear (gun side) perspective view of the invention showing the detail of the jaws in the closed or uncocked position. 
       FIG. 14  shows a front orthogonal view of the loading of two shells in an autoloading shotgun with the invention mounted thereon. 
       FIG. 15  shows a front orthogonal view of the extraction and partial ejection of a spent shell from an autoloading shotgun with the invention in place. 
       FIG. 16  shows a front orthogonal view of the ejection of a spent shell from the gun and the engagement of the rim of the spent shell with the inventions upper and lower rails as the jaw trigger releases the jaws. 
       FIG. 17  shows a front orthogonal view of the spent shell held against the rails by the inventions released jaws. 
       FIG. 18  shows a front orthogonal view of the caught shell after having been parked in the parking area by the parking handle. 
       FIG. 19  shows a front orthogonal view showing the second spent shell held against the rails by the inventions released jaws with the bolt locked in the open position. 
       FIG. 20  shows the direction of removal of the spent shells from the invention. 
       FIG. 21  shows an orthogonal view of the detail of the parking handle with offsets and other features to change the timing of the release of the jaw trigger by the parking handle. 
       FIG. 22  shows the detail of the jaws of an alternate embodiment of the shell catcher of the present invention. 
       FIG. 23  shows an alternate embodiment of the shell catcher of the present invention showing an alternate design for attaching the jaws shown in  FIG. 22 . 
       FIGS. 24 &amp; 24A  show alternate embodiments of the jaw trigger. 
       FIG. 25  shows an alternate embodiment of the jaw trigger with associated compression springs. 
       FIG. 26  shows an alternate embodiment of the jaw trigger with stops on the rearward ends of the jaw trigger shafts, which embodiment obviates the need for jaw trigger retention member  56 . 
       FIG. 27  shows a perspective view of posterior base  34  without jaw trigger retention member  56  and with the alternate jaw trigger embodiment shown in  FIG. 26 . 
       FIG. 28  shows an alternate embodiment of the anterior base extended to hold more than one spent shell. 
       FIG. 29  shows an alternate embodiment of the shell damping feature. 
       FIG. 30  shows a further alternate embodiment of the shell damping feature. 
       FIG. 31  shows a further alternate embodiment of a portion of the shell damping feature. 
   

   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               anterior base 32 
               loading slots 76 
             
             
               posterior base 34 
               jaw hinge bearing surfaces 78 
             
             
               rail 36U 
               torsion spring mount region 80 
             
             
               rail 36L 
               parking handle threaded holes 82 
             
             
               anterior dovetail 38 
               jaw 84U 
             
             
               parking area 40 
               jaw 84L 
             
             
               stops 44 
               jaw hinges 86 
             
             
               projection 46U 
               lips 88 
             
             
               projection 46L 
               lip supports 89 
             
             
               posterior rail holes 48 
               cams 90 
             
             
               rear spindles 50 
               tab 92 
             
             
               jaw trigger shaft holes 52 
               recess 94 
             
             
               jaw trigger shafts 54 
               rest 96 
             
             
               jaw trigger retention member 56 
               jaw trigger 98 
             
             
               posterior dovetail slot 58 
               jaw trigger cross member 100 
             
             
               posterior dovetail 60 
               latch 102 
             
             
               latch hole 62 
               spring 104 
             
             
               shaft 64 
               latch channel 106 
             
             
               grooves 66 
               latch knob 108 
             
             
               anterior rail holes 68 
               latch block 110 
             
             
               forward spindles 70 
               latch tooth 112 
             
             
               anterior dovetail slot 72 
               notch 114 
             
             
               parking handle shaft 74 
               parking handle 116 
             
             
               cam engagement arms 118 
               extension 146 
             
             
               damping material 121 
               torsion spring 148U 
             
             
               rod 122 
               torsion spring 148L 
             
             
               shell damping device 123 
               jaw shaft 150U 
             
             
               alternate shell damping device 123A 
               jaw shaft 150L 
             
             
               locking nut 124 
               torsion spring gap 152 
             
             
               compression springs 126 
               anterior jaw shaft bearing 154 
             
             
               tip 128 
               extension 156U 
             
             
               jaw arms 130 
               extension 156L 
             
             
               base arms 132 
               posterior jaw shaft bearing 158 
             
             
               mounting template 134 
               jaw trigger stops 160 
             
             
               base 136 
               inverted U shaped member 162 
             
             
               guide 138 
               slides 164 
             
             
               studs 140 
               damper compression springs 166 
             
             
               holes 142 
               damper stops 168 
             
             
               screw 144 
               bumper 170U 
             
             
                 
               bumper 170L 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   FIGS.  1  through  9   
   Preferred Embodiment 
   A preferred embodiment of the shell catcher of the present invention mounted on an autoloading shotgun is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, without parking handle  116  and related features, not mounted on a gun. Anterior base  32  ( FIG. 3 ) is comprised of a rigid planar base which has a parking area  40  the forward end of which has stops  44  which consist of fixed protrusions extending upward from the anterior surface or the anterior edge of parking area  40  or alternatively a mechanical device such as a spring and ball combination which ball protrudes partially above the anterior surface of parking area  40 . 
   The upper and lower margins of anterior base  32  have projections  46 U and  46 L. Part suffixes “U” and “L” are hereinafter used to refer to “upper” and “lower” respectively. The base of each projection  46 U and  46 L has a groove  66  along its length on the interior side at the level of parking area  40 . The interior sides of projections  46 U and  46 L above groove  66  are of a distance apart slightly greater than the diameter of a shot shell, excluding the rim, intended for use in the gun on which the invention is to be used. The width of grooves  66  is slightly greater than the width of the rim of said shot shell. The height of each groove  66  is slightly greater than the height of the rim of said shot shell. 
   Above grooves  66  are anterior rail holes  68  which are of sufficient length and diameter to fixedly receive forward spindles  70  of rails  36 U and  36 L described below. Anterior rail holes  68  are of sufficient distance apart such that when forward spindles  70  of each rail  36 U and  36 L are inserted in a respective anterior rail hole  68  the opposing/inner surfaces of rails  36 U and  36 L are separated by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of said shot shell excluding the rim but less than the diameter of said shot shell including the rim. Anterior dovetail slot  72  is located on the underside of anterior base  32  and receivingly accepts anterior dovetail  38  which is attached to the guns receiver adhesively or mechanically as described below. 
   Rails  36 U and  36 L ( FIG. 4 ) are comprised of rigid elongate members each with a forward spindle  70  and rear spindle  50  at its respective ends, the diameter of which is less than that of rail  36 U and  36 L. Each rail  36 U and  36 L has a single loading slot  76  cut transversely into its surface toward its rearward end. The depth, height and width of each loading slot  76  is slightly greater than the depth, height and width of the rim of a shot shell intended for use in the gun on which the invention will be used. Each rail  36 U and  36 L also has jaw hinge bearing surface  78  and torsion spring mount region  80 . Rails  36 U and  36 L are of sufficient length to position anterior base  32  immediately in front of the guns ejection port and posterior base  34 , described below, immediately behind the most rearward travel point of the guns operating handle in the receiver operating handle slot. The presently preferred cross-sectional shape of rails  36 U and  36 L is square, however round, triangular, polygonal or other shapes can be used. The presently preferred material for rails  36 U and  36 L is metal however any sufficiently rigid material can be used. 
   Jaws  84 U and  84 L ( FIG. 4 ) are comprised of a lip support  89 . Extending laterally from the outward margin of each lip support  89  are jaw hinges  86  which pivot around jaw hinge bearing surfaces  78  of rails  36 U and  36 L to pivotally attach jaws  84 U and  84 L to rails  36 U and  36 L. Extending at a right angle from the inner margin of each lip support  89  are lips  88 . The forward portion of each has a cam  90  extending upward from it. The rear edge of each cam  90  is sloped. The forward margin of each lip support  89  has tab  92  extending from it which engages the side of anterior base  32  or recess  94  in the lateral surface of anterior base  32  thereby limiting the extent to which jaws  84 U and  84 L can close. When jaws  84 U and  84 L are in the fully closed/uncocked position, there is approximately a ⅛ inch gap between lips  88  and rails  36 U and  36 L to capture the rim of a spent shell and loosely hold the base of said shell against and more or less perpendicular to rails  36 U and  36 L. The rear end of each lip  88  and/or lip support  89  has rest  96  extending from it. The presently preferred material for jaws  84 U and  84 L is metal however plastic or other sufficiently rigid and durable material may be used. 
   Although jaws  84 U and  84 L, and rails  36 U and  36 L are described as separate structures they can be combined into a single unit. See  FIG. 4A . In this configuration each jaw  84 U and  84 L incorporates an integral axle feature and each jaw pivots on its respective axle feature which is pivotally inserted in anterior rail holes  68  and posterior rail holes  48  described below. In this configuration the need for rails  36 U and  36 L is eliminated. 
   Torsion spring mount region  80  of each rail  36 U and  36 L is inserted into the center void of torsion springs  148 U and  148 L ( FIG. 5 ) with jaw arm  130  engaging the outer surface of lip support  89 . Base arms  132  of torsion springs  148 U and  148 L engage some portion of anterior base  32  and thereby hold jaws  84 U and  84 L closed under tension with tab  92  of each jaw  84 U and  84 L engaging the side of or a respective recess  94  of anterior base  32 . 
   Posterior base  34  ( FIG. 6 ) is comprised of a rigid planar base which has posterior rail holes  48  of sufficient length and diameter to fixedly receive rear spindle  50  of rails  36 U and  36 L. Posterior rail holes  48  are of sufficient distance apart such that when rear spindle  50  of each rail  36 U and  36 L is inserted in a respective posterior rail hole  48 , the opposing/inner surfaces of each rail  36 U and  36 L are separated by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of said shot shell exclusive of the rim but less than the diameter of said shot shell inclusive of the rim. Again it is noted that jaws  84 U and  84 L can incorporate an integral axle feature as described above thereby eliminating the need for separate rails  36 U and  36 L as discussed above. (See  FIG. 4A ). 
   Below posterior rail holes  48  are jaw trigger shaft holes  52  which are of sufficient length and diameter to receive the rearward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54  described below. The lower portion of the forward edge of posterior base  34  can be but does not have to be recessed as shown in  FIG. 6  to accommodate compression springs  126 . Also jaw trigger shaft holes  52  can be over bored for a portion of their length to accommodate compression springs  126 . By such recessing/over boring the overall length of the invention can be reduced by the amount of the fully compressed compression springs  126 . 
   Extending from the forward margin of the lower portion of posterior base  34  are one or more jaw trigger retention members  56 . Posterior dovetail slot  58  is located on the underside of posterior base  34  and receivingly accepts posterior dovetail  60  which is attached to the guns receiver adhesively or mechanically as later described. 
   Latch  102  connects posterior base  34  to posterior dovetail  60  and holds the invention in place when mounted on the gun. Shaft  64  passes through spring  104 , latch hole  62 , and latch channel  106  in posterior base  34  and has latch knob  108  attached at its upper end and latch block  110  at its lower end. The bottom of latch block  110  has latch tooth  112  which engages notch  114  in the upper surface of posterior dovetail  60 . Latch block  110  has a non-round cross sectional shape which corresponds to the shape of latch channel  106  to allow it to slide within latch channel  106  but not rotate within it in order to keep latch tooth  112  properly oriented in relation to notch  114 . Pulling laterally on latch knob  108  disengages latch tooth  112  from notch  114  in posterior dovetail  60  and allows the entire device to be slid rearward for removal from the gun. 
   Forward spindles  70  and rear spindles  50  of rails  36 U and  36 L can be fixedly held in anterior and posterior base rail holes by a variety of methods such as glue, tapered circumferential ridges around forward spindles  70  and rear spindles  50  which allow insertion into anterior rail holes  68  and posterior rail holes  48  but not removal; or by appropriately sizing forward spindles  70  and rear spindles  50  and anterior rail holes  68  and posterior rail holes  48  so the fit is sufficiently tight to provide a rigid non-moveable connection; or threading forward spindles  70  and rear spindles  50  so they screw into anterior rail holes  68  and posterior rail holes  48 , or by other appropriate means. Rails  36 U and  36 L, when mounted in anterior base  32  and posterior base  34  are oriented so that loading slots  76  are opposite and face each other. It should be noted however that if jaws  84 U and  84 L incorporate an integral axle feature (see discussion above and  FIG. 4A ) loading slots  76  will be incorporated therein, and said jaws will pivot or rotate in anterior rail holes  68  and posterior rail holes  48 . 
   The presently preferred material for anterior base  32 , posterior base  34 , anterior dovetail  38 , posterior dovetail  60  and latch  102  is plastic however any other sufficiently rigid material can be used. Anterior base  32 , rails  36 U and  36 L, and posterior base  34  are described as separate parts however they can also be made as a single unit milled or machined out of a single piece of sufficiently rigid material such as metal, plastic or wood to name a few. 
   Jaw trigger  98  ( FIG. 7 ) consists of an “H” shaped member comprised of jaw trigger cross member  100  which connects at more or less right angles to upper and lower jaw trigger shafts  54 . The presently preferred material for jaw trigger  98  is metal, however plastic or any other sufficiently rigid and durable material may be used. The presently preferred cross sectional shape for jaw trigger cross member  100  is square and for jaw trigger shafts  54  is round however square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal or other shapes, or combinations of shapes, can be used for either. 
   Compression springs  126  are slipped over the rear end of jaw trigger shafts  54 . The rear portion of jaw trigger shafts  54  are then inserted into the forward ends of jaw trigger shaft holes  52  of posterior base  34  until jaw trigger cross member  100  slides over tip  128  of jaw trigger retention member  56 . The forward edge of tip  128  can be tapered and/or flexes to allow jaw trigger cross member  100  to pass over it to allow insertion of jaw trigger shafts  54  into jaw trigger shaft holes  52  and is of sufficient length to keep jaw trigger  98  from sliding too far forward and out of jaw trigger shaft holes  52 . The rearward edge of tip  128  is not tapered and retains jaw trigger  98  under tension from compression springs  126 . 
   Parking handle  116  ( FIG. 8 ) replaces the guns standard bolt operating handle. It is inserted into the bolt operating handle hole and connected to the bolt in the same manner as the operating handle which is typically by means of a spring loaded ball incorporated into the bolt mechanism which seats in an indentation in the operating handle shaft and thereby holds it in the bolt operating handle hole. Typically the bolt operating handle hole and corresponding operating handle slot in the guns receiver is offset below the midline of the bolt. In such case parking handle  116  has an offset so that its upper portion is on approximately the same plane as the mid-line of the bolt. When inserted into the bolt, the forward edge of the upper portion of parking handle  116  extends forward of the bolt operating handle hole a sufficient distance so that when the bolt is closed the forward edge of parking handle  116  extends to the plane of the rear margin of anterior base  32 /forward margin of the guns ejection port. 
   Cam engagement arms  118  extend horizontally more or less perpendicular from the forward portion of parking handle  116  at the level of rails  36 U and  36 L when the invention is mounted on the gun. Shell damping device  123  consists of a height and position adjustable rod  122  the lower portion of which is threaded. The upper end of rod  122  is larger than the rest of its diameter. An appropriate vibration damping/shock absorbing material  121  such as Sorbothane© is attached to the upper end of rod  122  by means of a converse void in such damping material  121  of the same internal dimensions as the external dimensions of the upper portion of rod  122  and is fitted like a cap and thereby attached. Such attachment may also be by adhesive or other appropriate means as well. Shell damping device  123  can also comprise a mechanical shock absorption/damping device as well, such as a spring loaded piston or other appropriate shock absorbing/vibration damping device. The threaded lower portion of rod  122  with locking nut  124  screws into the end of the upper portion of parking handle  116  thereby allowing for the height of shell damping device  123  to be adjusted. One or more threaded holes  82  in the upper end of parking handle  116  allows the position of shell damping device  123  to be adjusted forward or backward as well as up or down. 
   Mounting template  134  ( FIG. 9 ) has two pieces, base  136  and guide  138  which are aligned by studs  140  and holes  142  which mate and are held together by screw  144 . Base  136  fits within the guns ejection port and sits on top of the closed bolt. The shape of the underside of base  136  matches the external contours of the closed bolt for the particular gun on which the invention is to be mounted and also has extension  146  on its underside which is inserted into the bolt operating handle hole to further position and stabilize mounting template  134 . The external dimensions of guide  138  correspond to the gap between rails  36 U and  36 L when jaws  84 U and  84 L are in the cocked or open position as described below. The forward margin of base  136  extends to the rearward edge of anterior base  32  and/or the forward edge of the guns ejection port. 
   Operation— FIGS. 10 through 21   
   The manner of attachment, use and operation of the present invention is as follows. The unloaded gun is laid on a flat horizontal surface, ejection port side facing upward. The bolt operating handle is removed and the bolt is closed by means of the bolt release. 
   Mounting template  134  with base  136  and guide  138  connected by screw  144  is placed in the ejection port on top of the closed bolt so that it is mated thereto with extension  146  inserted into the bolt operating handle hole. Double sided adhesive material, cut to size, is attached to the underside of anterior dovetail  38  and posterior dovetail  60  which are then placed in corresponding anterior dovetail slot  72  and posterior dovetail slot  58 . Jaws  84 U and  84 L are cocked ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) by pressing on the upward ends of cams  90  which causes jaws  84 U and  84 L to axially pivot. Jaws  84 U and  84 L are held in the open or cocked position by the forward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54  which are driven forward and underneath lip supports  89  and rests  96  by compression springs  126  when cams  90  are depressed sufficiently. ( FIG. 12 ). When jaws  84 U and  84 L are in the closed or fired position, jaw trigger  98  is held rearward by the alignment and engagement of the forward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54  with the rear edge of lip supports  89  and/or rests  96  ( FIG. 13 ). 
   The invention is then lowered on to mounting template  134  which guides the invention into proper position over the ejection port. The adhesive backed dovetails/invention combination is then pressed against the gun, securely attaching the device in proper alignment over the ejection port. 
   Screw  144  is then removed disconnecting base  136  from guide  138 . Guide  138  is withdrawn upwards through rails  36 U and  36 L. Latch knob  108  is then pulled laterally thereby disengaging latch tooth  112  from notch  114  and releasing the invention from posterior dovetail  60 , allowing the invention to be slid rearward and removed from the gun while anterior dovetail  38  and posterior dovetail  60  remain adhesively attached to the gun. Base  136  is then removed from the ejection port and bolt area. The invention is then reattached to the gun by aligning anterior dovetail slot  72  and posterior dovetail slot  58  with anterior dovetail  38  and posterior dovetail  60  and sliding the invention forward to engage said dovetails and slots so that latch tooth  112  engages notch  114  in posterior dovetail  60 , firmly attaching the invention to the gun. Parking handle  116  with shell damping device  123  attached is installed in the bolt operating handle hole and the bolt is “opened” or cocked by the shooter in the normal manner. 
   When cocking the bolt, if it is pulled back far enough jaw trigger cross member  100  may be engaged by parking handle  116  and thereby release jaw  84 U and jaw  84 L which must then be recocked. When the bolt is at rest in the open position, parking handle  116  is forward of the point which would cause jaw trigger  98  to release jaw  84 U and jaw  84 L. 
   Most clay target games allow a maximum of two (2) shots at a single target or in the case of a “double” target launch, one shot at each of two targets. Therefore the following description contemplates a maximum of two shells being loaded in the gun. In hunting three (3) or more rapid shots might be required in which case anterior base  32  would have to be extended accordingly in order to retain the additional shells (See  FIG. 25 ). 
   To load the gun ( FIG. 14 ) an unfired shell is placed into the receiver by aligning the rim of the base of the shell with loading slots  76  and dropping the shell through rails  36 U and  36 L, cocked jaws  84 U and  84 L and the ejection port. The bolt release is pressed to close the bolt and chamber the shell and a second shell is loaded into the magazine in the usual manner. 
   Upon firing the first shell the bolt travels rearward and extracts the fired shell from the chamber. Towards the rearward end of this extraction/ejection stroke the rim of the spent shell engages the ejector within the receiver (not shown) causing the mouth of the fired shell to rotate up through the ejection port, and between cocked jaws  84 U and  84 L and rails  36 U and  36 L ( FIG. 15 ). The spent shell continues to rotate over the back of and out of the ejection port and its rim engages rails  36 U and  36 L and its upper portion impacts shell damping device  123  dissipating some rotational energy ( FIG. 16 ). At about the same time the rearward edge of parking handle  116  engages jaw trigger cross member  100  driving jaw trigger  98  rearward thereby releasing jaws  84 U and  84 L which close with lips  88  engaging the bottom of the spent shell and stabilizing it against rails  36 U and  36 L ( FIG. 17 ). When jaws  84 U and  84 L are in the fully closed/uncocked position, there is approximately a ⅛ inch gap between lips  88  and rails  36 U and  36 L to capture the rim of the spent shell and loosely hold the base of said shell against and more or less perpendicular to rails  36 U and  36 L. 
   After completion of the extraction/ejection stroke, parking handle  116  moves forward ( FIG. 18 ) as the bolt chambers the next live shell and in so doing parking handle  116  engages the now stabilized spent shell which is held against rails  36 U and  36 L by jaws  84 U and  84 L and pushes the spent shell forward along rails  36 U and  36 L. Near the end of this cocking/chambering stroke the rim of the spent shell engages cams  90  causing jaws  84 U and  84 L to pivot axially from the closed position thereby releasing the forward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54  which then slide forward and under lip supports  89  and rests  96  thereby holding jaws  84 U and  84 L in the open or cocked position for the next shot. At the forward end of the cocking/chambering stroke the spent shell is pushed into parking area  40  by parking handle  116  and is held there by stops  44  on the front, and parking handle  116  and the forward edge of cams  90  on the back, which when cocked still extend somewhat above the level of parking area  40 . The entire sequence is repeated upon firing the second shell. The last fired shell is held against rails  36 U and  36 L by jaws  84 U and  84 L as typically an autoloaders bolt locks in the open position after firing the last shell, leaving jaws  84 U and  84 L in the uncocked or closed position holding the last fired shell against and perpendicular to rails  36 U and  36 L ( FIG. 19 ). 
   The spent shells, one in parking area  40  and another held against rails  36 U and  36 L by jaws  84 U and  84 L, are then manually removed by the shooter. The first fired shell is slid forward out of parking area  40 . The second fired shell is slid forward along rails  36 U and  36 L by the shooter. As it approaches anterior base  32  it&#39;s rim engages cams  90  which then rotate jaws  84 U and  84 L axially which are thereby cocked and held in the open or cocked position by the forward portion of jaw trigger shafts  54  as previously described. The second shell is then slid into the rear of parking area  40  and out its front, leaving the invention cocked and ready for reloading. ( FIG. 20 ) 
   The timing of the release of jaws  84 U and  84 L can be adjusted by offsetting the shaft of parking handle  116  forward or backward or by other means such as protrusions or indentations on the rear edge of parking handle shaft  74  or forward edge of jaw trigger cross member  100  or other appropriate means. ( FIG. 21 ) 
   The force with which spent shells are ejected from an autoloader can vary depending upon a particular shotguns design as well as the type of shell being fired. Some autoloaders throw ejected shells quite a distance while others throw them only a few feet. Target shells typically use lighter “payloads” of shot with a lower muzzle velocity than hunting loads and therefore are typically not ejected with as much force as a spent hunting shell. The more tension exerted on jaws  84 U and  84 L by torsion springs  148 U and  148 L, the quicker a spent shell is stabilized against rails  36 U and  36 L. If too little tension is applied to jaws  84 U and  84 L a spent shell can oscillate back and forth and in so doing cause jaws  84 U and  84 L to partially open. If a spent shell is not stabilized before it is engaged by parking handle  116  on the bolt closing stroke a jam may result. The stabilizing effect of torsion springs  148 U and  148 L on jaws  84 U and  84 L can be augmented by angling the forward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54  and rests  96  so that in opening jaws  84 U and  84 L, jaw trigger  98  is driven or “cammed” rearward slightly thereby invoking the tension from compression springs  126  to help keep jaws  84 U and  84 L closed once a spent shell has been caught. 
   Depending on the gun and shell combination, shell damping device  123  may not be necessary for the invention to work properly. In the event its use is desired, the damping effect on the amount of rotation and retained energy of an ejected shell can be regulated by adjusting the position and the height of shell damping device  123  by means of the threaded lower portion of rod  122  and locking nut  124 . The higher and more forward the position of shell damping device  123 , the sooner the rotating fired shell is engaged and the sooner its rotation is interrupted and the less rotational energy is retained. If shell damping device  123  is positioned too high and/or too forward the fired shell may not retain sufficient lateral rotational energy to completely exit the ejection port so that its rim does not engage rails  36 U and  36 L thereby potentially causing a jam on the next shot. Vibration damping/shock absorbing material  121  can also be attached directly to the upper surface of parking handle  116  by adhesive or other means without an intervening rod  122  and locking nut  124 . If shell damping device  123  is positioned too low and/or too rearward, the fired shell may retain too much lateral rotational energy such that jaws  84 U and  84 L can not stabilize the fired shell against rails  36 U and  36 L in sufficient time before parking handle  116  moves forward resulting in a jam, or the shell could pass completely through rails  36 U and  36 L as described below. 
   The retained energy of the fired shell can also be regulated by appropriate timing of the release of jaws  84 U and  84 L by jaw trigger  98 . By adjusting this release point by offsetting parking handle  116  or other means as set forth above, jaw release can be timed to occur after the mouth of the fired shell passes through the open and cocked jaws but before the base of the fired shell passes completely through the closing and uncocked jaws. In this way the release of jaws  84 U and  84 L can be timed to close on the sides of the fired shell such that the torsion spring tension exerted on the jaws “squeezes” the fired shell as it passes through, thereby dissipating energy. Jaw release timing and/or torsion spring tension may have to be adjusted so that too much energy isn&#39;t dissipated such that the base of the shell is prevented from passing completely through jaws  84 U and  84 L thereby preventing the rim from engaging rails  36 U and  36 L and potentially causing a jam. 
   In the case of a particularly vigorous ejection it is possible that rails  36 U and  36 L could flex enough from the impact of the spent shell such that the ejected shell passes completely through the rails and therefore the spent shell can not be used to cock jaws  84 U and  84 L on the forward stroke of parking handle  116  thereby potentially causing a jam upon firing the next shell. In this situation cam engagement arms  118  provide a jaw cocking failsafe by engaging cams  90  on the bolt closing stroke and thereby cocking jaws  84 U and  84 L without the necessity of a spent shell being pushed along rails  36 U and  36 L. Cam engagement arms  118  are not essential to the operation of the invention, but in the event a fired shell is ejected completely through the rails, a jam on the next shot is averted by their use. 
   FIGS.  22  to  23   
   Additional Embodiments 
     FIGS. 22 and 23  show various views of an additional embodiment of the present invention where jaws  84 U and  84 L are not pivotally attached to rails  36 U and  36 L. In this embodiment jaws  84 U and  84 L are comprised of jaw shafts  150 U and  150 L from which lip supports  89  extend laterally ( FIG. 22 ). At the rear portion of lip support  89  is torsion spring gap  152  which separates the rear section of lip support  89  from jaw shaft  150 U and  150 L. Alternatively, torsion spring gap  152  can be located on the forward end of jaw shafts  150 U and  150 L and torsion springs  148 U and  148 L installed accordingly. 
   Above anterior rail hole  68  in each projection  46 U and  46 L of anterior base  32  are anterior jaw shaft bearings  154  which are of sufficient length and diameter to receive the forward ends of jaw shafts  150 U and  150 L. See  FIG. 23 . 
   Extending forward from the upper and lower portions of posterior base  34  are extensions  156 U and  156 L which support the rearward ends of rails  36 U and  36 L and which also support posterior jaw shaft bearings  158 U and  158 L which are of sufficient length and diameter to pivotally receive the rearward ends of jaw shafts  150 U and  150 L. See  FIG. 23 . Posterior jaw shaft bearings  158 U and  158 L can also be attached directly to the upper surface of posterior base  34  without the need for extensions  146 U and  146 L. In this embodiment the rearward ends of jaw shafts  150 U and  150 L and rails  36 U and  36 L would have to be extended accordingly. 
   FIGS.  24 - 31   
   Alternative Embodiments 
   An alternative embodiment uses a modified jaw trigger which utilizes an upper jaw trigger shaft which does not have a portion extending rearward of jaw trigger cross member  100 . This allows the upper and rearward portion of posterior base  34  to be trimmed for a more streamlined profile the contours of which more closely follow the guns receiver. A similar embodiment utilizes a jaw trigger with a single rearward jaw trigger shaft extending from jaw trigger cross member  100 . In these configurations a non-round cross-sectional rear shaft prevents jaw trigger  98  from rotating or twisting. See  FIGS. 24 and 24A . 
   Another embodiment uses a modified jaw trigger which has jaw trigger shafts which only extend forward of jaw trigger cross member  100  and which slide through and are supported by bearings. This embodiment also incorporates a leaf spring which engages the rear edge of jaw trigger cross member  100  instead of utilizing compression springs. 
   A further embodiment utilizes a jaw trigger cross member with offset ends which accommodates compression springs  126  and allows for the overall length of the invention to be reduced accordingly. See  FIG. 25 . 
   Another embodiment utilizes jaw trigger stops  160  on the rearward ends of jaw trigger shafts  54 . See  FIG. 26 . Jaw trigger stops  160  limit the forward travel of jaw trigger  98  and thereby eliminate the need for jaw trigger retention member  56 . See  FIG. 27 . 
   Another embodiment utilizes an extended anterior base  32  with a parking area  40  capable of holding two or more spent shells which may be straight or of angled/curved shape. See  FIG. 28 . 
   Another embodiment replaces latch  102  with a screw or other equivalent fastening means which goes through posterior base  34  and threads into posterior dovetail  60  which is adhesively or mechanically attached to the guns receiver. 
   Another embodiment uses flush mounted screws/bolts rather than an adhesive means to attach anterior dovetail  38  and posterior dovetail  60  to the receiver by means of shallow threaded holes properly located in the receiver. 
   Another embodiment uses multiple smaller dovetails and slots rather than a single anterior/posterior dovetail/slot arrangement. 
   Another embodiment uses any of the foregoing dovetail/slot attachment means but with a “T” or other functionally equivalent cross sectional shape rather than a “dovetail” cross sectional shape. 
   Another embodiment uses any of the foregoing dovetail/T type and corresponding slot attachment means oriented vertically rather than horizontally to allow for attachment/removal of the invention in an upward or downward direction rather than forward and backward. 
   Another embodiment uses a spring loaded ball to attach the invention to the anterior and/or posterior dovetail. The ball partially extends above the upper surface of anterior dovetail  38  and/or posterior dovetail  60  and engages an indentation on the underside of anterior dovetail slot  72  and/or posterior dovetail slot  58 . 
   Another embodiment does not utilize any dovetail/T type and corresponding slot or spring loaded ball arrangement to attach the invention to the gun but only an adhesive or mechanical means, such as a screw or bolt, to attach the device directly to the receiver. 
   Another embodiment utilizes an alternative design for shell damping device  123 . See  FIG. 29 . In this embodiment, shell damping device  123 A, the vibration damping/shock absorbing material  121  is attached to the center section of an inverted U shaped member  162 . The ends of each leg of said member engage the rearward ends of rails  36 U and  36 L by means of slides  164  which allow shell damping device  123 A to slide on rails  36 U and  36 L. Inverted U shaped member  162  is of sufficient height so that it does not interfere with the movement of parking handle  116  which passes underneath. 
   Damper compression springs  166  are mounted on rails  36 U and  36 L and push shell damping device  123 A forward until it engages damper stops  168  which limit its forward travel. The position of damper stops  168  can be changed in order to change the position of shell damping device  123  on rails  36 U and  36 L and thereby provide an adjustment means. In this embodiment shell damping device  123 A can be temporarily displaced rearward so that it doesn&#39;t interfere with the shooters cocking of the breech bolt. Shell damping device  123 A can also be fixedly attached to rails  36 U and  36 L by set screws or other appropriate means. 
   Another embodiment utilizes two bumpers  170 U and  170 L extending inward from each rail  36 U and  36 L each of which bumper has a cap composed of vibration damping/shock absorbing material  121 . The space between each bumper  170 U and  170 L is sufficient to allow parking handle  116  to pass between them but not a spent shell. See  FIG. 30 . 
   Another embodiment utilizes a “T” shaped shell damping feature  123  which incorporates a short cross bar into the upper end of rod  122  which is then covered by appropriately shaped vibration damping/shock absorbing material  121 . See  FIG. 31 . 
   A further embodiment incorporates a lower profile design whereby jaw trigger shaft holes  52  are on or near the same plane as rails  36 U and  36 L thereby allowing the use of a “thinner” more low profile design. In this embodiment rests  96  are extended/enlarged in order that they engage jaw trigger shafts  54  appropriately in order to provide a large enough gap between the open/cocked jaws to allow a spent shell to pass through. 
   ADVANTAGES 
   From the description above, significant advantages of my single and/or multiple shell catcher become apparent: 
   (a) Single and/multiple spent shells can now be caught and retained in a manner which does not interfere with the normal operation of an autoloading gun. 
   (b) Autoloading guns will be much more popular with shooters who reload their own ammunition as even multiple fired spent shells can now be easily and conveniently caught and retained. 
   (c) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be caught and retained in a manner which does not interfere with the shooters field of view or his or her ability to track moving targets with the gun in the mounted position. 
   (d) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be caught and retained for proper discarding or reloading by the shooter which will significantly reduce the volume of spent shell litter which occurs at shooting ranges and other areas where recreational shooting and/or hunting occurs, significantly alleviating environmental concerns regarding such undesirable litter. 
   (e) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be easily caught and retained by a means which does not impair the dynamic balance of a gun. 
   (f) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be quickly and easily caught and retained by a means which does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of a gun. 
   (g) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be easily caught and retained by a means which is easily attached to and removed from a gun. 
   (h) Single and/or multiple spent shells can now be easily caught and retained by a device which can be conveniently, easily and precisely positioned on a gun. 
   CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
   Accordingly, as is evident from my above patent, the single and/or multiple spent shell catcher of this invention can be used to catch single and/or multiple spent shells in a quick, easy and convenient manner. In addition the shell catcher can be easily and precisely positioned on the gun and also can be quickly and easily removed from the gun when its use is not desired. Furthermore the shell catcher has the additional advantages in that:
         it does not interfere with the normal use or operation of the gun;   it does not impair a guns dynamic balance;   it does not impair the shooters ability to view a target, and   it does not detract from the overall appearance of a gun.       

   Although the foregoing description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example the shell catcher and/or its components can have shapes other than as depicted such as round, triangular, or polygonal, etc. The materials from which the invention is made can consist of metal, plastic, wood, etc. or any material of sufficient rigidity or flexibility as may be required. 
   Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by any of the examples contained herein.