Projectile trap assembly

An improved projectile trap assembly includes a frame that supports a channel and a containment chamber. The containment chamber has an ingress point receiving a fired bullet and an egress point for distributing the bullet. The containment chamber is supported by a pair of bulkhead plates that are connected to the frame. Each bulkhead plate defines an aperture, with a scroll assembly being mounted between bulkhead plates proximate the aperture. The scroll assembly includes a front scroll affixed and a rear scroll detachably connected to the bulkhead plates. A side plate is detachably connected to the bulkhead plate opposite said front and rear scrolls to seal the scroll assembly to receive bullets. The containment chamber additionally includes upper and lower trap plates that are positioned proximate upper and lower channel plates at the ingress point. Finally, a plurality of collection buckets positioned below said front scroll in an adjustable position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Firearms training and testing frequently requires the use of live weapons and ammunition, and there are various ways of stopping and collecting the bullets fired in these situations. That is, bullet traps have been in use for over a century in different styles and types of traps. The steel type has gained popularity in recent years because of the ability to better capture the lead and other projectile by-products, reducing environmental impact of the trap system.

Scroll traps, so named for their characteristic cylindrical shape, slow down the projectiles by decelerating them in a circular or multi-faceted chamber. The bullets are usually led into this chamber by striking a series of plates designed to direct the bullets smoothly into the entrance, or throat of the chamber. Once inside the chamber, the bullets are slowed down as gradually as possible to generate the least amount of particulate debris. The bullets and fragments are then collected by a variety of means and disposed from the bullet trap.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved projectile trap assembly includes a frame that supports a channel and a containment chamber. The containment chamber has an ingress point receiving a fired bullet and an egress point for distributing the bullet. The containment chamber is supported by a pair of bulkhead plates that are connected to the frame. Each bulkhead plate defines an aperture, with a scroll assembly being mounted between the bulkhead plates proximate the aperture. The scroll assembly includes a front scroll affixed between bulkhead plates as well as a rear scroll detachably connected to the bulkhead plates. A side plate is detachably connected to the bulkhead plate opposite said front and rear scrolls to seal the scroll assembly to receive bullets. The containment chamber additionally includes upper and lower trap plates that are positioned proximate upper and lower channel plates at the ingress point. Finally, a plurality of collection buckets positioned below said front scroll in an adjustable position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An improved projectile or bullet trap assembly10for safely capturing fired bullets or projectiles6, storing the fired bullets6in an easily dispensable apparatus60, and allow simple access into the components of the assembly for desired cleaning and maintenance of the assembly10is described herein and illustrated inFIGS. 1-22.

Looking toFIGS. 1-3, the improved projectile trap10generally includes a framework8that supports a channel12and a containment chamber14on a ground surface G. The framework8includes a series of vertical columns9(such as C or I channel beams), a series of base support beams37(such as C channel beams) positioned between a ground surface G and the containment chamber14(seeFIG. 5), and a series of upper trap support beams11(seeFIG. 2). The channel12is defined by a series of upper plates16and a series of lower reversible plates38. The upper plates16are connected to the framework8via the upper trap support beams11. The lower reversible plates38are supported on a number of base support beams37as described herein, with the base support beams37being affixed to various columns9and support legs22of the framework8at an upward angle from the ground surface G. The upper plates16and reversible lower plates38lead to an upper throat plate19and a lower throat plate17, respectively, and define an ingress for bullets into the containment chamber14. In addition, a pair of side walls13a,13b(made of up of a series of independent panels) are affixed to columns9on respective sides of the trap10to further define the channel12.

Referring toFIGS. 1-8, the containment chamber14includes at least a pair of floating bulkhead plates20. Each bulkhead plate20is detachably affixed to an upper end of a pair of support legs22, with a bulkhead aperture24traversing the bulkhead plate20generally corresponding to the shape of the ends of a scroll assembly21, as discussed in more detail herein. The bulkhead plates20are positioned on opposite ends of the width of a scroll assembly21to support the scroll assembly21. Each bulkhead plate20is a steel plate that separates and mounts the scroll assemblies21and supports the upper trap support beam11. It is independently supported by two columns22, and therefore can stand alone when other pieces are removed.

The scroll assembly21includes a rear scroll cover26and a front scroll cover28that are connected between two bulkhead plates20, and the front scroll cover28may be slightly offset from the rear scroll cover26(seeFIGS. 2,5,8,21and22). The front scroll cover28and the rear scroll cover26are each connected between two bulkhead plates20. The front scroll cover28includes base plates27aand27bhaving a length substantially corresponding to the width of the lower plates38, with two attachment plates29on opposite sides of the length of the base plates27a,27bto be affixed to the bulkhead plates20. The bottom edges of base plates27a,27band attachment plates29define an egress aperture51that is substantially closed by an adapter plate31. The adapter plate31is affixed below the bottom edges of the front scroll cover28via conventional fasteners (such as bolts). This allows use of a bucket assembly60, as described herein, when a bucket collection system is desired. The egress aperture51of the front scroll cover28may alternatively be used as an attachment point for other types of collection systems, such as screw or belt conveyors. In addition, a knock-out hole is present in the front scroll assembly28that provides an optional connection to a ventilation system if desired by the user.

The adapter plate31includes two long edges turned up into flanges that are bolted to the bottom of the front scroll assembly28. The adapter plate31further defines several large discharge holes31ahaving a diameter slightly less (but substantially matching) the diameter of the mouths of the buckets62used in the assembly10. The width of a trap section can vary from 24 inches to 60 inches in six inch increments, to better allow fitting into different width rooms (four feet wide is typical). Correspondingly, this adapter plate31comes in as several widths, with more bucket mounting holes for wide trap sections, and less for narrower ones.

As further shown inFIGS. 7 and 10, the rear scroll cover26includes a curved plate30having arcuate side flanges32extending from opposite curved edges of the cover26and a main front flange35extending between the side flanges32, the main front flange proximate the upper throat plate19. The side flanges32are detachably connected to the bulkhead plates20via conventional connectors (such as bolts), such that the rear scroll cover26of the scroll assembly21is readily removable for inspection, cleaning, or replacement. In a typical slow-deceleration scroll-type steel bullet trap, the rear surface of the scroll is welded in place, which is difficult to remove without significant disassembly of other components. Cleaning efforts are therefore hampered by poor accessibility of the inner rear scroll surface in conventional designs. However, the present design includes the removable rear scroll26that can be readily cleaned or replaced without replacement of the entire scroll assembly.

The removable rear scroll26is important in allowing much easier inspection, and, even more importantly, much easier cleaning and service of the rear scroll26. That is, if the scroll assembly21is not maintained, it can become gradually caked with lead and debris, leading to obstruction of the outlets, or worse, to material regurgitation that can injure the shooter.

Looking toFIG. 11, the assembly10has an integral scroll removal jacking points25. Generally speaking, steel bullet traps tend to be difficult to service because of the sheer weight of the parts as well as assembly adhesions and binding. Standard assembly bolts are screwed into specific locations on the scroll assembly21to jack apart the bulkhead plates20and nearby scroll parts to allow ready removal of the rear scroll26. The present design, however, includes a screw-action jacking system at jacking points25that pries apart the scrolls16for cover removal. Specifically, there are integral jacking points25on the scroll16for scroll rear shell26removal and replacement. The jacking point25allows much easier manipulation of the necessarily large and sometimes un-cooperative scroll assembly21. The jacking point25works in tandem with the removable rear scroll26to provide access to the scroll16that is unparalleled by other designs.

Referring toFIGS. 7 through 9, the containment chamber14additionally includes removable side covers34that may be mounted to the bulkhead plates20on a side of the bulkhead plate20opposite of the scroll assembly21. In other bullet trap designs, the scroll assembly is one large weldment that can only be serviced as a whole; a structural building block that cannot easily be removed. Inspection of the actual scroll portion of a scroll-type bullet trap often is difficult because the ends of the scroll are welded or otherwise not easily removed from the housing. The present design includes a simple flat side scroll covers or plates34with a handle36affixed thereto that can be easily and readily removed from the bulkhead plate20to allow limited access to the end areas of the scroll assembly21and inside of the scroll assembly21. This further allows for cleaning, inspection, or replacement of components of the scroll assembly21. The user will simply join the side plates34to the bulkhead plate20using a conventional connector, such as bolts or screws. The side scroll covers34are lighter and easier to remove than the rear scroll cover26, so that end-view inspections are quicker and more readily performed.

Referring toFIG. 9, an insert plate33, having a shape commensurate with the side scroll cover34, may be connected to the bulkhead plate20and the side scroll cover34to help keep any bullet debris from seeping out at the side cover seam between the bulkhead plate20and the side scroll cover34. That is, without the insert plate33, the swirling lead that was shot into the scroll assembly21would directly try to escape the scroll assembly21at the juncture of the two pinched flat plates20and34. By connecting the insert plate33to the bulkhead plate20on the side opposite the side scroll cover34, an additional step/turn is added to greatly diminish joint penetration by the bullet.

Looking toFIG. 10, the use of a single floating bulkhead plate20is illustrated. The bulkhead plate20is used between the scroll assemblies21to allow subassembly replacement. Traditional scroll-type bullet traps employ plates at both ends of each scroll to hold all the parts in place. Usually this means bolting a series of scrolls together at these end plates to form the often long series of lanes used in bullet traps. In contrast, the present design includes a single, floating bulkhead plate20that is the basic structural support for the scroll assembly21, as well as other trap parts, from either side of the scroll assembly21. Use of the bulkhead plate20reduces the amount of steel required in the bullet trap, and allows scroll parts to be replaced with reduced disassembly. The floating bulkhead design provides the “backbone” structure to allow the scroll parts to be serviced and replaced with greatly reduced structural disruption. It drops the modularity of the scroll assembly21to a lower level than other known designs, reducing repair and maintenance costs.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3and12-16, lower reversible plates38are illustrated. The lower plates on a conventional bullet trap will eventually wear down from repeated ballistic impact during conventional use. The sizes of the plates38(length, width, thickness) may vary according to customer requirements (e.g., projectiles from handguns require a thinner plate38, whereas projectiles from big guns or longer life require a thicker plate38). The plate38most frequently implemented is ⅜ inches thick, but other sizes, such as one-fourth inch and one-half inch, are available according to desired performance and cost. The width of the plate38is typically from 24 inches to 60 inches in 6 inch increments, and typical lane width is 48 inches, but military embodiments may be 60 inches. The plates38are made according to the desired order, but they generally fill the room width, and avoid seams in the center of a firing lane. In the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, there are six plates38and one toe plate38(the special one at the ground level G that has a flat section to attach to the floor) in each lane (seeFIG. 1). There are two upper plates in each section as well.

To address wear, the improved projectile trap assembly10incorporates reversible plates38that are positioned on the base support beams37. The arrangement of the reversible plates38allows a fresh contact surface to be utilized to periodically renew the trap10. That is, the present design allows the reversible plates38to be removed and flipped without having any protruding fasteners or the need to be held down with external seam covers. This allows for cross-lane shooting between side walls13a,13b(such as the three lane assembly illustrated inFIGS. 1-3) without having any protruding steel parts (such as joints or fasteners) that would create a ricochet hazard for the user.

More specifically, referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, each reversible plate38has a length from a first end or edge40to a second end or edge42, with the reversible plate38having a top surface44and a bottom surface46. A first lip48or flange extends in from the first end40of the reversible plate38to a position parallel to either the top surface44or the bottom surface46. The lip48may extend in a curved fashion or it may have an L-shape. A second lip50or flange fashion from the second end42of the reversible plate38to a position parallel to the surface opposite of the first lip48. The lip50may extend in a curved fashion or it may have an L-shape. As a result, the first lip48of one reversible plate38may engage the second lip50of an adjacent reversible plate38to form the desired surface for deflecting projectiles6(see FIGS.1and12-14).

When the user determines that the top surface44is worn from contact from projectiles6and no longer meets the safety requirements, the present assembly10provides a means for providing a smooth surface with the same reversible plates38. That is, one or more reversible plates38may simply be disengaged from the abutting reversible plates38, and one end40,42may be flipped to turn over the subject reversible plate38. For example, looking toFIG. 12, the first lip48of reversible plate38B originally engages the second lip50of reversible plate38A and the second lip50of reversible plate38B originally engages the first lip48of reversible plate38C. The reversible plate38B may be disengaged from the adjacent plates38A,38C, and the second end42of the reversible plate38B may be flipped in direction F (although the plate38B may be flipped in any direction as desired by the user). The reversible plate38B can once again be connected with the adjacent reversible plates38A,38C, with the first lip48of reversible plate38B then engaging the first lip48of reversible plate38C and the second lip50of reversible plate38B will then engage the second lip50of reversible plate38A. As a result, the former bottom surface46will become the contacted surface rather than the former top surface44, and provide a fresh surface for the projectile trap assembly10. It is to be noted that although this example indicates that only one plate is turned over, multiple plates38in the assembly10may be flipped at one time to provide the desired surface.

Looking further toFIGS. 12-16, the reversible plates38are supported by the base support beams37. In even more detail, it is noted that a small backing plate39and spacer41are positioned between each reversible plate38and support beam37to further support the joints between adjacent reversible plates38. The backing plate39in the illustrated embodiment is a strip of one-quarter inch thick steel that is about two inches wide and corresponds in length to the length of the reversible plate38. The backing plate39is bolted to the support beam37via connectors (bolts)43, with the spacer41being positioned at one end of the backing plate39to elevate one end of the backing plate39at an incline from the support beam37. The spacers41hold up the upper end of the lower plates38to allow proper plate overlap and interlock with adjacent lower plates38. The reversible plates38rest on the backing plate39, and since the lower plates38all interlock in a long chain, gravity is used to hold them all in place on the support beams37. While the trap10is operational without the backing plates39and spacers41, there would be a slight gap between adjacent plates38if the components were not positioned accordingly. Thus, the backing plates39and spacers41prevent a leakage path for bullets between adjacent plates38.

Steel bullet traps of the scroll design usually have a series of flat deflection plates that direct the bullet to the rear scroll area, and one important feature that is desirable from a usage standpoint is having deflection plates that have no protruding features that could reflect back bullets towards the shooter. When there is a wider bullet trap with a multitude of shooting lanes, any feature that protrudes into the lanes, even along the shooting axis, can cause unforeseen and unwanted ricochet when the shooter fires across the lanes laterally. In some trap designs, there are seam covers between shooting lanes that can allow this to happen. The reversible deflection plates38solve this problem, in that they have no seam covers, and also may be flipped over when worn to extend useful service life. More specifically, a first reversible plate38is positioned proximate the lower throat plate17, and the top lip simply drops into a recess and is held down by gravity (seeFIG. 6). The first lip48of a second plate38then slips over the second lip50of the first plate38, such that the reversible plates38are connected without a seam. This may continue with as many reversible plates38as desired by the user (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 14), although it may preferable to only offer one slope angle for the lower and upper plates38, with a corresponding fixed number of plates. If more plates38are added to the design, the angle would need to be shallower, or the trap10would need to be taller. Therefore, the customer typically will only be able to select the width and thicknesses of the plates38without adjusting the angles or height of the same. This hook-channel design offers a simple, low cost means to meet both the reversibility and anti-ricochet requirements.

Looking to FIGS.1and18-22, the bucket replacement assembly60referenced above is positioned beneath the containment chamber14for collection and disposal of expired projectiles6from the containment chamber14. That is, bullet traps10collect the waste lead from spent rounds, and allow the waste lead to be removed to keep the trap10operating without becoming packed with debris. There are many types of lead collection systems used on scroll-type traps. These include screw and belt conveyance into a larger container, or as in the case of most lower-cost systems, bucket collection. The buckets62fill with the bullets and other trap debris, and are removed and replaced when they are full.

As noted above, the adapter plate31is bolted to the bottom of the front scroll assembly28. The buckets62are positioned for selective engagement with this adapter plate31. If this plate is left off, then the two front scroll flanges29are ready to accept some other means of collection, such as screw or belt conveyor.

Although some bullet trap designs have used buckets to collect the waste material, the present design includes a mechanism that allows unlatching of a bucket62with a single motion, and a lift platform64that helps support the weight of the bucket62when removing and replacing. This provides a one-handed easily activated debris bucket replacement mechanism. The present design includes a bucket support and retrieval assembly60with a dust seal67when in place. The bucket assembly60includes a bucket62that is supported on a base plate64with two side walls66affixed to opposite sides of the base plate64, such that the bucket62is sandwiched between the side walls66. A pair of lower flanges68are connected to the base plate64and extend downwardly along the edge of the base plate64. Further, a support plate71is positioned between the bottom of the bucket62and the base plate64.

A lever70is rotatably mounted between the lower flanges68, and includes a raised element72and a handle73. In the embodiment shown, the raised element72lies in a plane at a right angle to that of the handle73. A lever aperture74traverses the base plate64proximate the raised element72of the lever70, such that when the lever70is rotated, the raised element72will extend through the lever aperture74to engage the support plate71positioned on the base plate64. The raised element72will then force the support plate71upward, and the bucket62into engagement with the scroll adapter plate31surrounding the discharge holes31ain the lower portion of the containment chamber14to capture projectiles6shot into the assembly10. A circular dust seal67is positioned proximate the top of the bucket62, such that when the bucket62is forced upward, the seal67will be sandwiched between the scroll adapter plate31and the bucket62. When desired, the user will simply rotate the lever70approximately 90 degrees to release the connection, with the raised element72no longer applying an upward force on the support plate71and thereby lowering the bucket62on to the base plate64. The user will be able to remove and replace or clean the bucket62from the base plate64as desired. Unlike other bucket replacement designs, the bucket62is released instantly with a one-handed effort, saving considerable time for the user who has to replace or clean a typically long line of buckets62for the various shooting lanes.

In operation, as a projectile6or bullet is fired in direction A, it will travel from the wide opening in the channel12between the narrow opening. If the projectile6is not aligned to the opening to the containment chamber14, it will be deflected by the lower plate38or upper plate16back into an aligned direction. The projectile6will pass through the ingress between the lower and upper throat plates17,19and in to the scroll assembly21. Once the bullet slows down, it will traverse an aperture between the rear scroll cover26and the front scroll cover28and be dispersed into an adjacent bucket62. At the desired time, the user will engage the lever70of the bucket assembly60to release the bucket62for cleaning. Furthermore, the user will be able to simply and easily detach the removable side covers34and/or the rear scroll cover26to clean out any residue or trash contained in the scroll assembly21.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of an improved projectile trap assembly, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.