MODULAR FIRING GROUND

Abstract: This invention relates to a firing ground consisting of standard modules (1, 21, 25, 36, 52) which are preferably realized according to the ISO standards, said firing ground comprising in particular a ball-arrester module (1), one or more intermediate modules (21) which are arranged in front of said ball-arrester module (1), a so-called "firing positions" module (25) arranged in front of the last one of said intermediate modules (21), and a so-called "firing controller positions" module (36) provided next to said "firing positions" module (25), each one of said modules being provided with some means (11) for quick connection to the adjacent modules, as well as with some means (12) for electric and/or hydraulic lines and/or adjacent module ducts connection, and with tight sealing means along the connection wall with the adjacent module, with some means (20) for motion during the assembling operation of the firing ground, and with inside heat- and sound-insulation means (14), in addition to a number of other ancillary modules which can be provided according to any requirement at hand.

Description: MODULAR FIRING GROUND This invention relates to a modular firing ground and more particularly it relates to a firing ground made up of standard modules which are transportable and can be connected according to any requirements, said modules being provided with all ancillary equipment necessary to obtain an operating firing ground and being also provid¬ ed with means for quick connection to other modules. Firing grounds are built at present by arranging masonry works underground or at ground level, or also on raised floors of already existing buildings. The problems stemming from such kind of structures are of various types and quite evident to those who are skilled in the art. First of all, the construction costs are very high, and this is particularly true of indoor firing grounds. Moreover, the realization of masonry work firing grounds asks for extremely long working times which are strongly affected by local weather conditions. Once the firing ground has been constructed, the area intended for the same cannot be exploited for other aims any more. Moreover, due to the particular features of the fir¬ ing grounds themselves, it is impossible after realizing them to change their sizes (length or number of firing lines) according to any different specific requirements, unless definitely high costs are faced. Accordingly, it can be certainly set forth that fir¬ ing grounds constructed according to traditional tech- niques having masonry structures or prefabricated struc¬ tures of the traditional type, are very costly to re¬ alize, have a poor flexibility of employment and are inhomogeneous to one another. Thus, it is quite clear that there is a need for firing grounds such as those of the type suggested by the present invention, which are realized through assembling previously realized standard modules which are very easy to transport. In that way, the assembling times of the firing ground in the yard are remarkably shortened (50-100 times shorter) in addition to a strong reduction of costs (2-3 times lower), and the characteristics of the firing ground obtained are made homogeneous with respect to those of the other firing grounds. However, especially in the case of the firing ground according to the present invention, the structural features of the firing ground can be modified after its realization, and according to the specific requirements of the purchaser, with no need for long and costly additional work. Moreover, employing a solution like that proposed by the Applicant, it is possible in case of unrepairable damages to substitute very quickly the module in ques¬ tion. The realization of the firing ground of the present invention according to ISO standards allows the same to be easily transported with any transportation means, even overseas. In addition, if the modules are realized so that they can be overlapped to one another, it is possible to double the performance of the firing ground without in¬ creasing its horizontal overall dimensions. The light weight of the structures allows the firing ground to be constructed on top of already existing buildings or inside the same. These and other achievements are obtained according to the present invention by realizing a firing ground consisting of transportable modules, each one of said modules being provided with means for rapidly assembling the same and for quickly interconnecting operatively a module with other equal modules or with modules which are different by their inner features, each module being internally provided with specific equipment for realiz¬ ing the aims for which the module itself is intended. Accordingly, it is a specific object of the present invention to realize a firing ground comprising a ball- arrester module, one or more intermediate modules which are provided in front of said ball-arrester module, a so-called "firing positions" module arranged anteriorly to the last one of said intermediate modules, and a so- called "firing controller position" arranged next to said "firing positions" module, each of said modules being provided with means for rapidly coupling a module with the adjacent modules, as well as with means for connection to electric and/or hydraulic lines and/or to the pipes of the adjacent modules, of sealing means along the connection wall with the adjacent module, of means for motion during the operations of assembling the firing ground, and of inner heat- and sound-insulation means. Preferably the firing axis of the firing ground ac¬ cording to the present invention is realized so as to be at right angles to the main axis of the modules. In addition to the modules previously pointed out, according to the present invention a so-called "firing pre-positions" module, a "ther oventilation" module, a "back-firing" module, and an "ancillary equipment" mod¬ ule can be provided, besides a various number of inter¬ mediate modules which are useful for increasing the firing ground length. Each of said modules will preferably be realized ac¬ cording to the ISO standards regarding "containers", and the walls, the ceiling and the floor of each module will be coated with bullet-proof materials. Again according to the present invention, there is the possibility of overlapping two firing grounds or of putting them side by side, according to any requirement. The firing ground so realized can be provided with strengthening structures or with external covering fit¬ ting structures. The modules which the firing ground according to the present invention is made up of can have their upper portions telescopically extensible, while the motion means can consist of wheels running on rails. The ball-arrester module will be provided with a covering, as well as with side walls and a fixed floor, and preferably with a shutter-bearing end wall. The equipment making up the ball-arrester can consist of any kind of ball-arresters, from the well known types of simple construction and made up for instance of heaps of material, to the ball-arresters of the continuous regeneration type. Moreover, means will be provided for collecting splinters and lead powders. The intermediate modules which are open both in the front and in the back part have side walls sloping in- nerwards and preferably they have a floor with lateral overturning wing to allow the module to be inspected. Dividing walls will be provided in the "firing pos¬ itions" modules for ballistic protection between a fir¬ ing position and the other ones, said walls being fast- ened to metallic frames which are integral with the supporting structure, and floors will be provided which are preferably made up of a compact wood mix and smooth rubber for splinter-proofing and to prevent bullets from bouncing. Such modules can be equipped with any fittings re¬ quired for obtaining the best firing conditions (control means for lights and for target motion, sight and sound means, intercom headphones, and so on). Further it is possible to provide a device for de- tecting carbon monoxide traces in the environment. The "firing controller position" module is equipped with a box or cab having transparent walls consisting of Perspex, or polycarbonate or any other transparent ma¬ terial, as well as with a ventilation system and all necessary fittings. On the contrary, as regards the so-called "ancillary equipment" module, the same will in particular be pro¬ vided with a self-contained power supply group as well as with hygienic-sanitary equipment so that the firing ground in question according to the present invention can be constructed even in uninhabited areas. Said ancillary equipment module can be indifferently arranged at the front or at the rear end of the firing ground, or said module can also be provided at a pos¬ ition adjacent to the structure and independent of the same. Moreover, a purposely designed inlet or entrance module can be additionally provided. This invention will be disclosed in the following according to some preferred embodiments of the same with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of a ball-arrester module of the firing ground ac¬ cording to the present invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the module of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of an intermediate module of the firing ground ac¬ cording to the present invention; Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of a so-called "firing positions" module of the firing ground according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of a so-called "firing controller position" module of the firing ground according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a front view of an inlet or entrance module of the firing ground according to the present invention; and Figure 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the module of Figure 14. Observing now the figures from Figure 1 to Figure 4, the ball-arrester module 1 is provided with an external shutter 2 for entrance from the rear part of the module, said shutter having a remote controlled electric lock, said module also having an inner safety shutter 3 as well as devices 4 for request and allowance to enter through the rear part. The reference numeral 5 points out a light signal of the shutter 2, whereas number 6 points out the lights that allow said ball-arrester 1 to be inspected from its rear part. The very ball-arrester device according to the em¬ bodiment shown in the figures comprises a number of ballistic plates for conveying bullets, as well as a number of vertical ball guard blades 8, screw conveyors 9 at the ends of two converging plates 7 for slowing down bullets, and tight sealing devices 10 for collecting and extracting bullets. The module 1 is provided with corner blocks 11 for rapid connection with the adjacent modules of the firing ground according to the present invention. The connection of the feeding lines with those of the other modules occurs through the rapid-insertion flexible connection 12. The reference numeral 13 in Figure 2 points out the rails for aligning and assembling the modules of the firing ground. The module 1 is coated inside with sound-insulating and sound-absorbing materials 14 and it is provided with loudspeakers 15 for sound communications. The external supporting frame 16 is made up of structural steel. A space 17 is provided in the rear part of the module 1 for inspection. Sealing gaskets 16 are provided along the perimetri- cal part at the connection zones between a module and the next one, whereas the covering 19 will be provided on top. Each module is provided with wheels 20 for allowing it to move on the ground. With reference now to Figures 5-7, an intermediate module 21 is shown which is completely empty in the cen- tral portion and whose object is just that of making the firing ground of the present invention longer. Such module comprises a floor 22 coated with rubber, whereas the plates 23 consisting of ballistic steel are provided between the external supporting frame 16 made up of structural steel and the sound-absorbing, sound- insulating coating 14. Two side wings 24 are further provided, allowing the plant channels to be inspected. The "firing positions" module 25, besides the struc- tures already disclosed with reference to the modules 1 and 21, is provided with dividing walls 26 arranged be- tween a firing position or "marksman" and the other one, said walls being made up of musketproof and anti-rebound material and of sound-absorbing material. Each one of the firing positions is provided with overturning planes 27 for supporting the weapon and with a monitor 28 for the firing detection television cir¬ cuit. Moreover, a personal control board 29 is arranged on the dividing walls 26 for the marksman's use. The module 25 is provided with channels 30 for in¬ troducing a flow of cold air, as well as with fans 31 for causing air to flow, and with heater fans 32 for in¬ troducing hot air and with the corresponding channel 33 for the flow of said air. The reference numeral 34 finally points out the lights for illuminating the individual firing positions. Some means 35 will be provided inside the module 25 for detecting carbon monoxide. In the so-called "firing controller position" module 36 (figures 11, 12 and 13), two doors 37 and 38 are pro¬ vided for entrance to the firing ground, said doors being provided with musketproof glass, remote controlled electric lock, bullet-proof boards, microswitches for opening and closing signalling, intercom, semaphores and so on, two outlet doors 39 and 40 bearing similar fittings being also provided in said module. The reference numeral 41 points out the air distri¬ bution "plenum" which is made up of the wall 42 bearing a multi-layer, insulating splinter- and musketproof double glass, of a polycarbonate or Perspex plate 43 drilled at 44 so as to distribute hot air towards the firing men. Said "plenum" 41 is connected to the exter¬ nal channel 45 that introduces air into the same. The wall 42 is the front upper wall of the box or cab of the firing controller, the front lower wall 46 of said box being made up of bullet-proof material. The box of the firing controller which is delimited by side and back walls 47 and is made up of a VIS-ARM glass type comprises a control console 48 for control¬ ling the various functions of the firing ground, and a seat 49 on a raised floor 50. Said module 36 additionally comprises communication and entrance semaphore means 51. Finally, Figures 14 and 15 show an entrance module 52 to the firing ground, in which module a cantilever roof 53, and intercom 54 and the entrance doors 55 are provided. It is quite clear that it is possible to realize firing grounds suitable to any requirements (as regards performance and costs) and which can be easily inte- grated with other modules by merely combining the mod¬ ules disclosed above, by connecting the same along their lengths or by putting them side by side or overlapping a module to other ones. This invention has been disclosed with specific ref- erence to some preferred embodiments of the same, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those who are skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the in¬ vention for which a priority right is claimed.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A firing ground characterized in that it com¬ prises a ball-arrester module, one or more intermediate modules arranged in front of said ball-arrester module, a so-called "firing positions" module arranged in front of the last one of said intermediate modules, and a so-called "firing controller position" arranged next said "firing positions" module, each one of said modules being provided with means for rapid connection with the adjacent modules, as well as with means for connecting electric and/or hydraulic lines and/or ducts of the adjacent modules, with sealing means along the connection walls with the adjacent modules, with means for motion during the assembling operation of the firing ground, and with inside heat- and sound-insulating means• 2. A firing ground according to claim 1, character¬ ized in that the firing axis of the firing ground is ar¬ ranged along a direction at right angles to the main axis of the modules, said modules being connected along their longest sides. 3. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that a so-called "firing pre-positions" module is provided. 4. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that a module is pro¬ vided for thermoventilation. 5. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that a so-called "back- firing" module is provided. 6. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that a so-called "ancil¬ lary equipment" module is provided. 7. A firing ground according to any one of the pre- ceding claims, characterized in that an inlet or en- trance module is provided. 8. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that said modules are realized according to the ISO standards. 9. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that said modules have walls, ceiling and floor made up of a bullet-proof ma¬ terial. 10. A firing ground according to any one of the pre- ceding claims, characterized in that a number of differ¬ ing modules are overlapped and/or put side by side, ac¬ cording to any requirements. 11. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that it comprises strengthening and/or external ancillary covering struc¬ tures. 12. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that said modules have their upper portions teleεcopically extensible along the vertical direction. 13. A firing ground according to any one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that said means for making it possible to move each module consist of wheels running on rails. 14. A firing ground according to claim 1, character¬ ized in that said ball-arrester module comprises a covering, fixed side walls and floor, and an end wall provided with shutters. 15. A firing ground according to claim 14, charac- terized in that some means are provided for collecting splinters and lead powders. 16. A firing ground according to claim 1, character¬ ized in that said intermediate modules, which are open both at the front and at the rear portions, have side walls sloping inwards and a floor having an overturning side wing. 17. A firing ground according to claim 1, character¬ ized in that said "firing positions" module is provided with dividing walls for ballistic protection between a firing position and the other one, said dividing walls being fastened to metallic frames which are integral with the supporting structure, said module being also provided with a floor made up of a compact wood mix and splinter-proof and anti-bouncing smooth rubber. 18. A firing ground according to claim 17, charac- terized in that a device is provided for detecting car¬ bon monoxide traces in the environment. 19. A firing ground according to claim 1, character¬ ized in that a box or cab is provided in said "firing controller position" module, said box being endowed with a transparent wall as well as with a ventilation system and any other fitting required for the functions of the firing controller. 20. A firing ground according to claim 6, character¬ ized in that said "ancillary equipment" module is pro- vided with a self-contained power supply unit and with hygienic-sanitary fittings. 21. A firing ground according to claim 20, charac¬ terized in that said ancillary equipment module is ar¬ ranged at a position adjacent to the structure of the firing ground and is self-contained with respect to the same. 22. A modular firing ground according to each one of the preceding claims and substantially as illustrated and disclosed above.

Inventors: SIMONETTI ANDREA, SIMONETTI, ANDREA
Applicants: SIMONETTI ANDREA, SIMONETTI, ANDREA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F41J1
IPC codes: E04B1, F41J11