Abstract:
An articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus is provided for deflecting and collecting spent shell casings from firearms when shooting at a range. The apparatus clamps to the edge of a shooting table and is adjustable to suit any type firearm. The frame of the invention forms an arch that originates along the edge of the table and extends up and over the firearm, which would typically be supported on a tripod. A metal fabric screen would be supported across the frame in a rectangular format. A collection bin is located along the bottom such that any shell casings would eject from the firearm, hit the screen and be deflected into the collection bin.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention is a Continuation in Part of Ser. No. 09/837,703, filed on Apr. 18, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a cartridge collection apparatus and, more particularly, to an articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The hobby of target shooting at a gun range is a sport enjoyed by many. It is a hobby where skill is constantly employed and continual practice will continually improve a participant. While guns such as handguns or single shot rifles are commonly used, other firearms such as semiautomatic or fully automatic rifles are also used. While practice will make perfect with these types of firearms as well, long periods of practice present the disadvantage of spewing spent shell casings all over the immediate area. Not only is this dangerous for someone who may happen to be nearby or at the next shooting station, it also makes a mess to clean up from the floor after practice.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which spent shell casings ejected from a firearm can be deflected or caught in a manner that is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus fulfills this need.  
           [0007]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose a cartridge casing collector for a firearm: U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,208 issued in the name of Benson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,439 issued in the name of Harless; U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,426 issued in the name of Bammate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,834 issued in the name of Dobson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,685 issued in the name of Lundgren; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,201,189 issued in the name of Johnson.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,790 issued in the name of Tekorius describes a wall-mounted bulletproof shield for stopping a bullet accidentally discharged from a firearm.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,620 issued in the name of Cartee et al. describes a bullet trap with an anti-splatter safety screen.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,809 issued in the name of A&#39;Costa discloses a debris shield/flash reducer for the end of a firearm barrel.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,318 issued in the name of Tellie describes firearms involving two ejection outlets for empty cases.  
           [0012]    Consequently, a need has been felt for a device which provides an easy and effective means to collect spent shell casings which not only is safer at a shooting range for other participants, but makes cleanup easier as well.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shell casing deflection screen which deflects and/or catches spent shell casings ejected from firearms.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a shell casing deflection screen which is suitable for use with all types of firearms including automatic and semiautomatic weapons.  
           [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable frame which adjusts to suit the type of firearm or shooter&#39;s preference with respect to being right-handed or left handed.  
           [0016]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable frame which extends up and over a firearm.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable frame which provides complete coverage of the firearm.  
           [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight mesh screen but which is strong enough to catch fast moving or hot shell casings.  
           [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mesh screen which can be viewed through for increase safety.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp mechanism which is easily installed and removed.  
           [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp mechanism which is adjustable for any type table and which will not damage the table.  
           [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a clamp mechanism which can be permanently fastened with screws in lieu of the clamp.  
           [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a collection bin located along a lower edge of the screen.  
           [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a collection bin for making cleanup easy.  
           [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a collection bin which is large enough to hold a generous quantity of shells.  
           [0026]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus is provided for deflecting and collecting spent shell casings from firearms when shooting at a range. The invention clamps to the edge of a shooting table and is adjustable to suit any type firearm. The frame of the invention forms an arch that originates along the edge of the table and extends up and over the firearm, which would typically be supported on a tripod. A metal fabric screen would be supported across the frame in a rectangular format. A collection bin is located along the bottom such that any shell casings would eject from the firearm, hit the screen and be deflected into the collection bin.  
           [0027]    The use of the present invention provides an easy and effective means to collect spent shell casings which not only is safer at a shooting range for other participants, but makes cleanup easier as well. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the arms, deflection screen and base plate shown in an upright position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shell casing collection bin according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the C-clamp shown pivotally attached to the base plate according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment shown in-use;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in-use; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a perspective view according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in-use.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]    1. Detailed Description of the Figures  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 5 , an articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprising of a pair of linearly elongated cylindrical aluminum arms  20 , a base plate  30 , a first attachment means  40 , a shell casing deflection screen  50 , a second attachment means  51 , and a shell casing collection bin  60 .  
         [0038]    For purposes of this disclosure, the use of the term “spent casings” is used to refer to a bullet shell casing that has been ejected from a firearm.  
         [0039]    Each of the pair of arms  20  is defined as having an anterior end  22  or  22 ′ opposite a posterior end  23  or  23 ′ , and is constructed of strong, yet lightweight aluminum. The posterior end  23  of each arm  20  is welded perpendicularly to a respective corner  30   a  and  30   b  of the base plate  30 , thus forming two upright arms  20 . The base plate  30  is of a flat, rectangular configuration, constructed preferably of steel, and has a length which measures approximately eighteen (18) inches.  
         [0040]    Each arm  20  is comprised of a plurality of linearly elongated, cylindrical members  25 , wherein the members  25  are collectively united by articulatively bendable joints  28  at lower ends thereof so as to facilitate the formation of an arcuate shape. The articulatively bendable joints  28  are articulating points which pivot about a point  24 , thereby providing the cylindrical members  25  with means for pivoting along the directional line A-B and B-A. The articulatively bendable joints  28  of the cylindrical members  25  further allow the arms  20  to extend upward and outward thus forming the arcuate shape which originates at the base plate  30  and extends up and over a firearm  70 .  
         [0041]    A shell casing deflection screen  50  is supportedly attached by a second attachment means  51 , such as a clamp or other similar item, longitudinally clamped on cylindrical members  25  of the arms  20  so as to form a shell casing deflection screen  50  having an overall rectangular shape, viewing the overall rectangular shape along the lines of reference numerals  22  to  22 ′, then  22 ′ to  23 ′, then  23 ′ to  23  and  23  to  22 . The deflection screen  50  may also be bolted or mounted to the arms  20  by other suitable means as is widely known in the art. The deflection screen  50  is fabricated of a lightweight, flexible, meshed textile of a strength and gauge suitable for absorbing and deflecting spent casings  72  ejected from a firearm  70 . The deflection screen  50  in effect absorbs the kinetic energy of the spent casing  72  so as to prevent the spent casing  72  from being ejected back towards a user of the present invention. In this manner, kinetic energy of a spent casing  72  is removed and forces of gravity then direct the spent casing  72  to drop within the shell casing collection bin  60 . The arms  20  and the deflection screen  50  are designed and configured to provide complete coverage of the shell-discharging side of the firearm  70  once the arms  20  and screen  50  are extended up and over the firearm  70 . The deflection screen  50  thus further serves to prevent one in close proximity to the shooting area from being struck and injured by an ejected casing.  
         [0042]    The shell casing collection bin  60  is constructed of aluminum material and comprises a bottom  62 , two opposing sidewalls  64   a ,  64   b , and two opposing endwalls  66   a ,  66   b . It is envisioned that the collection bin  60  may be fabricated of other materials such as steel, plastic, and cardboard. Thus, the construction material disclosed for fabricating the shell casing collection bin  60  according to the preferred embodiment is meant merely as a suggestion, and is in no way limiting.  
         [0043]    The collection bin  60  is welded to an external circumferential surface of a lower portion of each arm  20 , opposite the base plate  30 , to the sidewall  64   b  of the collection bin  60 . The collection bin  60  may also be bolted or clamped to each arm  20 ; however, welding is the preferred method for permanent attachment. As bolts require holes, this method of attachment will leave surfaces exposed thereby being more susceptible to rust. The length of the collection bin  60  measures approximately a linear distance separating each arm  20 .  
         [0044]    The present invention is designed and configured to be removably attached via an attachment means  40 , such as a C-clamp  42  placed along the linear length of the base plate  30 , to an edge of a shooting table  80 . The C-clamp  42  is pivotally attached via a pivot pin  44  to an upper surface of the base plate  30  so as to facilitate swiveling action of the C-clamp  42 . The C-clamp  42  is designed to travel in an arch-shaped path, as depicted by a pair of direction arrows  46 . The C-clamp  42  is used to clamp the base plate  30  flat against an upper surface of the shooting table  80  near an edge thereof. The pair of arms  20  and deflection screen  50  are extended up and over a firearm  70  thus forming an arcuate shape thereover. The user is careful to attach the present invention to the shooting table  80  such that a casing ejection outlet  74  of the firearm  70  faces the deflection screen  50 , as shown in FIG. 1. It is envisioned that in the alternative, the base plate  30  may be permanently mounted to the upper surface of the shooting table  80  near an edge thereof by bolts.  
         [0045]    As the user fires the firearm  70 , spent casings  72  are ejected from the firearm&#39;s  70  casing ejection outlet  74  into the deflection screen  50  and are then directed downward to be collected within the shell casing collection bin  60 . The shell casing collection bin  60  serves to make cleanup of spent casings  72  much easier.  
         [0046]    Once the user has completed a session of target practice, he simply bends the arms  20  with attached deflection screen  50  to an upright position, loosens and removes the C-clamp  42 , and removes the articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus  10  from the shooting table  80 .  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a first alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a base apparatus  90  is comprised of a pair of linearly elongated legs  92  with a rectangular plate  94  welded perpendicularly to lower ends therebetween. A base plate supporting platform  96  is welded perpendicularly between upper ends of the legs  92 , and is positioned parallel with respect to the rectangular plate  94 . A lower surface of the base plate  30  is clamped via the C-clamp  42  to an upper surface of the base plate supporting platform  96 . As shown in FIG. 6, such design facilitates deflecting and collecting spent shell casings  76  from firearms  70  while the user shoots from a standing position.  
         [0048]    The rectangular plate  94  provides a surface area upon which a weighted object  98  such as a sandbag  99  is supported, thus the weighted object  98  serves as an anchoring means for supporting the legs  92  of the base apparatus  90  in an upright manner.  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a second alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a pair of articulative, shell casing deflecting and collection apparatuses  10  are designed and configured so as to be removably attached via a latch  100 , thus forming a domed configuration underwhich a shooter fires a firearm  70  while in a lying position.  
         [0050]    Mounted to an upper end of an arm  20 , the latch  100  serves to removably attach arms  20  of a pair of articulative, shell casing deflecting and collection apparatuses  10  in a face-to-face manner, such that the shell casing deflection screen  50  from each apparatus  10  combine to form a dome-like structure  102 .  
         [0051]    The C-clamp  42  of each apparatus is swiveled to a horizontal position with respect to the ground, and a weight measure of each C-clamp  42  serves to anchor the second alternate embodiment of the present invention in a stationary position.  
         [0052]    2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0053]    To use the present invention, the user places a firearm on the shooting table. Next, the user clamps the base plate of the present invention flat against an upper surface of the shooting table near an edge thereof with a C-clamp. The pair of arms and deflection screen are extended up and over the firearm thus forming an arcuate shape thereover. The user is careful to attach the present invention to the shooting table such that a casing ejection outlet of the firearm faces the deflection screen. As the user fires the firearm, spent casings are ejected from the firearm&#39;s casing ejection outlet into the deflection screen and are then directed downward to be collected within the shell casing collection bin. The shell casing collection bin serves to make cleanup of spent casings much easier.  
         [0054]    Once the user has completed a session of target practice, the user simply bends the arms with attached deflection screen to an upright position, loosens and removes the C-clamp, and removes the articulative, shell casing deflection and collection apparatus from the shooting table.  
         [0055]    The use of the present invention provides an easy and effective means to collect spent shell casings which not only is safer at a shooting range for other participants, but makes cleanup easier as well.  
         [0056]    Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.