Patent Publication Number: US-2003221354-A1

Title: Bullet casing collector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This application relates generally to ammunition and, more particularly, to collection apparatuses for spent bullet shell casings.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Gun ranges are popular for recreational use, as well as target practice. Such gun ranges typically include a plurality of stalls located adjacent each other, such that shooters at a range are standing side by side firing at a target located downfield from the shooting area. As configured, when a shooter fires his weapon, the spent casing is ejected into a common area located near their feet. If there are multiple shooters at a gun range discharging weapons of either the same or different caliber, the spent casings of one shooter become mixed with the spent casings of the other shooters. Even if there is only one shooter at the range, spent casings are scattered throughout the common area. As it has become common practice for shooters to collect their spent casings for reloading, there is a need for a bullet casing collector that minimizes the risk of mixing the spent casings of various shooters, as well as providing a convenient apparatus for collecting such bullet casings. The embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to addressing such a need.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] A bullet casing collector formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having angled side walls and a bottom surface. The bullet casing collector also includes a collector plate disposed within the bottom surface, wherein the angled side walls are sloped to direct bullet casings into the collector plate.  
       [0004] In accordance with certain aspects of this embodiment, the bottom surface is contoured to direct bullet casings into the collector plate. In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a top surface contoured to direct bullet casings into the collector plate. In another embodiment, the bullet casing collector includes a support member extending from the housing to support the bullet casing collector on a surface.  
       [0005] In accordance with other aspects of this embodiment, the support member is adjustable to selectively adjust a length of the support member. In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the collector plate is slidably disposed within the bottom surface to permit removal of the collector plate. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0006] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bullet casing collector formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bullet casing collector of FIG. 1, with a portion of the sidewalls and top surface removed for clarity and showing a collector plate removed from the bottom surface; and  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bullet casing collector formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating an adjustable height aspect of the collector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0010]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a bullet casing collector  20  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The bullet casing collector  20  includes a frame  22  forming first and second sidewalls  24  and  26 , an upper surface  28 , and a bottom surface  30 . The frame  22  is suitably formed from a lightweight material, such as tubular aluminum, and includes first and second support members  32  and  34 . In one embodiment, the first and second support members  32  and  34  are integrally formed with the frame  22  and depend a predetermined distance below the bottom surface  30 , such that the support members  32  and  34  may be placed on a tabletop, countertop, or the like of a gun range. The first and second support members  32  and  34  may also include nonskid surfaces  36  and  38 , such as foam.  
     [0011] The frame  22  is suitably a box-like configuration and may be interconnected by well known hinges  40 . Such hinges  40  allow the frame  22  to be folded into a substantially flat and rectangular configuration for ease of transportation. Although it is preferred for the bullet casing collector  20  to be collapsible, other configurations, such as a noncollapsible frame, are also within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0012] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sidewalls  24  and  26 , as well as the top surface  28 , are contoured to direct bullet casings into the bottom surface  30 . In one embodiment, the sidewalls  24  and  26  and top surface  28  are generally configured as a frustum of a square-based pyramid. In particular, both sidewalls  24  and  26 , and top surface  28 , suitably include four panels  42   a - 42   d  interconnected at one edge by a generally planar end panel  44 . As configured, the sidewalls  24  and  26  and top surface  28  bow outwardly away from the interior of the frame  22 . Although the current embodiment of the bullet casing collector  20  has been described as including sidewalls  24  and  26  and an upper surface  28  that are configured in a substantially identical manner, the invention is not intended to be so limited. In particular, any one of the sidewalls  24  and  26  or upper surface  28 , or any combination thereof, may include more or less panels  42   a - 42   d . As a nonlimiting example, any one of the foregoing surfaces may include two panels, each shaped as a triangle bowing outwardly away from the interior of the frame  22 , such that the angled walls of the panel are positioned to deflect a bullet casing back into the interior of the frame  22 . Thus, although the exact configuration of the sidewalls  24  and  26  and top surface  28  is not important for the purpose of the present invention, it is important that at least one of the sidewalls  24  and  26  and top surface  28  is contoured to direct bullet casings into the interior of the frame  22 .  
     [0013] The frame  22  is suitably encased within a well known flexible mesh material  50 . Although it is preferred that the mesh material  50  be flexible for energy absorption, any material suitable for encasing such a frame  22  is also within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0014] As may be best seen by referring to FIG. 2, the bottom surface  30  generally includes first and second side panels  60   a  and  60   b  and first and second end panels  62   a  and  62   b . In one embodiment of the present invention, a collector plate  64  is optionally slidably disposed between opposing edges of the side panels  60   a  and  60   b . Although it is preferred that a collector plate  64  be slidably disposed within the bottom surface  30 , other embodiments, such as a bullet casing collector having an integrally formed collector plate, and a bullet casing collector that does not include a collector plate, are also within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0015] The side panels  60   a  and  60   b , as well as the end panels  62   a  and  62   b , are encased within a pliable mesh-like material adapted to absorb at least a portion of the kinetic energy associated with a bullet casing ejected from a firearm. Such material may be similar to that used to encase the sidewalls  24  and  26  and upper surface  28  (see FIG. 1).  
     [0016] Still referring to FIG. 2, the bullet casing collector  20  may include a deflector surface  66  formed with one end of the frame  22 . The deflector shield  66  includes a mesh-like material similar to that used to encase the first and second sidewalls, upper surface, and the bottom surface, as described above. The deflector surface  66  extends from the edges of the frame  22  to frame a portion of the end surface. Although it is preferred that the bullet casing collector  20  includes a deflector surface  66 , other configurations, such as one that does not include a deflector surface, are also within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0017] Operation of the bullet casing collector  20  may be best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. As noted above, gun ranges generally include partitions having waist-high tabletops or shelves. A bullet casing collector  20  may be placed on top of such a tabletop, such that the open ends of the bullet casing collector  20  face downrange toward a target. If the bullet casing collector  20  includes a deflector shield  66 , the deflector shield  66  is suitably positioned near the shooter. As positioned, a shooter would extend his arm through one of the open ends of the bullet casing collector  20 , such that the firearm is disposed within the bullet casing collector  20 . Upon firing and discharge of a spent bullet casing from the firearm, the bullet casing impacts at least one of the first and second sidewalls  24  and  26 , upper surface  28 , or bottom surface  30 . As each of the foregoing surfaces is contoured as described above, the kinetic energy associated with the discharged bullet casing is at least partially absorbed by the mesh-like material. Further, because such surfaces are contoured, the spent bullet casings are directed downwardly toward the collector plate  64 . As spent bullet casings are collected within the collector plate  64 , the collector plate  64  is slidably withdrawn from the bottom surface  30 , where the shooter would then dispose of the spent bullet casings in either an appropriate disposal receptacle or within some other type of container. The collector plate  64  is then placed back into the bottom surface  30  for reuse.  
     [0018] Referring now to FIG. 3, a bullet casing collector  120  formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail. The bullet casing collector  120  of the present embodiment is identical in materials, configuration, and operation to the preferred embodiment described above, with one exception. In that regard, the support members  132  and  134  include adjustable lower portions  170   a  and  170   b . In one embodiment, the lower portions  170   a  and  170   b  are telescopically connected to the frame  122  in a manner well known in the art. Although it is preferred that the lower portions  170   a  and  170   b  be telescopically connected to the support members  132  and  134 , other types of extendable connections are also within the scope of the present invention. As configured, the lower portions  170   a  and  170   b  allow vertical adjustment of the height of the bullet casing collector  120  to accommodate differing heights of shooters, or may be adjusted such that the bullet casing collector  120  is a freestanding unit.  
     [0019] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.