Abstract: A stable fire retardant mixture for use in a backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles. The backstop generally includes a support structure having an inclined surface and the stable fire retardant mixture serving as a projectile trapping medium disposed on the inclined surface. The projectile trapping medium is a resilient granular material intimately mixed with a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel and additives. Preferably, the support structure is made of a shock absorbing, foamed, fiber-reinforced concrete, such as SACON®. In embodiments, the support structure also includes an enclosure. The additives control alkalinity, chemically stabilize the mixture, prolong life of the mixture, retard mold formation and bacterial growth and prevent leaching of heavy metals.

Abstract: A method providing a self-dispensing additive for buffering a projectile trapping medium and passivating spent projectiles trapped therein. The additive is a buffering compound formed as blocks of low-density foamed-concrete that self-dispenses the additive when contacted by the fired projectiles. The blocks contain dry components that may include one or more of low-solubility phosphate compounds, low-solubility aluminum compounds, iron compounds, sulfate compounds, and calcium carbonate mixed with a cementing material, water, and an aqueous-based foam in substantially stoichiometric amounts. The aqueous-based foam is added in a quantity sufficient to adjust the density of the block to neutral buoyancy in the projectile-trapping medium. The additive chemically stabilizes the medium while also passivating projectiles, in particular heavy-metal projectiles, trapped in the medium.

Abstract: A continuous covered area, such as a sidewalk or patio, is formed by vertically interlocking tessellated components. One embodiment, termed PORTAPAVE™, achieves this interlocking via an array of uniquely configured two-sectioned pavers. Each paver has a first section of a first shape and a second section of a second shape impressed upon the first section and bonded together. In one embodiment, first sections of pavers in an installed bottom layer form a cavity between them having the same shape as the second section of a paver that is inverted onto the pavers of the bottom layer, thus providing a top layer. Each inverted paver in this top layer is fitted to interlock in that cavity formed between the un-inverted pavers in the bottom layer. Also provided is a method of making the components, e.g., pavers, and a method of installing them.

Abstract: A modular bullet trap cover element generally includes a shell filled with a projectile trapping medium, preferably a mixture of a resilient granular ballistic medium and a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel. The shell may be made of any of a number of fabric or polymeric materials. In embodiments, the shell includes at least two bags, an inner bag and at least one outer bag, each of which has an open end and a sealed end, connected to one another such that the outer bags may be inverted over the inner bag to cover at least a portion thereof. The modular cover element is formed by filling the inner bag with the projectile trapping medium and then inverting the outer bags to produce a multi-layer shell. In embodiments, the outer bags and inner bag are rotatably connected, permitting the outer bags to be rotated with respect to the inner bag such that bullet holes in the inner and outer bags no longer line up with each other.

Abstract: An additive for buffering a projectile trapping medium and spent projectiles trapped therein is a buffering compound formed as a low density foamed concrete block that will self-dispense via fragmentation or pulverization when subjected to incoming fire. The block combines at least one dry component selected from the group consisting of low solubility phosphate compounds, low solubility aluminum compounds, iron compounds, sulfate compounds, and calcium carbonate with a cementing material, water, and an aqueous based foam in substantially stoichiometric amounts. The aqueous based foam is added in a quantity sufficient to adjust the density of the resulting block to be non-buoyant without sinking in the projectile trapping medium. The additive may be employed in a projectile trapping medium to chemically stabilize the medium and environmentally stabilize projectiles trapped therein.

Abstract: A backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles generally includes a support structure having an inclined surface and a projectile trapping medium disposed on the inclined surface. The projectile trapping medium may be either a resilient granular ballistic medium or a combination of a ballistic medium with a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel. Preferably, the support structure is made of a shock absorbing, foamed, fiber-reinforced concrete, such as SACON®. In embodiments, the support structure also includes an enclosure. Additives may also be mixed into the projectile trapping medium to control alkalinity and prevent leaching of heavy metals.

Abstract: A modular bullet trap cover element generally includes a shell filled with a projectile trapping medium, preferably a mixture of a resilient granular ballistic medium and a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel. The shell may be made of any of a number of fabric or polymeric materials. In embodiments, the shell includes at least two bags, an inner bag and at least one outer bag, each of which has an open end and a sealed end, connected to one another such that the outer bags may be inverted over the inner bag to cover at least a portion thereof. The modular cover element is formed by filling the inner bag with the projectile trapping medium and then inverting the outer bags to produce a multi-layer shell. In embodiments, the outer bags and inner bag are rotatably connected, permitting the outer bags to be rotated with respect to the inner bag such that bullet holes in the inner and outer bags no longer line up with each other.

Abstract: A backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles generally includes a support structure having an inclined surface and a projectile trapping medium disposed on the inclined surface. The projectile trapping medium may be either a resilient granular ballistic medium or a combination of a ballistic medium with a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel. Preferably, the support structure is made of a shock absorbing, foamed, fiber-reinforced concrete, such as SACON®. In embodiments, the support structure also includes an enclosure. Additives may also be mixed into the projectile trapping medium to control alkalinity and prevent leaching of heavy metals.