Projectile Backstop Patents (Class 273/410)
  • Publication number: 20120032402
    Abstract: This invention provides a beer pong table in which the cups are attached to a scoring mechanism. The scoring mechanism consists of two sets of three cups that are attached to three individual ramps that transport the ball into three individual tubes which holds three balls each. Once a tube has accumulated three balls, it will reject a fourth ball and lets it fall back to the collection point behind it as if it were a missed shot. The collection point organizes the balls into a straight line to be delivered into the air powered ball return tube. The ball return tube constantly delivers missed shots back to the ball tray which can hold around 30 to 40 balls. This ball tray is positioned in front of the players. A backboard surrounds the back and sides of the cups to stop the missed shots from landing on the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Ethan Comee
  • Patent number: 8091896
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Publication number: 20110260407
    Abstract: A bullet trap 1 with grid-like shaping including inclined plates 2. Each inclined plate is shaped with a downward bent edge 4 in the rear longitudinal side. The plates are angled downwards in such a way that a bullet that hits the underside of a plate slides along the surface of the plate before it continuous into the interior of the bullet trap, which decreases the kinetic power compared to previously known bullet traps. Kinetic energy in the bullet is absorbed by the inclined plate to a larger extent than when using previously known bullet traps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: THE SMITH OF ODIN
    Inventor: Peter Norman
  • Publication number: 20110233869
    Abstract: A ballistic wall includes a facing material having destructible material with at least one side having a resilient material attached thereto to help provide additional integrity to the wall and to reduce the risk of ricocheting projectiles passing through the facing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ernest M. John, David Bassett, Chris Ream
  • Publication number: 20110233870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for collecting empty shells that have been used at a shooting range and specifically to an empty shell recovery device of low operating cost. To achieve the above, the empty shell recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention is furnished with absorption panels that are isolated from each other and inserted into sliding grooves of side plates facing each other to enable replacement and absorb the kinetic energy of an empty shell, an empty shell collection part that is inserted into the rear of the side plate and furnished with an escape prevention panel that prevents empty shells from escaping, and an empty shell discharge part that collects empty shells falling from the empty shell collection part downward and discharges them. Thus empty shells used at a shooting range are collected and recycling of empty shells is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: In Gyu Oh, Byoung Jin Lee, Hyeok Jun Oh, Han Na Oh, Sang Duk Kim
  • Patent number: 7980561
    Abstract: A paintball target holder includes a frame having plural parts that are movable relative to one another in order to fold the frame and thereby reduce a volume encompassed by the frame. The plural parts include a front part, a back part, and a bottom part. The paintball target holder includes a target mounted to the front part, layers of material mounted between the target and the back part, where the layers of material receive a paintball through the target, and a paintball loader mounted to the bottom part. The paintball loader receives the paintball from the layers of material via the bottom part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventors: George Byram, Brad Garvey
  • Patent number: 7967296
    Abstract: A shooting system comprising at least one roof panel coupled to at least one wall panel. At least one floor panel is coupled to the at least one wall panel to define a space between the at least one roof panel, the at least one wall panel, and the at least one floor panel. At least one shooting lane and means for collecting projectiles fired along the at least one shooting lane are disposed within the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Aquisition Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Publication number: 20110074111
    Abstract: Embodiments of a target-based game and methods of playing the target-based game are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the target-based game includes a vertically-oriented target platform having a plurality of openings therein. Each opening may be approximately circular in configuration, may vary in size, and may have a backing, or “pocket” to catch one or more game pieces. In one embodiment, the target platform includes one or more suspension means about one or more edges or peripheries thereof for holding the target platform in a vertically-oriented position when attached to a plurality of supporting members. When assembled, the supporting members may form a frame to support the suspension means and/or the target platform. A plurality of game pieces may be used to play a variety of games using the target-based game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Reginald T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7909331
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Aquisition Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Publication number: 20110037227
    Abstract: A portable projectile trap assembly includes a modular target assembly having a frame configured to retain a plurality of backstop panels. The plurality of backstop panels are removably mounted on a front side of the frame forming a planar backstop, and a front panel of resilient material is removably mounted to and covers the front side of the planar backstop opposite the frame. The front panel is spaced from the planar backstop to form an air gap between the backstop and the front panel. When a projectile is fired at the target assembly, the projectile passes through the front panel and impacts against and is stopped by the backstop. The target assembly is attached to a support mast at the rear side of the frame; the support mast is attached to a mobile base supporting the target assembly in a vertical orientation above the mobile base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kerry O'Neal, Noreen Powers
  • Publication number: 20100327531
    Abstract: A portable firing berm adapted to capture bullets fired at the berm. The portable berm has a frame forming an opening through which bullets fired at the berm enter the berm and a bullet containment portion communicating with the opening. The bullet containment portion has an integral impact section disposed so that unspent bullets received in the bullet containment portion impact against and are stopped by the impact section, and having an integral bullet containment section arranged to contain bullets and bullet fragments from the impact section. The bullet containment portion is movably mounted to the frame to move substantially as a unit relative to the opening from one position to another position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Colt Defense LLC
    Inventors: Frank Bavaro, Scott Bavaro
  • Publication number: 20100320693
    Abstract: A projectile trap composition comprising 10% to 100% by weight of metallocene polyolefin wax and/or its derivatives. The projectile trap composition of the present invention has high permeability for projectiles with self-healing behavior and it effects the complete deceleration of impacting projectiles in a system of different plates and in some instances additionally a section of projectile trap composition granules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Citco Building, Wickhams Cay
    Inventors: Franz Kovanetz, Rainer Fell, Hermann Diem, Josef Mayr
  • Publication number: 20100276889
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Publication number: 20100270743
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Patent number: 7793937
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Publication number: 20100212085
    Abstract: A systematic decontamination and containment method for decontaminating personnel is disclosed. This method includes providing a plurality of components positionable on a selected location for establishment of a multi-station decontamination and containment facility to decontaminate personnel and to contain contaminants collected during the decontamination process. The components can include a plurality of collapsible frame and roof assemblies, wall and roof covers, a weapons clearing assembly, a weapons storage locker, a hanging bar, a signage assembly, collapsible containment hamper assemblies, a covered dispensing assembly, a shuffle box, a multi-wipe dispensing assembly, and a transportable containment enclosure. The enclosure is shaped and sized to removably retain the system's components for transportation or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ricky William Stewart, Lee Walker Brillhart, III
  • Patent number: 7775526
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Publication number: 20100187761
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett, Spencer Lambert
  • Publication number: 20100090407
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ball game apparatus for a novel ball sport, which avoids the drawbacks of highly demands of human body from those relatively larger ball games. The ball game apparatus includes a ball target, ball, and rear net, and has the characteristics of shooting of the darts, and elegant posture of bowling and golf at the same time. The ball game apparatus is able to widely apply on variety of competitions for exercising human body, which has a relatively stronger entertainment, higher competitiveness, and skills. Also, the novel ball sport is simple for learning, fun and not constrained by playing the ball game at specific place, which could be played in school, facture, or any other limited spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Pei Lin Lin
  • Patent number: 7653979
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Action Target Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall
  • Patent number: 7621209
    Abstract: A modular ballistic wall is disclosed for use in shoot houses and the like. The modular ballistic wall can be formed from metal plates having key-holes formed therein which are held together by facing and backing strips. Additionally, the modular ballistic wall is preferably formed so that the bolts used to hold the facing and backing strips to the metal plates do not directly secure a bullet containment frame to the facing and/or backing strips, to thereby prevent damage to the bullet containment frame from weakening the joint formed by the metal plates and the facing and backing strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Action Target Acquisition Crop.
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, David Bassett
  • Publication number: 20090206551
    Abstract: A projectile retrieval system includes a screw drive for moving bullets and bullet fragments to move bullets from a bullet deceleration area to a remote location without the need for a person to handle the bullets. Preferably, the screw drive is configured so that there is no need to stop use of the bullet deceleration area while the screw drive is transporting the bullets. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum system is also connected to a transport housing about the screw drive to move lead dust away from the bullet deceleration area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Jimmy Alan Parks, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7571912
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven L. Larson, Charles A. Weiss, Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen
  • Publication number: 20090102130
    Abstract: A portable firing berm adapted to capture bullet fragments from rounds fired at the berm. The portable firing berm has a funnel portion and a dry tank portion connected to the funnel portion. The funnel portion is configured to funnel and deflect rounds into the dry tank portion. The dry tank portion has absorbing media fill therein, the absorbing media being arranged to absorb energy from the fired rounds and to capture and contain the bullet fragments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Colt Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Bavaro, Scott Bavaro
  • Publication number: 20090096173
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, David Bassett
  • Patent number: 7503250
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall
  • Patent number: 7494128
    Abstract: A paintball target holder includes a frame having plural parts that are movable relative to one another in order to fold the frame and thereby reduce a volume encompassed by the frame. The plural parts include a front part, a back part, and a bottom part. The paintball target holder includes a target mounted to the front part, layers of material mounted between the target and the back part, where the layers of material receive a paintball through the target, and a paintball loader mounted to the bottom part. The paintball loader receives the paintball from the layers of material via the bottom part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: George Byram, Brad Garvey
  • Publication number: 20080302026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SRI AQUISITION CORP.
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Publication number: 20080258395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels in permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SHOOTING RANGES INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Publication number: 20080258396
    Abstract: This invention relates to sports and leisure structures. An Aquatir comprising a water-filled pool formed by walls, an above-water fencing, at least one shooting position with weapon and at least one underwater target. The pool is equipped with a transversal partition that separates the pool swimming area with the shooting position from the underwater target, wherein the partition in front of each shooting position has at least one underwater embrasure and located behind the targets above-water part of the pool wall and above-water fencing are equipped with bullet-traps containing swimming pools and can be used for teaching, training and carrying out of sporting competitions in shooting under the water and from the air into the water from pneumatic and missile weapons and fire-arms, where it is also possible to combine shooting with speed swimming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Andrey Albertovich Polovnev, Volodymyr Shaymukhametovich Khaziakhmetov
  • Patent number: 7434811
    Abstract: A shooting range that may include one or more of a shooting station, a projectile trap and or at least one range auxiliary. In one embodiment of the inventions, the projectile trap includes a trap chamber, an air injection system and an air collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Savage Range Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Coburn, Charles Edward Nester, Christopher John Killoy
  • Patent number: 7434810
    Abstract: A portable air gun range is provided to allow individuals to use in virtually any open space. The air gun range has a support frame, a central vertical pole, a curtain to be hung over the support frame behind the central vertical pole, and a target box removably attached to the central vertical pole. A plurality of bars are detachably connected together to construct the support frame with a rectangular profile. The central vertical pole is detachably connected to substantially the centers of a top side and a bottom side of the support frame. The curtain is made of high-density ballistic material and removably attached to the support frame, so as to vertically extend between the support frame and the central vertical pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis DeMille, Greg Kantorovich
  • Patent number: 7357394
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: SRI Acquisition Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. Halverson
  • Patent number: 7354044
    Abstract: A backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles includes a support structure having at least one bin shielded from incoming rounds. A trapping medium, such as a resilient granular ballistic medium and a hydrated SAP gel, is disposed contiguously on an upper surface and within the bins. Bins are defined by transverse baffles spanning the width of the backstop. The baffles are preferably constructed of a non-ricochet material. Vibrations will urgetrapped rounds downwards into the bins. In embodiments, the lower surface of one or more bins declines toward either or both sides of the backstop, such that vibration urges spent rounds towards collection points along the sides of the backstop. Access ports may be provided in the backstop sidewalls proximate these collection points to allow for removal of spent rounds. The volume removed may be filtered to reclaim projectile trapping medium for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffrey Peiten, Joe G. Tom, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Philip G. Malone, Steven L. Larson
  • Patent number: 7322771
    Abstract: An improved joint utilizes a facing strip which is configured to extend away from a pair of plates held by the facing strip as one moves toward the middle of the facing strip. When the steel plates are disposed at an angle to one another, the facing strip is preferably straight. When the steel plates are parallel, the facing strip is preferably bent to extend toward the plates as one moves out from the middle of the facing strip and toward the lateral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall, Lane Jackson, Addison Sovine, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7306230
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall
  • Patent number: 7275748
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall
  • Patent number: 7264246
    Abstract: A projectile retrieval system includes one or more valves disposed to selectively release projectiles from a bullet stop and containment system. The valves are in pneumatic communication with a tube which utilized a negative air pressure generated by a vacuum to move the projectiles from the valves to a central container. The projectile retrieval system may also include a vacuum extension which enables the same system to retrieve bullets and casings, fragments and other debris on the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Addison Sovine, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7246471
    Abstract: A panel for field erecting an assault course with the panel supporting a bullet retaining member on at least one face with the panel erectable on a base member and securable to similar or identical panels to form an assault course and a method for field erecting of the assault course comprising the laying of a base member on top of a terrain surface and then erecting a walled enclosure around the perimeter by positioning the panels on top of the base and then securing the panels to each other and to the base member with fasteners to form the assault course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Riermann, Jonathan Riermann
  • Patent number: 7243921
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven L. Larson, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen
  • Patent number: 7234890
    Abstract: An improved joint utilizes a facing strip which is configured to extend away from a pair of plates held by the facing strip as one moves toward the middle of the facing strip. When the steel plates are disposed at an angle to one another, the facing strip is preferably straight. When the steel plates are parallel, the facing strip is preferably bent to extend toward the plates as one moves out from the middle of the facing strip and toward the lateral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall, Lane Jackson, Addison Sovine, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7194944
    Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Lambert, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall
  • Patent number: 7185892
    Abstract: The apparatus is for installation at shooting ranges and has a housing that has a resilient top layer and a flexible bottom layer. The bottom layer extends along an inclined bottom surface and over an upwardly protruding support member to a front side. The top layer is attached to the bottom layer at the front side to form a container. A non-flowable granulate material is packed in the container. The inclined bottom surface is inclined at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The angle is less than an angle of repose of the granulated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Gerth Moberg
  • Patent number: 7163205
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ballistic testing recovery apparatus and method for allowing post impact analysis of pyrophoric projectile debris wherein the apparatus comprises a containment chamber having an interior volume filled with a solvent-soluble granulated material. The containment chamber is formed with an aperture in a side wall for receiving a launched projectile therethrough. The projectile impacts a target plate disposed in the containment box and projectile debris is thereafter ejected into the surrounding solvent-soluble granulated material. The solvent-soluble granulated material operates to capture and quench the projectile debris before devitrification and/or crystallization erodes the “as-ejected” characteristics of the pyrophoric projectile debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Laszlo J. Kecskes, Lee S. Magness, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7140615
    Abstract: A projectile retrieval system includes one or more valves disposed to selectively release projectiles from a bullet stop and containment system. The valves are in pneumatic communication with a tube which utilized a negative air pressure generated by a vacuum to move the projectiles from the valves to a central container. The projectile retrieval system may also include a vacuum extension which enables the same system to retrieve bullets and casings, fragments and other debris on the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Addison Sovine, Kyle Bateman
  • Patent number: 7134664
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Joe G. Tom, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Steven L. Larson, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen
  • Patent number: 7111847
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven L. Larson, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen
  • Patent number: 6837496
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven L. Larson, Charles A. Weiss, Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen
  • Patent number: 6808178
    Abstract: A clearing trap for decelerating bullets includes a housing and a bullet decelerating insert disposed within the housing. Preferably, the insert is slidably removable from the housing and is provided with a plurality of vents which help dissipate the force associated with firing a gun into a small enclosure. Also preferably, a portion of the insert is detachable or openable to facilitate periodic cleaning of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Action Target, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Addison Sovine
  • Publication number: 20040104533
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Steven L. Larson, Charles A. Weiss, Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Edward J. Fransen