Bullet trap

• US 4,819,946 A
• Filed: 10/07/1987
• Issued: 04/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James E. Kahler
• Original Assignee: James E. Kahler
• Inventors: Kahler, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pitko, Joseph M.
• Application Number:
  US07/105,327
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 273/403, 273/404, 273/407, 273/409, 273/410, 73/167
• US Class Current: 273/404
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 13/00 Bullet catchers

Abstract

A portable bullet trap device for catching bullets fired at the device comprising a box having a bottom, a top, and front, back, and opposing sides. The front has an opening for the passage of bullets fired at the device. A plurality of vertically oriented resilient panels are provided in the box aligned with the opening in the front. The panels are spaced from each other to form spaces between the central portions of the panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel. The panels may be provided as a replaceable cell having spacers between the marginal edges of the panels. Alternatively, the panels may be separately mounted in slots in the opposing sides of the box. A target means is provided to spread shots over the panels. This target means comprises at least two target sheets, each sheet adapted to be positioned over the forwardmost panel of the device and having at least one target thereon located over a different portion of the panel than the target on the other sheet when the sheets are positioned on the panels.

Claims

1. A portable bullet trap device for catching bullets fired at the device, comprising:

a box comprising a bottom, a top, and a front, back, and opposing sides extending between the bottom and the top, the front having an opening therein for the passage of bullets fired at the device;

a plurality of vertically oriented resilient energy absorbing bullet-penetrable panels in the box adapted for absorbing energy from bullets penetrating the panels, the panels aligned with the opening in the front;

means for spacing the panels from each other to form open spaces between the central portions of successive panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel, said spacing means comprising spacers between the marginal edges of adjacent panels.

2. The portable bullet trap device according to claim 1 further comprising space in the box below the panels for spent bullets to collect.

3. The portable bullet trap according to claim 1 wherein there are spacers at the top and side edges of the panels.

4. The portable bullet trap device according to claim 1 further comprising target means comprising:

at least two target sheets, each sheet adapted to be positioned over the forwardmost panel of the bullet trap device, each target sheet having at least one target thereon, the target on each sheet being located over a different portion of the panel than the target on the other sheet, when the sheet is positioned over the panel.

5. The portable bullet trap according to claim 4 wherein each target sheet has a plurality of targets thereon, with the targets of one sheet centered over the interstices between the targets on the other sheet.

6. A portable bullet trap device for catching bullets fired at the device, comprising:

a box comprising a bottom, a top, and front, back, and opposing sides extending between the bottom and the top, the front having an opening therein for the passage of bullets fired at the device;

a plurality of vertically oriented resilient energy absorbing bullet-penetrable panels in the box adapted for absorbing energy from bullets penetrating the panels, the panels aligned with the opening in the front;

means for spacing the panels from each other to form open spaces between the central portions of successive panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel, said spacing means comprising a plurality of pairs of aligned slots in the opposing sides of the box for receiving the marginal side edges of the panels, the slots terminating above the bottom of the box forming a shoulder to support the panels above the bottom of the box and form a space at the bottom of the box for spent bullets to collect.

7. The portable bullet trap device according to claim 6 further comprising target means comprising:

at least two target sheets, each sheet adapted to be positioned over the forwardmost panel of the bullet trap device, each target sheet having at least one target thereon, the target on each sheet being located over a different portion of the panel than the target on the other sheet, when the sheet is positioned over the panel.

8. The portable bullet trap according to claim 7 wherein each target sheet has a plurality of targets thereon, with the targets of one sheet centered over the interstices between the targets on the other sheet.

9. A portable bullet trap device and replaceable bullet trap cell combination for catching bullets fired at the device, the device comprising:

a box for receiving the bullet trap cell, the box comprising a bottom, a top, and front, back, and opposing sides extending between the bottom and top, the front having an opening therein for the passage of bullets fired at the device, the box further comprising means for supporting the bullet trap cell in the box, in alignment with the opening in the front and above the bottom of the box to form a space at the bottom for spent bullets to collect;

and the bullet trap cell comprising;

a plurality of panels of resilient energy absorbing bullet-penetrable material aligned in face-to-face relation;

spacers sandwiched between successive panels, the spacers positioned generally adjacent the marginal edges of the panels to form open spaces between the central portions of successive panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the opening in the front of the box is sized so that the front covers the marginal portions of the panels where the spacers are located.

11. The combination according to claim 9 further comprising target means comprising:

at least two target sheets, each sheet adapted to be positioned over the forwardmost panel, each target sheet having at least one target thereon, the target on each sheet being located over a different portion of the panel than the target on the other sheet, when the sheet is positioned over the panel.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein each target sheet has a plurality of targets thereon arranged in a pattern, with the targets of one sheet centered over the interstices between the targets on the other sheet.

13. A bullet trap cell for installation in a bullet trap device to catch bullets fired at the device, the cell comprising:

a plurality of panels of resilient energy absorbing bullet-penetrable material aligned in face-to-face relation;

spacers sandwiched between successive panels, the spacers positioned generally adjacent the marginal edges of the panels to provide open spaces between the central portions of successive panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel.

14. The bullet trap cell according to claim 13 wherein the resilient panels include a layer of fiber reinforcement.

15. The bullet trap cell according to claim 13 wherein the spacers are positioned at the top and side marginal edges of the panels.

16. The bullet trap cell according to claim 13 wherein there are eight panels.

17. The bullet trap cell according to claim 13 wherein there are one-inch spaces between successive panels.

18. A bullet trap and target combination, the bullet trap comprising:

a plurality of panels of resilient energy absorbing bullet-penetrable material aligned in face-to-face relation;

spacers sandwiched between successive panels, the spacers positioned generally adjacent the marginal edges of the panels to provide open spaces between the central portions of successive panels through which spent bullets can fall if they cannot penetrate the next successive panel;

and the target means comprising;

at least two target sheets, each sheet adapted to be positioned over the forwardmost panel of the bullet trap, each target sheet having at least one target thereon, the target on each sheet being located over a different portion of the panel than the target on the other sheet, when the sheet is positioned over the panel.

19. The bullet trap and target combination according to claim 18 wherein each target sheet has a plurality of targets thereon arranged in a pattern, with the targets of one sheet centered over the interstices between the targets on the other sheet.