Modular firing ground

• US 5,088,741 A
• Filed: 11/05/1990
• Issued: 02/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Soc. Fra. Sa. A R. L.
• Original Assignee: Andrea Simonetti
• Inventors: Simonetti, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/474,855
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 273/410, 273/404, 273/406
• US Class Current: 273/410
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3455 Wheeled arch-type structures
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 11/00 Target ranges timetables, lists or forms for shooter enlistment B42D15/0066

Abstract

This invention relates to a firing ground consisting of standard modules (1, 21, 25, 36, 52) which are preferably realized according to the ISO standards, the firing ground comprising in particular a ball-arrester module (1), one or more intermediate modules (21) which are arranged in front of the ball-arrester module (1), a so-called "firing positions" module (25) arranged in front of the last one of the intermediate modules (21), and a so-called "firing controller position" module (36) provided next to the "firing positions" module (25), each one of the modules being provided with structure (11) for quick connection to the adjacent modules, as well as with structure (12) for electric and/or hydraulic lines and/or adjacent module ducts connection, and with tight sealing along the connection wall with the adjacent module, with wheels (20) for motion during the assembling operation of the firing ground, and with inside heat- and sound-insulation (14), in addition to a number of other ancillary modules which can be provided according to any requirement at hand.

Claims

1. A shooting range comprising:

a bullet-arresting module for arresting bullets fired therein;

a firing position module for accommodating at least one marksman;

at least one intermediate module positioned intermediate said bullet-arresting module and said firing position module; and

a firing controller module for controlling operation of said shooting range, said firing controller module being adjacent said firing position module;

wherein each of said modules includes;

rapid connection means for rapidly connecting said module to an adjacent one of said modules;

electric lines, hydraulic lines, and ducts and service connection means for connecting at least one of said electric and hydraulic lines and ducts of one of said modules to a respective one of said electric and hydraulic lines and ducts of an adjacent one of said modules;

at least one connecting wall for connecting said module to a connecting wall of an adjacent one of said modules and sealing means for sealingly connecting adjacent connecting walls;

moving means for moving said module when said shooting range is being assembled; and

sound insulation and heat insulation means; and

wherein each of said modules complies with ISO standards.

2. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said shooting range has a firing axis and wherein said bullet-arresting module, said firing position module, said at least one intermediate module, and said firing controller module are substantially rectangular in shape having a pair of opposed longer sides and a pair of opposed shorter sides, adjacent modules being connected at said longer sides, and wherein said modules each have a main axis parallel to said longer sides, said main axis being at right angles to said firing axis of said shooting range.

3. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-firing position module positioned forwardly of said firing position module.

4. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising a thermoventilation module for providing heat and ventilation to said modules.

5. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising an ancillary equipment module for housing ancillary equipment.

6. A shooting range according to claim 5, wherein said ancillary equipment module includes a self-contained power supply and hygiene and sanitary fittings.

7. A shooting range according to claim 6, wherein said ancillary equipment module is positioned adjacent said bullet-arresting module, said firing position module, said at least one intermediate module, and said firing controller module, and is self-contained with respect to said bullet-arresting module, said firing position module, said at least one intermediate module, and said firing controller module.

8. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising an entrance module for providing entrance to and exit from said shooting range.

9. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein each of said bullet-arresting module, said firing position module, said at least one intermediate module, and said firing controller module includes walls, a ceiling, and a floor, said walls, ceiling, and floor being made of a bullet-proof material.

10. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional module positioned adjacent one of said bullet-arresting module, said firing position module, said at least one intermediate module, and said firing controller module.

11. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising ancillary covering structures covering said modules.

12. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein each of said modules has an upper portion, said upper portion being vertically telescopically extensible.

13. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises rails and wheels running on said rails.

14. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said bullet-arresting module comprises a floor, a roof opposite said floor, a pair of opposed fixed side walls, and an end wall, said end wall including shutters for providing entrance to and exit from said bullet-arresting module.

15. A shooting range according to claim 14, wherein said bullet-arresting module further comprises means for collecting splinters and lead powders.

16. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said at least one intermediate module comprises opposed, inwardly sloping side walls, opposed open front and rear ends, and a floor, said floor including folding side wings.

17. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said firing position module includes a floor, a supporting structure, metallic frames integral with said supporting structure, a plurality of adjacent firing positions, and a plurality of dividing walls separating adjacent firing positions for providing ballistic protection between adjacent firing positions, said dividing walls being fastened to said metallic frames, and said floor being made of a compact wood mix and a splinter-proof smooth rubber for preventing bullets from bouncing.

18. A shooting range according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting carbon monoxide traces in the environment of said shooting range.

19. A shooting range according to claim 1, wherein said firing controller module includes a cab having a transparent wall, a ventilation system, and means for controlling operation of said shooting range.