Movable bullet trap

• US 8,469,364 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2007
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Bassett, David, Sovine, James, Bateman, Kyle
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US11/745,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20120126480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,241 Days
• Field of Search: 273/359, 273/366, 273/370, 273403-410
• US Class Current: 273/410
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 11/02 Safety means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 13/00 Bullet catchers

Abstract

A portable bullet trap includes a rail which is attachable to a shoot house or other ballistic wall and a trolley which facilitates movement of the bullet trap along the rail. Additionally a bullet trap may include a plurality of pivotable baffles or other structures disposed therein to deflect and partially decelerate a bullet.

Claims

1. A portable bullet trap system comprising:

a portable bullet trap comprising a containment area and at least one arm for holding the containment area;

at least one trolley configured to engage the arm and configured to engage and move along a rail;

wherein the portable bullet trap comprises a plurality of baffles;

wherein at least one baffle of the plurality of baffles is pivotably mounted so that the at least one baffle is moved when struck by a bullet;

wherein the portable bullet trap system comprises a frame having a plurality of openings formed therein, and

wherein the plurality of baffles each comprise a baffle arm for nesting in and rotating in one of the openings; and

wherein the opening is shaped to limit the rotation of the baffle arm.

2. A portable bullet trap system comprising:

a portable bullet trap comprising a containment area and at least one arm for holding the containment area;

at least one trolley configured to engage the arm and configured to engage and move along a rail, further comprising a rail removably attachable to a wall,

wherein the trolley comprises a mounting portion for receiving the at least one arm and a hanger portion configured to roll along the rail, wherein the rail is attached to a plurality of hooks, and wherein the plurality of hooks are configured for engaging a cap piece of a shoot house.

3. A portable bullet trap system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of baffles disposed in the containment area.

4. A portable bullet trap system of claim 3, wherein at least one baffle of the plurality of baffles is pivotably mounted so that the at least one baffle is moved when struck by a bullet.

5. A portable bullet trap system of claim 4, wherein the portable bullet trap system comprises a frame having a plurality of openings formed therein, and wherein the plurality of baffles each comprise a baffle arm for nesting in and rotating in one of the openings;

and wherein the opening is shaped to limit the rotation of the baffle arm.

6. The portable bullet trap system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of baffles are disposed substantially in parallel.

7. A portable bullet trap system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of baffles are removable.

8. A portable bullet trap system of claim 6, wherein at least one baffle of the plurality of baffles is pivotably mounted so that the at least one baffle is moved when struck by a bullet.

9. A portable bullet trap system of claim 7, wherein the portable bullet trap system comprises a frame having a plurality of openings formed therein, and wherein the plurality of baffles each comprise a baffle arm for nesting in and rotating in one of the openings;

and wherein the opening is shaped to limit the rotation of the baffle arm.

10. The portable bullet trap system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of baffles are disposed substantially in parallel.

11. A portable bullet trap system comprising:

a portable bullet trap comprising a containment area and at least one arm for holding the containment area;

at least one trolley configured to engage the arm and configured to engage and move along a rail, further comprising a rail removably attachable to a wall,

wherein the trolley comprises a mounting portion for receiving the at least one arm and a hanger portion configured to roll along the rail, wherein the rail is attached to a plurality of hooks, and wherein the plurality of hooks are mounted to a cap piece of a shoot house with a toolless mounting.

12. A portable bullet trap system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of baffles.

13. A portable bullet trap system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of baffles are removable.

14. A bullet trap comprising:

a piece of bullet proof plate; and

a plurality of pivotable baffles disposed in front of the piece of bullet proof plate, the plurality of pivotable baffles being configured to deflect when struck by a bullet;

wherein the trap comprises a frame comprising a plurality of generally bullet proof walls, and a plurality of openings formed in the walls for receiving a portion of the plurality of pivotable baffles.

15. The bullet trap of claim 14, wherein openings are shaped to provide stops which limit pivoting of the baffles.

16. The bullet trap of claim 14, wherein each baffle has a pair of arms extending therefrom, the arms nesting in the openings so as to form a hinge.

17. A method for decelerating a bullet, the method comprises:

forming a bullet trap having a piece of plate steel; and

disposing in front of the piece of plate steel a plurality of pivotable baffles, such that the baffles pivot when struck by a bullet prior to the bullet striking the piece of plate steel,

wherein the method comprises disposing a plurality of walls generally perpendicular to the piece of plate steel, the plurality of walls having holes formed therein, and further comprising positioning a portion of the baffles in the holes such that the holes allow pivoting of the baffles within a desired range.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method comprises selecting walls with holes which are shaped to limit the rotation of the baffles.