Projectile trap assembly

• US 8,602,418 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2010
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVeris Training Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Meggitt Training Systems, Inc. (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Hering, Steven Fred, Bennett, Carter Crittenden, Malta, Bradley Michael, O'Meara, David
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US12/917,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 273404-410, 89/360.2
• US Class Current: 273/410
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 13/00 Bullet catchers

Abstract

An improved projectile trap assembly includes a frame that supports a channel and a containment chamber. The containment chamber has an ingress point receiving a fired bullet and an egress point for distributing the bullet. The containment chamber is supported by a pair of bulkhead plates that are connected to the frame. Each bulkhead plate defines an aperture, with a scroll assembly being mounted between bulkhead plates proximate the aperture. The scroll assembly includes a front scroll affixed and a rear scroll detachably connected to the bulkhead plates. A side plate is detachably connected to the bulkhead plate opposite said front and rear scrolls to seal the scroll assembly to receive bullets. The containment chamber additionally includes upper and lower trap plates that are positioned proximate upper and lower channel plates at the ingress point. Finally, a plurality of collection buckets positioned below said front scroll in an adjustable position.

Claims

1. An improved projectile trap assembly comprising:

a frame;

a containment chamber supported by said frame, said chamber having an ingress portion and an egress portion and comprising

a pair of bulkhead plates connected to said frame and defining a bulkhead aperture;

a front scroll affixed to each said bulkhead plate proximate said aperture;

a rear scroll detachably connected to each said bulkhead plate proximate said aperture and slightly offset from said front scroll; and

a side plate detachably connected to each of said bulkhead plates on a side opposite of said respective front scroll and said rear scroll, said side plate providing selective access to said containment chamber;

upper and lower trap plates supported by same frame leading to said ingress point of said containment chamber, wherein said lower trap plates extend from a first edge to a second edge and comprise;

a first lip extending along a portion of said first edge; and

a second lip extending along a portion of said second edge;

wherein said first lip on a first lower trap plate engages said second lip on an adjacent second lower trap plate.

2. The trap as described in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises:

a plurality of vertical columns supporting said containment chamber;

a plurality of support beams extending upward from the ground surface to a position proximate said ingress portion of said containment chamber to support said lower trap plates; and

a plurality of upper trap support beams affixed to said bulkhead plates to support said upper trap plates.

3. The trap as described in claim 1 wherein said position of said first lower trap plate may be flipped with respect to said adjacent lower trap plate to provide a new firing surface.

4. The trap as described in claim 1 further comprising:

an adapter plate affixed to said front scroll, said adapter plate defining at least one discharge hole; and

at least one collection bucket positioned below said front scroll in an adjustable closed or open position proximate said at least one discharge hole, said at least one collection bucket being removable in said open position.

5. The trap as described in claim 4 further comprising:

a base plate with two side walls affixed to opposite sides of the base plate and a bucket aperture traversing said base plate, said bucket positioned on said base plate between said side walls;

a pair of lower flanges extending downward from said base plate;

a lever rotatably mounted between said lower flanges to selectively force said at least one bucket into contact with said adapter plate.

6. The trap as described in claim 5 wherein said lever comprises a raised element to selectively engage said bucket and a handle.

7. The trap as described in claim 6 wherein said raised element lies in a plane at a right angle to that of said handle.

8. The trap as described in claim 5 further comprising a circular dust seal positioned proximate a top surface of said bucket.

9. The trap as described in claim 5 further comprising a support plate between the bottom of the bucket and the base plate.

10. The trap as described in claim 1 wherein said rear scroll is detachably affixed to each said bulkhead plate.

11. An improved projectile trap assembly comprising:

a frame;

a containment chamber supported by said frame, said chamber having an ingress portion and an egress portion and comprising

a pair of bulkhead plates connected to said frame and defining a bulkhead aperture;

a front scroll affixed to each said bulkhead plate proximate said aperture;

a rear scroll detachably connected to each said bulkhead plate proximate said aperture and slightly offset from said front scroll; and

a side plate detachably connected to each of said bulkhead plates on a side opposite of said respective front scroll and said rear scroll, said side plate providing selective access to said containment chamber;

upper and lower trap plates supported by same frame leading to said ingress point of said containment chamber;

an adapter plate affixed to said front scroll, said adapter plate defining at least one discharge hole; and

at least one collection bucket positioned below said front scroll in an adjustable closed or open position proximate said at least one discharge hole, said at least one collection bucket being removable in said open position;

a base plate with two side walls affixed to opposite sides of the base plate and a bucket aperture traversing said base plate, said bucket positioned on said base plate between said side walls;

a pair of lower flanges extending downward from said base plate; and

a lever rotatably mounted between said lower flanges to selectively force said at least one bucket into contact with said adapter plate.

12. The trap as described in claim 11, wherein said frame comprises:

a plurality of vertical columns supporting said containment chamber;

a plurality of support beams extending upward from the ground surface to a position proximate said ingress portion of said containment chamber to support said lower trap plates; and

a plurality of upper trap support beams affixed to said bulkhead plates to support said upper trap plates.

13. The trap as described in claim 11 wherein said lower trap plates extend from a first edge to a second edge and comprise:

a first lip extending along a portion of said first edge; and

a second lip extending along a portion of said second edge;

wherein said first lip on a first lower trap plate engages said second lip on an adjacent second lower trap plate.

14. The trap as described in claim 13 wherein said position of said first lower trap plate may be flipped with respect to said adjacent lower trap plate to provide a new firing surface.

15. The trap as described in claim 11 wherein said lever comprises a raised element to selectively engage said bucket and a handle.

16. The trap as described in claim 15 wherein said raised element lies in a plane at a right angle to that of said handle.

17. The trap as described in claim 11 further comprising a circular dust seal positioned

proximate a top surface of said bucket.

18. The trap as described in claim 11 further comprising a support plate between the bottom of the bucket and the base plate.

19. The trap as described in claim 11 wherein said rear scroll is detachably affixed to each said bulkhead plate.

20. An improved projectile trap assembly comprising:

a frame;

a containment chamber supported by said frame, said chamber having an ingress portion and an egress portion;

upper and lower trap plates supported by same frame leading to said ingress point of said containment chamber, wherein said lower trap plates extend from a first edge to a second edge and comprise;

a first lip extending along a portion of said first edge; and

a second lip extending along a portion of said second edge;

wherein said first lip on a first lower trap plate engages said second lip on an adjacent second lower trap plate.