A bullet trap

Abstract

The invention relates to a bullet trap comprising a frame with frame supports and parallel arranged elongated steel plates connected to the frame supports in a partially overlapping arrangement. The invention further relates to an elongated steel plate adapted to be connected in a partially overlapping parallel arranged elongated steel plates arrangement, wherein each elongated steel plate comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate, wherein each elongated steel plate is configured to be connected to at least one frame support of a frame of a bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate.

Description

[0001] Title: A bullet trap

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a bullet trap comprising a frame with frame supports and parallel arranged elongated steel plates connected to the frame supports in a partially overlapping arrangement.

[0004] The invention further relates to an elongated steel plate adapted to be connected in a partially overlapping parallel arranged elongated steel plates arrangement, wherein each elongated steel plate comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate, wherein each elongated steel plate is configured to be connected to at least one frame support of a frame of a bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate.

[0005] There are bullet traps having inclined steel plates, that change the trajectory of bullets to a significant downward component. Both ends of each elongate plate typically engage frame supports of a frame for holding the plate in place. The frame and the frame supports can be constituted by walls of a cabinet, see for example DE 20 2004 003 413. Uncovered frame portions of a bullet trap and / or portions of the front sides of the plates used for connecting the plate to the frame present an area to a shooter that can cause a bullet to ricochet which may cause damage to surrounding equipment, or even present a hazard to the shooter.

[0006] The present invention aims at enabling an improved bullet trap, wherein it is an object of the present invention to reduce the risk of ricochets.

[0007] This object is achieved by the bullet trap as defined in claim 1.

[0008] The bullet trap comprises a frame with frame supports and parallel arranged elongated steel plates connected to the frame supports in a partially overlapping arrangement. Each elongated steel plate comprises a front side facing away from the frame and a back side facing the frame, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate. Each elongated steel plate is connected to at least one of the frame supports of the bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate. The back side of each elongated steel plate is provided with at least one first coupling part to be used with at least a second coupling part of the bullet trap for connecting the elongated steel plate to at least one of the frame supports of the frame.

[0009] The frame support may be connected to each elongated steel plate at the back side of the elongated steel plate. This has the effect that the risk of a bullet hitting the frame support is reduced or even excluded, since the frame support is completely covered by the elongated steel plate seen from a shooter perspective. This also means that the risk of ricochets is reduced, because the frame support can no longer be hit with a bullet by means of the elongated steel plate. The elongated plates are positioned in parallel and in a partially overlapping arrangement to provide a lamel- like arrangement which is adapted to cover the frame substantially completely from a shooter perspective. From a shooter perspective it is difficult or even impossible to directly hit other components of the bullet trap than the front sides of the elongated steel plates arranged in the lamel-like arrangement, such that the lamel-like arrangement of elongated steel plates further reduces the risk of ricochets. In addition, the lamel-like arrangement of elongated steel plates causes a bullet that follows a substantially horizontal path or a substantially traverse path with respect to the bullet trap to change direction, wherein by means of the orientation of the front sides of the elongated steel plates, the new direction of the bullet will have a downward component subsequent to hitting the front side. For example, the minimum length of each elongated steel plates is 1 m and the minimum height of the lamel-like arrangement is at least 1 m, which means that at least 1 square meter of the frame is completely covered by the lamel-like arrangement and thus protected against bullets from a shooter.

[0010] In addition, it is possible by the back side configuration of the elongated plates for connection with frame supports of the frame that a longitudinal end of a first elongated plate can be positioned in contact with a longitudinal end of a second elongated plate which makes it possible to cover relatively large surfaces by means of the lamel-like arrangement without interruptions and / or gaps with relatively short elongated plates. With the exception of the back side of the elongated steel plate, all other sides of the elongated steel plate, i.e. the front side and the four sides extending between the front side and the back side, are free from constructional connecting items to connect the elongated steel plate with the frame. In other words, only the back side of each elongated steel plate is provided with a constructional connecting item, i.e. at least one first coupling part. The at least one first coupling part is to be used with at least a second coupling part of the bullet trap for connecting the elongated steel plate to at least one of the frame supports of the frame.

[0011] The at least one first coupling part and the at least one second coupling part are configured to provide a bolted joint connection between the elongated steel plate and the at least one frame support. The detachable bolted joint connection makes it possible and / or relatively easy for an operator to manually swap one of the elongated steel plates in the arrangement of elongated steel plates in a relatively fast manner. For example, if firearm like rifles and shotguns are being used in combination with the bullet trap of this disclosure the elongated steel plates often hit by bullets may require replacement in the long term.

[0012] The at least one first coupling part may comprise a blind hole in the back side of the elongated steel plate. Such a blind hole provides a relatively reliable basis for a relatively strong and reliable connection between frame and the elongated steel plate in use of the bullet trap. This connection is adapted to withstand the forces provided by bullet impact including high velocity bullets. The at least one first coupling part may further comprise an internally threaded insert fixated in the blind hole. Such an insert with internal threads provides a reliable coupling with the second coupling part, but also a releasable and re-usable coupling for replacing elongated steel plates in the bullet trap.

[0013] The front side of the elongated steel plate provides an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate in the bullet trap. Without constructional connecting items on or in the front side an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate can be provided, wherein the unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface defines the surface that will normally be hit by a bullet. As there are no obstructions in this surface, a bullet hitting the front side receives a new predetermined direction having a downward component, such that the unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface has the effect of preventing ricochets.

[0014] The present invention further aims at enabling an improved elongated steel plate for a bullet trap of this disclosure, wherein it is an object of the present invention to reduce the risk of ricochets. This object is achieved by the elongated steel plate as defined in claim 11.

[0015] The elongated steel plate is adapted to be connected in a partially overlapping parallel arranged elongated steel plates arrangement, wherein each elongated steel plate comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate, wherein each elongated steel plate is configured to be connected to at least one frame support of a frame of a bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate, wherein the back side of each elongated steel plate is provided with at least one first coupling part to be used with at least a second coupling part of the bullet trap for connecting the elongated steel plate to the at least one frame support of the frame. For the sake of brevity, reference is made to the advantages mentioned above, such that these advantages are not repeated here.

[0016] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended figures showing exemplary embodiments, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a bullet trap;

[0018] Figures 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an elongated steel plate, the first and second coupling portions and a flange plate;

[0019] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an elongated steel plate connected to a flange plate which is fixated to a mounting block with a triangular cross-section;

[0020] In the following description identical or corresponding parts have identical or corresponding reference numerals. Each feature disclosed with reference to a specific figure can also be combined with another feature disclosed in this disclosure, unless it is evident for a person skilled in the art that these features are incompatible

[0021] Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a bullet trap 1. The bullet trap 1 comprises a frame 3 with frame supports 5 and parallel arranged elongated steel plates 7 connected to the frame supports 5 in a partially overlapping arrangement. With reference to figures 2 and 3, each elongated steel plate 7 comprises a front side 9 facing away from the frame 3 and a back side 11 facing the frame 3. The distance between the front 9 and the back side 11 defines the thickness T of the elongated steel plate 7. Each elongated steel plate 7 of the bullet trap 1 is connected to at least one of the frame supports 5 of the bullet trap 1 in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side 9 of one of the elongated steel plates 7 is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate 7. The back side 11 of each elongated steel plate 7 is provided with at least one first coupling part 13 to be used with at least a second coupling part 15 of the bullet trap 1 for connecting the elongated steel plate 7 to at least one of the frame supports 5 of the frame 3.

[0022] This bullet trap has the advantage that the risk of a bullet hitting the frame support 5 is reduced or even excluded, since the frame support 5 is completely covered by the elongated steel plate 7 seen from a shooter perspective. This also means that the risk of ricochets is reduced, because the frame support 5 can no longer be hit with a bullet by means of the elongated steel plate. The elongated plates are positioned in parallel and in a partially overlapping arrangement to provide a lamel- like arrangement which is adapted to cover the frame 3 substantially completely from a shooter perspective. The frame 3 as shown in figure 1 comprises a back plate 6 which is also substantially covered the by lamel-like arrangement of elongated steel plates 7 from a shooter perspective. From a shooter perspective it is difficult or even impossible to directly hit other components of the bullet trap 1 than the front sides 9 of the elongated steel plates 7 arranged in the lamel-like arrangement.

[0023] For example, the minimum length L (figure 1) of each elongated steel plates 7 is 1 m and the minimum height of the lamel-like arrangement is at least 1 m, which means that at least 1 square meter of the components of the bullet trap 1 behind the lamel-like arrangement of elongated steel plates 7 seen from a shooter perspective is completely covered and protected against bullets from a shooter and thus against ricochets.

[0024] Each elongated steel plate 7 has a length L (figure 1) a width W (figure 3) and a thickness T (figure 2). The length of each elongated steel plate 7 may preferably vary between 1-2 meter. The width W of each elongated steel plate 7 may preferably vary between 5-50 centimetre. The thickness T of the elongated steel plate 7 lies preferably between 10-40 mm, more preferably between 12-20 mm. Each elongated plate 7 may be made of quenched and / or tempered steel and the frame support 5 may be made of high-temperature weldable steel. Each elongated steel plate 7 may be made of abrasion-resistant steel with a hardness of at least 500 HB, preferably at least 600 HB, to provide steel plates resilient to high velocity bullets and able to withstand the bullet-impact with reduced, or even almost no, surface damage, reduced, or even almost no, plate deflection / deformation such that the steel plates itself prevent or at least reduce the risk of ricochets.

[0025] Due to the connecting configuration of the elongated steel plates 7 at the back side 11 , the front side 9 of the elongated steel plate 7 provides an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate 7 in the bullet trap 1. Without constructional connecting items on or in the front side 9 an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate 7 can be provided, wherein the unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface defines the surface that will normally be hit by a bullet. As there are no obstructions in this bullet receiving surface provided by the front side 9, a bullet hitting the front side 8 receives a new predetermined direction having a downward component such that the bullet trap 1 has the effect of preventing ricochets. In addition, a longitudinal end 12, 14 of a first elongated plate 7 can be positioned in contact with a longitudinal end 12, 14 of a second elongated plate 7 which makes it possible to cover relatively large surfaces by means of the lamel-like arrangement without interruptions and / or gaps. With the exception of the back side 11 of the elongated steel plate 7, all other sides of the elongated steel plate 7, i.e. the front side 9 and the four sides extending between the front side 9 and the back side 11 , are free from constructional connecting items to connect the elongated steel plate 7 with the frame 3.

[0026] The at least one first coupling part 13 and the at least one second coupling part 15 are configured to provide a bolted joint connection 21 between the elongated steel plate 7 and the at least one frame support 5. The at least one first coupling part 15 comprises a blind hole 23 in the back side 11 of the elongated steel plate 7. As shown in figure 2, the at least one first coupling part 13 further comprises an internally threaded insert 25 fixated in the blind hole 23.

[0027] Each frame support 5 comprises a flange plate 27 with at least one through- hole 29 for receiving the second coupling part 15. In the embodiment shown, the second coupling part 15 comprises a threaded stud 30 to be connected in the internally threaded insert 25 by means of a ring 31 and a nut 33. Figure 3 shows that the flange plate 28 is connected to the elongated steel plate 7 by means of two bolted joint connections.

[0028] Each frame support 5 comprises a mounting block 35 with a triangular crosssection which is fixated to the flange plate 27 and fixated to the frame 3 for example by welding, wherein by means of the mounting block 35 each elongated steel plate 7 defines an acute angle, for example an angle between 30-60 degrees, with the vertically extending frame 3. It is preferred that each elongated steel plate 7 defines substantially the same acute angle with the vertically extending frame 3, but the acute angle of the most upper and / or most lower elongated steel plate 7 may have a different acute angle with the vertically extending frame 3.

[0029] Although not shown in the drawings, each frame support 5 may be connected in a different manner than shown in the figures 2 and 3. For example, the frame support (not shown) may comprise or provide the second coupling part.

[0030] In the partially overlapping arrangement of elongated steel plates 7 the number of elongated steel plates 7 per height meter extending in the direction indicated by H is at least five, preferably at least six. In this manner, the weight of each elongated steel plate is relatively light, which makes manual replacement of worn elongated steel plates relatively easy for an operator, in particular if the elongated plates are connected by means of the bolted joint connection 21 to the at least one frame support. In addition, the plates 7 with a relatively low weight can be fastened to the frame 3, in particular the frame supports 5, in a relatively reliable and cost effective manner by means of the bolted joint connection 21 .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bullet trap comprising a frame with frame supports and parallel arranged elongated steel plates connected to the frame supports in a partially overlapping arrangement, each elongated steel plate comprises a front side facing away from the frame and a back side facing the frame, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate, wherein each elongated steel plate is connected to at least one of the frame supports of the bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate, wherein the back side of each elongated steel plate is provided with at least one first coupling part to be used with at least a second coupling part of the bullet trap for connecting the elongated steel plate to at least one of the frame supports of the frame.

2. The bullet trap according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one first coupling part and the at least one second coupling part are configured to provide a bolted joint connection between the elongated steel plate and the at least one frame support.

3. The bullet trap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first coupling part comprises a blind hole in the back side of the elongated steel plate.

4. The bullet trap according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first coupling part comprises an internally threaded insert fixated in the blind hole.

5. The bullet trap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each frame support comprises the second coupling part.

6. The bullet trap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each frame support comprises a flange plate with at least one through-hole for receiving the second coupling part.

7. The bullet trap according to claim 6, wherein each frame support comprises a mounting block with a triangular cross-section which is fixated to the flange plate andfixated to the frame, wherein by means of the mounting block each elongated steel plate defines an acute angle, for example an angle between 30-60 degrees, with the vertically extending frame.

8. The bullet trap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front side of the elongated steel plate provides an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate in the bullet trap.

9. The bullet trap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the partially overlapping arrangement of elongated steel plates the number of elongated steel plates per height meter is at least five, preferably at least six.

10. The bullet trap according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated steel plate is made of abrasion-resistant steel with a hardness of at least 500 HB, preferably at least 600 HB.

11. An elongated steel plate adapted to be connected in a partially overlapping parallel arranged elongated steel plates arrangement, wherein each elongated steel plate comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the distance between the front and the back side defines the thickness of the elongated steel plate, wherein each elongated steel plate is configured to be connected to at least one frame support of a frame of a bullet trap in a manner that a bullet hitting the front side of one of the elongated steel plates is directed vertically downwards by means of the elongated steel plate, wherein the back side of each elongated steel plate is provided with at least one first coupling part to be used with at least a second coupling part of the bullet trap for connecting the elongated steel plate to the at least one frame support of the frame.

12. The elongated steel plate according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one first coupling part comprises a blind hole in the back side of the elongated steel plate.

13. The elongated steel plate according to claim 12, wherein the at least one first coupling part comprises an internally threaded insert fixated in the blind hole.

14. The elongated steel plate according to preceding claim 11 , 12 or 13, wherein the front side of the elongated steel plate provides an unobstructed flat bullet receiving surface of the elongated steel plate in the bullet trap.

15. The elongated steel plate according to any of the preceding claims 11-14, wherein the elongated steel plate is made of abrasion-resistant steel with a hardness of at least 500 HB, preferably at least 600 HB.

16. The bullet trap or elongated steel plate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the elongated steel plate lies between 10-40 mm, preferably between 12-20 mm.

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