Firearm discharge containment system

Abstract

This invention relates to a firearm discharge containment system (1), more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system for improving firearm safety. The system comprises a flowpath (2) extending from a barrel receiving opening (3) of a conduit (4) to a discharge opening (5) of a container (6). The conduit (4) extends into the container (6), with a conduit discharge opening (7) terminating inside the container (6). A barrel guide (8) at the barrel receiving opening (3) assists with correct alignment and insertion of a front end (9) of a firearm barrel (10) into the containment system (1). One or more apertures (11) in the conduit (4) form a secondary flow path (12) from inside the conduit (4) to the discharge opening (5) of the container (6).

Description

[0001] FIREARM DISCHARGE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a firearm discharge containment system more particularly, but not exclusively to, a firearm discharge containment system for making firearms safe.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0005] As known in the art the handling, and maintenance of firearms whether for recreational, law enforcement, military, or civilian purposes the safe loading and unloading of live ammunition presents an enduring and critical safety concern. Accidental discharges during routine firearm handling remain a known and significant hazard, particularly in confined spaces, transport vehicles, residences, military bases, and guarded facilities, where bystanders, property, and users may be at risk.

[0006] Conventional safety procedures often require a user to visually inspect the chamber or to point the firearm in a “safe direction”. In practice, such procedures are inadequate in scenarios where environmental constraints, operational pressure, or human error undermine full compliance. It is precisely during such transitional handling - clearing, bolstering, transferring, or testing weapons - that accidental discharges are most likely to occur.

[0007] To mitigate these dangers, several containment solutions have been proposed in the prior art, yet they each suffer from significant limitations.

[0008] For example, United States Patent No. 6,016,735, entitled "Weapon discharge containment system" in the name of Stuart Langsam, describes a safety system including a metal cylinder partially filled with randomly oriented hard metal members, such as steel nails. A penetrable rubber seal at the entrance allows the barrel to be inserted, and vent holes near the seal help direct gases away from the user during discharge. While effective at capturing projectiles, such devices are often bulky, heavy, and limited in gas and sound control, especially when used indoors or in mobile settings. The use of randomly packed fill materials also makes performance inconsistent across different calibers and configurations. Similarly, United States Patent No. 5,366,105, entitled "Firearm safety containment device" in the name of Stuart A. Stevens, discloses a container filled with particulate material such as sand or fiber, designed to be placed on a floor or surface. The container permits the muzzle of a firearm to be inserted during loading or unloading, absorbing any accidental projectile discharge. However, this solution does not provide structured guidance to the user in terms of firearm angle, nor does it address the issue of high-pressure gas and noise redirection. Furthermore, such sand- or fiber-based containers tend to be messy, difficult to clean, and not easily portable or adaptable to various mounting positions (e.g., walls or vehicles).

[0009] Other known containment devices, such as open pipe traps, sandbox enclosures, or steel plate targets, are also in widespread use. These systems typically rely on bulk mass or dense fill to absorb projectiles. However, they rarely incorporate features to suppress flash, redirect sound and gas emissions, or encourage safe barrel alignment. This makes them unsuitable for use in urban facilities, vehicles, or locations where user well-being and bystander exposure are sensitive operational factors.

[0010] Additionally, many known discharge traps fail to address user-induced errors such as holding the firearm at an unsafe angle or not inserting the barrel deeply enough. Without a visual or mechanical indicator, users may unknowingly expose themselves or others to ricochets, spalling, or direct gas blowback. In tactical or high-pressure environments, such risks are amplified.

[0011] This could be quite problematic as there exists a need for improved systems capable of containing not only the projectile, but also managing and dissipating the associated ballistic emissions, including gas pressure, acoustic shock, debris, and muzzle flash. Ideal systems should be portable, versatile in mounting, safe across a range of calibers, and optimized for operator safety, user guidance, and long-term reusability.

[0012] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a firearm discharge containment system which, at least partially, alleviates some of the above-mentioned difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In accordance with this invention there is provided a firearm discharge containment system comprising: a flowpath from a barrel receiving opening of a conduit to a discharge opening of a container; the conduit extending into the container, with a conduit discharge opening terminating inside the container; a barrel guide at the barrel receiving opening for receiving a front end of a barrel of a firearm; and an aperture in the conduit forming a secondary flow path from inside the conduit to the discharge opening of the container.

[0015] The system wherein the container may include a projectile absorber.

[0016] The system wherein the projectile absorber may be configured to absorb a bullet or ballistic fragments.

[0017] The system wherein the projectile absorber may be adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of a projectile.

[0018] The system may include an expansion chamber located inside the container.

[0019] The system wherein a discharge opening of a conduit may terminate in the expansion chamber.

[0020] The system may include a depressurizing zone formed between the conduit and the discharge opening of the container.

[0021] The system wherein a formation may be provided at an outlet of a barrel guide to direct ballistic emissions away from a barrel receiving opening.

[0022] The system wherein the formation may be located inside the conduit.

[0023] The system wherein ballistic emissions may be redirected within the container in a first direction change away from the projectile absorber. The system wherein the ballistic emissions may be redirected a second time within the container to exit in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening.

[0024] The system wherein the expansion chamber may include at least one bleed-off port for discharging ballistic emissions from the container.

[0025] The system wherein the bleed-off port may be oriented in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening.

[0026] The system wherein the barrel guide may comprise a visual depth indicator for insertion alignment of a firearm barrel.

[0027] The system wherein the conduit may include an internal taper or baffle geometry for dissipating pressure.

[0028] The system wherein the projectile absorber may comprise multiple layers of different materials.

[0029] The system wherein at least one of the layers of the projectile absorber may be self- healing.

[0030] The system wherein the projectile absorber may include at least one metallic layer and at least one non-metallic layer.

[0031] The system wherein the conduit and the container may be integrally formed as a single structure.

[0032] The system wherein the container may be removably attachable to a fixed surface.

[0033] The system wherein the container may be mountable to one or more of the following: a vertical surface, a horizontal surface, or a vehicle.

[0034] The system wherein the container may include a replaceable cartridge containing the projectile absorber. The system wherein the container may be portable.

[0035] The system may include a discharge notifier.

[0036] The system wherein the discharge notifier may include a sensor configured to detect a discharge within the container.

[0037] The system wherein the discharge notifier may include a positioning system.

[0038] The system wherein the discharge notifier may include a transponder.

[0039] The system wherein the discharge notifier may be configured to transmit a message via the transponder containing data relating to a discharge.

[0040] These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0043] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a firearm discharge containment system in a first position with the barrel guide separate from a conduit;

[0044] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the firearm discharge containment system of figure 1 in an alternative position with the barrel guide inserted into the conduit;

[0045] Figure 3 shows a sectional perspective view of the system illustrating an internal structure of the firearm discharge containment system;

[0046] Figure 4 shows a sectional side view of the system with a firearm inserted into the barrel guide and illustrating the internal primary and secondary flowpaths from the firearm barrel to the discharge opening;

[0047] Figure 5 shows a sectional side view of the system with an alternative firearm inserted into an alternative barrel guide and illustrating the internal primary and secondary flowpaths;

[0048] Figure 6 shows a first perspective view of a first barrel guide;

[0049] Figure 7 shows a second perspective view of the first barrel guide;

[0050] Figure 8 shows a side view of the first barrel guide;

[0051] Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the first barrel guide depicting a visual depth indicator;

[0052] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative barrel guide having a formation at the outlet of the guide to direct ballistic emissions away from the barrel receiving opening; and

[0053] Figure 11 shows a sectional view of the alternative barrel guide having a formation at the outlet of the guide and a tapered interior.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] With reference to the drawings, a firearm discharge containment system is generally depicted by reference numeral 1.

[0056] The firearm discharge containment system 1 comprises a flowpath 2 extending from a barrel receiving opening 3 of a conduit 4 to a discharge opening 5 of a container 6. The flowpath 2 provides a directed pathway for ballistic emissions, ensuring that any projectile and accompanying gases are guided through the system in a predictable and contained manner. The container 6 not only holds and transports the various parts of the system but also keeps any ballistic emissions contained.

[0057] The conduit 4 extends into the container 6, and terminates at a conduit discharge opening 7 positioned within the interior volume of the container 6. This arrangement enables the conduit 4 to direct emissions into a protected space, minimising the chance of escape or accidental exposure.

[0058] A barrel guide 8 is positioned at the barrel receiving opening 3 for receiving a front end 9 of a barrel of a firearm 10. The barrel guide 8 assists in the alignment of the firearm 10 with the conduit 4 and ensures that the barrel 9 is seated at a consistent and safe angle. This contributes to safe operation by reducing the risk of misalignment or incomplete insertion.

[0059] One or more apertures 11 are formed in the conduit 4. These apertures 11 establish a secondary flow path 12 from inside the conduit 4 to the discharge opening 5 of the container 6. This dual-path approach enables high-pressure gases and other ballistic emissions to be partially diverted and slowed before reaching the final exit point, reducing noise, pressure spikes, and heat exposure near the user.

[0060] The container 6 comprises a projectile absorber 13. The projectile absorber 13 is a structure placed within the container to intercept the projectile after it exits the conduit discharge opening 7. It serves as the terminal stopping structure within the system, and its design prevents ricochet or over-penetration.

[0061] The projectile absorber 13 is capable of stopping a bullet or ballistic fragments. This includes intact projectiles, as well as fragmented pieces resulting from impact or structural failure during firing. The system is thereby adaptable to various firearm types and ammunition configurations.

[0062] The projectile absorber 13 absorbs the kinetic energy of a projectile. By doing so, it prevents the projectile from damaging the surrounding container 6 or escaping from the system entirely. The material structure and layering of the absorber 13 are tailored for controlled deceleration and energy dissipation. An expansion chamber 14 is located inside the container 6. The expansion chamber 14 provides a volume in which gases and ballistic emissions can expand and lose pressure after leaving the conduit discharge opening 7. This contributes to noise reduction, heat dissipation, and gas velocity control.

[0063] The conduit discharge opening 7 terminates in the expansion chamber 14, enabling the projectile and its associated gases to enter the chamber directly. This direct interface is essential to the staged containment and suppression strategy implemented in the system.

[0064] A depressurizing zone 15 is formed between the conduit 4 and the discharge opening 5 of the container 6. The depressurizing zone 15 ensures that ballistic emissions are not released at full velocity, improving both environmental and operator safety.

[0065] A formation 16 is provided at the outlet of the barrel guide 8 to direct ballistic emissions away from the barrel receiving opening 3. This formation 16 includes baffles, angled surfaces, or other geometry designed to redirect pressure spikes and gas jets away from the user.

[0066] The formation 16 is located inside the conduit 4. By placing the redirection structure internally, the system shields the user from backblast and maintains a compact form factor.

[0067] Ballistic emissions are redirected within the container 6 in a first direction change, away from the projectile absorber 13. The initial change in direction occurs when hot gases and shockwaves strike the surface of the projectile absorber 13 and are deflected away from it.

[0068] The ballistic emissions are redirected a second time in the container 6 to exit in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening 3. This two-stage gas redirection strategy is critical to the system’s ability to protect the user, reduce flash, and contain sound. The expansion chamber 14 includes at least one bleed-off port 17 for discharging ballistic emissions from the container 6. The bleed-off port 17 allows low-pressure, redirected gases to exit the system in a controlled manner.

[0069] The bleed-off port 17 is oriented in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening 3. This ensures that all exhaust emissions are vented away from the user, further enhancing operational safety.

[0070] The barrel guide 8 comprises a visual depth indicator 18 for insertion alignment of the firearm barrel 9. The indicator 18 enables the user to confirm that the firearm is inserted to a safe and operational depth before discharging.

[0071] The projectile absorber 13 comprises multiple layers of different materials. The layered structure allows the system to respond dynamically to varying energy levels and projectile characteristics.

[0072] At least one of the layers is self-healing, meaning it can reform or close after deformation or penetration. This allows the absorber 13 to function over multiple discharges without immediate replacement.

[0073] At least one of the layers is made up of metallic or metallic-like material, and at least one is non-metallic. This hybrid construction balances hardness, deformability, and heat resistance to maximise energy absorption.

[0074] The conduit 4 and the container 6 are integrally formed as a single structure. This reduces the number of joints, improves robustness, and simplifies manufacturing and maintenance.

[0075] The container 6 is removably attachable to a fixed surface. This includes walls, floors, tables, or structural fixtures, allowing flexible deployment.

[0076] The container 6 is portable and mountable to one or more of the following: a vertical surface, a horizontal surface, or a vehicle. This allows the system to be used in diverse environments including mobile units, vehicles, and confined facilities. The container 6 comprises a replaceable cartridge containing the projectile absorber 13. The cartridge can be removed, serviced, or replaced independently of the container shell, improving lifecycle and cost-effectiveness.

[0077] The system includes a discharge notifier, which detects, records, or transmits information relating to a discharge event within the container 6. The discharge notifier includes a sensor to detect a discharge within the container 6. This sensor may be acoustic, pressure-based, or thermal. The notifier includes a positioning system such as GPS, enabling the system to record or report the location of the discharge event. The reporting is done by means of a transponder capable of transmitting information wirelessly.

[0078] The discharge notifier is configured to send a message via the transponder containing data relating to the discharge, such as time, pressure, temperature, and location.

[0079] The invention is not limited to the details as described above as the conduit 4 may further include an internal taper or baffle geometry to dissipate pressure or to direct a projectile or ballistic emissions. This feature may contribute to staged pressure drop, reduces resonance, and improves overall suppression of discharge emissions.

[0080] In another embodiment, the container need not be physically distinct from the conduit and may be formed from composite materials or reinforced polymers rather than traditional metals. This allows for lighter-weight systems suitable for portable applications or integration into tactical gear or transport cases. Im pact- resista nt polymers can also help absorb energy while reducing ricochet or fragment spalling.

[0081] In another embodiment, the projectile absorber may be provided as a modular unit with selectable material configurations based on expected calibres or operational use. For example, a user may insert a cartridge designed specifically for high-velocity rifle rounds, while another module may be optimized for handgun or subsonic ammunition.

[0082] In another embodiment, the discharge notifier may be connected to an integrated software system for tracking firearm use. This will mean that firearms may be tracked or recorded before being made safe for inventory or location control. It is envisaged that incorporating the concept described herein to form part of all new firearm discharge safety infrastructure, whether in fixed installations, portable units, shooting ranges, training environments, or onboard vehicles, will greatly enhance safety, control, and accountability in firearm use. By providing a system that not only contains the projectile but also redirects ballistic emissions, manages pressure, and suppresses sound and flash, the invention addresses long-standing deficiencies in traditional bullet traps, silencers, and backstop arrangements.

[0083] In the future, the system may be integrated with smart technologies, including sensor-driven discharge monitoring, automated location reporting, and connected safety networks. This will enable real-time tracking and documentation of discharges, supporting both operational transparency and compliance in sensitive environments such as law enforcement, military training, security firms, and regulated civilian facilities.

[0084] This should have a significant improvement on existing firearm containment solutions by introducing a comprehensive, modular, and scalable system that combines mechanical containment, gas management, energy absorption, and electronic feedback in a single unit. Its ability to mitigate blast effects, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance user safety offers a marked technological advance over conventional approaches, and it is anticipated that the invention will set a new standard in firearm discharge control systems across multiple sectors.

[0085] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described or shown herein and that many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A firearm discharge containment system comprising: a flowpath from a barrel receiving opening of a conduit to a discharge opening of a container; the conduit extending into the container, with a conduit discharge opening terminating inside the container; a barrel guide at the barrel receiving opening for receiving a front end of a barrel of a firearm; and an aperture in the conduit forming a secondary flow path from inside the conduit to the discharge opening of the container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a projectile absorber.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the projectile is a bullet or ballistic fragments.

4. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the projectile absorber absorbs kinetic energy of a projectile.

5. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an expansion chamber inside the container.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the conduit discharge opening terminates in the expansion chamber.

7. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a depressurizing zone between the conduit and the discharge opening of the container.

8. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein a formation is provided at the outlet of the barrel guide to direct ballistic emissions away from the barrel receiving opening.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the formation is located inside the conduit.

10. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein ballistic emissions are redirected within the container in a first direction change away from the projectile absorber.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the ballistic emissions are redirected a second time within the container to exit in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening.

12. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the expansion chamber has at least one bleed-off port for discharging ballistic emissions from the container.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the bleed-off port is oriented in a direction opposite to the barrel receiving opening.

14. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel guide comprises a visual depth indicator for insertion alignment of the firearm barrel.

15. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit includes an internal taper or baffle geometry for dissipating pressure.

16. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the projectile absorber comprises multiple layers of different materials.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the layers is self-healing.

18. The system of any of claims 16 or 17, wherein at least one of the layers is metallic and at least one is non-metallic.

19. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit and the container are integrally formed as a single structure.

20. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is removably attachable to a fixed surface.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the container is mountable to any one or more of the following list: a vertical surface, horizontal surface, a vehicle.

22. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a replaceable cartridge containing the projectile absorber.

23. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is portable.

24. The system of any of the preceding claims including a discharge notifier.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the discharge notifier has a sensor to sense a discharge within the container.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the discharge notifier has a positioning system.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the discharge notifier has transponder.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the discharge notifier sends a message via the transponder containing data relating to a discharge.

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