Flowable Bullet Trap Using Rubber-Fabric Composite Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bullet trap systems are bulky, non-portable, and suffer from degradation when used for extended periods, making them inefficient for capturing and containing bullets without frequent medium replacement.

Innovation Solution

A portable bullet trap apparatus with a support frame and flowable energy-absorbing material, comprising sheets of rubber and fabric, arranged in random orientations to deflect and absorb bullet energy, ensuring efficient capture and containment of bullets over extended use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bullet trap systems use rubber grains and rubber nuggets, then bullets can be captured, but the medium experiences severe degradation during extended use and requires frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebullet capture effectivenessVSAvoidmedium service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material consisting of rubber particles embedded in a viscoelastic polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the bullet-capturing ability of rubber with the durability and resistance to degradation of the viscoelastic polymer, solving the problem of medium degradation during extended use while maintaining effective bullet capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional bullet trap systems are designed for effective bullet capture, then they achieve good stopping power, but they become bulky and non-portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebullet capture effectivenessVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and compositional parameters of the bullet trap medium by using a flowable viscoelastic polymer matrix with embedded rubber particles. This allows the medium to be poured into compact containers for portable deployment while maintaining the density and energy-absorbing properties necessary for effective bullet capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If bullet trap medium is made dense and substantial for effective bullet stopping, then energy absorption is improved, but the system becomes difficult to move and set up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebullet energy absorptionVSAvoidsetup and mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flowable viscoelastic polymer matrix that can change its state from fluid to solid. When poured, it flows easily for convenient setup and portability; once settled, it forms a dense, substantial medium that effectively absorbs bullet energy. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between mobility and energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus effectively decelerates and contains bullets, providing a safe and environmentally friendly target practice system by using a durable, flowable medium that maintains effectiveness without frequent replacement, ensuring efficient bullet capture and containment.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing energy from the associated bullet by the deflecting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Each of the sheets are configured for deflecting the associated bullet from its substantially linear path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

the one or more sheets of fabric material are laminated with the rubber material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 4

other forms of attaching or otherwise coupling the fabric with the rubber, such as by impregnation methods for example

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpregnation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8550466B2Bullet decelerating medium and bullet trapping system and method using the medium

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 BBRC

AI summary

A bullet trap apparatus is provided for capturing an associated bullet traveling along a substantially linear trajectory. The bullet trap apparatus includes a support frame and a flowable material disposed on an upper surface of the support frame. The support frame has an upper surface configured to support associated material. The flowable material is disposed on the upper surface of the support frame substantially on the linear trajectory, and includes a plurality of sheets of substantially rectangular material. Each of the sheets are configured for deflecting the associated bullet from its substantially linear path and absorbing energy from the associated bullet by the deflecting, thereby slowing the traveling of the associated bullet through the flowable material. The flowable material includes a plurality of sheets of substantially rectangular material, each of the sheets including a rubber material and one or more sheets of a fabric material formed of woven strands coupled with the rubber material.