Ruggedized Holder Angled Deflector Plates Projectile Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional target holders in shooting ranges are vulnerable to damage from stray projectiles, leading to equipment failure, repair costs, and lane closures, as they lack the necessary ruggedness to withstand repeated impacts and often redirect projectiles back towards the firing line.

Innovation Solution

A ruggedized holder with angled deflector plates, a brake mechanism, and a decoupled rolling mechanism that redirects projectiles away from the firing line, incorporates a media cutting blade and features like V-shaped legs and shields to prevent ricochets, and uses replaceable deflection noses to absorb impacts, ensuring minimal damage and safe projectile diversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional target holders are used, then they provide basic target holding function, but they are vulnerable to damage from stray projectiles and redirect projectiles back towards the firing line

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to projectile damageVSAvoidprojectile ricochet towards firing line

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies angled deflector plates that intercept stray projectiles and redirect them away from the firing line. The deflector plates are positioned at specific angles to convert the harmful projectile impacts into beneficial redirection, preventing ricochets from returning to shooters while utilizing the kinetic energy of the stray projectiles for safe diversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces decoupled rolling mechanisms as intermediary components between the target media and the base unit. These rolling mechanisms absorb and redirect projectile impacts, acting as a mediator that protects the main holder structure while preventing dangerous ricochets. The rolling elements provide a buffer that converts direct impacts into controlled redirection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ruggedized holder with angled deflector plates is used, then projectile redirection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojectile ricochet preventionVSAvoidholder structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the holder into modular segments including the base unit, angled deflector plates, and decoupled rolling mechanisms. Each component can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the complex functionality to be achieved through simple, separable elements rather than a monolithic complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to stop projectiles with flat vertical surfaces, the patent inverts the approach by using angled surfaces that naturally redirect projectiles away. The deflector plates are positioned at angles less than 90 degrees to the vertical, causing projectiles to bounce away from the firing line rather than back toward it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If replaceable deflection noses are added to absorb impacts, then equipment durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholder service lifeVSAvoidholder manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates replaceable deflection noses as sacrificial components that can be easily replaced when worn or damaged. These noses are designed to be simple, inexpensive elements that absorb the brunt of projectile impacts, protecting the more expensive and complex holder structure. When the noses wear out, they can be quickly swapped without replacing the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 ruggedized holder effectively redirects stray projectiles away from the firing line, reducing equipment damage and ensuring shooter safety by configuring all surfaces to prevent ricochets back towards the shooter, thereby minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

the lower deflector plate has a front facing surface that extends at an angle that is not vertical... effectively redirects stray projectiles away from the firing line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRicochet: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one brake block that reduces overtravel by the roll of target media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11852446B2Ruggedized holder

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 EVOLVE RANGE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A ruggedized holder has a base unit that accepts a roll of target media. The base unit includes a first side plate and a second side plate that opposes the first side plate. Moreover, a lower deflector plate having a front facing surface extends between the first side plate and the second side plate. Also, the base unit includes an upper deflector plate that extends between the first side plate and the second side plate above the lower deflector plate. The first side plate, the second side plate, the lower deflector plate and the upper deflector plate define an enclosure that protects the roll of target media. In addition, a stand can couple to the base unit.