Apparatus for Target Shooting and Projectile Containment

Abstract

An Apparatus for Target Shooting and Projectile Containment, known as a Frag Shield, comprising a first, absorption, layer and a backing layer with an open space between the layers, thereby dissipating energy from projectiles as they pass through the first layer, stopping the projectile with the backing layer, and containing the projectile or particle fragments between the layers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for target shooting comprising: a first layer; a backing layer; and an open layer, wherein said first layer is located relative to said backing layer such that said open layer is formed between said first layer and said backing layer.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer is removably attached to said backing layer.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a spacer operable to locate said first layer and said backing layer; and said spacer is operable to form said open layer.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a flexible connecter removably attached to said first layer and said backing layer operable to locate said first layer and said backing layer; and said flexible connector is operable to form said open layer.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a means for hanging said first layer in line with said backing layer; and said means for hanging is operable to form said open layer.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer includes an extended edge operable to enclose said open layer on at least three sides.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said backing layer comprises a sheet with at least one bend; and wherein said bend is operable to locate said backing layer relative to said first layer and form said open layer.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first layer comprises at least one of a group consisting of a polymer, a plastic, a rubber, a fabric, a wood, a wood composite, or a Kevlar composite.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said backing layer comprises at least one of a group consisting of iron, steel, nickel, ceramic, concrete, rock, plastic, or hardened polymer.

10. A method of target shooting comprising: shooting projectiles at a shooting target comprised of a first layer, a backing layer, with an open layer between said first layer and said backing layer, from a predetermined direction at a predetermined distance.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined direction comprises a range of directions from perpendicular to said first layer to sixty degrees off of perpendicular of said first layer of said shooting target.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined distance is a range from 1 to 1,000 yards.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] The present shooting target apparatus, also called the Frag Shield, greatly improves shooter safety, range and target longevity, and ease of use in comparison to existing designs.

[0064] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the Frag Shield. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the embodiments of the Frag Shield may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the many benefits of the Frag Shield.

[0065] Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 3, an absorption layer 101 is removably attached to the backing layer 103 by a spacer standoff 102, a nut 106, and a bolt 105, so that an open layer 104 is formed between the absorption layer 101 and the backing layer 103.

[0066] Referring next to FIG. 4, which illustrates a bullet 107 impacting the Frag Shield, a bullet 107 passes through the absorption layer 101, then the open layer 104, before impacting with the backing layer 103. As the bullet 107 impacts the backing layer 103, the bullet 107 usually fragments, as shown by bullets fragments 108.

[0067] The bullet fragments 108 are then contained by the back side of the absorption layer 101. In this particular embodiment, the open layer 104 is not bounded by either the absorption layer 101 or the backing layer 103, so the bullet fragments 108 may fall downward, out of the open layer 104 once the bullet fragments' 108 kinetic energy is spent. Even if the bullet's 107 kinetic energy is not spent, the bullet 107 and bullet fragments 108 are redirected out of the open layer in a safe direction.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, which illustrate another possible embodiment of the Frag Shield, an absorption layer 501 is removably attached to the backing layer 502 by a spacer standoff 507, a nut 505, and a bolt 506, so that an open layer 504 is formed between the absorption layer 501 and the backing layer 502. In this embodiment, the absorption layer 501 has an extended edge 503 that extends from the absorption layer 501 to the backing layer 502, thereby bounding the open layer 504 to make it fully enclosed. When the backing layer 502 is struck by a bullet 509, the bullet fragments 508 are fully contained within the open layer 504.

[0069] Referring next to FIG. 8, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 802 directly attached to a backing layer 801. The absorption layer 802 is removably attached to the backing layer 801 using a bolt 805 and nut 804. In this embodiment, an open layer 803 is created by several bends in the backing layer 801 which offset most of the surface of the backing layer 801.

[0070] Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901 that are not directly attached to each other. Instead of being directly attached the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901 are hanging in line with each other using eyebolts 903 connected to each layer using nuts 904. By being hung apart, but in line, an open layer 905 is created between the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901. Being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 902 and backing layer 901.

[0071] Referring next to FIG. 11, which illustrates an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 1102 flexibly attached to a backing layer 1101 using a hinge 1103. In this embodiment, the hinge 1103 is mounted such that an open layer 1104 is created between the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1103. Similarly to being hung independently, being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1101, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 1102 and backing layer 1101. This effect can also be enhanced by mounting the Frag Shield so that the backing layer 1101 is forwardly angled relative to the ground. Doing this allows the absorption layer 1102 to hang further from the backing layer 1101. By increasing the size of the open layer 1104, a bullet passing through the absorption layer 1102 transfers more energy to the absorption layer 1102 in the form of a transfer of momentum between the two that occurs over a longer time interval because of the increased distance over which the bullet and absorption layer 1102 travel together as the bullet passes through the absorption layer 1102.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, which illustrate an embodiment of the Frag Shield with an absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204 mounted on a stand 1203 using mounting rods 1202. By being mounted apart, but in line, an open layer 1205 is created between the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204. Being configured in this way allows the Frag Shield to absorb more energy from bullets or bullet fragments as they impact the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204, because a bullet's impact with each layer absorbs extra energy in the form of a transfer of momentum from the bullet to the absorption layer 1201 and backing layer 1204. As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, the mounting rods 1202 may be made from either a rigid material, such as steel, or from a flexible material, such as spring steel. By being either rigid, flexible, or a combination of both, the mounting rods 1202 can be used to augment the amount of energy absorbed by the absorption layer, thereby allowing the amount of energy absorption to be tailored to specific conditions as required.

[0073] Numerous modifications to the features described and shown are possible. Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to be construed as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed herein and addressed in the appended claims.