Ballistic Shell Cartridge Recovery Mat System

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method of using the device for collecting, transporting, and storing spent cartridge casings wherein the device is composed of a generally square mat, with a handle or hand accommodating device configured as a pocket affixed at each of three corners and a collection and storage bag affixed to the fourth corner.

Claims

1. A ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat, comprising: a. a generally square mat composed of flexible material, wherein the flexible material is selected from the following list: i. fabric; ii. fiberglass; or iii. nylon mesh; b. wherein a handle or other hand accommodating device is affixed to each of three corners; c. wherein at least one handle or other hand accommodating device affixed to each of three corners is a pocket; d. wherein a tubular collection and storage bag is affixed to the fourth corner such that it extends linearly away from the center of the mat; e. wherein a drawstring closure is affixed around the tubular collection and storage bag near the distal end of the tubular collection and storage bag away from the mat.

2. A method of using a ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat of claim 1, comprising: a. laying the mat on the ground next to the location where a shooter will fire a gun; b. spreading the mat out in a position suitable for use by the shooter in the act of shooting; c. placing a rock or other weighted object into at least one of the handles or other hand accommodating devices configured as a pocket; d. if the drawstring closure at the distal end of the tubular collection and storage bag is open, closing the drawstring closure at the distal end of the tubular collection and storage bag around the tubular collection and storage bag; e. wherein the shooter takes at least one shot wherein a spent casing is discharged from, or is otherwise placed on, the mat; f. wherein the shooter removes and discards the weighted object inserted into at least one of the pockets used as a handle or other hand accommodating device; g. wherein the shooter picks up the mat by lifting at least two corners where handles or hand accommodating devices are attached; h. wherein spent cartridge casings are deposited into the tubular collection and storage bag; and i. wherein the mat with handles or hand accommodating devices is folded or rolled up and then inserted into the attached end tubular collection and storage bag.

3. A method of using a ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat of claim 2, wherein elements c. and d. may occur in either order.

4. A method of using a ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat of claim 2, wherein at least one shooter stands adjacent to the mat.

5. A method of using a ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat of claim 2, wherein at least one shooter stands on the mat.

6. A method of using a ballistic shell cartridge recovery mat of claim 2, further comprising loosening the drawstring closure at the distal end of the tubular collection and storage bag and removing the spent cartridge casings stored therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention as deployed on the ground with a shooter standing next to it so that spent cartridge casings from a gun are ejected onto the top surface of the present invention. The drawstring is presently loosened around the collection and storage bag.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention with the two handles on either side of the collection and storage bag being lifted. The drawstring is tightened around the collection and storage bag. The spent cartridge casings are in the center of the mat.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention with the two handles on either side of the collection and storage bag being lifted. The drawstring is tightened around the collection and storage bag. The spent cartridge casings have been rolled or otherwise repositioned into the collection and storage bag.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention with all three handles attached to the mat being lifted. The mat is folded into a linear array. The drawstring is tightened around the collection and storage bag. The spent cartridge casings have been rolled or otherwise repositioned into the collection and storage bag.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention with the linear array of the mat rolled up and positioned into the top of the collection and storage bag sealing the spent cartridge casings inside the collection and storage bag. The drawstring is tightened around the collection and storage bag. The entire assembly may be transported this way.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention with the linear array of the mat rolled up and positioned into the top of the collection and storage bag. The drawstring is loosened, and the spent cartridge casings are rolled out of, or otherwise repositioned out of, the collection and storage bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the device the mat 200 is typically deployed on the ground next to a shooter 100 shooting a firearm that discharges 102 spent cartridge casings 101 with every shot.

[0019] The type of firearm is variable, ranging from a Colt-type AR-15 or M-16 type of rifle or a Remington Model 870 or 1100 type shotgun to an M-2 Browning type of machine gun. In all cases the firearm generally must automatically discharge spent cartridge casings or hulls with every shot. Firearms that do not discharge cartridge casings with every shot (i.e. a revolver-type of pistol or a side-by-side-type of shotgun) must be unloaded in such a manner that the spent cartridge casings are placed on mat 200.

[0020] Mat 200 is in the general form of a square composed of flexible fabric material with handles 201, 202, and 203 or other hand accommodating fixtures at three corners and a collection and storage bag 210 at the fourth corner.

[0021] The flexible fabric material may be a fine mesh material woven of plastic, cloth, fiberglass, or fine metal; a cloth fabric such as canvas or cotton, synthetic material or linen; a sheet of flexible plastic material such as a polymer or polyurethane mesh in the form of sheet, a sheet of woven fiberglass and the like.

[0022] The handles 201, 202, or 203 or other hand accommodating fixtures at three corners of the mat may be constructed of flexible material such as canvas or leather or solid material such as steel, aluminum, plastic, or iron. The handles 201, 202, or 203 or other hand accommodating fixtures are affixed to the generally square mat 200 of flexible fabric.

[0023] The collection and storage bag 210 at the fourth corner of the mat is open at the end directly affixed to the mat 200 and has a drawstring closure 211 and 212 near its other end.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 2, the drawstring closure 211 and 212 may be tightened to close the middle of collection and storage bag 210. By this means, spent cartridges 101 are retained near the center of mat 200 as the corners of the mat are picked up using handles 201, 202, and 203 or hand accommodating fixtures.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 3, spent cartridges are rolled from the center of the mat 200 into the collection and storage bag 210.

[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the entirety of the mat 200 (including handles 201, 202, and 203 or hand accommodating fixtures) is folded and rolled up such that it can be stuffed into the collection and storage bag 210 sealing the spent cartridge casings 101 inside the collection and storage bag 210. In this form, the mat 200 (including handles 201, 202, and 203 or hand accommodating fixtures) and the spent cartridge casings 101 may be picked up and physically transported together.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 6, at some later time, the drawstring closure 211 and 212 around the collection and storage bag 210 is released and the collection and storage bag 210 is opened thus giving access to the spent cartridge casings 101 inside. The spent cartridge casings 101 may be removed and reloaded or otherwise processed at this time.

[0028] While the invention has been described in connection with what are the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. More specifically: 1) Variants that seek to increase the number of spent cartridge casings 101 that may be contained and transported; and/or, 2) Variants that seek to change the overall shape of the device, from its present generally square mat 200 shape to other geometries (e.g. rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.); 3) Variants which may be attached, or otherwise affixed, to the firearms with which they are used; 4) Variants that change the number of individuals that can simultaneously use the device; and/or, 5) Substitutions to the type or types of materials from which the sheet is constructed are included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.