US Patent:
20040212151, Oct 28, 2004
Inventors:
Jeffrey Peiten - La Puente CA, US
Joe Tom - Vicksburg MS, US
Charles Weiss - Clinton MS, US
Philip Malone - Vicksburg MS, US
Steven Larson - Vicksburg MS, US
International Classification:
F41J001/12
Abstract:
A backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles includes a support structure having an upper surface and at least one bin region shielded from incoming rounds. A projectile trapping medium, preferably a mixture of a resilient granular ballistic medium and a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel, is disposed on the upper surface and within the bins. Bins are defined by one or more transverse baffles spanning substantially the entire width of the backstop. The baffles are preferably constructed of a non-ricochet producing material. Natural or induced vibrations will urge trapped rounds downwards into the bins. In embodiments, the lower surface of one or more bins declines toward either or both sides of the backstop, such that vibration urges spent rounds towards collection points along the sides of the backstop. Access ports may be provided in the backstop sidewalls proximate these collection points to allow for removal of spent rounds. The volume removed may be filtered to reclaim projectile trapping medium for reuse in the backstop.