Target and projectile receiver

May 21, 1940.

H. L. FREEMAN

2,201,527

TARGET AND PROJECTILE RECEIVER

Filed Oct. 26, 1938

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ATTORNEYS

Patented May 21, 1940

2,201,527

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,201,527

TARGET AND PROJECTILE RECEIVER Howard L. Freeman, Alma, Mich.

Application October 26, 1938, Serial No. 237,130

Claims. (Cl. 273—102.4)

The present invention relates to a new and improved combination target and projectile receiver.

An object of the invention is to provide a target 5 and projectile receiver that will effectively prevent the ricocheting of bullets aimed at the target thereby minimizing the hazards of similar devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide 10 a device of the character described adapted for use on rifle or pistol ranges, or indoors with perfect safety.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a receptacle for receiving the 16 projectiles that is completely enclosed and conveniently accessible.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a means for illuminating the target and receiver that is adapted to be secured to the 20 body of the device.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2—2 of Figure 2,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken, substantially on line 3—3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a partial side elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 1 and illustrating a modified hopper front enclosure.

The herein described invention may be erected on a pistol or rifle range, or indoors and may be either a permanent or a temporary structure. It comprises substantially a cabinet-like structure, the deflection plates of which are completely 40 enclosed on three sides and formed of a relatively heavy steel. The projectile or bullet upon impacting the deflection plates will be caused to travel in a downward direction and then be deposited in a conveniently accessible compartment.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, the cabinet-like structure indicated generally by the numeral 5 comprises vertically disposed leg members 6 and 7 which are preferably formed of angle iron and which are ⁶⁰ held in spaced relation by means of the back wall plate 8 and front wall plate 9. The plates 8 and 9 are preferably welded to the leg members. In the formation of a collapsible structure the plates 8 and 9 may be bolted or similarly attached ⁸⁸ to the leg members 6 and 7 in a well known man ner. A pair of side members 10 are also attached to the leg members 6 and 7, and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, said side members are disposed on the inside of the angular portion of said leg members. The upper ends of the 5 side members are disposed at an angle to conform with the angularity of the top deflecting plate 11 and are preferably welded thereto. By . this construction it is impossible for a projected bullet to ricochet and be discharged upwardly or 10 on either side of the cabinet-like structure. The front and back plates 8 and 9, respectively, are of a size sufficient to form a complete enclosure.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing it will be noted that there is provided a pair of deflecting 15 plates 11 and 12, respectively. The top deflecting plate II diverges downwardly at an angle and one end 13 thereof, is curved toward the front of the cabinet to direct the projected bullet toward the deflecting plate 12. The path of the projectile £0 aimed at the target 13', is indicated by the arrows and it will be noted that the projectile when impacting the deflector plate II will course downwardly toward the curved end of said plate and then be projected against the plate 12. The plate 25 12 diverges upwardly from the front of the cabinet and the inner end 14 thereof will overlap the curved end 13 of the plate 12. The opposite end 15 of the plate 12 is curved downwardly whereby the projected bullets are caused to be 30 discharged within the receptacle 16. As aforeindicated the deflecting plates II and 12 are welded or otherwise secured to the side walls 10 and are preferably formed of a relatively heavy steel. For use with larger caliber rifles, of course, 35 the deflecting plates would be constructed of a still heavier grade of steel. It will also be noted that the front plate 9 is substantially the size of the curved end 15 and in conjunction with the front wall 17 of the receptacle 16 forms the neces- 40 sary front enclosure.

The receptacle 16 is slidably disposed on angle shaped arms 18, which arms are welded or otherwise secured to the leg members 6 and 7. The receptacle 16 is preferably formed of steel and is 45 readily accessible for emptying the projected bullets.

The target 13' is suspended in the upper front portion of the cabinet by means of the clip 19 carried by the wire 20, which wire is attached SO in any desired manner to the side walls 10. It is to be understood, however, that the cabinet structure can be of sufficient size to accommodate two or more targets which would be suspended in the illustrated and described manner. 55

3,301,637

For providing illumination for the target and receptacle there is employed a supporting arm 21 attached to the upwardly extending end 22 of the plate ii and on the opposite end to a 6 bracket 23 and is suitably clamped to said members by means of the clamps 24. The arm 21 is hollow for threadedly receiving the electrical conducting wire 26, the end 26 of which may be plugged into a suitable outlet. A conventional 10 reflector 27 is carried by the opposite end of the tube 21 and within said reflector is supported the illuminating element.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawing, it will be noted that the front portion surrounding the tar16 get 13' has been increased in size by providing a hopper front 26 which is preferably detachably secured to the front leg members 7 by any desired means. It will be noted that the lower end of the hopper front 26 extends below the 20 removable receptacle 17 and when desiring to obtain access to said receptacle, the front 26 is removed.

From the above description it will be readily apparent that there is provided a target and 25 projectile receiver that will effectively prevent the ricocheting of projected bullets and cause their deposit in an accessible receptacle. The angularity of the deflector plates and their association with the front, side and rear members 30 minimizes the hazard of the bullet being ricocheted back to the marksman.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitu85 tion of substantial equivalents for the devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the 40 drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifi cations may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.