Granulate backstop assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a projectile trap for capturing projectiles emitted along a line substantially parallel to an underlying ground/floor surface. The trap includes a support structure including an inclined support surface that is inclined relative to the line of the projectiles. The inclined support surface includes a front edge positioned generally at the ground/floor surface, and a rear edge oriented at a higher elevation than the front edge. The trap also includes a particulate flowable granular material supported by the support structure. At least a portion of the granulate material is disposed above the inclined support surface such that the inclined support surface is substantially covered with granulate material. The granulate material is adapted for slowing down and capturing the projectiles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A projectile trap for capturing projectiles emitted along a line substantially parallel to the ground, the trap comprising: 
 a support structure including an inclined support surface that is inclined relative to the line of the projectiles;    a particulate flowable granular material supported by the support structure, at least a portion of the granulate material being disposed above the inclined support surface such that the inclined support surface is substantially covered with granulate material, the granulate material being adapted for slowing down and capturing the projectiles; and    a front retaining wall positioned in front of a lower edge of the inclined support surface, the front retaining wall extending across a front of the support structure and extending in an upward direction from the ground, the front retaining wall being arranged and configured to retain a portion of the granulate material behind the retaining wall, and the retaining wall having a height substantially shorter than a height of the inclined support surface.    
     
     
         2 . The projectile trap of  claim 1 , wherein the front retaining wall is spaced from the lower edge of the inclined support surface such that a desired thickness of granulate material is positioned between the front retaining wall and the lower edge of the inclined support surface.  
     
     
         3 . The projectile trap of  claim 2 , further comprising a self-healing member covering the granulate material.  
     
     
         4 . The projectile trap of  claim 3 , wherein the self-healing member extends in a generally upright direction and is positioned between the inclined support surface and the front retaining wall.  
     
     
         5 . The projectile trap of  claim 4 , further comprising side wall portions extending between the self healing member and the front retaining wall, wherein the self healing member, the side wall portions and the front retaining wall cooperate to define a front box-shaped cavity where granulate material will accumulate.  
     
     
         6 . The projectile trap of  claim 5 , wherein the self healing member defines holes for allowing granular material to flow into the box-shaped cavity.  
     
     
         7 . The projectile trap of  claim 6 , further comprising means for vibrating the inclined support surface to encourage the granulate material to flow through the holes into the box-shaped cavity.  
     
     
         8 . The projectile trap of  claim 1 , further comprising a rear retaining wall positioned at an upper edge of the inclined support surface, the rear retaining wall extending across a back of the support structure and extending in an upward direction from the upper edge, and the front retaining wall being arranged and configured to retain a portion of the granulate material in front of the rear retaining wall.  
     
     
         9 . The projectile trap of  claim 8 , wherein the front and rear retaining walls are substantially parallel and substantially upright.  
     
     
         10 . The projectile trap of  claim 1 , wherein the granulate material comprises particulate rubber, and the trap further includes an anti-adhesion material interspersed between the particulate rubber, whereby the anti-adhesion material prevents adhesion of the particulate rubber in the presence of heat generated by the received projectiles.  
     
     
         11 . The projectile trap of  claim 10 , wherein the anti-adhesion material comprises a powdered material which adheres to particulate rubber material.  
     
     
         12 . The projectile trap of  claim 11 , wherein the powdered material comprises talc.  
     
     
         13 . The projectile trap of  claim 10 , wherein the anti-adhesion material comprises a powdered fire-retardant material which adheres to the particulate rubber material.  
     
     
         14 . The projectile trap of  claim 13 , wherein the powdered fire-retardant material comprises a noncorrosive sodium bicarbonate chemical.  
     
     
         15 . The projectile trap of  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the support structure are made of steel.  
     
     
         16 . The projectile trap of  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the support structure are made of concrete.  
     
     
         17 . A projectile trap for capturing projectiles emitted along a line substantially parallel to an underlying ground/floor surface, the trap comprising: 
 a support structure including an inclined support surface that is inclined relative to the line of the projectiles, the inclined support surface including a front edge positioned generally at the ground/floor surface, and a rear edge oriented at a higher elevation than the front edge; and    a particulate flowable granular material supported by the support structure, at least a portion of the granulate material being disposed above the inclined support surface such that the inclined support surface is substantially covered with granulate material, the granulate material being adapted for slowing down and capturing the projectiles.    
     
     
         18 . The projectile trap of  claim 17 , wherein the granulate material comprises particulate rubber, and the trap further includes a fire-retardant material interspersed between the particulate rubber.  
     
     
         19 . The projectile trap of  claim 17 , wherein at least portions of the support structure are made of steel.  
     
     
         20 . The projectile trap of  claim 17 , wherein at least portions of the support structure are made of concrete.  
     
     
         21 . The projectile trap of  claim 17 , further comprising a self-healing member that covers the granulate material, whereby the projectiles penetrate the self-healing member in order to enter the particulate granulate material.