Modular shooting range

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular, expandable, and portable shooting range system. The system can include one or more shooting modules that mount together to provide different numbers of shooting lanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered with removable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on as customer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length of the shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. The shooting range system can further include a control booth which is divided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrally formed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control booth can include a module control which allows a person to control lighting, air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and can further provide a safe location to view the range.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of installing a shooting range system, the method comprising: 
 positioning at least two first modules, each said first module have a first end, a second end, a pre-engineered door opening configured to receive a door at said first end, and at least one removable panel disposed between said door opening and said second end, an area adjacent said at least one removable panel being pre-engineered with one or more structural supports to maintain structural integrity of said first module during transport, assembly, and disassembly; and    following positioning said at least two first modules, aligning said first end and said at least one removable panel of each said first module and mounting said at least two first modules together.    
     
     
         2 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising connecting electrical power to each of said at least two first modules.  
     
     
         3 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising selectively removing said at least one removable panel from each of said at least two first modules to define an opening between said at least two first modules, said opening being unfilled to allow unimpeded access between said at least two first modules at a location between said door opening and said second end.  
     
     
         4 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising mounting at least one second module to at least one of said at least two first modules, said at least one second module extending a length of the shooting range system.  
     
     
         5 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said first module and said second module comprises two firing lanes.  
     
     
         6 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising mounting at least one third module to at least one of said second module, said at least one third module extending a length of the shooting range system.  
     
     
         7 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising mounting a control module to both of said at least two first modules, said control module providing a safe location for a range controller of the shooting range system.  
     
     
         8 . A method of installing a shooting range system, the method comprising: 
 pre-engineering one or more shipping containers at a first location, said one or more shipping containers each having a first end and a second end and being pre-engineered with: 
 at least one door opening to receive a door;  
 at least one removable panel disposed between said at least one door and said second end; and  
 at least one projectile resistant layer formed on at least one wall of each of said one or more shipping containers;  
   moving said one or more shipping containers to a second location, remote from the first location, where the shooting range system is to be installed; and    following positioning said one or more shipping containers, installing the shooting range system by aligning said at least one removable panel of each shipping container of said one or more shipping containers and mounting said one or more shipping containers together.    
     
     
         9 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising connecting electrical power to each of said one or more shipping containers.  
     
     
         10 . The method of install the shooting range system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising pre-engineering each of said one or more shipping containers for a ventilation system adapted to filter gases and particulates from within said shipping container.  
     
     
         11 . The method of install the shooting range system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising pre-engineering each of said one or more shipping containers with at least one deflector structure that deflects projectiles toward said second end of said one or more shipping containers.  
     
     
         12 . The method of install the shooting range system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising pre-engineering each of said one or more shipping containers with two shooting stations disposed toward said first end of each of said one or more shipping containers.  
     
     
         13 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising selectively removing said at least one removable panel from each of said at least two first modules to define an opening between said at least two first modules, said opening being unfilled to allow unimpeded access between said at least two first modules at a location between said door opening and said second end.  
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a shooting range system, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first module, a second module, and an intermediate module, each of said first module, said second module, and said intermediate module pre-engineered to maintain structural integrity of said first module, said second module, and said intermediate module during transport, assembly, and disassembly;    mounting said intermediate module to said first module, one or more first overlapping members extending from a first module interior to an intermediate module interior; and    mounting said intermediate module to said second module, one or more second overlapping member extending from said intermediate module interior to a second module interior.    
     
     
         15 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said one or more first overlapping member are inclined to direct projectiles toward said intermediate module.  
     
     
         16 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising connecting electrical power to one of said first module, said second module, and said intermediate module.  
     
     
         17 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising mounting at least one additional first module to said first module, at least one additional second module to said second module, and at least one additional intermediate module to said intermediate module.  
     
     
         18 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising installing at least one door within at least one door opening pre-engineered at a first end of each of said at least one first module and said at least one additional first module.  
     
     
         19 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in claim  178 , further comprising removing at least one removable panel from at least one of said first module and said at least one additional first module following mounting of said at least one additional first module to said first module to provide access between said first module and said at least one additional first module, said at least one removable panel being disposed between said at least one door opening and a second end of said at least one first module and said at least one additional first module.  
     
     
         20 . The method of installing the shooting range system as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising mounting at least one bullet trap within said second module interior.