Modular firing range

Abstract

A modular firing range includes a first subset of modular containers that form a first end of the firing range. The first subset includes outer walls that define the first end of the firing range and side walls that define a portion of a side of the firing range. A second subset of modular containers form a second end of the firing range. The second subset includes outer walls that define the second end of the firing range and side walls that define a portion of the side of the firing range. A third subset of modular containers is coupleable between the first subset and the second subset to form a medial portion of the firing range. The third subset includes outer walls that define a portion of the side of the firing range. The firing range includes an armored outer perimeter that provides complete ballistic containment in all directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular firing range having an open floor plan, comprising:
 a modular container comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel that extends between a first edge of the top panel and a first edge of the bottom panel, wherein a second edge of the top panel and a second edge of the bottom panel at least partially define an opening to an interior space that provides a user an area in which to move about, the modular container including a support structure comprising:
 a first column extending between a first corner of the second edge of the top panel and a first corner of the second edge of the bottom panel; 
 a second column extending between a second corner of the second edge of the top panel and a second corner of the second edge of the bottom panel; and 
 a support beam extending across the second edge of the top panel and that is coupled with the first column and the second column. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support structure further comprises a third column extending between a medial portion of the second edge of the bottom panel and a medial portion of the second edge of the top panel; and   a top end of the third column is coupled with a bottom surface of the support beam.   
     
     
         3 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the modular container further comprises one or both of a first end panel extending between the side panel, the top panel, and the bottom panel at a first end of the modular container or a second end panel extending between the side panel, the top panel, and the bottom panel at a second end of the modular container.   
     
     
         4 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an additional modular container coupled with the modular container, the additional modular container comprising an open side adjacent the support structure such that no walls separate the interior space of the modular container and an interior space of the additional modular container.   
     
     
         5 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support beam is coupled between the first column and the second column.   
     
     
         6 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a cross-section of one or more of the first column, the second column, and the support beam is rectangular or I-shaped.   
     
     
         7 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a width of the first column and the second column is between about 100 mm and 300 mm.   
     
     
         8 . A modular firing range having an open floor plan, comprising:
 a modular container comprising a bottom panel, a top panel, and at least one support structure that supports the top panel at a distance above the bottom panel along at least one edge of the modular container, wherein the modular container defines an opening to an interior space that provides a user an area in which to move about, each of the at least one support structure comprising:
 a first column extending between a first corner of a first edge of the top panel and a first corner of the first edge of the bottom panel; 
 a second column extending between a second corner of the first edge of the top panel and a second corner of the first edge of the bottom panel; and 
 a support beam extending across the first edge of the top panel and that is coupled with the first column and the second column. 
   
     
     
         9 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 one or more sidewalls, one or more end walls, or combinations thereof extending between the top panel and the bottom panel on edges of the modular container that do not include the at least one support structure.   
     
     
         10 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the support structure further comprises a third column extending between a medial portion of the first edge of the bottom panel and a medial portion of the first edge of the top panel; and   a top end of the third column is coupled with a bottom surface of the support beam   
     
     
         11 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an additional modular container coupled with the modular container, the additional modular container comprising an open side adjacent the support structure such that no walls separate the interior space of the modular container and an interior space of the additional modular container.   
     
     
         12 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an anti-ricochet material positioned about each of the first column and the second column.   
     
     
         13 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the support beam is secured to the first column and the second column using fasteners, welding, or both.   
     
     
         14 . The modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the modular container has no walls.   
     
     
         15 . A method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan, comprising:
 removing at least one sidewall of a first modular container;   replacing the at least one sidewall of the first modular container with a first support structure comprising:
 a first support beam coupled to a top edge of the first modular container; and 
 two or more columns supporting the first support beam; 
   removing at least one sidewall of a second modular container;   replacing the at least one sidewall of the second modular container with a second support structure comprising:
 a second support beam coupled to a top edge of the second modular container; and 
 two or more columns supporting the second support beam; and 
   coupling the first modular container with the second modular container such that the two or more columns supporting the first support beam are substantially aligned with the two or more columns supporting the second support beam.   
     
     
         16 . The method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 covering the aligned two or more columns of each of the first modular container and the second modular container with an anti-ricochet material.   
     
     
         17 . The method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 15 , wherein:
 removing at least one sidewall of a first modular container comprises removing all peripheral walls of the first modular container.   
     
     
         18 . The method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first support structure comprises a generally U-shaped profile.   
     
     
         19 . The method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first support structure comprises a generally M-shaped profile.   
     
     
         20 . The method of creating a modular firing range having an open floor plan of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first support beam is secured to the two or more columns using fasteners, welding, or both.