EP3575734A1 - Firing target for firearms shooting training - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a shooting practice target (1) comprising a bullet collector housing (100), said bullet collector housing (100) comprising a trellis structure (200) disposed within the housing. bullet collector (100) in front of a bottom wall (105) of the bale collector housing (100), which lattice structure (200) is intended to dissipate the kinetic energy of incident bullets and has a plurality of deflection plates ( 201, 202) intended to deflect the trajectory of the incident balls, said deflection plates (201, 202) being arranged in at least a first inclined plane (P1, P2) with respect to the bottom wall (105). The shooting training target (1) further comprising a protective screen (50) placed in front of the lattice structure (200) of the bullet collector box (100), on the trajectory of the incident bullets, and intended to stop d 'possible bullet fragments produced upon impact of the bullets on the lattice structure (200). Furthermore, said protective screen (50) consists of a plurality of interlocking elements (500, 505, 510) made integral with one another by means of a set of interlocking joining elements (501a, 502a, 506a, 506b, 507a, 507b, 511a, 512a).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention generally relates to a firearms training target.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Firearms training targets for capturing or trapping at least part of the bullets, bullet fragments and other bullet residues after impact are known in the state of the art. Such targets are notably discussed in the publications DE 93 21 164 U1 , DE 43 17 742 A1 , DE 20 2004 005 719 U1 , WO 2009/035401 A2 and US 2017/0248393 A1 .

These solutions, however, are not enough to capture and effectively trap the bullets fired by a handgun or shoulder, especially when firing at close range or very short distance.

In particular, these targets pose a significant risk of injury to the shooter because of the possible bursts generated during the impact of bullets and / or ricochets, especially during poorly adjusted shots. These marksmanship targets do not provide adequate protection from the point of view of fencer security, and are therefore primarily used for distance shootings that reflect poorly or poorly the actual conditions of firearm engagement. by police or security forces, for example.

These known targets also present problems from an ecological point of view insofar as bullets and bullet fragments are not effectively trapped by the target, let alone collected in the target itself, and are therefore likely to end their run in the environment of the target, which requires a specific treatment, and potentially expensive, waste caused by repeated firing.

A particularly advantageous solution to the above-mentioned problems is the subject of the European Patent Application No. 16203505.9 of December 12, 2016 as well as the corresponding international application (PCT) PCT / IB2017 / 056851 of November 3, 2017 , both filed in the name of the present Applicant and entitled "TARGET TRAINING TARGET BY FIREARMS".

The Applicant's tests on the target subject of the two aforementioned requests have led the Applicant to make improvements to further increase the security for the shooters, to reduce the environmental impact resulting from the use of the target. as well as to simplify and increase the robustness of the firing training target, improvements that are the subject of the present invention.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is therefore to improve firearms training targets.

More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a firearms shooting target which provides optimum protection for shooters.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to propose a firearm shooting target whose environmental impact resulting from its use is reduced and which makes it possible to facilitate the treatment of the waste resulting from the shooting training. including the possible recovery and recycling of bullets, bullet fragments and other bullet residues.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a firearms shooting target which is both robust, easy to maintain and therefore economical to use.

The present invention serves these purposes by providing a firing training target, the features of which are listed in claim 1, namely, a firearm shooting target comprising a bale-collecting casing, said bale-collecting casing; bales comprising a lattice structure disposed within the bale-collecting housing in front of a bottom wall of the bale-collecting housing, which lattice structure is for dissipating the kinetic energy of incident bales and has a plurality of deflection plates intended to deflect the trajectory of the incident bales, said deflection plates being arranged in at least a first inclined plane with respect to the bottom wall. Target The firing training device further comprises a protective screen placed in front of the lattice structure of the bale-collecting box, on the trajectory of the bales incidental, and intended to stop any bursts of bullets produced during the impact of the bales on the lattice structure. The target according to the invention is characterized in that said protective screen consists of a plurality of nested elements made integral with each other by means of a set of interlocking fastening elements.

Preferably, said plurality of interleaved elements comprises a plurality of identical and interchangeable interleaved intermediate elements each comprising at least one upper interlocking fastening element intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element of another element adjacent to the protection screen placed immediately. above and at least one lower interlockable fastening element intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element of another element adjacent to the protection screen placed immediately below.

In this context, according to a preferred variant of the invention, each intermediate element may advantageously comprise an outward facing portion of the fire training target and an inwardly facing back portion of the target. firing training and lattice structure therein, the facade portion being offset from the back portion so as to form a shoulder on which is pressed a member adjacent to the shield.

Preferably, each intermediate element comprises a pair of upper interlocking fastening elements and a pair of lower interlocking fastening elements complementary to the pair of upper interlocking fastening elements. More specifically, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned facade portion and back portion each have an upper interlocking fastening element and a lower interlockable fastening element complementary to the upper interlocking fastening element.

Furthermore, according to yet another variant of the invention, said plurality of nested elements also comprises an upper terminal element. disposed in the upper part of the protective screen and nested in an upper part of a first intermediate element, or upper intermediate element, and a lower end element disposed in the lower part of the protection screen and nested in a part lower of a last intermediate element, or low intermediate element. The upper end element has at least one lower interlockable fastening element complementary to and cooperating with the upper interlocking fastening element of the upper intermediate element. Similarly, the lower end element has at least one upper interlocking fastening element complementary to and cooperating with the lower interlockable fastening element of the lower intermediate element.

According to a preferred variant of the invention, the protection screen has a rear section directed towards the inside of the firing target and the lattice structure therein, which section forming a back is arranged to take bearing against the lattice structure and forming a plurality of corresponding compartmentalized zones. In this context, the back section may in particular have bosses advantageously bearing on the lattice structure.

According to another advantageous variant of the invention, the deflection plates are arranged in such a way that, after impacting the lattice structure, the bales and fragments of bullets are driven by gravity firstly towards a rear part of the collecting box. of balls forming space between the lattice structure and the bottom wall and to a collection zone located in a lower part or below said space. More specifically, in the context of the above-mentioned preferred variant where compartmentalized zones are formed, each compartmentalized zone preferably has an opening at its bottom to permit the gravity discharge of bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues to the collection.

Preferably, the firing training target further includes a collection bin disposed in said collection area for collecting bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues, which collection bin can particularly be releasably disposed to be removed from the firing target during maintenance operations.

In this context, the bale collecting box can advantageously be mounted on a base and the collection area of bales and fragments of bales be located below the bale collecting box, in said base, a bottom wall of the bale collecting box. , resting on said base, being provided with one or more orifices communicating with said collection zone. The collection area for bullets and bullet fragments is preferably also accessible from the rear of the shooting training target.

According to yet another preferred variant of the invention, a front edge of the bale-collecting housing is covered with a protective frame against the direct impact of bales, said protective frame being mounted interchangeably on said bale-collecting housing. This protective frame may in particular be interposed between the front edge of the bale collector box and the protective screen.

Still according to a preferred variant of the invention, the firing training target is mobile and supported by a positioning device for adjusting a ground position of said firing training target. It may in particular be a rolling device comprising a set of wheels, at least one of which is orientable. In this context, the positioning device is preferably arranged on a lower portion of a foot of the firing target, which foot is provided with a protective skirt protecting the positioning device against direct impacts bales.

The firing training target according to the invention may also advantageously comprise a covering made of a resilient material, in particular a synthetic material such as polyurethane, the protective screen being preferably made of the same resilient material as the dressing.

The bale collecting box and the lattice structure can likewise advantageously be made of metallic material, preferably ballistic steel.

Other aspects of the invention are described in the following description.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la Figure 1 montre une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation préféré d'une cible d'entraînement au tir par armes à feu selon la présente invention ;
• la Figure 2A est une vue de face de la cible de la Figure 1 ;
• la Figure 2B est une vue en coupe transversale de la cible prise selon un plan de coupe vertical A-A passant au-travers d'un bord latéral droit de la cible, lequel plan de coupe A-A est reporté sur la Figure 2A ;
• la Figure 2C est une vue en coupe transversale de la cible prise selon un plan de coupe incliné B-B passant au-travers de la cible, lequel plan de coupe B-B est reporté sur la Figure 2A ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la cible selon la Figure 1, laquelle illustre les composants principaux constitutifs de ladite cible ;
• la Figure 4 est une vue en perspective la cible telle qu'illustrée dans les Figures 1 à 3, mais dépourvue de son habillage, illustrant la structure interne de la cible incluant un boîter collecteur de balles monté sur un socle ;
• la Figure 5A est une vue de face de la structure interne de la cible selon la Figure 4 ;
• la Figure 5B est une vue en coupe transversale de la structure interne de la cible prise selon un plan de coupe vertical C-C passant au-travers d'un partie médiane de la structure interne de la cible, lequel plan de coupe C-C est reporté sur la Figure 5A ;
• la Figure 5C est une vue en perspective de la structure interne de la cible selon la Figure 4 prise depuis le dessous ;
• la Figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la structure interne de la cible selon la Figure 4, laquelle illustre les composants principaux constitutifs de ladite structure interne ;
• la Figure 7 est une vue de face d'un écran de protection disposée sur une partie frontale de la cible de la Figure 1, devant le boîtier collecteur de balles ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue latérale de l'écran de protection selon la Figure 7 prise depuis la gauche ;
• la Figure 9 est une vue en perspective partiellement éclatée de l'écran de protection selon les Figures 7 et 8, laquelle illustre les divers éléments constitutifs dudit écran de protection ;
• la Figure 10 est une vue en perspective, partielle, d'une partie arrière de la cible d'entraînement au tir illustrant une zone de collecte de balles et fragments de balles disposée dans un socle de la cible d'entraînement au tir, zone de collecte de balles dans laquelle un bac de collecte amovible ainsi qu'un dispositif de verrouillage associé sont avantageusement positionnés ; et
• la Figure 11 est une autre vue en perspective, partielle, de la zone de collecte de la Figure 10 prise selon un angle de vue différent.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are presented solely by way of nonlimiting examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

• the Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a firearm shooting target according to the present invention;
• the Figure 2A is a front view of the target of the Figure 1 ;
• the Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the target taken along a vertical sectional plane AA passing through a right lateral edge of the target, which cutting plane AA is plotted on the Figure 2A ;
• the Figure 2C is a cross-sectional view of the target taken along an inclined cutting plane BB passing through the target, which cutting plane BB is transferred to the Figure 2A ;
• the Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the target according to the Figure 1 which illustrates the constituent main components of said target;
• the Figure 4 is a perspective view the target as illustrated in the Figures 1 to 3 but devoid of its covering, illustrating the internal structure of the target including a ball-collecting box mounted on a base;
• the Figure 5A is a front view of the internal structure of the target according to the Figure 4 ;
• the Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the target taken along a vertical section plane CC passing through a median portion of the internal structure of the target, which cutting plane CC is transferred to the Figure 5A ;
• the Figure 5C is a perspective view of the internal structure of the target according to the Figure 4 taken from below;
• the Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure of the target according to the Figure 4 which illustrates the constituent main components of said internal structure;
• the Figure 7 is a front view of a protective screen placed on a frontal part of the target of the Figure 1 , in front of the bale collecting box;
• the Figure 8 is a side view of the protective screen according to the Figure 7 taken from the left;
• the Figure 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the protective screen according to the Figures 7 and 8 which illustrates the various constituent elements of said shield;
• the Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a rear part of the firing training target illustrating a bullets and bullet fragments collection area located in a base of the firing training target, bullet collecting area wherein a removable collection tray and an associated locking device are advantageously positioned; and
• the Figure 11 is another perspective view, partial, of the collection area of the Figure 10 taken from a different angle of view.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with reference to various preferred embodiments as illustrated in particular by the Figures 1 to 11 .

The Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a firearms training target according to the present invention, which target is designated generally by the reference numeral 1. This target 1 consists of various elements of which only a part is visible on the Figure 1 , including a protective screen 50 disposed on a front portion of the target 1 substantially facing the shooter (s) and thus on the trajectory of incident bales fired towards the target 1.

As will be seen below, the protective screen 50 is placed in front of a bale-collecting box and a lattice structure housed inside said bale-collecting box, elements which are not directly visible in the Figure 1 preferably coated with a covering 51-56 comprising several covering elements 51, 52A, 52B, 53, 54, 55 and 56. This covering 51-56, as well as the protective screen 50, is advantageously made of a resilient material, preferably a synthetic material such as polyurethane, which material is particularly suitable and resistant to use.

The Figure 2A shows a front view of the target 1 shown in the Figure 1 and the Figures 2B and 2C cross-sectional views of said target 1 taken respectively in a vertical sectional plane AA passing through a right lateral edge of the target 1 and in an inclined cross-sectional plane BB passing through the target 1, which cutting plans AA and BB are reported on the Figure 2A .

The Figure 2B thus leaving a right side wall 104 of the above-mentioned bale collection housing, designated by the reference numeral 100, which bale collection housing 100 is covered on its outer faces with the covering element 51 and on its front part by the protection screen 50.

The Figure 2B also suggests a positioning device 160/161 comprising a set of wheels 160 and 161 integral with a foot 120 of the target 1, optional features which advantageously facilitate the movement of the target 1 for its implementation on a shooting training site. This set of wheels 160, 161 is also partially visible in front view on the Figure 2A as well as in its entirety on the Figure 5C . The foot 120 is covered with the covering element 54, as well as a base (not visible on the Figures 1 and 2A-2C ) on which the bale collection housing 100 rests, which base is coated with the covering element 53.

As illustrated on Figures 1 , 2A and 2B , the covering 51-56 also comprises covering elements 55, 56 bearing information or distinctive signs, such as a covering element 55 with a logo on the lower part of the target, placed on and in front of the lower part. of the protective screen 50, and a trim element 56 carrying information, such as a target number. Two other covering elements 52A and 52B are still arranged on the front part of the target 1, respectively on the left and right side edges of the protective screen 50.

It is of course understood that the dressing of the target 1 could take any other suitable form and that the trim elements 51-56 shown are in no way limiting.

The Figure 2C similarly discloses a portion of the lattice structure, designated 200, which is disposed within the bale collection housing 100 and in front of which is placed the shield 50. The right side wall 104 of the bale collector box 100 is again visible on the Figure 2C as well as a left side wall 103 and a bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100, which are thus covered on their outer face, as already mentioned, by the covering element 51. A fixing plate 25 is furthermore disposed on the back of the target 1 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated.

According to the invention, the target 1 comprising the bale-collecting casing 100, the lattice structure 200 disposed inside said bale-collecting casing 100 in front of the bottom wall 105, as well as the protection screen 50 placed in front of the lattice structure 200 ensure efficient and optimal capture of incident bales as well as fragments of bales and any other bullet residue. More specifically, the lattice structure 200 is intended to dissipate the kinetic energy of the incident bales, and for this purpose comprises a plurality of deflection plates 201, 202 (partially visible on the Figure 2C ) intended to deflect the trajectory of the incident bales, which plates 201, 202 are arranged in at least a first plane inclined with respect to the bottom wall 105, while the protective screen 50 is intended to stop any bursts of balls produced during the impact of the bales on the lattice structure 200.

The Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the target 1 according to the Figure 1 which illustrates the main constitutive components of the target 1, in particular the bale collection housing 100, the lattice structure 200 therein, and the protective screen 50.

Once deprived of the various elements of covering 51, 52A, 52B, 53, 54, 55 and 56 and the protective screen 50, the target 1 reveals its internal structure (or skeleton) 10, which is illustrated more specifically in the Figures 4 to 6 and preferably comprises the ball-collecting box 100 mounted on a base 110, itself secured to the foot 120 which is advantageously provided with a set of wheels 160, 161 as already mentioned. This positioning device 160/161 is particularly useful for allowing the ground position of the firing training target 1 to be adjusted and thus providing the possibility to dynamically and flexibly adjust the firing training scenarios in which the target 1 according to the invention is likely to be used. This 160/161 positioning device is all the more appropriate as it allows easier handling of the shooting training target 1, despite a weight of up to several hundred kilograms. In the preferred embodiment illustrated (see in particular Figure 5C ), the positioning device 160/161 consists of a rolling device comprising a set of three wheels including two fixed wheels 160 placed in the front position and a swivel caster 161 placed in the rear position, which is pivotally mounted and is provided with a brake / blocking mechanism. However, it is understood that any other suitable positioning device can be adopted, whether it is rolling or operating according to any other principle for moving, positioning or repositioning the shooting training target.

By way of nonlimiting illustrative example, the bale collecting casing 100 may have a substantially parallelepipedal shape comprising, in addition to the left and right side walls 103 and 104 and the bottom wall 105, upper and lower walls 101 and 102. In this example preferred, the bale collection housing 100 is mounted by its bottom wall 102 to the base 110, itself mounted on its foot 120. The bale collection housing 100 is thus erected vertically on its base 110 so that its open side is oriented towards the front substantially in the direction of the firing position, it being understood that the target according to the invention allows firing with a wide range of angles of incidence relative to the plane formed by the bottom wall 105 of the target 1.

The bottom wall 105 is advantageously provided with an opening 105A (see Figures 5B and 6 ) for optional connection to a suction device (not shown) via a line 106, also visible on the Figure 2B . In the illustrations of Figures 2B and 5B , this pipe is 106 closed by a removable cap 107. This arrangement allows, once connected to the suction device, to optionally extract and extract the fumes and other fumes produced inside the bale collection housing 100.

It can further be noted that the upper wall 101 of the bale collection housing 100 is here equipped with a mounting bracket 101A provided with mounting holes 101B to ensure in particular the fixing of the covering member 56 as well as an upper part of the protective screen 50. The lower wall 102 of the bale collection housing 100 is likewise equipped with a fixing support 102A also provided with a mounting hole 102B to ensure in particular the fixing of the covering element 55 as well as a lower part of the protective screen 50.

In the illustrations of Figures 4 to 6 it can be seen that a front edge of the bale collection housing 100 (in this case the edge consisting of the front edges of the top, bottom and side walls 101 to 104) is advantageously covered by a protective frame 150, which is mounted interchangeably on the bale-collecting casing 100. This protective frame 150 thus constitutes a sacrificial element which is intended to protect the front edge of the bale-collecting casing 100 against the direct impacts of bales, thus greatly limiting the damage. direct to the bale collection housing 100 which may require the replacement of one or the other of the walls 101 to 104.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that the protective frame 150 is interposed between the front edge of the bale collection housing 100 and the protective screen 50 (see also Figures 2B and 2C ). In this context, as illustrated, the protective screen 50 may advantageously be secured to the protective frame 50 and the front edge of the bale collection housing 100 by a set of fastening elements arranged on the left and right side edges of the the target 1, preferably outside the bale collection housing 100, on either side of the left and right side walls 104 and 103. In this example (see in particular the Figures 2B , 2C and 3 ), the fasteners each comprise a fastening rod 20, preferably a threaded nylon rod, extending from the shield 50 to the bottom wall 105, and two retaining elements 20A, 20B, preferably nylon nuts, placed at each end of the fastening rod 20, namely a front retaining element 20A and a rear retaining element 20B in the vicinity, respectively of the protection screen 50 and the bottom wall 105, or more exactly of the fixing plate 25 disposed on the back of the target 1.

In this embodiment variant, left-hand and right-hand cross braces 21 are interposed between the front retaining elements 20A and the protective shield 50 to ensure that the protective shield 50 is properly plastered against the frame. 150 and the front edge of the bale-collecting housing 100. Similarly, left-back and right-hand cross members 152 are placed on the left and right rear side edges of the bale-collecting housing 100. In the image of the left outer edges and right of the protective frame 150, the left rear cross members 151 and 152 are structured to present indentations at the positions where are arranged the fixing rods 200, here eleven in number on each side edge.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the covering 51-56 partially covers the fastening elements 20 / 20A / 20B disposed on the left and right side edges of the target 1. More specifically, the covering element 51 covers the left and right lateral edges of the target 1, including the fixing rods 20. In addition, left and right trim elements 52A, 52B are placed in front of the front retaining elements 20A, thus masking these elements 20A placed at the front end of the fixing rods 20.

The above-mentioned protective frame 150 may advantageously be supported on the front edge of the bale-collecting housing 100 by a set of notches and corresponding extensions provided on the protective frame 150 and on the front edge of the bale-collecting housing 100. In the illustrated example (see in particular Figures 4 to 6 ), the protective frame 150 is provided with a set of eight notches 150A (two per edge) cooperating with corresponding extensions 100A provided on the front edge of the bale collection housing 100, namely a pair of extensions 100A on each front edge of the top, bottom and side walls 101 to 104.

In the illustrations of Figures 4 to 6 it can also be seen that the foot 120 of the firing target 1 is advantageously provided with a protective skirt 120A-B, which covers at least the front and side portions of the foot 120 and the positioning device 160/161 arranged on the lower part of said foot 120. Like the above-mentioned protective frame 150, the protective skirt 120A-B is intended to protect the positioning device 160/161 against the direct impacts of bales, being however understood that this is a protection against possible firing, poorly adjusted, and that the firing surface, able to capture and effectively trap bales is formed by the bale collection housing 100, the lattice structure 200 therein, as well as the protective screen 50 placed on the front of the firing training target 1, in front of the lattice structure 200.

By way of preference, the protective skirt 120A-B comprises on its front edge essentially vertical deflection plates 120A and advantageously forming an inverted "V" as illustrated in the view of FIG. Figure 5C . In this preferred embodiment, the protective skirt 120A-B also comprises two other essentially vertical deflection plates 120B placed on the left and right lateral edges of the foot 120. In this way, the protective skirt 120A-B offers increased protection against the direct impact of bullets that could damage the positioning device 160/161.

The Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure 10 of the target 1 taken along a vertical sectional plane CC passing through a median portion of the internal structure 10 of the target 1, which section plane CC is transferred to the Figure 5A and which more precisely illustrates the lattice structure 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This lattice structure 200 thus comprises (see also the Figures 4 , 5A and 6 ) a first series of deflection plates 201, which is arranged in a first inclined plane P1 with respect to the bottom wall 105, as well as at least a second series of deflection plates 202 arranged along a second inclined plane P2 with respect to at the bottom wall 105 and distinct from the first inclined plane P1, which second set of deflection plates 202 is disposed between the first set of deflection plates 201 and the bottom wall 105. These first and second sets of plates deflection 201, 202 are preferably arranged such that the incident bales can not directly impact the bottom wall 105 and are first deflected by the lattice structure 200. Preferably, the first and second series of plates 201, 202 are arranged to be contiguous as illustrated in particular in the Figures 5B and 6 .

According to a particularly preferred variant of the invention, as illustrated, the first and second inclined planes P1, P2 are inclined planes with respect to the same horizontal plane P0 (see FIG. Figure 5B ), the angle α formed between the first and second inclined planes P1, P2 is preferably of the order of 90 °.

In this context, the lattice structure 200 may further comprise at least two vertical support plates 205, as illustrated, arranged substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 105, which vertical support plates 205 are provided with first and second series of notches 205a, 205b for receiving the first and second series of deflection plates 201, 202. These deflection plates 201, 202 may in particular be mounted on the vertical support plates 205 by simple fitting of said deflection plates 201, 202 in the notches 205a, 205b provided for this purpose, which greatly facilitates the assembly and the possible change of damaged plates.

Advantageously, the lattice structure 200 is removably mounted inside the bale collector casing 100 and may furthermore comprise a mechanism for securing the trellis structure 200 to the bale collector casing 100. In the illustrated preferred example this fastening mechanism comprises a plurality of (i.e. three) transverse horizontal bars 210 (visible in particular in the Figure 6 as well as partially in the Figure 2C ), which pass through mounting holes 205A formed in the vertical support plates 205, mounting holes 205A which are particularly visible in the Figure 5B . These horizontal transverse bars 210 may in particular be fastened to the bottom wall 105 and be integral at their ends with the left and right side walls 103 of the bale collection housing 100, as illustrated, the corresponding mounting holes being provided at this effect both in the bottom wall 105 that in the left and right lateral walls 103 and 104 (orifices 103A and 104A which are represented in particular in the Figures 2B , 4 and 6 ). As illustrated, these transverse bars 210 are advantageously disposed between the deflection plates 201, 202 and the bottom wall 105 so as not to be exposed to the direct impacts of bales.

Still according to a particularly preferred variant of the invention, the protective screen 50 comprises a front section 50A directed towards the outside of the target (section 50A which is substantially flat) and a back section 50B (see in particular Figures 2C and 8 ) directed towards the interior of the firing target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein, which back section 50B is arranged to bear against the lattice structure 200 and form a plurality of corresponding compartmentalized zones 250 (see also Figures 4 , 5A and 5B where these compartmentalized zones 250 are visible). In this way, any impact of an incident ball occurs in one of the compartmentalized zones 250 defined, on the one hand, by the lattice structure 200 housed in the bale-collecting casing 100 and, on the other hand, by the protective screen 50. Moreover, each compartmentalized zone 250 preferably has an opening 250A at its bottom (see Figure 5B ) to permit gravity discharge of bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues to a collection area.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it can be noted that the deflection plates 201, 202 are advantageously arranged so that, after impact on the lattice structure 200, the bullets and bullet fragments are driven by gravity all firstly towards a rear part of the bale-collecting casing 100 forming space 300 between the lattice structure 200 and the bottom wall 105 (see in particular Figures 2C and 5B ), then to a collection area 310 located in a lower part of the space 300 or, as illustrated, below said space 300. In this context, the target 1 may also include a collection bin 350 (see Figures 10 and 11 ) disposed in the collection area 310 to collect bullets, bullet fragments and other bullet residues.

The arrangement of first and second sets of deflection plates 201, 202 in different planes P1, P2 is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the incident bales are subjected, during the impact on the lattice structure 200, several successive rebounds against the deflection plates 201, respectively 202, drastically reducing their kinetic energy. The balls are thus strongly decelerated by these multiple bounces on the deflection plates 201, 202 so that the bales, fragments of bullets and other bullet residues are thus driven at low speed towards the rear part of the bale collecting case 100 and the collection zone 310, thus preventing the agglomeration of fragments and bullet residues in a compact pile difficult to remove, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a "lead nest" and which typically occurs if the bale is deflected without being decelerated sufficiently .

In the preferred example illustrated, the collection zone 310 is located below the bale collection housing 100, in the base 110, the lower wall 102 of the bale collection housing 100 which rests on the base 110 being provided with a or several orifices 102a (see Figure 6 ) communicating with the collection area 310.

The collection pan 350 is preferably arranged to be removable to be removed from the firing target 1 during maintenance operations. By arranging the collection tray 350 in the base 110, as illustrated by the preferred embodiment variant, it ensures optimum accessibility of the collection tray 350 and thus facilitates maintenance operations.

The collection zone 310 (and the collection bin 350 advantageously located therein) is preferably accessible from the rear of the target 1, which is in particular made possible, in the context of the illustrated embodiment, by the arranging the collection zone 310 in a rear part of the base 110.

The Figures 7 to 9 illustrate more precisely an advantageous structure of the protective screen 50 according to a preferred variant of the invention. The protective screen 50 according to the invention is thus advantageously constituted by a plurality of nested elements 500, 505, 510 secured to one another by means of a set of interlocking interlocking fastening elements. by numerals 501a, 502a, 506a, 506b, 507a, 507b, 511a and 512a in the preferred embodiment illustrated. This arrangement ensures optimum imbrication of the elements 500, 505, 510 with each other, and in particular avoids an unexpected disengagement of said elements following the shots.

As illustrated in Figure 7 , the nested elements 500, 505, 510 are provided with mounting holes 500A, 505A, 510A, to ensure the attachment of the protective screen 50 on the front portion of the target 1, in particular by means of the fastening elements 20 / 20A / 20B already mentioned. Mounting holes 500B and 510B are also provided on the top and bottom portions of the shield 50 for attachment respectively to the top and bottom walls 101 and 102 of the bale collection housing 100.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the protective screen 50 comprises a plurality of identical and interchangeable interleaved intermediate elements 505 (here eight in number) each comprising at least one upper interlockable fastening element 506a, 507a (for example a groove) intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element of another adjacent element (500 or 505) of the protective screen 50 placed immediately above. Similarly, each intermediate element 505 comprises at least one lower interlockable fastening element 506b, 507b (for example an edge) intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element of another adjacent element (505 or 510) of the screen protection 50 placed immediately below.

Preferably, each intermediate element 505 comprises a front portion 506 facing outwardly of the target 1 and a back portion 507 directed inwardly of the target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein, the facade portion 506 being offset relative to the back portion 507 so as to form a shoulder on which comes to support a neighboring element. This shoulder also contributes to ensuring optimal support of the elements 500, 505, 510 on each other.

In the variant embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that each intermediate element 505 advantageously comprises a pair of upper interlocking fastening elements 506a, 507a and a pair of interlocking lower interlocking 506b, 507b complementary to the pair of upper interlockable fastening elements 506a, 507a, in this case an upper groove and a lower edge on each of the facade and back portions 506, 507.

In addition, the back portion 507 of each intermediate member 505 preferably has flares 507c at each lower and upper end, flares 507c which are directed inwardly of the target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein for taking These flares 507c thus contribute to forming corresponding bosses on the back section 50B of the protection screen 50, which bosses bear against the lattice structure 200. In this way, the bosses 507c thus contribute to forming corresponding bosses on the back section 50B of the protection screen 50. Protection screen 50 is also mechanically supported on its back section 50B against the trellis structure 200, which helps to strengthen the shield 50 and allow it to better withstand the passage of bales incident.

As illustrated, the protective shield 50 further includes an upper end member 500 disposed in the upper portion of the shield 50 and nested in an upper portion of a first intermediate member 505, or upper intermediate member, and a lower end element 510 disposed in the lower part of the protection screen 50 and nested in a lower part of a last intermediate element 505, or low intermediate element. The upper end element 500 has at least one lower interlockable fastening element 501a, 502a (here in the form of ridges) complementary to and cooperating with the upper interlockable fastening element 506a, 507a of the upper intermediate element 505, while the lower end element 510 has at least one upper interlocking fastening element 511a, 512a (here in the form of grooves) complementary to and cooperating with the lower interlockable fastening element 506b, 507b of the intermediate low element 505 As will be understood in the discussion of Figures 8 and 9 , the high and low end elements 510 each have, in the image of the intermediate elements 505, a front portion 501, respectively 511, directed towards the outside of the target 1 and a back portion 502, respectively 512, directed towards the interior of the target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein, which are likewise offset in order to form a shoulder of the same dimension as the shoulder formed on each of the intermediate elements 505.

even though Figures 7 to 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment where grooves 506a, 507a, 511a, 512a are formed on the upper part of the elements 505 and 510 and where ridges 501a, 502a, 506b, 507b are formed on the lower part of the elements 500 and 505, the number as well as the arrangement and configuration of interlocking fastening elements can be modified. Any other arrangement or any other configuration or combination of interlocking interlocking elements is possible within the scope of the present invention.

The Figures 10 and 11 illustrate more precisely the collection area 310 of the target 1 accommodating the collection tank 350, variant presented as a preferred embodiment. As already mentioned, this collection zone 310 is advantageously located in the base 110 of the target 1, below the bale collecting box 100, and the collection tank 350 is removably disposed in said base 110. In this regard, locking 114 of the collection container 350 can be provided in order to lock the collecting container 350 against the bottom wall 102 of the bale collecting box 100. This locking device 114 may in particular comprise a support 115 rendered for example integral with the foot 120 (support 115 which is also shown on the Figures 5B and 6 ) and an associated locking lever 116 (itself represented on the Figure 3 ) cooperating with the support 115 and a lower portion of the collection tank 350 to selectively lift it towards and press against the bottom wall 102 of the bale collection housing 100 to lock or lower it and thus release it from the collector housing 100 balls and allow its removal from the target 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support 115 and the locking lever 116 are arranged such that a rotational movement of the locking lever 116 in the actuating direction R shown in FIG. Figure 10 , in this case from left to right, results in a vertical upward movement of the collection bin 350, thus pressing it against the bottom wall 102 of the bale collection housing 100 (not shown in FIGS. Figures 10 and 11 ), the rear portion of the base 110 acting as a guide for the collection tank 350. Conversely, an opposite rotational movement of the locking lever 116, in this case from the right to the left, results in a vertical movement down the collection tray 350, thus releasing it from the bottom wall 102 of the bale collection housing 100. In the Figures 10 and 11 , the locking lever 116 is shown in its locking position (right) in solid lines. The locking lever is also shown in its unlocking position (left) in broken lines and is designated in this position by the reference numeral 116 'for the sake of distinction. The collection bin 350 is likewise represented in the Figures 10 and 11 in its locked position in solid lines and in its unlocked position in broken lines.

It will be understood in general that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

As already mentioned above, the covering 51-56 of the target 1 according to the embodiment described above can advantageously be made of a resilient material, in particular a synthetic material such as polyurethane, the protective screen 50 being preferably made of the same resilient material as the trim 51-56. Polyurethane is a particularly suitable material for this application and robust to use. Other resilient substitute materials could however be used, such as synthetic foams or rubber.

In addition, the bale collecting casing 100 and the lattice structure 200 (and, if appropriate, that the other components of the internal structure 10 of the target 1, such as the base 110 and the foot 120) can advantageously be made of ballistic steel or other metallic material having sufficient properties to provide increased resistance to repeated firing.

Furthermore, the fastening elements of the protective screen 50 may take a shape other than fixing rods, such as elements for securing by simply clipping or any other means.

Finally, the positioning device of the target could take any other form or adequate configuration, and use other components as casters as illustrated. For example, spherical rolling devices or air-lift devices could be adopted to provide mobility and movement of the target.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS USED IN THIS DESCRIPTION AND IN THE DRAWINGS

1

firearm shooting target according to a preferred embodiment of the invention

10

internal structure (or skeleton) of the shooting training target 1

20

threaded rods (in particular of nylon) for fixing the protective screen 50 and the protective frame 150 on the bale collecting box 100

20A

frontal retainers (eg nylon nuts) disposed at one end of the threaded rods 20 in the vicinity of the shield 50

20B

posterior retainers (eg nylon nuts) disposed at a rear end of the threaded rods 20 in the vicinity of the bottom wall 105

21, 22

left and right front cross members interposed between the front retaining members 20A and the shield 50

25

fixing plate placed on the back of the shooting training target 1

50

protection screen preferably made of a resilient material, in particular a synthetic material such as polyurethane

50A

section forming the front of the protective screen directed towards the outside of the shooting training target 1

50B

the back section of the protective shield 50 facing the interior of the firing training target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein

51-56

dressing of the shooting training target made of a resilient material, in particular a synthetic material such as polyurethane

100

bale collector box

100A

extensions made on the front edge of the bale collecting box 100 for the support of the protective frame 150

101

upper wall of the bale collector box 100

101A

mounting bracket

101B

mounting holes

102

bottom wall of the bale collector box 100

102a

orifices in the lower wall 102 for the discharge of bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues to the collection area 310

102A

mounting bracket

102B

mounting hole

103

left side wall of the bale collector box 100

103A

mounting holes for securing the lattice structure 200 to the bale collection housing 100

104

right side wall of the bale collector box 100

104A

mounting holes for securing the lattice structure 200 to the bale collection housing 100

105

bottom wall of the bale collector box

105A

opening in the bottom wall 105 for connection to a suction device

106

pipe for connection to a suction device

107

removable cap

110

base of the 100 ball bale box

114

locking device of the collection container 350 against the bottom wall 102 of the bale collecting box 100

115

support of the locking device 114 of the collecting tray 350 (integral with the foot 120 of the shooting training target 1)

116

locking lever of the locking device 114 of the collection container 350 mounted on the support 115 and cooperating with the lower part of the collection container 350 (lever in the locked position)

116 '

locking lever of the locking device 114 in the unlocking position

R

direction of actuation of the locking lever 116

120

foot of the shooting training target 1

120A-B

protective skirt on the front and side parts of the foot 120

120A

deflection plates placed on the front edge of the foot 120 facing the firing position and forming part of the protective skirt 120A-B

120B

deflection plates placed on the left and right side edges of the foot 120 forming part of the protective skirt 120A-B

150

protective frame covering the front edge of the bale-collecting housing 100 interchangeably mounted on the bale-collecting housing 100 / protection against direct impact of bales

150A

notches made on the protective frame 150 to support the protective frame 150 on the front edge of the bale collection housing 100

151

left rear crossmember placed on the left rear side edge of the bale collector box 100

152

right rear crossmember placed on the right rear side edge of the bale box 100

160-161

positioning device for the shooting training target 1, for example a rolling device consisting of a set of casters integral with the foot 120 comprising two (fixed) front casters 160 and a (pivotable) rear caster 161 pivotally mounted and provided with a brake / blocking mechanism

200

lattice structure disposed (preferably releasably) within the bale collection housing 100

201

first series of deflection plates forming part of the lattice structure 200 / inclined deflection plates according to the first inclined plane P1

202

second series of deflection plates forming part of the lattice structure 200 / inclined deflection plates according to the second inclined plane P2 and arranged between the first series of deflection plates 201 and the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100

205

vertical support plates arranged substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100

205a

first series of notches formed in the support plates 205 and intended to receive the first series of deflection plates 201, preferably by simple casing

205b

second series of notches provided in the support plates 205 and intended to receive the second series of deflection plates 202, preferably by simple casing

205A

mounting holes formed in the support plates 205 for securing the lattice structure 200 to the bale collection housing 100

210

horizontal transverse bars for securing the lattice structure 200 to the bale collection housing 100 and intended to cooperate with the mounting holes 205A

250

compartmentalized zones defined jointly by the trellis structure 200 and the protective screen 50

250A

opening at the bottom of each compartmentalized zone 250 for the gravity evacuation of balls, bullet fragments and other bullet residues

300

a space formed between the lattice structure 200 and the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100 for the gravity discharge of bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues to the collection area 310

310

bullets and bullet fragments collection area located in a lower part or below the space 300, preferably in the base 110

350

collection bin (preferably removable) for collecting bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues in the collection area 310

500

nested element of the protective screen 50 / upper terminal element arranged in the upper part of the protective screen 50

500A

mounting holes

500B

mounting holes

501

facade portion of the upper end element 500

501

(first) lower interlockable interlocking element (eg edge) for cooperating with the upper interlockable fastening element 506a of an intermediate element 505

502

back portion of the upper end member 500

502a

(second) lower interlocking interlocking element (eg edge) intended to cooperate with the upper interlockable fastening element 507a of an intermediate element 505

505

interchangeable nested element of the protective screen 50 / nested intermediate elements

505A

mounting holes

506

facade portion of intermediate member 505

506a

(First) upper interlockable fastening element (eg groove) intended to cooperate with the lower interlockable fastening element 501a of the upper end element 500 or the lower interlocking fastening element 506b of another intermediate element 505

506b

(First) lower interlockable interlocking element (eg edge) intended to cooperate with the upper interlockable fastening element 511a of the lower end element 510 or the upper interlocking fastening element 506a of another intermediate element 505

507

back portion of intermediate member 505

507a

(second) upper interlockable fastening element (eg groove) intended to cooperate with the lower interlockable fastening element 502a of the upper end element 500 or the lower interlocking fastening element 507b of another intermediate element 505

507b

(second) lower interlockable interlocking element (eg edge) for cooperating with the interlocking interlocking element upper 512a of the lower end member 510 or the upper interlockable fastening element 507a of another intermediate member 505

507c

flares at the lower and upper ends of the back portion 507 directed inwardly of the firing target 1 and the lattice structure 200 therein

510

nested element of the protective screen 50 / lower terminal element arranged in the lower part of the protective screen 50

510A

mounting holes

510B

mounting hole

511

facade portion of the lower end member 510

511a

(first) upper interlockable interlocking element (eg groove) for cooperating with the lower interlockable fastening element 506b of an intermediate element 505

512

back portion of the lower end member 510

512a

(second) upper interlockable fastening element (eg groove) for cooperating with the lower interlockable fastening element 507b of an intermediate element 505

P0

horizontal plane perpendicular to the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100

P1

first inclined plane relative to the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100 / plane preferably inclined relative to the horizontal plane P0

P2

second inclined plane with respect to the bottom wall 105 of the bale collection housing 100, distinct from the first inclined plane P1 / plane preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal plane P0

α

angle formed between the first and second inclined planes P1, P2

Claims (15)

A firearm shooting target (1) comprising a bale collecting case (100), said bale collecting case (100) comprising a lattice structure (200) disposed within the bale collecting case (100) in front of a bottom wall (105) of the bale collection housing (100), which lattice structure (200) is for dissipating the kinetic energy of incident bales and has a plurality of deflection plates (201, 202 ) for deflecting the trajectory of the incident bales, said deflection plates (201, 202) being arranged in at least a first inclined plane (P1, P2) with respect to the bottom wall (105),
the firing training target (1) further comprising a shield (50) placed in front of the trellis structure (200) of the bale-collecting housing (100), in the path of the incident bales, for stopping d any bursts of bullets produced during the impact of the bales on the lattice structure (200),
characterized in that said shielding screen (50) consists of a plurality of nested elements (500, 505, 510) secured to each other by means of a set of interlocking fastening elements (501a). , 502a, 506a, 506b, 507a, 507b, 511a, 512a). The firing training target (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of nested elements (500, 505, 510) comprises a plurality of identical and interchangeable interleaved intermediate elements (505) each comprising at least one element of an upper interlocking connection (506a, 507a) intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element (501a, 502a, 506b, 507b) of another adjacent element (501, 505) of the protection screen (50) placed immediately on above and at least one lower interlocking element (506b, 507b) intended to cooperate with a complementary interlocking fastening element (511a, 512a, 506a, 507a) of another adjacent element (510, 505) of the screen protection (50) placed immediately below. The firing training target (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each intermediate element (505) has a facade portion (506) directed outwardly of the firing training target (1) and a back portion (507) facing inwardly of the firing target (1) and the lattice structure (200) therein, the facade portion (506) being offset from the portion forming a back (507) so as to form a shoulder on which is pressed a neighboring element (500, 505, 510) of the shield (50). The firing training target (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each intermediate element (505) comprises a pair of upper interlocking fastening elements (506a, 507a) and a pair of securing elements lower nestable connectors (506b, 507b) complementary to the pair of upper interlocking fastening elements (506a, 507a). The firing training target (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the facade portion (506) and the back portion (507) each have an upper engageable securing member (506a, 507a) and an element interlocking lower fitting (506b, 507b) complementary to the upper interlocking fastening element (506a, 507a). The firing training target (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said plurality of nested elements (500, 505, 510) further comprises an upper end element (500) disposed in the upper part of the protective screen (50) and nested in an upper part of a first intermediate element (505), or upper intermediate element, and a lower end element (510) disposed in the lower part of the screen protector (50) and nested in a lower part of a last intermediate element (505), or low intermediate element,
said upper end element (500) having at least one lower interlockable fastening element (501a, 502a) complementary to and cooperating with the upper interlockable fastening element (506a, 507a) of the upper intermediate element (505), and
said lower end element (510) having at least one upper interlocking fastening element (511a, 512a) complementary to and cooperating with the lower interlockable fastening element (506b, 507b) of the lower intermediate element (505). The fire training target (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield (50) has a back section (50B) directed inwardly of the training target. with the firing (1) and the lattice structure (200) therein, which back section (50B) is arranged to bear against the lattice structure (200) and form a plurality of corresponding compartmentalized zones (250). The firing training target (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the back section (50B) has bosses (507c) bearing on the lattice structure (200). The firing training target (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection plates (201, 202) are arranged such that, after impacting the lattice structure (200), the bales and bale fragments are gravity-guided first to a rear portion of the space-saving bale collecting case (100) (300) between the lattice structure (200) and the bottom wall (105) and then to a collection zone (310) located in a lower part or below said space (300). The firing training target (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the deflection plates (201, 202) are arranged such that, after impacting the lattice structure (200), the balls and fragments of bullets are driven by gravity first to a part rear of the space-collecting bale collecting case (100) (300) between the lattice structure (200) and the bottom wall (105) and then to a collection area (310) located in a lower part or below said space (300)
and in that each compartmentalized zone (250) has an opening (250A) at its bottom to permit the gravity discharge of bales, bullet fragments and other bale residues to the collection zone (310). The firing training target (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it further comprises a collection container (350) disposed in said collection area (310) for collecting the bales, fragments of bales and other bale residues, which collection tray (350) is preferably releasably disposed to be removed from the firing training target (1) during maintenance operations. The firing training target (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the bale-collecting housing (100) and mounted on a base (110), in that said collection area ( 310) bullets and bale fragments are located beneath the bale collection casing (100), in said base (110), and in that a lower wall (102) of the bale collecting casing (100), resting on said base (110), is provided with one or more orifices (102a) communicating with said collection zone (310), the collection zone (310) of balls and fragments of balls being preferably accessible from the rear of the shooting training target (1). The firing training target (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a front edge of the bale collecting housing (100) is covered with a protective frame (150) against direct impacts bales, said protective frame (150) being interchangeably mounted on said bale collecting case (100),
the protective frame (150) being preferably interposed between the front edge of the bale collection housing (100) and the shield (50). The firing training target (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the firing training target (1) is movable and supported by a positioning device (160/161) allowing adjustment a ground position of said firing target (1), in particular a rolling device comprising a set of rollers (160, 161) of which at least one (161) is orientable,
and in that the positioning device (160/161) is preferably arranged on a lower part of a foot (120) of the firing training target (1), which foot (120) is provided with a skirt protection device (120A-B) protecting said positioning device (160/161) against direct bale impacts. The firing training target (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a covering (51-56) made of a resilient material, in particular a synthetic material such as polyurethane the shield (50) being preferably made of the same resilient material as the trim (51-56),
and / or in that the bale collecting casing (100) and the lattice structure (200) are made of metallic material, preferably ballistic steel.

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