Projectile Retrieval System

Abstract

A projectile retrieval system includes a screw drive for moving bullets and bullet fragments to move bullets from a bullet deceleration area to a remote location without the need for a person to handle the bullets. Preferably, the screw drive is configured so that there is no need to stop use of the bullet deceleration area while the screw drive is transporting the bullets. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum system is also connected to a transport housing about the screw drive to move lead dust away from the bullet deceleration area.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A projectile retrieval system comprising:
 at least one bullet stop and containment chamber;   a transport mechanism for transporting projectiles from the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber to a remote location, the transport mechanism comprising:
 an elongate screw for moving projectiles from the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber; 
 a housing disposed around the elongate screw and forming a conduit for moving projectiles therethrough, the housing being generally U-shaped and having a removable bottom; and 
 a support attaching the elongate screw to the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber independent of the bottom of the housing. 
   
     
     
         23 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , wherein the support extends about the axis of the elongate screw. 
     
     
         24 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one control member disposed in communication with the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber for regulating flow of projectiles into the transport mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a vacuum for creating negative air pressure in the transport mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , wherein the support wraps around the axis of the elongate screw. 
     
     
         27 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , wherein the housing extends along the sides and bottom of the elongate screw and leaves the top thereof generally open to the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber, and wherein when the removable housing bottom is removed, the elongate screw remains in place. 
     
     
         28 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 22 , wherein a portion of the support extends generally vertically into engagement with the screw to thereby suspend the screw. 
     
     
         29 . A projectile retrieval system comprising:
 a bullet stop and containment chamber; and   a transport mechanism for moving bullets from the bullet stop and containment chamber comprising:   an elongate screw configured for moving bullets away from the bullet stop and containment chamber, the elongate screw comprising an axis and a helical flange extending around the axis thereof;   a housing extending around the elongate screw, the housing having a removable bottom; and   a support connecting the elongate screw to the bullet stop and containment chamber the support being attached above the axis of the screw so as to suspend the screw independent of the bottom of the housing.   
     
     
         30 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 29 , wherein the support extends around the axis of the elongate screw and suspends the screw from above the axis. 
     
     
         31 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 29 , wherein the support suspends the elongate screw beneath the bullet stop and containment chamber and above the bottom of the housing such that when the removable housing bottom is removed, the elongate screw remains in place. 
     
     
         32 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 29 , wherein the housing comprises a generally U-shaped channel. 
     
     
         33 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 32 , wherein the housing is generally open at the top thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 33 , wherein the housing is generally open to the interior of the bullet stop and containment chamber. 
     
     
         35 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 29 , wherein a portion of the support extends generally vertically into engagement with the screw to thereby suspend the screw. 
     
     
         36 . A projectile removal system comprising:
 at least one bullet stop and containment chamber; and   a transport mechanism for moving projectiles from the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber for collecting the bullets comprising:   an elongate screw for moving projectiles from the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber;   a removable housing disposed around the elongate screw; and   a support extending downward and attaching the elongate screw to the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber and suspending the screw above the bottom of the housing without the support resting on the bottom of the housing.   
     
     
         37 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 36 , wherein the support holds the elongate screw in a position below the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber. 
     
     
         38 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 37 , wherein the support extends around the axis of the elongate screw. 
     
     
         39 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 37 , wherein the housing is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         40 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 39 , wherein the housing is connected to the at least one bullet stop and containment chamber, and the screw being suspended inside of the housing by the support such that when the housing is removed, the elongate screw remains in place. 
     
     
         41 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 40 , wherein the housing encloses the bottom and sides of the elongate screw and is open along the top thereof to receive projectiles into the top thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The projectile retrieval system of  claim 36 , wherein a portion of the support extends vertically into engagement with the screw to thereby suspend the screw.