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, comprising:
 a plurality of modular containers that define an open interior space that provides an area for a user to move about, wherein:
 each of the plurality of modular containers comprises an armored layer; 
 each of the plurality of modular containers is coupled with at least one other of the plurality of modular containers along an edge of each respective one of the plurality of modular containers such that joints are formed between coupled edges of the plurality of modular containers; 
 the edge of each respective one of the plurality of modular containers comprises a plurality of cleats; and 
 the plurality of cleats between the coupled edges of two of the plurality of containers are secured to one another to connect the two of the plurality of modular containers together; and 
   an armored plate extending between and covering each joint such that a continuous armored boundary surrounds the interior space of the modular firing range.   
     
     
         2 . The modular firing range of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of cleats comprises a fixed portion that is mounted on a respective one of the plurality of modular containers and a securing portion that is configured to be removably secured to the securing portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of cleats.   
     
     
         3 . The modular firing range of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the fixed portion of each of the plurality of cleats is permanently coupled with one of the plurality of modular containers.   
     
     
         4 . The modular firing range of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the fixed portion of each of the plurality of cleats is welded to an outer surface of one of the plurality of modular containers.   
     
     
         5 . The modular firing range of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the securing portion of each of the plurality of cleats is secured to the securing portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of cleats using one or more clamps.   
     
     
         6 . The modular firing range of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the securing portion of each of the plurality of cleats is secured to the securing portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of cleats using one or more fasteners that are inserted through the cleats.   
     
     
         7 . The modular firing range of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of cleats has a generally L-shaped cross-section.   
     
     
         8 . A connection system for a modular firing range, comprising:
 a first modular container defining a first open interior that provides a user an area in which to move about, the first modular container comprising a first edge that includes a first plurality of cleats spaced along a length of the first edge; and   a second modular container defining a second open interior, the second modular container comprising a second edge that includes a second plurality of cleats spaced along a length of the second edge, wherein:
 the first modular container and the second modular container are positionable such that the each of the first plurality of cleats is in alignment and adjacent with a respective one of the second plurality of cleats such that each of the first plurality of cleats is coupleable with the respective one of the second plurality of cleats to secure the first modular container with the second modular container, thereby forming at least a portion of the modular firing range. 
   
     
     
         9 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 8 , wherein:
 each of the first modular container and the second modular container comprises armored walls; and   the connection system further comprises an armored plate that is configured to be secured to the armored walls of the first modular container and the second modular container such that the armored plate extends across and covers a joint formed between the armored walls of the first modular container and the second modular container.   
     
     
         10 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 8 , wherein:
 each of the first plurality of cleats and the second plurality of cleats comprises a generally L-shaped member.   
     
     
         11 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the generally L-shaped member comprises a first arm that is affixed to one of the first modular container or the second modular container and a second arm extending outward from one of the first edge or the second edge.   
     
     
         12 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a particular second arm of the first plurality of cleats is configured to be secured to a corresponding second arm of one of the second plurality of cleats.   
     
     
         13 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plurality of cleats are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between about 1-10 feet.   
     
     
         14 . The connection system for a modular firing range of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of cleats comprises a fixed portion and a securing portion;   each of the plurality of cleats is between about 6 inches and 2 feet in length; and   the fixed portion and the securing portion form mating flanges or surfaces that are between about 1 inch and 6 inches in width.   
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a modular firing range, comprising:
 positioning a first modular container adjacent to a second modular container such that open interiors defined by each of the first modular container and the second modular container are joined to form at least a portion of the modular firing range and such that adjacent edges of the first modular container and the second modular container are in alignment with one another; and   coupling each of a first plurality of cleats of the first modular container with a respective one of a second plurality of cleats of the second modular container to secure the first modular container and the second modular container together.   
     
     
         16 . The method of assembling a modular firing range of  claim 15 , wherein:
 each of the first modular container and the second modular container comprises armored walls; and   the method further comprises securing an armored plate to the armored walls of the first modular container and the second modular container such that the armored plate extends across and covers a joint formed between the armored walls of the first modular container and the second modular container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of assembling a modular firing range of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first plurality of cleats are aligned with the second plurality of cleats when the first modular container and the second modular container are in alignment with one another.   
     
     
         18 . The method of assembling a modular firing range of  claim 15 , wherein:
 coupling each of the first plurality of cleats with the respective one of the second plurality of cleats comprises securing each of the first plurality of cleats to the respective one of the second plurality of cleats using a fastener.   
     
     
         19 . The method of assembling a modular firing range of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 positioning a third modular container adjacent to one or both of the first modular container or the second modular container such that an edge of the third modular container is adjacent one or both of the first modular container or the second modular container; and   coupling each of a third plurality of cleats of the third modular container with a respective one of a fourth plurality of cleats of one or both of the first modular container or the second modular container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of assembling a modular firing range of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 decoupling each of the first plurality of cleats from the respective one of the second plurality of cleats; and   separating the first modular container from the second modular container.