Torso Simulator for Ballistics Testing

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices used to assess the penetrative performance characteristics of projectiles, and more particularly to such devices for simulating the anatomical features of game animals or humans using a system that provides a multiple of targets in a compact and predefined array.

2. Description of Related Art

Big game hunting is an exhilarating sport enjoyed by many enthusiasts around the world. According to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation, there are approximately 11 million big game hunters in the United States that spend $6.5 billion on hunting related equipment annually. Big game is most often taken with rifles, although large caliber pistols, shotguns, and archery equipment are also commonly used. The best way to prepare for big game hunting and ensure one's success in bringing down these large animals is to know how the projectile, e.g. the bullet or arrow, will perform when shooting the intended game animal.

In the United States, there are over 19 million citizens that have right-to-carry permits to provide for their personal protection. There are a plethora of defensive ammunition choices available for those citizens to purchase. Determining which ammunition option is best for their particular handgun is currently limited to observing testing performed by the ammunition companies using ballistics gelatin. Ballistics gelatin is not an appropriate representation of human anatomy, because it only simulates the properties of human muscle.

There are a wide variety of shooting targets and ballistic methodologies used to test projectile performance. Some of the more popular targets are wet pack (water soaked newspaper), ballistic gelatin, water filled tanks, and metal sheets. All of these shooting targets are deficient for various reasons when trying to accurately simulate a projectile's damage on a living animal. A common shortcoming with many targets is the lack of a full “shoulder to shoulder” representation.

Specifically, most of these existing targets do not comprise a heterogeneous stacked mixture of materials having properties similar to their biologic counterparts. As a result, use of such targets leaves the hunter with insufficient knowledge of how the projectiles would perform on a live animal. Animals are composed of hide or skin, muscle, bone, and internal organs. All of these tissues must be accounted for to accurately predict projectile performance using a mechanical model.

Shooting enthusiasts are often limited in the resources they can devote to effectively testing projectile incapacitation on game animals and humans. Therefore, cost effective devices and methods are of great interest to these hunters and defensive shooters. However, inexpensive devices generally fail to deliver the reliable simulation results required, because their simple structures do not provide accurate analogs to anatomical tissues. Moreover, a projectile's mechanical behavior varies significantly with respect to its penetrating medium. For example, modeling a 30-inch wide Cape buffalo by using only thirty inches (30″) of ballistic gelatin will not provide the user an accurate simulation of real-life bullet performance. Since the gelatin block does not incorporate a bone simulant, the bullet's expansion, deceleration, and fragmentation results cannot be regarded as reliable. Many people continue to use these homogeneous targets strictly because better alternatives do not exist. Therefore, prediction of projectile performance on a live animal remains speculative, calling into question the use of such unreliable methods from the start.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,525 to Jones discloses a device for testing bullet penetration, however, it does not provide a means for keeping the gelatin block from moving after impact from the bullet. Furthermore, the device does not account for the effect of hide or skin, bone, or internal organs on the projectile. Importantly, ballistic gelatin can only be used to simulate muscle, not internal organs. The specific gravity and mechanical properties of muscle are different than internal organs, because internal organs contain more liquid and gases.

U.S. Pat. No. 523,510 to Brunswig discloses a tank system to measure projectile penetration. Similar to most other penetration testing devices, that invention does not take into account the effect of bone, hide, or skin on the projectile's performance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,033 to Mirzeabasov, et al., most closely replicates one half of a torso of a human. However, even if this device were employed, one could not predict the effect of a shoulder-to-shoulder shot on a big game animal. In order to determine the distance of penetration, the device must effectively be destroyed to find the end point of the projectile's path. Moreover, it does not provide a combination of internal organ simulants having liquid and air, or the ability to test penetration across multiple targets having independent stacked materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,165 to Giurintano, et al., of which the applicant of the present application is a co-inventor, discloses a device for simulating the torso of an animal or human to determine projectile performance, comprising a support frame; and a plurality of selectively removable simulant inserts, including a hide simulant insert, a muscle simulant insert, a bone simulant insert, and one or more internal organ simulant inserts. The simulant inserts are placed within the support frame in a predetermined order specific to the type of animal or human being simulated. While this device is beneficial for many reasons, it lacks the feature of having multiple targets, where each of the targets is presented in front of an independent stack of simulants. Furthermore, the applicant's prior patent requires a rigid frame for the replacements of simulant inserts, rather than a simple and disposable system for penetration testing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,195 to Duke discloses an elongated trough filled with alternating layers of a foam substance and a fibrous substance. A projectile is shot into the filling substance substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough. The trough can be opened and the projectile can be recovered from the filling substance. There is no mention of any desired correlation between the material characteristics of the fibrous or foam substances and the anatomical features of a human or animal. As with other prior art, Duke does not disclose the use of multiple targets, nor the ability to fire multiple shots into the system through filler material that has been unaffected or destroyed by prior shots. Moreover, Duke does not disclose any use of materials which simulate the internal organs of the game animal, such as liquid and gases.

Thus, with the exception of the applicant's prior patent, none of the previously described devices combine all four of the heterogeneous materials that would be penetrated by a projectile for a shoulder-to-shoulder shot on a big game animal. Furthermore, none of the prior art provide a system which allows the shooter to fire projectiles into a disposable device having multiple targets, where each of the targets is positionally aligned with an independent stack of “fresh” simulants of hide, bone, muscle, and internal organs which are unaffected by prior shots at other targets on the same system.

What is needed, therefore, is a true shoulder-to-shoulder torso simulation device for projectile performance testing which includes mechanical analogs or simulants for all anatomical tissues. It should enable quick and easy discernment of penetration depth and wound cavity by allowing the user to assess performance without disturbing adjacent targets and their associated simulant stacks. The device should be scalable to permit the use of varying types and sizes of inserts and materials to closely approximate the actual width and specific gravity of a wide range of animals, including deer, elk, bear, eland, buffalo, other big game, or human torsos. Finally, it should be relatively compact, portable, and disposable in consideration of the distances required for testing in potentially remote locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a device for simulating the anatomy of an animal to determine projectile penetration performance is provided, comprising an enclosure having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side includes a plurality of target images; a plurality of containers equal in number to the plurality of target images, wherein each of the containers is positioned within the enclosure and aligned behind one of the target images, and wherein each container includes at least one internal organ simulant material; a front hide/skin simulant material within the enclosure positioned between the front side and the containers, and a rear hide/skin simulant material positioned between the rear side and the containers; a front muscle simulant material within the enclosure positioned between the front hide/skin simulant material and the containers, and a rear muscle simulant material positioned between the rear hide/skin simulant material and the containers; and a front bone simulant material within the enclosure positioned between the muscle simulant material and the containers, and a rear bone simulant material positioned between the rear muscle simulant material and the containers.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of containers includes a plurality of air inserts, or a combination of air inserts and liquid inserts.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the front and rear hide/skin simulant materials is a panel approximately equal to the area of the front side and at least partially behind each of the plurality of target images. Also, each of the front and rear muscle simulant materials is a panel approximately equal to the area of the front side and at least partially behind each of the plurality of target images. Further, each of the front and rear bone simulant materials is a panel approximately equal to the area of the front side and at least partially behind each of the plurality of target images.

In another embodiment, the plurality of target images is arranged in a predefined array.

Preferably, the resilience to penetration of each of the hide/skin simulant material, the muscle simulant material, the bone simulant material, and the internal organ simulant material is determined based on anatomical characteristics of a specific animal.

In another embodiment, the hide/skin simulant material is constructed from one of more layers of a fiberboard or cardboard. Also, the muscle simulant material is constructed from one or more layers of a resilient material. Further, the bone simulant material is constructed from one or more layers of a fiberboard material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled and closed view of the exterior of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depicting the simulant materials stacked in a preferred order.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the container for the internal organ simulant containing a combination of liquid and air inserts.

FIG. 4 shows two devices stacked one behind the other along the trajectory of a projectile for simulating the anatomy of a large animal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the subject invention is further described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present invention will be established by the appended claims.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention described and shown herein is a disposable, light-weight, multi-target animal torso simulator for assessing projectile penetration performance. References in this description to projectiles includes any type of bullet fired by a firearm (such as handguns, rifles, and shotguns), projectiles used for military or law enforcement purposes, and projectiles used in archery equipment, such as arrows.

When the term “projectile performance” is used herein, we mean an assessment of the projectile's penetration results, as well as trauma or other effects to other layers which have not been penetrated. For example, non-penetrated layers may be subject to cracking, bursting, or other perceptible deformations which are analogous to actual anatomical bruising, cracked or broken bones, or ruptured organs due to hydrostatic shock from projectile impact. Although the term “animal torso” is used herein, for animals such as deer, elk, grizzly bear, eland Cape buffalo, etc., it should be understood that the present invention may be equally suitable for simulating the anatomical characteristics of a human torso for military, law enforcement, or self-defense purposes. Similarly, references to hide or skin may be used interchangeably depending on whether references are made to animals or humans, respectively.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an exterior view of a preferred embodiment of the simulator 1 is shown. An external support structure 2, in the form of a paper fiber board box includes a front panel 3, opposing side panels 4, a rear panel 5, a bottom panel 8, and an openable top panel 6. The front panel 3 of support structure 2 includes a plurality of target images 7 arranged in a predefined array, such as the 3×3 rectangular array shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that any number of target images 7 may be arranged in any suitable array, limited only by the size and shape of the support structure 2. For example, the target images 7 may comprise a single row or column rather than a rectangular array, or the target images 7 may be staggered or offset from one another such as a honeycomb pattern, circular pattern, or other pattern that contains suitable separation between the target images 7 as described below. The top panel 6 includes two opposing flaps which can be opened or closed in the conventional manner as needed for assembly of the contents and for removing the contents to assess projectile performance.

To simulate the anatomy of an animal torso, a number of material layers representing the hide, muscle, bone, and internal organs of the animal are placed inside the support structure 2, such that a projectile fired into one of the target images 7 will penetrate one or more material layers before stopping inside the support structure 2. Each of the simulant materials described herein is an approximation for its related anatomical structure, and those simulant materials will be described in the order that they are penetrated by the projectile. A projectile path 30 is shown to indicate a typical direction of penetration of the simulator 1 into the target image 7 and front panel 3. A side cross-sectional view of the simulator 1 is shown in FIG. 2 with the side panel 4 removed for clarity.

The support structure 2 itself has a material thickness that may serve as an anatomical simulant for the skin or hide layer 11 of the torso. Thus, depending on the materials chosen for the support structure 2, the resistance of the front panel 3 may be higher or lower, and its materials may be selected accordingly based on the hide/skin characteristics of the specific animal that is being simulated. Alternatively, a separate hide/skin simulant panel 12 shown in FIG. 2 may be inserted within the support structure 2 directly behind the target images 7, where the hide/skin simulant panel 12 is approximately the same size as the front panel 3, and such that it resides behind all of the plurality of target images 7. In other words, regardless of which target image 7 is used, the hide/skin simulant panel 12 will be penetrated at that point. Nonlimiting examples of a suitable material for the hide/skin simulant panel 12 are fiberboard, leather, or imitation leather.

Next, a muscle simulant panel 13 shown in FIG. 2 is positioned directly behind the hide/skin simulant panel 12, where the muscle simulant panel 13 in similar in size and shape to the hide/skin simulant panel 12. The muscle simulant panel 13 can be any material whose density or mechanical properties roughly correspond to the resistance of the muscle of the animal, such as a resilient material, including rubber.

Next, a bone simulant panel 14 shown in FIG. 2 is positioned directly behind the muscle simulant panel 13, where the bone simulant panel 14 in similar in size and shape to the hide/skin and muscle simulant panels 12, 13. The bone simulant panel 14 can be any material whose density or mechanical properties roughly correspond to the resistance of the bone of the animal, such as a fiber board material, including fiberglass. In one example, the fiberglass panel can be created from a ¾ ounce woven fiber mat and saturated with a 3:1 epoxy hardener with a thickness range from 0.125″ to 0.5″. These properties can be manipulated to the approximate properties of bone by adjusting the epoxy ratio of resin to hardener and the type of the fiber mat used.

For the internal organs of the simulated animal torso, the material chosen should approximate the combination of gases and liquids that comprise actual internal organs, i.e. the resilience to penetration or specific gravity of those organs. The internal organs of a large game animal comprise the majority of the thickness of the distance for shoulder to shoulder penetration. Internal organs cannot be accurately simulated with ballistic gelatin. The internal organs are the most difficult to recreate due to heterogeneity. To accomplish this objective, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, a container 15, such as cardboard tube or box, is filled with air bags 16 or a combination of air and water bags 16. These bags 16 may be purchased premade from various suppliers, or they may be simply constructed using conventional plastic bags. Each container 15 filled with the bags 16 has a cross-sectional area that is approximately the size of the target image 7, and is placed within the support structure 2 such that when fully assembled, the container 15 is aligned with its own target image 7. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are nine target images 7 arranged in a rectangular array, i.e. three targets in each row and three targets in each column. Therefore, there are nine containers 15 filled with air and/or water bags 16, and they are arranged within the support structure 2 so that a projectile penetrating a target image 7 will also attempt to penetrate the associated container 15. The length of each container 15 and the number of bags 16 that it contains, i.e. its penetration resistance, is determined, as with the other simulant panels 12, 13, 14, by the real-life anatomy of the animal being simulated.

Because one of the objectives of the present invention is to represent a true should-to-shoulder simulation of an actual animal, the support structure 2 also contains simulant panels near the rear panel 5. Depending on the energy of the projectile used, it is quite possible that the projectile will penetrate the hide/skin, muscle, bone, and internal organ simulants and still possess sufficient energy to exit the support structure 2. Therefore, immediately following the containers 15 filled with bags 16, i.e. the internal organ simulant, there are positioned additional bone, muscle, and hide/skin simulant panels 14, 13, 12, in that order.

It should also be understood that any simulants described herein can be additive, i.e. more than one panel can be used for the hide/skin, muscle, or bone to simulant a larger animal torso having greater resistance to projectile penetration. Similar adjustments can be for the internal organ simulant by increasing the length of the containers 15 and the bags 16 they contain. Furthermore, for simulation of the anatomy of larger animals, and as shown in FIG. 4, it may be advantageous to stack two or more devices one behind the other along the trajectory or projectile path 30, especially if larger caliber bullets are used, so that the deformed bullet remains contained within one of the enclosures.

Once the projectile impacts the target image 7 and penetrates the various simulants, the user can open the top panel 6 of the support structure 2 and inspect the simulant panels 12, 13, 14, including the container 15 corresponding to the selected target image 7, to determine the extent of penetration. For example, the user would typically first observe the rear hide/skin simulant panel 12 to determine if the projectile has penetrated all of the layers of simulants. If complete penetration has not occurred, the user can begin to inspect subsequent simulant panels from left to right from the perspective shown in FIG. 2. With this information, the user can compare the effects of various projectile combinations upon a specific set of simulant materials corresponding to a specific animal by simply sending a projectile to an adjacent target image 7, because the mechanical properties (simulating anatomical properties) are identical for each target. Once all of the target images 7 are shot and the simulant materials are altered or destroyed, the entire simulant device, including the support structure 2 can be discarded.

From the foregoing description, a number of advantages of the present invention become evident. First, one can accurately model the effect of projectile penetration from shoulder to shoulder of a big game animal because all simulant layers replicate the mechanical properties of the anatomical materials. Second, as can be appreciated, the simple and economically efficient construction of the present invention allows the user to focus on specific animals and characteristics to determine the best projectile to use in an actual hunting environment.

It should also be understood that the present invention can similarly be used for testing of projectile performance for military and law enforcement purposes, inasmuch as the layers may be assembled in a manner to simulate a human torso as well. For example, testing for penetration on ballistics garments (such as so-called “bullet-proof vests”) or protective armor can easily be accomplished via the present invention simply by inserting the appropriate protective material in the front of the hide/skin simulant panel 12. Thus, even if the projectile fails to penetrate the ballistic garment material, the effects of its impact may be determined by inspection of the trauma or other deformations to the hide/skin simulant panel 12 located behind the ballistic material.

All references cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as though each reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any reference is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such reference by virtue of prior invention. It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.