U.S. patent application number 11/111285 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for ballistic barrier system and method.
Invention is credited to James R. Meeker.
Application Number | 20060248827 11/111285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37392838 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060248827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meeker; James R. |
November 9, 2006 |
Ballistic barrier system and method
Abstract
A ballistic barrier wall is constructed of a pair of spaced
vertical surfaces connected by 2.times.4 s, 2.times.8 s or other
boards and filled with sand. The outside is spray-coated on both
vertical sides with an elastomeric polymer mixture. Panels or walls
are connected to other panels and to floor or wall surfaces by
straight brackets and angle brackets. The multiple vertical layers
of the panel trap bullets, armor piercing shells, bomb shrapnel or
other ballistic elements in the wall.
Inventors: |
Meeker; James R.;
(Goldsboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald W. Meeker;Patent Agent
924 East Ocean Front #E
Newport Beach
CA
92661
US
|
Family ID: |
37392838 |
Appl. No.: |
11/111285 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/309.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/10 20130101; F41H
5/0414 20130101; F41H 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/309.15 |
International
Class: |
E04C 1/00 20060101
E04C001/00 |
Claims
1. A ballistic barrier system for rapid on-site fabrication to
protect personnel from ballistic projectiles, the system
comprising: a series of ballistic barrier walls erected within a
structure in strategic locations for shielding personnel within the
structure from ballistic projectiles, each of the ballistic barrier
walls comprising a series of vertical layers having outer layers of
elastomeric polymer sufficiently thick to slow an entering
ballistic projectile sufficiently so that the vertical layers of
each of the ballistic barrier walls stops the ballistic projectile
within the ballistic barrier wall and the outer layers seal in all
flying material produced by the ballistic projectile piercing the
ballistic barrier wall, each of the ballistic barrier walls secured
by at least one angle bracket to a floor surface and at least one
straight bracket to an adjacent ballistic barrier wall or external
vertical surface.
2. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein each of the
ballistic barrier walls comprises at least one pair of parallel
rigid vertical surfaces interconnected along a bottom and sides by
an elongated element running a length of the bottom and sides, the
vertical surfaces spaced apart a sufficient distance to house a
quantity of earth material sufficiently thick to stop a moving
ballistic projectile therein in cooperation with the slowing of the
ballistic projectile by the outer layer, a quantity of earth
material poured in-between the vertical surfaces to fill a space
between the ballistic barrier walls with the top covered over, and
an outer layer of elastomeric polymer sprayed onto an outside of
the vertical surfaces, the outer layer sufficiently thick to slow
down a ballistic projectile traveling through the outer layer by
sealing around the ballistic projectile as the ballistic projectile
passes through the outer layer.
3. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein the earth
material comprises sand poured into a space between the rigid
vertical surfaces.
4. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric
polymer comprises a mixture of polyurethane and polyurea.
5. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein each of the
rigid vertical surfaces comprises a sheet of material taken from a
list of materials including pressboard, plywood, composite, wood,
and metal.
6. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein the angle
bracket comprises an elongated metal angle bracket extending along
a substantial portion of the ballistic barrier wall where the
ballistic barrier wall contacts a floor surface, the elongated
angle bracket comprising a horizontal portion extending away from
the ballistic barrier wall in contact with a floor surface to
maintain the ballistic barrier wall in a vertical orientation, the
elongated metal angle bracket further comprising a vertical portion
contacting the ballistic barrier wall, the vertical portion having
a series of holes for securing the angle bracket to the ballistic
barrier wall by a series of connectors taken from the list of
connectors including nails, screws and bolts.
7. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein the straight
bracket comprises an elongated metal sheet extending along a
substantial portion of a height of the ballistic barrier wall
straddling between adjacent ballistic barrier walls, the elongated
metal sheet further comprising a series of vertical openings along
a length of the elongated sheet adjacent to each of two sides
thereof for interconnecting the two adjacent ballistic barrier
walls by a series of connectors taken from the list of connectors
including nails, screws and bolts.
8. The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 wherein the ballistic
barrier walls comprise a series of panels erected within a
structure for personnel use, the series of panels sufficiently tall
to prevent ballistic projectiles shot or exploded from one point on
one side of the series of panels to another point where personnel
are shielded from the ballistic projectiles.
9. A ballistic barrier method for fabricating rapid on-site
ballistic barrier systems to protect personnel from ballistic
projectiles, the system comprising: a step of erecting a series of
ballistic barrier walls within a structure in strategic locations
for shielding personnel within the structure from ballistic
projectiles, each of the ballistic barrier walls comprising a
series of vertical layers, the step further comprising pre-spraying
the vertical layers with outer layers of elastomeric polymer
sufficiently thick to slow an entering ballistic projectile
sufficiently so that the vertical layers of each of the ballistic
barrier walls stops the ballistic projectile within the ballistic
barrier wall and the outer layers seal in all flying material
produced by the ballistic projectile piercing the ballistic barrier
wall, each of the ballistic barrier walls secured by at least one
angle bracket to a floor surface and at least one straight bracket
to an adjacent ballistic barrier wall or external vertical
surface.
10. The ballistic barrier method of claim 9 wherein the step of
prespraying an elastomeric polymer comprises spraying a mixture of
polyurethane and polyurea.
11. The ballistic barrier method of claim 9 wherein the step of
erecting a series of ballistic barrier walls comprises
interconnecting at least one pair of parallel rigid vertical
surfaces along a bottom and sides by an elongated element running a
length of the bottom and sides, the vertical surfaces spaced apart
a sufficient distance to house a quantity of earth material
sufficiently thick to stop a moving ballistic projectile therein in
cooperation with the slowing of the ballistic projectile by the
outer layer, pouring a quantity of earth material in-between the
vertical surfaces to fill a space between the ballistic barrier
walls and covering over a top of the ballistic barrier wall.
12. The ballistic barrier method of claim 11 wherein the step of
pouring an earth material comprises pouring sand into a space
between the rigid vertical surfaces.
13. The ballistic barrier method of claim 11 wherein the step of
erecting each of the rigid vertical surfaces comprises erecting a
sheet of material taken from a list of materials including
pressboard, plywood, composite, wood, and metal.
14. The ballistic barrier method of claim 11 wherein the angle
bracket comprises an elongated metal angle bracket extending along
a substantial portion of the ballistic barrier wall where the
ballistic barrier wall contacts a floor surface, the elongated
angle bracket comprising a horizontal portion extending away from
the ballistic barrier wall in contact with a floor surface to
maintain the ballistic barrier wall in a vertical orientation, the
elongated metal angle bracket further comprising a vertical portion
contacting the ballistic barrier wall; the vertical portion having
a series of holes for securing the angle bracket to the ballistic
barrier wall by a series of connectors taken from the list of
connectors including nails, screws and bolts.
15. The ballistic barrier method of claim 14 wherein the straight
bracket comprises an elongated metal sheet extending along a
substantial portion of a height of the ballistic barrier wall
straddling between adjacent ballistic barrier walls, the elongated
metal sheet further comprising a series of vertical openings along
a length of the elongated sheet adjacent to each of two sides
thereof for interconnecting the two adjacent ballistic barrier
walls by a series of connectors taken from the list of connectors
including nails, screws and bolts.
16. The ballistic barrier method of claim 1 wherein the ballistic
barrier walls comprise a series of panels erected within a
structure for personnel use, the series of panels sufficiently tall
to prevent ballistic projectiles shot or exploded from one point on
one side of the series of panels to another point where personnel
are shielded from the ballistic projectiles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to bulletproof structural
panels or walls, and particularly to a system of inexpensive and
relatively light weight ballistic barrier walls and panels which
could be rapidly erected and used as interior or exterior walls or
panels for a building, tent, or on vehicles or anywhere it is
desirable to protect against ballistic weapons and explosives, the
system comprising panels formed of two spaced parallel sheets made
of wood, pressboard, pressed fiberboard, composite, or metal with
sand poured into the void between after the sheets are erected, the
outside surfaces of both sheets coated with a sprayable mixture of
an elastomeric polymer such as polyurethane and polyurea, similar
to the product VORTEX.RTM. used in covering pickup truck beds.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Military and other personnel subject to attacks are
especially vulnerable in structures not built to resist ballistic
assaults, especially temporary structures. Inside any building or
vehicle personnel are vulnerable to interior attacks by an
assaulter with a ballistic weapon or bomb.
[0005] It is desirable to quickly fabricate interior ballistic
barrier structures to protect personnel from attackers who have
entered a building, such as military offices, barracks, dining
halls and other spaces.
[0006] Most of the prior art provides complex factory fabricated
wall systems which are often expensive and heavy to transport and
work with in erecting a protective structure. Most prior art wall
systems do not provide inexpensive rapidly constructed ballistic
shielding structures which can be assembled in the field and which
prevent escape of ballistic or wall particles.
[0007] U.S. Patent Application #20040123541, published Jul. 1, 2004
by Jewett, is for a reinforced wall structure for protecting
underlying wall substrates against natural and unnatural blast
effects. The reinforced wall system may be made by combining
several layers of materials in various configurations. In a
preferred embodiment, the reinforced wall system includes an
underlying wall substrate, and a reinforcing wall covering. The
reinforcing wall covering includes three layers of elastomeric
material, one layer of a reinforcement grid, and a layer of a
release agent. The first layer of elastomeric material is applied
to the underlying wall substrate. A reinforcement grid of strands
is then applied to the first elastomeric layer. Preferably, the
grid includes horizontally and vertically extending strands having
elastic cores wrapped by helically woven aramid fibers. A second
elastomeric layer is applied to the reinforcement grid for
additional blast protection. Preferably, the reinforcing wall
covering includes a third elastomeric layer. However, the third
elastomeric layer is separated from the second layer by a release
agent. The release agent is applied between the second and third
elastomeric layers to reduce the adherence between the two. If the
reinforced wall system experiences an explosive blast, the third
elastomeric layer shears at the release agent from the underlying
second elastomeric layer providing independent deformation and
protection from each layer. Textures may be incorporated into the
elastomeric polymer to provide the appearance of a conventional
wall and promote the adhesion of additional coatings.
Alternatively, modified spackle incorporating polymer adhesives may
be used to cover the most exterior polymer layer. Fungicides,
bactericides, viruscides and fire retardants may be incorporated
into the reinforcing wall system to provide protection against the
spread of biological agents and fire.
[0008] U.S. Patent Application #20040020349, published Feb. 5, 2004
by Walker, provides a perforating gun loading bay and method for
protecting adjacent areas from an accidental explosion during gun
loading. The bay can be an insert-type arrangement or a stand-alone
structure. The bay includes metal plate walls, a floor and a roof
The walls include a shock absorbing inner lining material, for
example of wood, fiberglass or polymerics. Since it is generally of
greatest importance to limit lateral distribution of explosion
energy and debris, walls further include a void formed between
lining material and plate. The void is filled with energy
absorbing/penetration limiting material, such as cement, sand,
gravel or polymerics. To stabilize the void for supporting the
filling materials, an inner liner of metal, such as steel or wood
panels, is supported in spaced relation from plate by braces.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,348,130, issued/to Hardy, Jr., shows armor
plating having spaced metal plates between which a layer of rubber
is positioned with pockets in the rubber filled with abrasive
material, such as sand.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,801, issued Jun. 26, 1984 to Merritt,
describes a light weight composite panel for use in vaults or
strong rooms, having a foamed plastic core, metal mesh embedded in
the major faces of the core, a layer of wood on each face of the
plastic core, and a sheet metal skin covering the layers of wood.
An inner one of the sheet metal skins is preferably a heat
conductive metal, such as aluminum.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,688, issued Aug. 4, 1987 to Wojcinski,
discloses a firing range assembly that includes a transportable
container which encloses a firing range. Each wall of the container
is provided with a lining which functions to: (i) resist
penetration by projectiles; and (ii) inhibit rebounding of
projectiles. At least one of said walls comprises a panel having
corrugations, and a material designed to attenuate noise and to
resist penetration by projectiles in said corrugations.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,791, issued Aug. 15, 1989 to McQuade,
indicates a protective ballistic mat assembly and installation
method therefore, which employ a sheet of elastomeric material and
a cellular foam substrate which are mounted to a rigid panel. The
panel is mounted to an armor steel plate by driving fasteners
through the elastomeric material and the substrate to secure the
panel to the metal plate. Projectiles which strike the assembly
impact against the plate and projectile fragmentation is contained
within the assembly.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,657, issued Apr. 18, 1989 to Simpson,
puts forth a bullet resistant panel defined by an assembly
including plural layers of impact resistant fabric and a layer of
insulating foam, the assembly being secured within a peripheral
frame and laminated between intermediate substrates of cellulosic
material and exterior layers of metal. The panel may be used in
constructing protective walls or barriers subjected to possible
impact by bullets or other high impact force projectiles.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,454, issued Apr. 15, 1980 to Norton,
concerns a lightweight composite panel for use in constructing a
portable or mobile enclosure capable of resisting penetration by
small arms projectiles, explosive forces and heat having a
multi-layered sandwiched construction. The layers include spaced
apart metal panels with a honeycomb structure filled with a
subliming material, a panel of projectile resisting material, and
at least one panel of yieldable thermal insulation material
disposed therebetween.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,466, issued Feb. 21, 1995 to Johnson,
illustrates buildings and building components. Bridge girt
assemblies and modular building panels are provided for use in
fabricating walls and roofs of buildings. The panels have novel
structures adapted to protect the interior of the building from
intrusion of heat and cold, and/or from fire, and/or from small
arms gunfire. Some embodiments also provide mechanical reinforcing
connections between the building structural members and the outside
of the building. The modular panels can be made entirely with
noncombustible materials.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,824, issued Jun. 24, 1997 to Johnson, is
for buildings and building components. Bridge girt assemblies and
modular building panels are provided for use in fabricating walls,
floors and roofs of buildings. The panels have novel structures
adapted to protect the interior of the building from intrusion of
heat and cold, and/or from fire, and/or from small arms gunfire.
Some embodiments also provide mechanical reinforcing connections
between the building structural members and the outside of the
building. The modular panels can be made entirely with
noncombustible materials.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,648, issued Feb. 5, 1980 to Clausen,
provides an armor wall structure comprising a plurality of woven
ballistic fabric laminates of polyester resin fibers arranged and
supported in and by a supportive resinous matrix with a filler of
particulate metal abrading material, said matrix, filler of
particulate metal abrading material, and woven fabric laminates
cooperating with each other to establish a structurally stable
unitary armor wall structure.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,189, issued Mar. 18, 2003 to Kott, is
for a method and portable apparatus for spraying viscous materials
to form a truck bed liner. Tanks of coating materials that include
an activator and resin are contained in a heated, portable cart
which also houses a motor driving two pumps to pump the coating
materials through air lines to a spray gun at a rate that can be
varied by an operator. A high volume, low pressure air compressor
is also mounted on the cart and in fluid communication with the air
gun. The coating materials are forced through a mixing tube and out
of a nozzle tip where it is atomized by the high volume air for
spraying to coat the truck bed liner. A pressurized flush tank is
activated immediately after spraying in order to clear the coating
materials from the spray gun. A modified, dual component caulking
gun containing a pre-selected, second colored resin and activator
can be attached to the nozzle tip for decorative coloring or
texturing.
[0019] What is needed is a lightweight, inexpensive, easy to
transport and easy to erect system of protective barriers against
ballistic attacks so that such structures can be rapidly fabricated
in the field by available personnel to provide immediate
inexpensive and effective protection against attacks, a ballistic
barrier system which instantly self-seals to entrap the ballistic
projectiles within the barrier wall and to prevent pieces of the
projectiles or the barrier itself leaving the barrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a
lightweight, inexpensive, easy to transport and easy to erect
system of protective barriers against ballistic attacks so that
such structures can be rapidly fabricated in the field by available
personnel to provide immediate inexpensive and effective protection
against attacks, a ballistic barrier system which instantly
self-seals to entrap the ballistic projectiles within the barrier
wall and to prevent pieces of the projectiles or the barrier itself
leaving the barrier.
[0021] A related object of the present invention is to provide a
projectile barrier wall system which is fabricated from readily
available materials, preferably wood, pressboard such as
ADVANTEC.RTM., pressed fiberboard, composite, or metal sheets,
sandwiching sand or other readily available material poured between
pairs of parallel spaced panels and spray coated on both sides
using standard sprayers with an elastomeric polymer, preferably
comprised of polyurethane and polyurea, such as VORTEX.RTM., a
commercially available truck bed liner.
[0022] In brief, a system of inexpensive and relatively light
weight ballistic barrier walls and panels is constructed of two
spaced parallel sheets made of wood, pressboard, composite, or
metal with sand poured into the void between after the panels are
erected, the outside surfaces of both sheets coated with a
sprayable elastomeric polymer mixture such as polyurethane and
polyurea, similar to the product VORTEX.RTM. used in covering
pickup truck beds. The panels are fabricated in place by available
personnel and used as interior or exterior walls or panels in a
building, tent, or on vehicles or anywhere it is desirable to
protect against ballistic weapons and explosives.
[0023] The ballistic barrier panels actually capture a bullet and
capture shrapnel from a bomb or other explosives. The bullets,
armor piercing shells, bomb shrapnel or other ballistic elements
are captured in the wall and instantly sealed in, including any
particles from the walls that would normally splinter off upon
entry of a bullet or piece of shrapnel. The ballistic or explosive
projectile or projectiles go through the outer layer of the
elastomeric polymer mixture and as they pass through, the outer
layer instantly liquefies to admit the projectiles and instantly
closes up again, so that even as the projectiles are going through
it the outer layer is squeezing the projectiles and slowing them
down. Since the outer layer closes around and behind the
projectiles passing through, the outer layer seals in projectile
particles breaking off and wall particles breaking off so that
nothing gets out of the outer layer. Normally when a projectile
hits a material, the material shatters and flies back from the
entering hole and forward from the exit hole, as well as portions
of the projectile, such as outer shell casings, break off and fly
away from the material. None of that happens with the outer layers
of the present invention.
[0024] The projectile or explosive shrapnel and any normal
shattering pieces stay inside between the outer layers. Because the
first outer layer slows down the projectile substantially as the
projectile is squeezed by the outer layer, the thickness of the
wall or panel can be much less than would otherwise be the case
without the elastomeric polymer outer layer.
[0025] Five or six foot high partitions in rooms, such as dining
halls and barracks, will substantially limit the number of
casualties in case of a bomb or attack with firearms or other
weapons.
[0026] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
ballistic barrier system which instantly self-seals to entrap the
ballistic projectiles within the barrier wall and to prevent pieces
of the projectiles or the barrier itself leaving the barrier.
[0027] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides immediate inexpensive and effective protection against
attacks inside a structure.
[0028] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a projectile barrier wall system which is fabricated from
readily available materials.
[0029] One more advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a lightweight, inexpensive, easy to transport and easy to
erect system of protective barriers against ballistic attacks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] These and other details of my invention will be described in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only
by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and
in which drawings:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one of the ballistic
barrier walls of the present invention with a bottom angle bracket
and side brackets;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken through
section 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the layers of the ballistic barrier
wall of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a dining hall with ballistic
barrier walls strategically placed to shield tables;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a barracks with ballistic barrier
walls strategically placed to shield beds;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an office space with ballistic
barrier walls strategically placed to shield desks;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a barracks with ballistic barrier
walls strategically placed to shield beds;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a dining area or meeting room with
ballistic barrier walls strategically placed to shield tables;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the ballistic
barrier wall of the present invention having pressboard walls
holding sand and coated with elastomeric polymer and showing how a
bullet is stopped within the wall;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through an alternate
ballistic barrier wall of the present invention having steel sheet
walls sandwiching elastomeric polymer and showing how a bullet is
stopped within the wall;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through an alternate
ballistic barrier wall of the present invention having elastomeric
polymer an inch thick on two sides of a steel sheet and showing how
a bullet is stopped within the wall;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through an alternate
ballistic barrier wall of the present invention having a cinder
block coated all over with elastomeric polymer and showing how a
bullet is stopped within the wall.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0042] In FIGS. 1 through 11, a ballistic barrier system for rapid
on-site fabrication to protect personnel from ballistic projectiles
comprises a series of ballistic barrier panels or walls 20A-20D
that are erected within a structure in strategic locations for
shielding personnel within the structure from ballistic
projectiles.
[0043] Each of the ballistic barrier panels or walls 20A-20D
comprises a series of vertical layers including at least one layer
of sprayed elastomeric polymer 21, preferably a mixture of
polyurethane and polyurea, such as VORTEX.RTM. used to line truck
beds.
[0044] In FIGS. 1-8, the preferred embodiment of the ballistic
barrier walls and panels 20A allow fast, lightweight, onsite
construction by existing personnel. In FIGS. 2 and 8, the walls or
panels have outer layers 21 of elastomeric polymer thick enough to
slow an entering ballistic projectile sufficiently so that the
vertical layers of each of the ballistic barrier walls stops the
ballistic projectile within the ballistic barrier wall and the
outer layers seal in all flying material produced by the ballistic
projectile piercing the ballistic barrier wall 20A. Each of the
ballistic barrier panels is secured by at least one angle bracket
25 to a floor surface and at least one straight bracket 25A or
angle bracket to an adjacent ballistic barrier wall or external
vertical surface.
[0045] Inside the outer layer 21 of elastomeric polymer are at
least one pair of parallel rigid vertical surfaces 22 constructed
of a sheet of material such as pressboard, preferably
Advantec.RTM., plywood, composite, wood, or metal. The vertical
surfaces 22 are preferably sprayed with the outer layer prior to
shipment of the wall components. The rigid vertical surfaces are
interconnected along the bottom and sides by an elongated element
23, preferably constructed of wooden 2.times.4 s for bullets,
2.times.8 s for armor piercing shells and explosives or other width
boards as needed for the desired width of the interior sand-filled
portion of the wall, running a length of the bottom and sides. The
vertical surfaces 22 are spaced apart a sufficient distance,
preferably at least 31/2'' (for a 2.times.4), to house a quantity
of earth material 24, preferably sand or other comparable readily
available material in the environment, thick enough to stop a
moving ballistic projectile therein, in cooperation with the
slowing of the ballistic projectile by the outer layer 21 and the
vertical surface 22.
[0046] A quantity of earth material 24, such as sand, is poured
in-between the vertical surfaces 22 to fill the space between the
vertical surfaces. The top is covered with a wooden 2.times.4 or
other elongated element 23 and an outer layer 21 of elastomeric
polymer, which may be a mixture of polyurethane and polyurea such
as VORTEX.RTM., is sprayed onto the outside of the vertical
surfaces. The outer layer 21 of elastomeric polymer is sufficiently
thick (1/4''-3/8'') to slow down a ballistic projectile traveling
through the outer layer by sealing around the ballistic projectile
as it passes through the outer layer.
[0047] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, one of the
rigid vertical surfaces 30 may be made of 3/8'' steel and the other
rigid vertical surface 30 made of 3/16'' steel. A one-inch layer 21
of elastomeric polymer is sandwiched between the rigid vertical
layers.
[0048] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, one rigid
vertical surface 30 made of 3/8'' steel is sandwiched between two
one-inch layers 21 of elastomeric polymer.
[0049] Each of the embodiments in FIGS. 9 and 10 eliminate the need
for an inner layer of sand in the ballistic barrier panel.
[0050] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the angle bracket 25 consists of an
elongated metal angle bracket that extends along a substantial
portion of the ballistic barrier panel 20A where the panel contacts
a floor surface. The angle bracket 25 has a horizontal portion
extending away from the ballistic barrier panel or wall in contact
with a floor surface to maintain the panel or wall in a vertical
orientation. The angle bracket 25 also has a vertical portion
contacting the ballistic barrier panel or wall. The vertical
portion has a series of holes for securing the angle bracket to the
ballistic barrier panel or wall by a series of connectors 26, such
as nails, screws, or bolts. The horizontal portion may also have
holes for using connectors to secure the horizontal portion to the
floor.
[0051] The straight bracket 25A is constructed of an elongated
metal sheet that extends along a substantial portion of the height
of the ballistic barrier panel or wall and straddles adjacent
ballistic barrier panels or walls. A series of vertical openings
along the length of the elongated metal sheet adjacent to both
sides of the metal sheet interconnect two adjacent ballistic
barrier walls by a series of connectors such as nails, screws, or
bolts. When two ballistic barrier walls or panels 20A connect
together or to another wall at right angles, angle brackets 25B
attach to each intersecting wall, is in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0052] Ballistic barrier walls can be constructed of a series of
panels 20A erected within a structure in strategic patterns to
protect personnel. The series of panels 20A is sufficiently tall
(five or six feet tall) to prevent ballistic projectiles shot or
exploded from a point on one side of the series of panels to
another point-where personnel are shielded from the ballistic
projectiles. The ballistic barriers may be walls to the ceiling,
but the shorter panels are highly effective and quick and easy to
construct and serve as equal protection to that of fall walls in
such circumstances.
[0053] In FIG. 3, a dining hall 40A has ballistic barrier walls 20A
strategically placed to shield tables 41.
[0054] In FIGS. 4 and 6, a barracks 40B has ballistic barrier walls
20A strategically placed to shield beds 44.
[0055] In FIG. 5, an office space 40C has ballistic barrier walls
20A strategically placed to shield chairs 42 and desks 43.
[0056] In FIG. 7, a dining area or meeting room 40E with ballistic
barrier walls 20A strategically placed to shield tables 41.
[0057] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the
ballistic barrier panels may be constructed of cinderblock 50
coated on all surfaces with a layer 21 of sprayable elastomeric
polymer mixture.
[0058] In use, a ballistic barrier method for rapidly fabricating
on-site ballistic barrier systems to protect personnel from
ballistic projectiles is constructed using a pair of parallel
vertical sheets 22 of wood, pressboard, composite, or metal,
connected by elongated elements 23, preferably by wooden 2.times.4
s or 2.times.8 s or other size boards, along the bottom and two
ends creating a hollow fillable space between the sheets. Sand 24
or other freely available earth material is poured into the hollow
space, the top is covered, preferably with another elongated
element 23, such as a wooden 2.times.4, and a layer 21 is formed on
the outside surfaces by coating them with a sprayable elastomeric
polymer mixture such as polyurethane and polyurea. The outer layer
21 preferably sprayed on the outside of the vertical sheets prior
to shipping the wall components. The panels are then interconnected
with other panels or with other vertical surfaces by metal straight
brackets 25A that connect to each panel by nails, screws, or bolts.
The panels are connected to the floor by metal angle brackets 25
that connect to the floor or other horizontal surface and a wall or
other vertical surface by a series of nails, screws, or bolts
26.
[0059] When fired at either vertical surface of the panels, as
shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, bullets 60, armor piercing shells,
bomb shrapnel or other ballistic elements are captured in the wall
and instantly sealed in, including any particles from the walls
that would normally splinter off. Ballistic barrier wall thickness
can be varied to meet the necessary ballistic threat present.
[0060] The ballistic or explosive projectile or projectiles 60 go
through the outer layer of the elastomeric polymer mixture 21 and
as they pass through, the outer layer instantly liquefies to admit
the projectiles and instantly closes up again, so that even as the
projectiles are going through it the outer layer is squeezing the
projectiles and slowing them down. Since the outer layer closes
around and behind the projectiles passing through, the outer layer
seals in projectile particles breaking off and wall particles
breaking off so that nothing gets out of the outer layer. The layer
of sand 24 further slows or stops the ballistic projectile. The
panels stand preferably five feet tall, but may be constructed
floor-to-ceiling to create entire walls and may be constructed in a
building, tent, or on vehicles, or anywhere it is desirable to
protect against ballistic weapons and explosives.
[0061] It is understood that the preceding description is given
merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the
invention and that various modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.
* * * * *