U.S. patent application number 12/653516 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-29 for bastions for force protection and military applications.
Invention is credited to Ryan Christman, Jorge Gallego, Cesar Giraldo.
Application Number | 20100186642 12/653516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42353104 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100186642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Christman; Ryan ; et
al. |
July 29, 2010 |
Bastions for force protection and military applications
Abstract
A bastion including one or more free-standing structures for use
in, for example, military applications and for force protection.
The free-standing structures are made up of a plurality of
interconnected fire resistant mesh covered wire panels and are
filled with, for example, sand, crushed rock or granular
materials.
Inventors: |
Christman; Ryan; (Orem,
UT) ; Gallego; Jorge; (Bogota, CO) ; Giraldo;
Cesar; (Bogota, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
77 WEST WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3100
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1732
US
|
Family ID: |
42353104 |
Appl. No.: |
12/653516 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12165161 |
Jun 30, 2008 |
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12653516 |
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10879678 |
Jun 29, 2004 |
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12165161 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
109/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 8/025 20130101;
E02D 29/0208 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
109/79 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/04 20060101
E04H009/04 |
Claims
1. A bastion system comprising: at least two external panels, each
such panel including a frame formed from a regular rectangular grid
of regularly spaced apart vertical bars and horizontal bars,
including terminal top and bottom horizontal bars and terminal left
and right vertical bars, the frame having an inner face and an
outer face; at least two vertically spaced apart connecting tubes
mounted on each of the terminal left and right vertical bars, so as
to be disposed substantially coplanar with the frame, the
connecting tubes being of substantially uniform length, the
vertical spacing being at least twice the length of the connecting
tubes, the connecting tubes on the terminal left vertical bar being
vertically indexed a predetermined distance, relative to the
connecting tubes on the terminal right vertical bar, so as to
enable two such external panels to be disposed adjacent to one
another, with the connecting tubes of one external panel being
interdigitated and vertically aligned with the connecting tubes of
the adjacent external panel, to enable a connecting pin to be
passed through the interdigitated connecting tubes to releasably
fasten the external panels to one another.
2. The bastion system according to claim 1, wherein the at least
two external panels further comprise a mesh covering disposed on
the inner faces thereof.
3. The bastion system according to claim 2, wherein the mesh
covering is fabricated from at least one of: fiberglass, expanded
metal, woven metal, knitted metal wire.
4. The bastion system according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one internal panel, including a frame formed from a regular
rectangular grid of regularly spaced apart vertical bars and
horizontal bars, including terminal top and bottom horizontal bars
and terminal left and right vertical bars, the frame having an
inner face and an outer face; at least two vertically spaced apart
connecting tubes mounted on each of the terminal left and right
vertical bars, so as to be disposed substantially coplanar with the
frame, the connecting tubes being of substantially uniform length,
the vertical spacing being at least twice the length of the
connecting tubes, the connecting tubes on the terminal left
vertical bar being vertically indexed a predetermined distance,
relative to the connecting tubes on the terminal right vertical
bar, all of the connecting tubes being further indexed relative to
the connecting tubes of the external panels, so as to enable an
internal panel to be disposed adjacent to a terminal left or right
vertical bar of an external panel, or the respective terminal left
and right vertical bars of two such external panels disposed
adjacent to one another, with the connecting tubes of the internal
panel being interdigitated and vertically aligned with the
connecting tubes of the adjacent external panel or panels, to
enable a connecting pin to be passed through the interdigitated
connecting tubes to releasably fasten the internal and external or
panels to one another.
5. The bastion system according to claim 4, wherein the at least
two external panels further comprise a mesh covering disposed on
the inner faces thereof.
6. The bastion system according to claim 5, further comprising
flaps on the external panels, which are formed from the mesh
covering, the flaps extending laterally beyond the frame, so as to
abut and partially cover an adjacently and obliquely-disposed
panel, when a panel is disposed adjacent and connected to, an
external panel, so as to inhibit the passage of infill material
which may be disposed within a bastion form from a plurality of at
least external panels.
7. The bastion system according to claim 4, wherein the junction
between two adjacent panels forms a joint, the bastion system
further comprising at least one bracing element for connecting
non-consecutive joints.
8. The bastion system according to claim 7, wherein the at least
one bracing element comprises: an elongated support member, having
opposing ends; annular connecting members, disposed at the opposing
ends of the elongated support member, wherein the annular support
members are operably configured to be vertically interdigitated
between the connecting tubes of adjacent panels forming a joint.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims
priority of the filing date of, U.S. Ser. No. 12/165,161, filed
Jun. 30, 2008 and presently pending, which, in turn, was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/879,678, filed Jun. 29,
2004, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a bastion. More particularly, the
invention relates to a multiple panel-based bastion system, which
can be used, for example, for military applications and force
protection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of bastions has been traditional ever since Roman
times. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it took the form
of wicker baskets filled with earth or stones. In the early
twentieth century, sand bags were used. In the later twentieth
century bastions took the form of gabion structures lined with
geo-textiles.
[0004] This latter application, was basically the use of elements
originally devised for civil works applied to the military use.
This structure was rapidly deployable but its main failing was its
lack of fire resistance. At best, a fire retardant composite was
used in some situations to delay ignition. Use of flame throwers,
incendiary bombs, Molotov cocktails and even tracer bullets of
machine guns (one every seven in a belt loader) in combat
situations destroys the protection afforded by this conventional
bastion by igniting its lining or sand bags defenses.
[0005] Prior art protection barriers suffer from a number of
additional drawbacks. Visual impact of prior art protection
barriers is unsuitable for deployment within cities and the systems
do not provide any concealment option. Deployment for long periods
of time is also problematic given that barriers are exposed to
environmental agents such as fungus, and UV attacks, that rapidly
deteriorate them. Further, prior art protection barriers require
intensive maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention seeks to produce a protection barrier
or bastion which overcomes the above described prior art
drawbacks.
[0007] A protection barrier or bastion according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention includes a multi-cell structure, for
example, for military and anti-terrorist use, consisting of
structures conformed by welded wire panels lined with knitted wire
or expanded mesh, linked together to constitute a fire resistant
cell structure. This structure is filled with sand, crushed rock or
granular materials and may be camouflaged. Further, the multi-cell
structure is deployable in flat or sloped terrain.
[0008] The expanded metal mesh or knitted wire mesh lining may
withstand a flame thrower attack successfully, without losing
particulate filling material through the openings. At the same time
the expanded metal mesh or knitted wire mesh lining admits rooting
of plants, which helps mitigate the visual impact of the bastions
in the cities. Given the nature of the mesh, the plants will grow
over the bastions, changing the hard appearance to look as natural
fences melding them with the landscape.
[0009] The expanded mesh or knitted wire mesh lining materials are
more suited to resist environmental attacks and are less
maintenance demanding than prior art bastions.
[0010] The wall has a continuous volume, and therefore, behaves
like a monolithic rather than an adobe like structure.
[0011] The infill continuity results in cavities or caverns created
by impact of projectiles being filled by material coming from both
damaged and adjacent cells, thus, improving the protection offered
by the bastion.
[0012] The bastion may further include a pinned connection system
that allows continuity of cells at different heights, and thus, for
the possibility of deployment in sloped terrain.
[0013] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are
contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the
scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like
reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as
follows.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the
bastion of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the leftmost and middle
cells in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the leftmost and center
cells in FIG. 1 with an exterior panel in the middle cell
disconnected.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the pinned connection connecting
exterior panels of the leftmost and middle cells.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in
FIG. 13.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single bastion cell having
a movable connected top.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the leftmost cell of FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rightmost cell with an
additional panel connected to reinforce a damaged panel.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
filled bastion wall of the present invention including a hexagonal
corner unit.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows the partially filled bastion of FIG. 1 from a
different perspective and without an insert.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rightmost cell of FIG.
1 with two pins staked to the ground.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bastion including four
rows of piled cells.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bastion construction
including rows separated by structural beams.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a camouflaged bastion on a
sloped terrain.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bastion assembly
according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a plan view of an external panel layout for a
bastion according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a plan view of an internal panel layout for a
bastion according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of how two external
panels and an internal panel may be interconnected, using a single
connecting pin.
[0034] FIG. 18A is a schematic layout of how external and internal
panels may be assembled to form a section of bastion, using
external and internal panels according to the embodiment of FIG.
15.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of how external and
internal panels according to the embodiment of FIG. 15 may be used
to create a bastion construction that may be used to ascend or
descend contours in geography.
[0036] FIG. 19A is a schematic illustration of how an
ascending/descending bastion may be formed, using external and
internal panels according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0037] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of how external panels
only, according to the embodiment of FIG. 15, may be used to create
a bastion that may be used to ascend or descend contours in
geography.
[0038] FIG. 20A is a schematic illustration of how an
ascending/descending bastion may be formed, using only external
panels according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0039] FIG. 21 is an illustration showing representative panel
structures according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 22 is a highly schematic top plan view showing how
external and internal panels interconnect to form a bastion
according to the embodiment of FIG. 15.
[0041] FIGS. 23-26 illustrate, non-exhaustively, various structures
which may be obtained from the multipanel bastion system of FIGS.
15-22.
[0042] FIG. 27 illustrates an alternative manner of folding the
mesh on external panels.
[0043] FIG. 28 illustrates a bracing element for use in alternative
embodiments of the invention, for inhibiting outward bowing in
non-rectangular cells.
[0044] FIG. 29 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of a
bastion, having a non-rectangular corner cell, showing the
placement of bracing elements to connect non-consecutive corners in
a non-rectangular cell.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] The basic components of an exemplary embodiment of a bastion
of the present invention, generally designated 10, are panels
12a-12j. The panels 12a-12j may be made, for example, from a welded
wire frame including wires 14 having, for example, diameters
between 3 mm and 8 mm. The wires 14 may, for example, have a
rectangular pattern with center to center distance depending on
load, for example, 5 cm to 20 cm. The wires 14 may be lined with a
screen mesh 16 of expanded metal or wire knitted mesh, stitched to
the wire frame or connected using staples 18. Alternatively, the
panels 12a-12j may be configured without a mesh. However, in this
case the wires 14 are spaced close together so as to prevent a
filler, used to fill the bastion 10, such as sand crushed rocks,
granulars, etc., from spilling out.
[0046] In the example embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 1, exterior panels 12a-12h and interior panels
12i and 12j form a three-cell structure of reticular pattern.
Bastion 10 may be used, for example, as a force protection system
for military applications. The length of the bastion 10 may be as
long as desired with a minimum of one cell and may extend up to,
for example, hundreds of cells.
[0047] As best seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illustrate close-ups
of a connecting region between two cells 21 and 23, exterior panels
12f and 12g are connected at their sides 4 via pinned connection
30. FIG. 2B is the same view as provided in FIG. 2A except a bit
closer up and with panel 12g shown disconnected for clarity.
Depending on the height of the bastion 10, a pinned connection may
require, for example, a set of 4 up to 24 connecting tubes.
[0048] Exterior panels 12f and 12g each include a set of connecting
tubes 20 and 22 respectively. Tube segments 20 and 22 may be welded
to their respective panels and are matched and aligned with
correspondent connecting tubes 24 and 26 (FIG. 3) connected to
interior panel 12i by a centering pin 28a, which passes through the
connecting tubes 20 and 24, and by a centering pin 28b, which
passes through connecting tubes 22 and 26.
[0049] Centering pins 28a and 28b also function also as an
anchoring element of the system when staked to the ground. FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the rightmost cell of FIG. 1 with pins 28e
and 28g staked to the ground.
[0050] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, connecting tubes 20 and 22
project at an angle towards the inside of bastion 10. Tubes 20 and
24 are shown using ghost lines because the connection between tubes
20 and 24 via pin 28a is at least partially hidden behind panel
12f. Panels 12f, 12g and 12i are shown connected in the top view of
FIG. 3. The remaining panels 12a-12e are interconnected in an
identical manner using pins 28a-28m or, alternatively, using straps
32 (FIG. 4).
[0051] As illustrated in the top view of FIG. 3, the lining or mesh
16 of the exterior panels 12f and 12g at pinned connection 30 is
bent as flaps 34 and is used to avoid infill spills through the
space 36 between the connected exterior panels 12f and 12g. Flaps
34 may be used to prevent spillage between the connection of the
other panels as well.
[0052] For observation posts and fire back positions, an insert,
such as a duct 38, may be provided on both interior and exterior
panels into which face inserts 40 may be installed. Duct 38 may
have an X or Y shape (from a top view) in accordance with the
tactical tooth-saw fire pattern. Duct 38 is a rectangular box with
a reduced section in a middle section 42 and full sections 44 at
the faces of the panels. On the outer face of the bastion 10 these
face inserts 40 may be covered with a mesh lining (not shown),
which both masks the duct 38 and provides protection against
objects thrown from outside. At the inner side, a flap gate 46 can
be provided, for temperature control. FIG. 11 shows the bastion of
FIG. 1 from a different perspective and without the duct 38.
[0053] Interior panels 12i and 12j do not have full mesh lining
allowing the continuity of the infill material configuring a
monolithic structure. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 6, interior
panel 12i may have connecting tubes 34 at a point between its
sides, e.g., in the middle, for connection via pin 28n to
connecting tubes 35 welded to another interior panel 12k, also
without mesh lining. Although not shown, interior panel 12k may be
similarly connected to exterior panel 12e. Alternatively, interior
panel 12k may be free floating, connected to exterior panel 12e and
interior panel 12i by straps, or supported on either side by
material used to fill the bastion 10.
[0054] Once the structure has been anchored, for example, by
anchoring pins 28a-n used in the pinned connection 30, an infill of
filling material, for example, sand, crushed rock, or granulars is
laid in compacted layers conforming a monolithic structure to
complete the defense system. The bastion 10 of FIGS. 1 and 10 are
shown in a partially filled state so as to expose the interior
panels 12i and 12j.
[0055] The pinned connection system of the present invention allows
for deployment in sloped terrain, as illustrated in FIG. 15, by
stepping panels 12 in the vertical direction, i.e., joining the
panels at different heights.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a multi-cell structure filled with sand
including two walls 48, 50 connected by a hexagonal corner unit 52.
Wall 48 includes cells 48a-48c and wall 50 includes cells 50a-50c.
As indicated above, the filling of a single cell with two different
granulates may be accomplished, for example, by means of interior
panel 12k (FIG. 6).
[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a top
mesh-lined cover panel 54, as illustrated in FIG. 5, may be
pivotally or otherwise connected to a top of any given bastion
cell. The panel 54 mitigates the action of whirlwinds and drafts
caused by nature or machinery.
[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 12, the bastion 10 is a multiple height or
piled bastion including a base having four columns 56a-56d of
multi-cell structures, a second row having three columns 58a-58c, a
third row having two columns 60a and 60b and a top row having a
single column 62. The panels in each row may be connected to
adjacent rows using metallic or plastic straps 32 that align and
fasten the layers, as detailed in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a cross section
taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 12. The multi-cell structures may be
piled directly on top of each other or may be separated by a
structural element 64, such as a structural beam, flat board, steel
deck or plate, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
above mentioned materials constituent of the system, are resistant
to fire attacks and tropical conditions, thus allowing for a longer
life expectancy, and reutilization of the elements.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
screen or mesh 16 lining allows rooting of vegetation, thus
providing camouflage to the system. FIG. 14 illustrates a bastion
system of the present invention camouflaged by natural elements,
such as vegetation.
[0061] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
panel's wire mesh, pinned connections and expanded metal mesh are
environmentally resistant to damage like rust, UV, fungus attack,
etc., by means of galvanic protection, or polymeric coating.
[0062] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
structure may be used as basic constituent for constructions and
fortifications, supporting a roof structure.
[0063] Repairs can be made to the bastion by replacing a damaged
panel 12 or by strapping an overlapping new panel 66 over an
existing damaged panel 12, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0064] As illustrated in the figures, the panels form box shaped
structures. However, three or more panels may be joined in the
manner taught above to form other shaped free-standing structures
having, for example, triangular or hexagonal cross sections when
viewed from above. These free-standing structures may then be
interconnected, for example using pinned connections or straps, to
form bastions of varying shapes and sizes.
[0065] FIGS. 15-22 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
invention, wherein the internal panels employ only a single
vertical row of connecting tubes, on each side of the internal
panel.
[0066] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a partial bastion assembly
according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Partial
bastion assembly 100 employs external panels 102 and internal panel
104.
[0067] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a layout for an external panel 102
for a bastion according to the embodiment of FIG. 15. External
panel 102 includes metal bar grid 110 (formed from horizontal bars
112, and vertical bars 114), cylindrical connecting tubes 116, and
mesh 118. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the placement of the
connecting tubes 116 repeats every third horizontal bar 112, with
the vertical spacing between adjacent connecting tubes being
slightly greater (to accommodate manufacturing tolerances) than the
height of two connecting tubes.
[0068] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a layout for an internal panel 104
for a bastion according to the embodiment of FIG. 15. Internal
panel 104 includes metal bar grid 120 (formed from horizontal bars
122 and vertical bars 124), and cylindrical connecting tubes 126.
Mesh 128 may or may not be provided. Typically, mesh 128 will not
be used in internal panels, in order to permit infill material to
spread out to maximize the homogeneity of the infill material and
thus the density of the bastion structure. However, as described
hereinbelow, it may be desirable in certain cases, such as when
hills or other terrain contours are being addressed, to provide
internal panels with partial or complete mesh covering. Mesh 118
and mesh 128 (if present) may be fabricated as expanded metal mesh,
or knitted wire (woven) metal mesh. Alternatively, fiberglass mesh
(e.g., polyester coated/fused fiberglass) may be employed. It is
believed that fiberglass mesh may have benefits that may extend the
useful life of bastions constructed therefrom, including being
rustproof, having less tendency to leak infill material, following
piercing by bullets or shrapnel, being fire-resistant, and being
less likely to cause injury to persons handling the panels, as may
be the case where metal mesh is employed.
[0069] FIGS. 18 and 18A illustrate schematically of how two
external panels 102 and an internal panel 104 may be
interconnected, using a single connecting pin (not shown). In
embodiments of the invention, corresponding to the embodiment of
FIG. 15, all connecting tubes for both external panels 102 and
internal panels 104, are all the same length, and external and
internal diameters, for ease of manufacturing and
interchangeability of components. Because of the selection of
vertical spacing, on both external panels 102 and internal panels
104, equivalent to the height of two connecting tubes, connecting
tubes 116 and 126 may interdigitate snugly and in common vertical
alignment, to enable a single connecting pin (not shown) to pass
through all the aligned connecting tubes, of both the internal
panels 104 and external panels 102. It may be understood that, in
an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), by
increasing the vertical spacing of the connecting tubes, on the
external and internal panels to three connecting tube lengths, it
becomes possible to join 4 panels all together, e.g., two external
panels and two internal panels, by a single connecting pin.
[0070] FIGS. 19 and 19A illustrate schematically how external
panels 102 and internal panels 104 according to the embodiment of
FIG. 15 may be used to create a bastion construction that may be
used to ascend or descend contours in geography.
[0071] FIGS. 20 and 20A illustrate schematically how external
panels only, according to the embodiment of FIG. 15, may be used to
create a bastion that may be used to ascend or descend contours in
geography.
[0072] FIG. 21 is an illustration showing representative panel
structures according to an embodiment of the invention. Any
numerical values provided in FIG. 21 (or in any of the other
figures or the present specification) are given by way of example,
and the invention is not to be construed as being limited
thereto.
[0073] FIG. 22 is a highly schematic top plan view showing how
external and internal panels interconnect to form a bastion
according to the embodiment of FIG. 15. The use of a single column
of interdigitated connecting tubes in the external panels 102 and
internal panels 104 causes the panels to be closer together at
their junctions, reducing the space between adjacent panels, as
compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-14. In addition, the bastion
structure becomes tighter and more rigid as a result. As mentioned
above, while mesh may be provided on internal panels 128, typically
it may not be used. In order to control leakage of infill material,
at the junctions, at the edges of external panels 102, the mesh 118
will be folded back around the end vertical bars of the external
panel 102, as shown in FIG. 22, to provide a vertically extending
flap, that, due to material memory behavior of fiberglass, will
tend to bear against the sides of the internal panels 104, thus
creating an automatically deploying flap to provide resistance to
leakage of infill material through the junction. FIG. 27
illustrates, on the right side of that figure, an alternative
method for affixing mesh 118 at the junctions, wherein mesh 118 is
folded back, along the inside surface of the panel 102, and back
upon itself, so that there are three layers of the mesh under the
staple on the inside, and then the end of the mesh abuts the
connecting tubes and is bent along the direction of the surface of
the internal panel.
[0074] In embodiments in which mesh is omitted from internal panels
104, migration of infill material from "cell" to "cell" is
facilitated, thus leading to a more monolithic completed bastion
structure. FIGS. 23-26 illustrate various examples of structures
which may be built using the multipanel bastion system of the
embodiment of FIGS. 15-22, though other additional structures may
be built as well.
[0075] In particular, FIG. 23 illustrates a bastion section
incorporating end panels 204, central (or internal) panels 202, and
side panels 200, wherein end panels 204 have the same structure as
side panels 200, and are only named differently to identify their
location. In alternative embodiments, the panels at the end of a
string of cells may simply be referred to as side panels also. FIG.
24 illustrates another bastion section, incorporating side panels
200, central panels 202, end panels 204 and a gun port panel 208.
FIG. 25 illustrates a bastion section used in "climbing" hills,
incorporating hill panels 210 (which are like central or internal
panels 202, except that mesh is provided only on an upper portion
of the panel), along with side, end, and/or internal panels, as may
be required. FIG. 26 is a curving bastion section, that makes use
of turn panels 206, which may be similar to other external panels,
except shorter in the "width" dimension, to create bastion cells
which are trapezoidal when viewed from above.
[0076] In installations wherein corner cells are desired having
non-rectangular cross-sections (when viewed from above), such as in
FIGS. 8 and 29, there may be a tendency, depending upon various
factors such as the weight of the infill material, for the outer
walls of such corner cells to bow outwardly. In an alternative
embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method and
apparatus for inhibiting such outward bowing. This is accomplished,
in part, by adjusting the vertical lengths of the connecting tubes
attached to the ends of the panels. As described and illustrated
hereinabove, e.g., in the embodiments of FIGS. 15-22, the
connecting tubes of the respective external and internal panels,
once installed, are shown as being relatively closely spaced apart,
with relatively little clearance between them. It has been found,
in alternative embodiments of the invention, that the vertical
lengths of the respective connecting tubes may be shortened
slightly, without affecting the strength or rigidity of the joints
created when two or more panels are joined, thus providing for
gaps, located between immediately adjacent connecting tubes.
Accordingly, bracing elements 302 (FIG. 28) may be provided,
comprising two relatively short tubes or washers 304 located at the
ends of a bar or strip 306. Washers 304 will be sized to fit into
the aforementioned interstitial vertical gaps between connecting
tubes of adjacent panels, where the connecting tubes of the
adjacent panels are interdigitated to form a joint, as described
hereinabove. FIG. 29 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of a
bastion, having a non-rectangular corner cell, showing the
placement of bracing elements to connect non-consecutive corners in
a non-rectangular cell. Bracing elements 302 will be sized to span
the distance between non-consecutive joints 308. The number of
bracing elements which may be used in any such corner cell will
depend upon the circumstances of any particular application.
[0077] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the
present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *