U.S. patent application number 13/111945 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for ballistic and forced entry resistant construction.
Invention is credited to Keith Eustace, Jeffery L. Smith.
Application Number | 20110219725 13/111945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378036 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110219725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Jeffery L. ; et
al. |
September 15, 2011 |
Ballistic and Forced Entry Resistant Construction
Abstract
A ballistic and forced entry resistant construction in which a
sidewall is made up of a plurality of vertical columns, at least
one perimeter floor sill section, at least one perimeter ceiling
sill section, a plurality of bottom internal sleeves at spaced
intervals extending upward from the perimeter floor sill section, a
plurality of top internal sleeves at spaced intervals extending
downward from the perimeter ceiling sill section, a plurality of
upper outer panels, a plurality of lower outer panels, and a
plurality of inner wall panels. A connecting tube is used to
connect the upper and lower outer plates. The vertical columns are
located between the bottom and top internal sleeves such that the
sleeves fit inside the opposite ends of vertical columns and the
upper and lower outer panels are located between vertical support
columns.
Inventors: |
Smith; Jeffery L.;
(Jacksonville Beach, FL) ; Eustace; Keith; (Glenn
Dale, MD) |
Family ID: |
41378036 |
Appl. No.: |
13/111945 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12476254 |
Jun 1, 2009 |
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13111945 |
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61057200 |
May 30, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/831 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/10 20130101; F41H
5/24 20130101; E04H 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/831 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/00 20060101
E04C003/00 |
Claims
1. A vertical support apparatus for use in a sidewall of a
ballistic and forced entry resistant construction, comprising: a
vertical support column having opposite ends, an outer side, an
inner side; a ballistic stop fastened to the inner side of the
vertical support column; a perimeter floor sill section having an
upper surface; a perimeter ceiling sill section having a lower
surface; a bottom internal sleeve extending upward for a distance
from the upper surface of the perimeter floor sill section; and a
top internal sleeve extending downward for a distance from the
lower surface of the perimeter ceiling sill section, wherein the
opposite ends of the vertical column are located between the bottom
and top internal sleeves such that the sleeves respectively fit
inside the opposite ends of the vertical column.
2. The vertical support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
vertical support column defines opposite first and second facing
sides between the outer and inner sides of the vertical support
column, the vertical support apparatus further comprising a means
for attaching an outer panel and an inner panel to each of the
first and second opposite facing sides of the vertical support
apparatus such that adjacent outer panels abut against each other
along the outer side of the vertical support column.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/476,254 filed on Jun. 1, 2009. This application claims the
benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/057,200 (filed May 30, 2008). The entire contents of
Application Ser. Nos. 61/057,200 and 12/476,254 is explicitly
incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates generally to ballistic and forced
entry resistant construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Ballistic resistant constructions such as, but not limited
to, a sentry station or bunker are often rendered ballistic
resistant by means of heavy construction materials such as bags of
sand, concrete barriers and thick concrete blast resistant walls.
Sometimes sand and concrete may not be readily available. There is
therefore a need for a method of ballistic resistant construction
that takes advantage of modular construction and efficient use of
materials.
[0005] There is also a need for ballistic resistant rooms and the
like for erection inside buildings without requiring heavy lifting
gear such as cranes or the removal of building walls. More
specifically, there is a need for ballistic structures that can be
erected from parts which can be carried by one or two people
through ordinary size interior doors of buildings to provide
ballistic resistant rooms inside buildings without the use of
on-site welding equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ballistic and forced
entry resistant room according to the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a ballistic and forced
entry resistant room according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1C shows a floor layout of the ballistic and forced
entry resistant room of FIG. 1B.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of bottom floor panels according to
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a plurality of perimeter floor sill sections
about to be fitted to the bottom floor panels of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 3A shows the plurality of perimeter floor sill sections
of FIG. 3 in place.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a plurality of floor sections about to be
fitted to the partly assembled flooring of FIG. 3A.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows the plurality of floor sections of FIG. 4 in
place.
[0014] FIG. 5A shows a close up of the partly assembled flooring of
FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a plurality of floor sheets about to be fitted
to the partly assembled flooring of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the plurality of floor sheets of FIG. 6 in
place.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a plurality of vertical support columns about
to be fitted to the flooring of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows the plurality of vertical support columns of
FIG. 8 in place.
[0019] FIG. 10 shows a plurality of perimeter ceiling sill sections
about to be fitted to the vertical support columns of FIG. 9.
[0020] FIG. 11 shows the plurality of perimeter ceiling sill
sections of FIG. 10 in place.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows a lower outer panel fitted to the partially
completed ballistic and forced entry room of FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 13 shows a partially completed room with the front,
rear, and sidewalls fitted with outer and inner panels according to
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 14A shows a temporary support according to the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 14B shows the partially completed room of FIG. 13 in
combination with at least one temporary support.
[0025] FIGS. 15 and 16 show the completion of the ceiling of the
ballistic and forced entry resistant room according to the present
invention.
[0026] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the upper and lower outer panels and
inner wall panels that make up the sidewalls of the ballistic and
forced entry resistant room according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 19 shows a partial internal view of the ballistic and
forced entry resistant room according of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 20 shows a cut away view of the top of a vertical
support column proximate to a doorway.
[0029] FIG. 21 shows the outer and inner panels that make up the
front end of the ballistic and forced entry resistant room
according of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIGS. 22 and 23 show bottom and top perspective views of a
bottom floor panel.
[0031] FIG. 24 shows a cut-away view of a vertical support column
proximate to ceiling level.
[0032] FIG. 25 shows a cut-away view of a vertical support column
proximate to floor level.
[0033] FIG. 26 shows a cut-away view of a corner vertical support
column proximate to ceiling level.
[0034] FIG. 27 shows a cut-away view of a corner vertical support
column proximate to floor level.
[0035] FIGS. 28A through 28D show a table of parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0036] A ballistic and forced entry resistant construction.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0037] This invention is directed to an improved construction
method and apparatus that provides a construction that is resistant
to forced entry and ballistic impacts. Examples of constructions
that can be made using the present invention include, but are not
limited to, a guard booth, a panic room, a vault, and an
arms-room.
[0038] The present invention offers considerable advantages over
the prior art. For example, welding-equipment or specialist tools
are not required during on-site installation. Heavy lifting
equipment isn't required during installation because each part can
be wheeled or carried through an average internal door, such as
regular office doors and doors found in the average home.
[0039] Rooms or constructions of the present invention are
generically referred to hereinafter as "room 100".
[0040] The terms "roof" and "ceiling" are regarded as equivalent
terms hereinafter. The reason for the equivalency between the terms
"roof" and "ceiling" is simply one of esthetics. For example, if
the construction of the present invention is retro-fitted inside a
current structure such as an office or embassy building, then the
"roof" of the present invention can be regarded by a reasonable
person as either a roof or ceiling.
[0041] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various orientations and step sequences,
except where expressly specified to the contrary.
[0042] It should be understood that the room 100 according to the
invention can be made up of more than two sidewalls and can have a
regular or non-regular polygonal footprint, e.g., a regular
pentagonal footprint with five equal sized sidewalls and lack a
traditional front and rear room ends. FIG. 1B shows a non-regular
polygonal room according to the invention.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a ballistic and forced entry resistant room 100
according to one embodiment of present invention. The room 100
shown in FIG. 1 is used as an exemplar to describe the invention.
However, the room depicted in FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes
only and should not be read as limiting the present invention in
any manner whatsoever.
[0044] The room 100 comprises front and rear ends 120 and 140,
first and second side walls 160 and 180, a floor 200 and a ceiling
220. The front end 120 includes a doorway 240 to which a high
security door (not shown) can be fitted. However, as stated above,
it should be understood that the present invention is not limited
to a particular size or overall shape of room. FIG. 1C, for
example, shows a top planar view of a non-rectangular floor plan
260 according to the present invention. The non-rectangular floor
plan 260 includes a door 280 and a third side wall 300.
[0045] The invention can be applied to a variety of floor plans.
For example, a customer wanting the room 100 built into an existing
room with a non-rectangular floor plan in an embassy building
requiring a secure room; the floor plan for room 100 can be
modified to meet that need without detracting from the spirit of
the instant invention.
[0046] The first and second sidewalls 160 and 180, and the rear end
140 each comprises at least one vertical support column 320, at
least one upper outer panel 340, at least one lower outer panel
360, at least one inner wall panel 380, and at least one interior
ballistic stop 400.
[0047] Each upper outer wall panel 340 comprises a four sided plate
420. The plate 420 defines bottom and top edges 430 and 435,
opposite first and second vertical edges 437 and 439, interior and
exterior faces 440 and 444. The interior face 440 of plate 420 (and
hence the interior face of upper outer wall panel 340) is fitted
with four L-brackets 460a, 460b, 460c and 460d (the terms
"L-bracket" and "channel" are regarded herein as equivalent
terms).
[0048] The four L-brackets 460a, 460b, 460c and 460d are arranged
in a rectangular pattern such as a square pattern on the interior
face 440 of each upper outer wall panel 340. More specifically, an
L-bracket is attached adjacent and parallel to the each side of the
interior face 440. A series of drilled holes are located at
predetermined points along each L-bracket 460a, 460b, 460c and
460d. An optional stiffening bar 450 is fitted to the interior face
440 of plate 420. Each four sided plate 420 can be made out of any
suitable metal or metal alloy such as 0.25 inch American steel
plate.
[0049] Each lower outer wall panel 360 comprises a four sided plate
480. The plate 480 (and hence panel 360) defines interior and
exterior faces 500 and 510, opposite top and bottom edges 580 and
584, and opposite vertical edges 586 and 588. The interior face 500
of plate 480 (and hence the interior face of lower outer wall panel
360) is fitted with three L-brackets 520a, 520b, and 520c.
[0050] The three L-brackets 520a, 520b, and 520c are arranged in an
open rectangular pattern such as an open square pattern on the
interior face 500 of each lower outer wall panel 360. More
specifically, an L-bracket is attached adjacent and parallel to
each of sides 584, 586, and 588. A series of drilled holes are
located at predetermined points along each L-bracket 520a, 520b,
and 520c. An optional stiffening bar 540 can be fitted to the
interior face 500 of plate 480. Each four sided plate 480 can be
made out of any suitable metal alloy or metal such as 0.25 inch
American steel plate.
[0051] It is preferred that the L-brackets of the upper and lower
outer wall panels 340 and 360 are welded in the factory (i.e., not
welded on site), and factory-welded to the interior faces 440 and
500 by means of continues welds rather than by spot-welding.
Specifically, the L-brackets of the upper and lower outer wall
panels 340 and 360 are welded along their entire length to the
interior faces 440 and 500. Continuous welds help protect the room
100 from assailants using implements such as crowbars to gain
access or peel back the panels 340 and 360. As will explained
below, vertical L-brackets 460a and 460c are fastened to a
supporting column 320; likewise vertical L-brackets 520a and 520c
are fastened to a supporting column 320 to increase the resistance
of the plates 420 and 480 of panels 340 and 360 to peel-back and/or
forced entry.
[0052] A connecting tube 560 of overall rectangular cross-section
is attached to the interior face 500 in such a manner that it
overlaps and extends along a predetermined length of the top edge
580 of plate 480. The connecting tube 560 defines top side 570. The
connecting tube 560 is used to align and join the bottom edge 430
of plate 420 to the top edge 580 of plate 480. During assembly of
room 100 the top side 570 is attached by any suitable fastening
means to the second L-bracket 460b of upper outer panel 340.
Suitable fastening means include, but are not limited to, screws,
bolts, rivets. Holes for screws can be drilled into the top side
570. Self-tapping screws can be used to attach the top side 570 of
connecting tube 560 to L-bracket 460b thereby securing the upper
and lower outer panels 340 and 360 to each other with bottom edge
430 of plate 420 and top horizontal edge 580 of plate 480 adjoining
each other without requiring on-site welding.
[0053] It is preferred that the connecting tube 560 is continuously
welded in the factory along its entire length to the interior face
500. Continuous welds are more effective at resisting assailants
and attackers who use assailant tools such as a crowbar (also known
as a pry bar or wrecking bar) in attempts to peel back the edges of
the plates 420 and/or 480. The connecting tube 560 attached along
its length to L-bracket 460b would render it very difficult for an
assailant to pry apart edges 430 and 580 of plates 420 and 480 and
gain access to the interior of room 100.
[0054] The first and second sidewalls 160 and 180, and rear end 140
of room 100 each comprise at least one inner wall panel 380. The
inner wall panels 380 each define an inner face 600 and an outer
face 620, first and second opposite facing vertical sides 640 and
660, and top and bottom edges 680 and 700. Each of the vertical
sides 640 and 660 are bent lengthwise and inwards at a
perpendicular angle from the inner face 600, i.e., upon assembly of
room 100 the vertical sides 640 and 660 point towards the interior
of room 100.
[0055] A series of drilled holes are located at predetermined
points along each of the vertical sides 640 and 660. Optional
recesses 720 are provided at predetermined locations along one or
both vertical sides 640 and 660 to accommodate wiring (not shown).
The inner panels 380 can be made out of any suitable metal or metal
alloy such as 0.25 inch American steel plate.
[0056] The floor 200 comprises at least one bottom floor panel 740.
In the preferred embodiment the bottom floor panels 740 are
comprised of the same parts as the upper outer panel 340 with no
requirement for the optional stiffening bar 450. The bottom floor
panel 740 defines inner and outer faces 745 and 750.
[0057] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of bottom floor panels 740 laid out
to form the outermost layer of the floor 200. As will be seen,
there is no requirement to weld the bottom floor panels 740 to each
other. In FIG. 2 the bottom floor panels are labeled as follows:
740a 740b . . . 740f.
[0058] A plurality of perimeter floor sill sections 760 are used to
construct the floor 200. Each floor sill section 760 defines an
upper surface 770, and comprises a rectangular tube section of
predetermined length with a plurality of bottom internal sleeves
780 protruding at a perpendicular angle from the upper surface 770
of the perimeter floor sill sections 760 at predetermined
locations. The internal sleeves 780 can include bottom corner
internal sleeves 780c.
[0059] The perimeter sill sections 760 are optionally anchored to a
suitable base such as, but not limited to a concrete slab CS with
respect to outside-construction or flooring inside, for example an
embassy building or any building in which a room or refuge is
desired that is resistant to forced entry and ballistic impacts.
The perimeter sill sections 760 define an inner side surface 800.
The inner side surface 800 is attached to the outer L-brackets of
the bottom floor panels 740.
[0060] Short floor sections 820 and transverse floor sections 840
are used to join the bottom floor panels 740. Fasteners such as
self tapping screws are used to fasten the short and transverse
sections 820 and 840 to the remaining L-brackets of the bottom
floor panels 740. Floor sheets 860 are laid on top of the short and
transverse sections 820 and 840 and fastened thereto using, for
example, self tapping screws. The short and transverse sections 820
and 840 preferably have rectangular cross-sections and are made out
of metal such as 0.25'' American steel. The floor sheets 860 are
preferably four sided rectangular sheets of metal such as 0.25''
American steel sheets.
[0061] Vertical support columns 320 are fitted over and attached to
bottom internal sleeves 780. The vertical support columns 320 are
attached to bottom internal sleeves 780 using fasteners 880 such
as, but not limited to, bolts or self-tapping screws. The vertical
support columns include corner vertical support columns 320c.
[0062] The ceiling 220 is substantially a mirror image of the floor
200, i.e., the ceiling 220 is an upside down version of the floor
200. A plurality of perimeter ceiling sill sections 900 are used to
construct the ceiling 220. Each ceiling sill section 900 defines a
lower surface 920, and comprises a rectangular tube section of
predetermined length with a plurality of top internal sleeves 940
protruding at a perpendicular angle from the lower surface 920 of
the perimeter ceiling sill sections 900 at predetermined locations.
The top internal sleeves 940 can include top corner internal
sleeves 940c. "Top" signified the sleeve is proximate to ceiling
level.
[0063] The present invention provides remarkable resistance to
forced entry. An attacker using a crowbar or similar implement who
attempts to pry or peel apart plates 420 (represented by
alpha-numeric labels 420a and 420b) of adjacent upper outer panels
340 (represented by alpha-numeric labels 340a and 340b) would
unexpectedly find it very difficult to peel back adjacent plates
420a and 420b beyond L-brackets 460c and 460a.
[0064] Resistance to peel-back is achieved by the way the outer and
inner panels 340 and 360 are attached to the vertical support
columns 320. For example, as shown in the section view of FIG. 24,
adjacent outer panels 340 (represented by alpha-numeric labels 340a
and 340b) and adjacent inner wall panels 380 (represented by
alpha-numeric labels 380a and 380b) are bolted to a vertical
support column 320 and top internal sleeve 940. More specifically,
L-brackets 460c and 460a of adjacent upper outer panels 340a and
340b are fastened to the vertical support column 320 and top
internal sleeve 940 by means of, for example, self-tapping screws.
Vertical sides 640 and 660 of adjacent inner wall panels 380a and
380b are fastened to the vertical support column 320 and top
internal sleeve 940. The top internal sleeve 940 is so named
because it is located inside vertical support column 320 at ceiling
level 220.
[0065] With respect to FIG. 25, an attacker using a crowbar or
similar implement who attempts to pry or peel apart plates 480
(represented by alpha-numeric labels 480a and 480b) of adjacent
lower outer panels 360 (represented by alpha-numeric labels 360a
and 360b) would unexpectedly find it very difficult to peel back
adjacent plates 480a and 480b beyond L-brackets 460c and 460a. More
specifically, L-brackets 520c and 520a of adjacent lower outer
panels 360a and 360b are fastened to the vertical support column
320 and bottom internal sleeve 780 by means of, for example,
self-tapping screws. Vertical sides 640 and 660 of adjacent inner
wall panels 380a and 380b are fastened to the vertical support
column 320 and bottom internal sleeve 780. The bottom internal
sleeve 940 is so named because it is located inside vertical
support column 320 at ceiling level 220.
[0066] A ballistic stop 400 is employed for added protection
against ballistic projectiles such as bullets. The ballistic stop
400 can be U-shaped member, and extends along the inner side of
vertical support column 320 between the floor 200 and ceiling 220,
and is fastened to the inner sides of vertical support column 320
and bottom internal sleeve 780.
[0067] It should be understood that the components used in the
present invention can have modified shape. For example, the
ballistic stop 400 can be an L-bracket of 0.25'' steel or have
U-shaped cross-section, but serves the same purpose of preventing
incursions of ballistic fragments or bullets into the interior of
room 100.
[0068] With respect to top internal sleeve 940, an attacker using a
crowbar or similar implement who attempts to pry or peel apart
plates 480 (represented by alpha-numeric labels 480a and 480b) of
adjacent lower outer panels 360 (represented by alpha-numeric
labels 360a and 360b would unexpectedly find it very difficult to
peel back adjacent plates 480a and 480b beyond L-brackets 520c and
520a.
[0069] It should be understood that the L-brackets can be of
varying length and still retain the anti-peel property of the
present invention. For example, a short length L-bracket 960 can be
welded to the inside surface of an over-door outer panel 980
located above a door 280, and the short length L-bracket 960 bolted
to a bottom internal sleeve 780 and vertical support column 320.
The terms "short length L-bracket" and "angle" are regarded as
equivalent terms.
[0070] The outer and inner panels can have any predetermined
overall shape so long as the anti-peel property is retained. For
example, the front end 120 comprises outer and inner panels 1000
and 1020. The outer and inner panels 1000 and 1020 are elongated
and narrower than the inner and outer panels of the sidewalls 160
and 180. A temporary support 1040 can be used to help assemble the
room 100.
[0071] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *