Abstract:
A ballistic barrier is provided which is relatively easy and inexpensive to install and implement. The ballistic barrier may include a plurality of panels, each panel having a plurality of slats arranged downwardly at an angle with respect to horizontal. When an incoming bullet strikes a slat, its energy is redirected and the bullet is deflected downward toward the ground. Various thicknesses, materials, and dimensions of slats can be used. In addition, the slats can be arranged at an angle somewhere between 0 and 90 degrees, depending on the desired application. All of the slats may be arranged at substantially the same angle, or they may arranged at different angles. Backer plates may further be included to prevent bullets from travelling any appreciable distance beyond the fence. The backer plates may be constructed and attached in a manner that permits airflow between adjacent backer plates. A facing may be included to prevent people from climbing the fence slats.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/126,918, filed Mar. 2, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to barrier systems, such as walls or fences, and more particularly, to barrier systems capable of protecting against small arms or high caliber rifle fire. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There have been all types of protective barriers (e.g., walls or fences), used throughout history. One area in particular in which protective barriers have been implemented is to protect humans and equipment from incoming gun fire. Unfortunately, current ballistic resistant fences are not cost effective and are difficult and expensive to install and implement. 
         [0004]    It would therefore be desirable to have an effective ballistic barrier that is relatively easy and inexpensive to install and implement. The ballistic barrier should be designed to protect high dollar equipment and human lives within the barrier that could otherwise be harmed or killed by incoming bullets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present inventive concepts relate to a ballistic barrier for protecting people and objects within the barrier from incoming ballistic fire (such as small arms or high caliber rifle fire, for instance). The present inventive concepts provide a ballistic barrier that is easy to install, is relatively inexpensive, and provides effective resistance to incoming ballistic fire. One possible application for such a fence is for utility stations that house millions of dollars worth of electrical equipment. Numerous other applications are also contemplated. 
         [0006]    According to principles of the present inventive concepts, a ballistic fence is provided with the capability of redirecting incoming bullets, preferably toward the ground. Rather than immediately stopping incoming bullets, the ballistic fence preferably redirects the bullets to the ground before protected equipment and/or humans within the barrier (but outside of a “kill zone”) can be damaged, hurt, or killed. A “kill zone” may, for instance, be anywhere within about 10 feet of the inside of the fence. 
         [0007]    More particularly, principles of the inventive concepts provide a ballistic fence constructed having a plurality of ballistic panels, each panel comprising a plurality of slats arranged at a downward angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The ballistic fence can be constructed having a plurality of fence posts installed in the ground with one or more rails connected between the posts. The ballistic panels can be connected to the rails. The panels can, for instance, be bolted or welded in position along the rails. 
         [0008]    Each panel can include a plurality of vertical ribs (or slat supports) that can be attached vertically along the rails. Each of the vertical ribs can include a plurality of slots, each slot being configured to receive a slat therein. The slots can be angled downward at a desired angle (e.g., somewhere between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to horizontal, or somewhere between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to vertical, for instance about 45 degrees). The slats can be welded or otherwise attached in place within the slots in the slat supports (ribs). The slats may be formed of steel or another desired material. 
         [0009]    By arranging the slats at a downward angle with respect to horizontal, incoming bullets may be deflected downward rather than having a vertically arranged slat attempting stop it. The angle of orientation of the slats may therefore preferably be somewhere between (and including) 1 to 89 degrees from horizontal, and most preferably around 45 degrees. By deflecting the bullet rather than attempting to stop it entirely, the inventive concepts are able to decrease the amount of energy that is applied to the object (e.g., the slats) that the bullet is hitting. 
         [0010]    If the slats were placed completely vertically, they may not be strong enough to keep a bullet from penetrating the slat. However, when the slats are arranged at an angle with respect to vertical (e.g., arranged at an incline or decline) only a small portion of the bullet makes direct contact with panel before the bullet energy is redirected. 
         [0011]    The slats may, for instance, be constructed of a desired material and have a sufficient thickness such that they are resistant to bullets. By arranging the slats at an angle (for example an angle that is greater than 0 but less than 90 degrees from vertically downward), rather than requiring the slats to absorb the full energy of an incoming bullet, the bullets may be deflected downward toward the ground behind the fence. The distance beyond the fence that the bullets are permitted to travel may be determined by the angle at which the slats are arranged and a height at which the bullets strike the ballistic barrier. 
         [0012]    One or more backer plates may further be provided to stop the bullets from traveling past the backer plate and beyond the ballistic fence. In an embodiment having a backer plate, for instance, the bullet would hit the angled slat directing the bullet downward or upward at an angle where it would then hit the backer plate. The backer plate would then stop and/or redirect the bullet again, preferably straight down or substantially straight down to the ground. The backer plates can be arranged to provide ventilation between the plates to permit air to circulate through the fence, for instance, for applications where equipment within the fence requires cooling. 
         [0013]    A serrated sheet metal, corrugated sheet metal, wire mesh, or other facing may further be arranged on an outside portion of the ballistic barrier to prevent people from climbing up the fence panels. 
         [0014]    Although most elements of this particular embodiment can be made of steel, tube steel, and plate steel, any other suitable material or materials could also be used. In construction, each piece is preferably sized in proportion to the rest of the fence. In the case of steel, for instance, the connections can be solid welds, bolt connections, or other desired connections. Any appropriate connections known within the art are contemplated as being within the scope of the inventive concepts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present inventive concepts will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a ballistic fence assembly according to one embodiment of the present inventive concepts; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective drawing of Detail A of  FIG. 1  illustrating a connection between a vertical rib and a rail of the ballistic fence assembly according to additional principles of the inventive concepts; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective drawing of Detail B of  FIG. 1  illustrating a connection between the slats and the vertical rib of the ballistic fence assembly according to still further principles of the inventive concepts; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail C of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a connection between a post and a rail of the ballistic fence assembly according to additional aspects of the present inventive principles; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail E of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a portion of a rail of the ballistic fence assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail F of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a connection between multiple fence panels to the fence rail and post assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a somewhat schematic side view of a panel connector for connecting panels to the rail and post assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a somewhat schematic side view of the rail guide (or rail support bracket) for attaching rails to the posts of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a somewhat schematic side view of the vertical rib of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a somewhat schematic front view of a panel of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10A  is a somewhat schematic side view of a vertical rib of the panel of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a somewhat schematic enlarged side view of Detail D of  FIG. 10A , illustrating a portion of the vertical rib for connecting to the rails of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a ballistic fence assembly having a backer plate according to another embodiment of the inventive concepts; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12A  is an enlarged perspective view of Detail F of  FIG. 12 , further illustrating the backer plate arranged on the ballistic fence assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a ballistic fence assembly having backer plates or fence covers arranged to provide ventilation according to a still further aspect of the present inventive concepts; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13A  is an enlarged view of Detail B of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13B  is a somewhat schematic side view of a rib for the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 13 ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 13C  is an enlarged view of Detail D of  FIG. 13B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustrating various principles of the present invention and how it may be practiced. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a ballistic fence assembly  100  according to one embodiment of the present inventive concepts.  FIG. 2  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective drawing of Detail A of  FIG. 1  illustrating a connection between a vertical rib  4  and a rail  1  of the ballistic fence assembly  100  according to additional principles of the inventive concepts.  FIG. 3  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective drawing of Detail B of  FIG. 1  illustrating a connection between the slats  5  and the vertical rib  4  of the ballistic fence assembly  100  according to still further principles of the inventive concepts. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail C of the ballistic fence assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a connection between a post  11  and a rail  1  of the ballistic fence assembly according to additional aspects of the present inventive principles.  FIG. 5  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail E of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a portion of a rail  1  of the ballistic fence assembly  100 .  FIG. 6  is a somewhat schematic enlarged perspective view of Detail F of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a connection between multiple fence panels  110  to the fence rail  1  and post  11  assembly.  FIG. 7  is a somewhat schematic side view of a panel connector  6  for connecting panels to the rail  1  and post  11  assembly.  FIG. 8  is a somewhat schematic side view of the rail guide  8  for attaching rails  1  to the posts  11  of the ballistic fence assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a somewhat schematic side view of the vertical rib  4  of the ballistic fence assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 10  is a somewhat schematic front view of a panel  110  of the ballistic fence assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 10A  is a somewhat schematic side view of the panel  110  of  FIG. 10 . And  FIG. 11  is a somewhat schematic enlarged side view of Detail D of  FIG. 10A , illustrating a portion of the vertical rib  4  for connecting to the rails  1  of the ballistic fence assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 11 , a ballistic barrier  100  can be constructed from a plurality of ballistic panels  110  attached to a post  1  and rail  11  assembly. Each panel  110  may comprise one or more vertical ribs  4  and a plurality of slats  5  attached to the ribs  4 . Barbed wire  13  may be attached to an upper portion of the vertical ribs  4 . 
         [0039]    Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1-3, and 9-11 , the vertical ribs  4  are preferably slotted to allow the slats  5  to slide into the slots  4   a  in the ribs  4 . The slats  5  can then be welded to the vertical rib  4  through a welded connection  7 , or fastened to the ribs  4  in any other desirable manner, depending on the customers&#39; preference. The vertical ribs  4  may further include notches  4   d  arranged in protrusions  4   b  at appropriate locations along the back of each rib  4  to receive the rail  1 . This allows the rib notches  4   d  to slide onto the horizontal rails  1  and permits the ribs  4  to be secured to the rail  1  using rib brackets/panel connectors  6  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 ). 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 4-8, and 11 , the horizontal rails  1  preferably slide through rail supports  2 , which may be welded or otherwise affixed to a rail support bracket  8 . The rail support bracket  8  may be fastened to the post  11 , for example, using pipe clamps  10 . Multiple horizontal rails  1  may be joined together using rail connectors  3 . And adjacent fence panels  110  may be fastened together using panel connectors  6 . The panel connectors  6  may include a slot  6   b  that slides over the rail  1 , and may further include holes  6   c  that align with holes  4   c  in the rib protrusions  4   b.  Fasteners such as screws, bolts, or other desired fasteners may be inserted through the holes  6   c  and  4   c  to secure the panels  110  together and to the rail  1 . 
         [0041]    Generally, a vertical spacing between the slats may depend on what thickness of slat is being used. The thickness of the slats may, in turn, depend on the calibers of bullets which the fence is being designed to withstand. In one embodiment, the slats  5  overlap each other by a minimum distance of ⅛″. In one embodiment, each of the slats  5  may have a thickness of approximately about ¼″. Of course, the width of the slats can be altered for higher or lower security needs. Changing the width of the slats may also allow for one slat to overlap more or less of the slat above or below it. The width of the slats could be selected, for instance, to provide anywhere between 0 to 100% overlap with an adjacent slat, thereby creating a ballistic barrier providing much lower or higher security, respectively. For instance, greater overlap would provide greater redundancy and therefore heightened security, while lower overlap would provide reduced security but also reduced costs. For ease of handling and installation, a preferred length of each slat  5  may be approximately about 48″ and a preferred width may be approximately about 2¾″. 
         [0042]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 10A , in one embodiment, each of the slats  5  may be arranged at an angle β of approximately 45 degrees from downward vertical V. This embodiment has been found to be effective at deflecting bullets from a variety of assault rifles in a short distance. The slats may also, however, be provided at various other angles α, β, with respect to horizontal H or vertical V. Furthermore, each of the slats may be oriented at substantially the same angle as each of the other slats, or the slats may be arranged at various different angles. The distance beyond the fence which a bullet is permitted to travel after striking a slat may be partially determined by the angle at which the slat is arranged. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the slats  5  are each arranged to provide a downward facing outward surface arranged at an angle β of approximately about 45 degrees with respect to vertically downward V, and the ballistic fence  100  will deflect an incoming bullet to the ground no further from the fence  100  than the height at which the bullet strikes the fence  100 . Accordingly, if the bullet hits the fence  100  at a height of about six feet from the ground, for instance, it will travel no further than about six feet beyond the fence. 
         [0044]    Of course, within the inventive concepts, each of the horizontal slats may be arranged at any desired angle α, β, for that particular slat within the panel. The angle of orientation α, β, of each slat may further be varied, for instance, depending on the height at which the slat is arranged. The slats may comprise any desired length, any desired width, any desired thickness, and any desired grade or alloy of steel or other material sufficient to withstand the impact of a bullet and redirect it in the desired direction. The slats may further be designed having any of a variety of thicknesses and materials to stop different calibers of bullets depending on their desired implementations. 
         [0045]    Alternative spacing and slat angles may be desired depending on a given application. Slats with an angle α of 45 degrees or less from horizontal H will be more effective in deflecting higher caliber bullets (because a smaller portion of the bullet will impact the slat before deflection), but will also allow the bullets to travel a greater distance from the point of contact with the fence panel. Slats with an angle α of 45 degrees or greater from horizontal H, however, can be effective in deflecting lower caliber bullets and will cause the bullets to travel a shorter distance from the point of contact with the fence panel. 
         [0046]    Any slat material or composition of materials that can sufficiently withstand a bullet impact and redirect its direction of travel is within the contemplation of the current inventive concepts. A preferred material, however is any steel with a chemical composition consisting of the following: Carbon (C) content of 0.31% or less, Copper (Cu) content of 0.21% or less, Iron (Fe) content of 90% or less, Manganese (Mn) content of 0.08% or higher, Phosphorus (P) content of 0.05% or lower, Silicon (Si) content of 0.20% or higher, Sulfur (Su) content of 0.06% or lower, Chromium (Cr) content of 0% or higher, Nickel (Ni) content of 0% or higher, Molybdenum (Mo) content of 0% or higher, and Boron (B) content of 0% or higher. Any steel capable of stopping or redirecting the bullet, for instance, would be acceptable. A preferred chemical composition for the slat material is: (C-0.30%) (Fe-93.76%) (P-0.020%) (Si-0.70%) (5-0.010%) (Cr-1.5%) (Ni-1.5%) (Mo-0.60%) (B-0.005%). 
         [0047]    A brief description of bullet trajectory with respect to one embodiment will now be provided with reference to  FIGS. 1-11 . With the slats  5  arranged at an angle of 45 degrees, an incoming bullet will deflect off the fence panel  110  at an angle of no less than 45 degrees. Therefore, if a bullet were to hit the fence panel  110  at a height of about six feet above the ground, the bullet would not travel more than about six feet beyond the inside of the fence panel  110 . Generally, however, it has been discovered through testing that panels arranged at an angle of 45 degrees will direct the bullets to ground at an angle greater than 45 degrees. This is likely due to the bullets having a ricochet effect off the panel, directing the bullet to the ground at a steeper angle. In one test, for example, when the panel was shot at a height of 24″, the bullet fragments hit the ground 20″ behind the target. 
         [0048]    Alternative embodiments and additional features are also contemplated.  FIG. 12  is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a ballistic fence assembly  100 A having a backer (or backing) plate according to another embodiment of the inventive concepts, and  FIG. 12A  is an enlarged perspective view of Detail F of  FIG. 12 , further illustrating the backer plate arranged on the ballistic fence assembly  100 A. Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 12A , in this embodiment, the fence panel  110 A may be further provided with one or more backer plates  12  mounted on the back of the fence panel  110 A to help contain bullets and prevent them from travelling any appreciable distance beyond the fence  100 A. Backer plates  12  could be attached to the fence panel  110 A, for instance, by inserting them in between vertical ribs  4  and attaching them by way of welding, or by way of pins (not shown) that are inserted through holes in protruding parts  12   a  of the slats  5 , thereby attaching the backer plate  12  to the horizontal slats  5 . Any other suitable attachment mechanism is also contemplated. 
         [0049]    In an embodiment having a backer plate, for instance, the bullet would hit the angled slat directing the bullet downward (or upward) at an angle where it would then hit the backer plate. The backer plate would redirect the bullet again, preferably straight down or substantially straight down to the ground. In embodiments having a backer plate, therefore, a kill zone behind the ballistic barrier can be substantially reduced or eliminated. 
         [0050]    In a still further embodiment, a serrated sheet metal, a corrugated sheet metal, or a wire mesh facing (not shown) could be mounted to the front of the panel to help prevent people from being able to climb the fence panels. 
         [0051]    Yet another embodiment of the present inventive concepts is shown in  FIGS. 13-13C . The ballistic fence  100 B of this embodiment may be generally constructed in a manner similar to the previous embodiments, with multiple fence panels  110 B arranged to form a ballistic fence assembly  100 B, and a detailed description of redundant features will be omitted here. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-13C , unlike the previous embodiments, a ballistic fence  100 B according to an alternative embodiment may include fence panels  110 B provided with backer plates (or fence covers)  14  that provide ventilation to an inside of the fence through gaps  15  arranged between fence covers  14 . More particularly, each of the fence covers  14  may have a substantially stair-shaped structure having a base portion  14   a  that fits within a receptacle  4 Be of the vertical ribs  4 B, and a raised portion  14   b  that abuts against a raised portion  4 Bf of the ribs  4 B. A part of the raised portion  14   b  may overlap a base portion  14   a  of another one of the fence covers  14  in the horizontal direction. In this manner, a gap  15  can be provided between adjacent fence covers  14  that allows air to flow between the fence covers  14  and circulate between an inside and an outside of the ballistic fence assembly  100 B, while still permitting the fence covers  14  to block any incoming bullets from entering the fenced area. In addition, an upper portion  4 Ba of the rib  4 B, to which barbed wire  13  may be attached, may be angled outwardly. 
         [0053]    Having described and illustrated principles of the present inventive concepts in various preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. I therefore claim all modifications and variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.