Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-10-29)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

Please amend the claims as follows:

1\. (Currently Amended) A ballistic barrier system comprising:
a mounting frame configured to couple to an energy transmission equipment,wherein the mounting frame is suspended above a ground level;
a modular panel configured to removably attach to the mounting frame and removably interconnect with other modular panels to form a barrier around at least a portion of the energy transmission equipment,wherein, when attached to the mounting frame, the modular panel is suspended above the ground level, and wherein the modular panel includes:
multiple ballistic sub-panels that are configured to removably attach to the modular panel and interconnect with each other to increase a surface area of the modular panel, wherein the multiple ballistic sub-panels include a first sub- panel disposed in a first plane, a second sub-panel disposed in the first plane, and a third sub-panel disposed in a second plane that is positioned away from the first plane, and wherein each of the multiple ballistic sub-panels is constructed of a ballistic-resistant material; and multiple spacers extending between the first plane and the second plane,wherein a first spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the first sub-panel and the third sub-panel,

wherein a second spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the second sub-panel and the third sub-panel;and a ballistic detection system comprising:
at least one sensor configured to detect a ballistic energy level and an energy-waveform of a ballistic event, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted to the modular panel;
a notification system configured to communicate a notification to an emergency service in response to the at least one sensor detecting the ballistic event,wherein the notification system comprises:
a modem configured to wirelessly connect the ballistic barrier system to the emergency service over a wireless network; and
a controller configured to determine a severity of the ballistic event and activate the notification system; and a power supply configured to supply power to the ballistic detection system.

2\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1 further comprising:
a fire suppression system coupled to the modular panel and including:a fire detection sensor configured to detect a fire event at the energy transmission equipment,
wherein the fire detection sensor includes a smoke detector, a thermally sensitive device, or a camera; and a fire control subsystem configured to cause release of a fire suppression material at the energy transmission equipment in response to detection of the fire event,
wherein the fire suppression material is rated for use on electrical equipment.

3\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein a ballistic sub- panel further comprises:
a solar reflecting material coating,wherein the solar reflecting material coating is configured to reduce an amount of heat transferred to the energy transmission equipment by reflecting an amount of solar energy; and an insulating material having a predetermined thermal resistance (R) value,
wherein the insulating material is configured to reduce a temperature of the energy transmission equipment.

4\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein the ballistic panel system is configured to reduce an amount of emitted greenhouse gases by reducing a number of outages of energy transmission equipment caused by ballistic events and a subsequent reliance on gasoline generators.

5\. (Currently Amended) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein coupling the mounting frame to the energy transmission equipment comprises:
multiple framing members configured to be coupled to a structural component of the energy transmission equipment,wherein the structural component of the energy transmission equipment includes I-beams or H-beams,
wherein coupling the multiple framing members to the structural component suspends the ballistic barrier above the ground level.

6\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein a mounting method of the at least one sensor to the ballistic sub-panel includes:
embedding the at least one sensor into the surface of the ballistic sub-panel,
disposing the at least one sensor onto the surface of the ballistic sub-panel, or removably attaching the at least one sensor into the surface of the ballistic sub- panel.

7\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes:
an energy-wave detector,
a microphone,
a camera, or a pressure sensor.

8\. (Original) The ballistic barrier system of claim 1, wherein each ballistic sub- panel further comprises:
an interlocking mechanism configured to removably couple to either another ballistic sub-panel or the modular panel, andwherein interlocking mechanism allows for air flow through the modular panel.

9\. (Currently Amended) A hazard barrier comprising:
a mounting frame suspended above a ground level;
a modular panel configured to removably attach to the mounting frame and removably interconnect with other modular panels to form a barrier,wherein the modular panel includes:
multiple hazard sub-panels that are configured to removably attach to the modular panel and interconnect with each other to increase a surface area of the modular panel, wherein the multiple hazard sub-panels include a first sub- panel disposed in a first plane, a second sub-panel disposed in the first plane, and a third sub-panel disposed in a second plane that is positioned away from the first plane, and wherein each of the multiple hazard sub-panels is constructed of a hazard-resistant material; and

multiple spacers extending between the first plane and the second plane,wherein a first spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the first sub-panel and the third sub-panel, wherein a second spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the second sub-panel and the third sub-panel;and a hazard detection system comprising:
at least one sensor configured to detect a hazard event in a vicinity of the hazard barrier,wherein the at least one sensor is mounted to the modular panel;
a notification system configured to communicate a notification to an emergency service in response to the at least one sensor detecting the hazard event; and
a power supply configured to supply power to the hazard detection system.

10\. (Original) The hazard barrier of claim 9 further comprising:
a fire suppression system coupled to the modular panel and including:a fire detection sensor configured to detect a fire event,wherein the fire detection sensor includes a smoke detector, a thermally sensitive device, or a camera; and a fire control subsystem configured to cause release of a fire suppression material at the energy transmission equipment in response to detection of the fire event.

11\. (Original) The hazard barrier of claim 9, wherein the mounting frame further comprises:
multiple frame members configured to be coupled to a structural component of a structure,wherein the structural component of includes I-beams or H-beams,

wherein coupling the multiple framing members to the structural component suspends the hazard barrier above the ground level.

12\. (Original) The hazard barrier of claim 9, wherein a mounting method of the at least one sensor to the hazard sub-panel includes:
embedding the at least one sensor into the surface of the hazard sub-panel,
disposing the at least one sensor onto the surface of the ballistic sub-panel, or removably attaching the at least one sensor into the surface of the ballistic sub- panel.

13\. (Original) The hazard barrier of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor includes:
an energy-wave detector,
a microphone,
a camera, or a pressure sensor.

14\. (Original) The hazard barrier of claim 9, wherein each ballistic sub-panel further comprises:
an interlocking mechanism configured to removably couple to either another ballistic sub-panel or the modular panel, andwherein interlocking mechanism allows for air flow through the modular panel.

15\. (Currently Amended) An apparatus for ballistic protection comprising:a mounting frame configured to couple to an energy transmission equipment,wherein the mounting frame is suspended above a ground leve SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.1470.05 a modular panel configured to removably attach to the mounting frame and removably interconnect with other modular panels to form a barrier around at least a portion of the energy transmission equipment,

wherein, when attached to the mounting frame, the modular panel is suspended above the ground level, and wherein the modular panel includes:
multiple ballistic sub-panels that are configured to removably attach to the modular panel and interconnect with each other to increase a surface area of the modular panel, wherein the multiple ballistic sub-panels include a first sub- panel disposed in a first plane, a second sub-panel disposed in the first plane, and a third sub-panel disposed in a second plane that is positioned away from the first plane, and wherein each of the multiple ballistic sub-panels is constructed of a ballistic-resistant material; and multiple spacers extending between the first plane and the second plane,wherein a first spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the first sub-panel and the third sub-panel, wherein a second spacer of the multiple spacers extends between the second sub-panel and the third sub-panel;and a ballistic detection system comprising:
at least one sensor configured to detect a ballistic energy level and an energy-waveform of a ballistic event, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted to the modular panel;
a notification system configured to communicate a notification to an emergency service in response to the at least one sensor detecting the ballistic event,wherein the notification system comprises:

a modem configured to wirelessly connect the ballistic barrier system to the emergency service over a wireless network; and
a controller configured to determine a severity of the ballistic event and activate the notification system; and a power supply configured to supply power to the ballistic detection system.

16\. (Original) The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a fire suppression system coupled to the modular panel and including:a fire detection sensor configured to detect a fire event at the energy transmission equipment,
wherein the fire detection sensor includes a smoke detector, a thermally sensitive device, or a camera; and a fire control subsystem configured to cause release of a fire suppression material at the energy transmission equipment in response to detection of the fire event,
wherein the fire suppression material is rated for use on electrical equipment.

17\. (Original) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a ballistic sub-panel further comprises:
a solar reflecting material coating,wherein the solar reflecting material coating is configured to reduce an amount of heat transferred to the energy transmission equipment by reflecting an amount of solar energy; and an insulating material having a predetermined thermal resistance (R) value,
wherein the insulating material is configured to reduce a temperature of the energy transmission equipment.

18\. (Original) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein coupling the mounting frame to the energy transmission equipment comprises:
multiple frame members configured to be coupled to a structural component of the energy transmission equipment,wherein the structural component of the energy transmission equipment includes I-beams or H-beams,
wherein coupling the multiple framing members to the structural component suspends the ballistic barrier above the ground level.

19\. (Original) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a mounting method of the at least one sensor to the ballistic sub-panel includes:
embedding the at least one sensor into the surface of the ballistic sub-panel,
disposing the at least one sensor onto the surface of the ballistic sub-panel, or removably attaching the at least one sensor into the surface of the ballistic sub- panel.

20\. (Original) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each ballistic sub-panel further comprises:
an interlocking mechanism configured to removably couple to either another ballistic sub-panel or the modular panel, and
wherein interlocking mechanism allows for air flow through the modular panel.

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art of record teaches ballistic panels and spacers but the arrangement claimed in combination with all limitations regarding panels, sub-panels in different planes and the claimed detection system are not present in the art. The examiner can find no reason to combine prior art references of record without the use of impermissible hindsight. US5855099 teaches multiple panels and art such as US5822936 teach spacers but each and every limitation of the claimed application is not taught in its entirety or in combination.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Remarks/Ar
g
uments
Claims 1-20 were pending when the present Office Action was mailed on May 19, 2025. In this response, claims 1, 5, 9, and 15 have been amended. Support for the amendments can be found at least in paragraphs [0041]-[0042] and in the originally filed Figures, for example, Figure 5. The foregoing amendments are made to expedite prosecution of this application, without prejudice to pursuing these claims in unamended or other forms in a continuation or other application. Accordingly, claims 1-20 are currently pending.
The status of the application in light of this Office Action is as follows:
A) Claim(s) 1, 4-9,11-15,18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US
Claim(s) 2,10,16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US 2020/0114393) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Jaena (US 2013/0032310).
Claim(s) 3,17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US 2020/0114393) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Bellezza (US 2013/0032310).
B) Claim 5 is objected to because of "the mounting system" lacks antecedent
basis. The examiner is interpreting this as "the mounting frame."
Examiner Interview Summary
Applicant thanks Examiner [INSERT] for engaging in an interview with Applicant's representative (the undersigned) during the telephonic interview conducted on September 11th, 2025 ("Interview"). During the Interview, the independent claims along with their rejections as set forth in the Office Action were discussed. Specifically, amendments relating to the ballistic sub-panel configuration were discussed. The examiner indicated that the proposed amendments would overcome the cited references. The foregoing and following remarks summarize and expand upon the points discussed
during the interview. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this document constitute Applicant's Interview Summary. If the Examiner notices any deficiencies in this regard, the Examiner is encouraged to contact the undersigned attorney. A.
Response to the Section 103 Re
j
ection
Claim(s) 1, 4-9,11-15,18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US 2020/0114393).
Claim(s) 2,10,16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US 2020/0114393) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Jaena (US 2013/0032310).
Claim(s) 3,17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Leber (US 10840677) in view of Frimpong (US 2020/0114393) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Bellezza (US 2013/0032310).
Applicant disagrees with the combination of Leber in view of Frimpong as a whole. However, to advance prosecution, Applicant has amended claim 1 particularly point out and distinctly claim that the multiple ballistic sub-panels include parallel sub-panels and a third sub-panel disposed from them using multiple spacers to allow airflow through the ballistic barrier system.
In contrast to the claimed invention as a whole, Leber shows and describes multiple curved side walls that tightly fit together to form both a penetration and a noise inhibiting reinforcement. Frimpong shows and describes a single continuous ballistic- resistant shield with no gaps between shield sections. Therefore, Leber, Frimpong, nor any other cited reference shows the claimed ballistic sub-panels disposed from one another using multiple spacers.
Accordingly, claims 1-20 are in condition for allowance and the Section 103 rejection should be withdrawn.
Applicant has not necessarily discussed here every reason why every pending independent claim is patentable over the cited art; nonetheless, Applicant is not waiving any argument regarding any such reason or reasons. Applicant reserves the right to raise
any such additional argument(s) during the future prosecution of this application, if Applicant deems it necessary or appropriate to do so. B.
Other Issues
Claim 5 is objected to because of "the mounting system" lacks antecedent basis. The examiner is interpreting this as "the mounting frame." Claim 5 has been amended
Dependent Claims
In view of the above remarks, a specific discussion of the dependent claims is unnecessary. Therefore, Applicant's silence regarding any dependent claim is not to be interpreted as agreement with, or acquiescence to, the rejection of such claim or as waiving any argument regarding that claim.
CONCLUSION


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US5855099A: Claims:
A method of assembling a sectional storm panel assembly, from the interior of a building, over an opening having upper, lower and two side edges, comprising: applying elongated rails along the upper and lower edges of the opening; manually applying a plurality of substantially identical, vertically elongated, narrow sheet metal panel sections, each panel section having an interior surface and an exterior surface, one by one, over the opening by moving each panel section from the interior of the building through the opening and positioning each of the panel sections over the opening so that its upper and lower edges are arranged adjacent the respective upper and lower rails and its vertical side edges overlap the adjacent vertical side edges of the next adjacent panel section; including applying the adjacent panel sections sequentially, starting from each of the two side edges of the opening towards the opposite side edge of the opening to form a pair of generally co-planar panel portions extending towards each other from the side edges of the opening and providing a gap, which extends from the upper to lower edge, between the portions; manually fastening, from the interior of the building, the sections to at least one of the rails by mechanical fasteners, as the sections are applied; closing the gap with a cover section having an interior and exterior surface and of approximately the same size and shape as the panel sections by manually inserting the cover section through the gap, from the interior of the building to the exterior, and manually positioning the cover section over the gap with the interior surface along the vertical edges of the cover section overlapping the adjacent exterior surface along the vertical side edges of the adjacent panel sections; and manually fastening, from the interior of the building, with removable mechanical fasteners, the cover section to at least one of the rails.
applying elongated rails along the upper and lower edges of the opening;
manually applying a plurality of substantially identical, vertically elongated, narrow sheet metal panel sections, each panel section having an interior surface and an exterior surface, one by one, over the opening by moving each panel section from the interior of the building through the opening and positioning each of the panel sections over the opening so that its upper and lower edges are arranged adjacent the respective upper and lower rails and its vertical side edges overlap the adjacent vertical side edges of the next adjacent panel section;
including applying the adjacent panel sections sequentially, starting from each of the two side edges of the opening towards the opposite side edge of the opening to form a pair of generally co-planar panel portions extending towards each other from the side edges of the opening and providing a gap, which extends from the upper to lower edge, between the portions;
manually fastening, from the interior of the building, the sections to at least one of the rails by mechanical fasteners, as the sections are applied;
closing the gap with a cover section having an interior and exterior surface and of approximately the same size and shape as the panel sections by manually inserting the cover section through the gap, from the interior of the building to the exterior, and manually positioning the cover section over the gap with the interior surface along the vertical edges of the cover section overlapping the adjacent exterior surface along the vertical side edges of the adjacent panel sections;
and manually fastening, from the interior of the building, with removable mechanical fasteners, the cover section to at least one of the rails.
A method as defined in claim 1, with the sections being corrugated in cross-section, and including positioning each of the sections so that its corrugations overlap the corrugations of the next adjacent section along their respective overlapped vertical edges of the sections.
A method as defined in claim 2, and including aligning in a common vertical plane, horizontally elongated strips formed on the upper and lower rails, and positioning the upper and lower edges of the sections to abut against the strip surfaces which face the building outside, and fastening the lower edges of the sections to the lower rail strip.
A method as defined in claim 1, and including providing an elongated rigid strip fastened and extending along the lower edge of the cover section, and positioning the rigid strip against the lower rail strip when the cover section is arranged over the gap, and manually securing, with removable mechanical fasteners, the rigid strip to the lower rail strip.
A sectional storm panel assembly for manually applying over a building opening having upper, lower, and side edges, from the inside of the building, comprising: an upper rail fastened along the upper edge of the opening and a lower rail fastened along the lower edge of the opening, with the rails each having a horizontally elongated surface facing the outside of the building; a plurality of substantially identical, vertical elongated, sheet metal panel sections, each panel section having an interior surface and exterior surface and arranged in generally co-planar, edge to edge relationship, forming a pair of panel portions, with each portion extending from one side edge of the opening towards the opposite side edge; and the adjacent edges of the panel portions being spaced apart to form a vertical gap between the panel portions and extending from the upper to lower edge; the lower edges of each of the panel sections being abutted against said lower rail and being secured by manually applied releasable fasteners to said lower rail, with the upper edges of the panel sections being abutted against the upper rail; a cover section of generally the shape of the panel sections, having an interior and exterior surface and positioned across and covering the gap, and with its vertical side edges overlapping the exterior surfaces that face outside of the building of the adjacent, gap defining edges of the adjacent portions; the lower edges of the cover section being secured by manually applied, releasable mechanical fasteners to the outside surface of the lower rail; whereby the two panel portions may be manually assembled, section by section, by applying the sections, starting the assembly from the side edges of the opening towards the opposite side edges of the opening, until the panel portions are completed, with the gap formed between them, and the cover section may be inserted through the gap from the inside of the building to the outside and then positioned to cover the gap with its interior surface along the inside edges overlapping the adjacent exterior surface along the adjacent edges of the panel portions and the cover section may be fastened to the rail from the inside of the building so that the entire storm panel may be assembled over the building by a person located inside the building.
an upper rail fastened along the upper edge of the opening and a lower rail fastened along the lower edge of the opening, with the rails each having a horizontally elongated surface facing the outside of the building;
a plurality of substantially identical, vertical elongated, sheet metal panel sections, each panel section having an interior surface and exterior surface and arranged in generally co-planar, edge to edge relationship, forming a pair of panel portions, with each portion extending from one side edge of the opening towards the opposite side edge;
and the adjacent edges of the panel portions being spaced apart to form a vertical gap between the panel portions and extending from the upper to lower edge;
the lower edges of each of the panel sections being abutted against said lower rail and being secured by manually applied releasable fasteners to said lower rail, with the upper edges of the panel sections being abutted against the upper rail;
a cover section of generally the shape of the panel sections, having an interior and exterior surface and positioned across and covering the gap, and with its vertical side edges overlapping the exterior surfaces that face outside of the building of the adjacent, gap defining edges of the adjacent portions;
the lower edges of the cover section being secured by manually applied, releasable mechanical fasteners to the outside surface of the lower rail;
whereby the two panel portions may be manually assembled, section by section, by applying the sections, starting the assembly from the side edges of the opening towards the opposite side edges of the opening, until the panel portions are completed, with the gap formed between them, and the cover section may be inserted through the gap from the inside of the building to the outside and then positioned to cover the gap with its interior surface along the inside edges overlapping the adjacent exterior surface along the adjacent edges of the panel portions and the cover section may be fastened to the rail from the inside of the building so that the entire storm panel may be assembled over the building by a person located inside the building.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 5, and including an elongated, rigid metal strip secured along the lower edge of the cover section; and said mechanical fasteners securing the metal strip to the lower rail for fastening the lower edge of the cover section to the lower rail.
and said mechanical fasteners securing the metal strip to the lower rail for fastening the lower edge of the cover section to the lower rail.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 5, and with the upper rail being formed as a downwardly opening channel having an interior wall and an exterior wall and a base wall, and with the upper edge of the sections being arranged within the channel, but spaced downwardly from the base of the channel, and with the depth of the channel being sufficiently deep that each section may be lifted vertically upwardly within the channel towards the base of the channel a distance corresponding to the vertical height of the lower rail so as to pass over the lower rail and then lowered to abut against the surface of the lower rail that faces toward the outside of the building.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 5, and including the lower rail having an upwardly extending, horizontally elongated, rigid strip for abutting against the lower edge of the respective sections, and the upper rail being formed as a downwardly opening channel into which the upper edges of the sections are fitted; and the depth of the channel being sufficiently deep that each section may be inserted, vertically upwardly within the channel and lifted upwardly towards the base of the channel a distance corresponding to the vertical height of the lower rail strip so as to pass over the lower rail strip and then be lowered to abut against the outside surface of the lower rail, that is, the surface facing the outside of the building for thereby abutting said surface and being fastened thereto.
and the depth of the channel being sufficiently deep that each section may be inserted, vertically upwardly within the channel and lifted upwardly towards the base of the channel a distance corresponding to the vertical height of the lower rail strip so as to pass over the lower rail strip and then be lowered to abut against the outside surface of the lower rail, that is, the surface facing the outside of the building for thereby abutting said surface and being fastened thereto.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 8, and said sections being vertically corrugated, and with the adjacent corrugated edge portions of each section overlapping the next adjacent corrugated edge portion of the next section; and with the cover section being vertically corrugated similarly to the panel sections; whereby impact loads applied against the cover section are transmitted to the adjacent panel section.
and with the cover section being vertically corrugated similarly to the panel sections;
whereby impact loads applied against the cover section are transmitted to the adjacent panel section.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 8, and said panel sections being vertically corrugated and the corrugated edge portions of each panel section overlapping and being nested within the adjacent corugated edge portion of the next adjacent panel section.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 10, and including a manually engageable grip formed on the cover section's surface which faces inwardly of the building; whereby the cover section grip may be manually grasped and the cover section may be manually lifted and moved into its assembly position by a person located in the inside of the building.
whereby the cover section grip may be manually grasped and the cover section may be manually lifted and moved into its assembly position by a person located in the inside of the building.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 10, and with the lower rail being L-shaped in cross-section with one leg extending towards the upper edge of the opening to form the rigid strip for abutting against the lower of the sections.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 12, and with the corrugations of the sections being formed, in cross-section, in generally truncated conical shapes, with the larger bases of the shapes being open and the smaller bases of the shapes being integral with the walls forming the truncated conical shapes, and with the smaller bases being arranged adjacent the lower rail surface which faces outwardly of the building.
A sectional storm panel assembly as defined in claim 13, and with the smaller bases, of the corrugated shapes, being bent into channels extending the full height of the sections for rigidifying the sections.
Ref US5822936A: Claims:
An interconnect system for fabricating modular bullet deflecting devices, the system, when assembled, comprising: a plurality of metallic plates, each plate having at least one lateral edge juxtaposed with a lateral edge of another metallic plate; at least one facing strip disposed along the juxtaposed lateral edges of the plates so as to cover the juxtaposed lateral edges of the metallic plates; clamp means releasably attached to the at least one facing strip for holding the facing strip in secure engagement with the metallic plates adjacent the lateral edges to apply a clamping force and thereby hold the metallic plates in rigid connection with one another and forming a continuously bullet resistant joint; and damping means for damping the transfer of vibrational energy between the plates.
a plurality of metallic plates, each plate having at least one lateral edge juxtaposed with a lateral edge of another metallic plate;
at least one facing strip disposed along the juxtaposed lateral edges of the plates so as to cover the juxtaposed lateral edges of the metallic plates;
clamp means releasably attached to the at least one facing strip for holding the facing strip in secure engagement with the metallic plates adjacent the lateral edges to apply a clamping force and thereby hold the metallic plates in rigid connection with one another and forming a continuously bullet resistant joint; and
damping means for damping the transfer of vibrational energy between the plates.
The interconnect system according to claim 1, further comprising sealant disposed between the plates.
The interconnect system according to claim 1, wherein a rigid spacer is disposed between the plates.
An interconnect system for forming a modular bullet deflecting devices system comprising: a plurality of metallic plates, each plate having at least one lateral edge juxtaposed with a lateral edge of another metallic plate; at least one facing strip disposed along the juxtaposed lateral edges of the plates so as to cover the juxtaposed lateral edges of the metallic plates; and clamp means selectively attached to the at least one facing strip for holding the facing strip in secure engagement with the metallic plates adjacent the lateral edges to apply a clamping force and thereby hold the metallic plates in rigid connection with one another and forming a continuously bullet resistant joint of a modular bullet deflecting device; and bullet arresting means disposed adjacent to the plates for capturing bullets.
at least one facing strip disposed along the juxtaposed lateral edges of the plates so as to cover the juxtaposed lateral edges of the metallic plates; and
clamp means selectively attached to the at least one facing strip for holding the facing strip in secure engagement with the metallic plates adjacent the lateral edges to apply a clamping force and thereby hold the metallic plates in rigid connection with one another and forming a continuously bullet resistant joint of a modular bullet deflecting device; and
bullet arresting means disposed adjacent to the plates for capturing bullets.
The interconnect system of claim 4, wherein the bullet arresting means comprises a frame disposed adjacent the plates and the joint, said frame configured to contain bullets from ricocheting off the plates.
The interconnect system of claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a wood frame attached to the facing strips and at least partially covering the plates.
The interconnect system of claim 5, wherein the frame includes a covering selected from the group consisting of acoustic tile and sheet rock.
An interconnect system for modularly fabricated bullet stops, the system comprising: a plurality of bullet proof plates, each plate having at least one lateral edge juxtaposed with a lateral edge of another said plate so as to form a plurality of seams; a plurality of facing strips formed from bullet proof material disposed along the seam between two adjacent said plates, each facing strip comprising an elongate metal strip with a plurality of holes; backing means connected to the plurality of facing strips; and clamp means connected to the backing means and the facing strips for drawing the backing means and the facing strips toward one another so as to clamp the lateral edges of the plates between the facing means and the backing means and thereby form removable, bullet resistant joints at the seams; and a frame attached to the facing strip and spaced away from the plates so as to form a bullet containment means adjacent the plates.
a plurality of bullet proof plates, each plate having at least one lateral edge juxtaposed with a lateral edge of another said plate so as to form a plurality of seams;
a plurality of facing strips formed from bullet proof material disposed along the seam between two adjacent said plates, each facing strip comprising an elongate metal strip with a plurality of holes;
backing means connected to the plurality of facing strips; and
clamp means connected to the backing means and the facing strips for drawing the backing means and the facing strips toward one another so as to clamp the lateral edges of the plates between the facing means and the backing means and thereby form removable, bullet resistant joints at the seams; and
a frame attached to the facing strip and spaced away from the plates so as to form a bullet containment means adjacent the plates.
The interconnect system of claim 8, wherein the frame is attached to the facing strip by the clamp means.
A method for constructing a modular bullet stopping device comprising: a) positioning a pair of bullet proof plates adjacent one another so one lateral edge of each plate is juxtaposed at a lateral edge of the other plate; b) placing a facing strip adjacent the juxtaposed edges to cover a channel between said edges; c) placing a backing means adjacent the juxtaposed lateral edges of the plate on a side opposite the facing strip; d) connecting the backing means to the facing 
[Truncated to input limit]