Barrier

A barrier formed from one or more modular units that include a frame, a protective panel, and a gap that is configured to receive a portion of another one of the modular units of the barrier such that the one or more modular units of the barrier can be arranged at an angle selected from a range of angles from about 90 degrees, to provide a corner arrangement, to about 180 degrees, to provide a substantially straight wall arrangement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to barriers, and more specifically to barriers comprising modular units of ballistic proof material.

BACKGROUND

In military and para-military operations, there is often a need for barriers behind which personnel can position themselves for protection from ballistics, explosives, or other harmful projectiles. Historically, soldiers have dug fox holes or trenches, or utilized natural bunkers as protection against enemy fire. In certain geographic regions, natural barrier formations may not exist, and it may not be practicable or suitable to utilize trenches or fox holes for adequate protection.

SUMMARY

Applicants disclose a barrier composed of modular units that structurally interface with each other to form a cohesive unit. In an example embodiment, a modular unit comprises a frame and a protective panel coupled to the frame. The protective panel has a first side that faces the frame and a second side that is opposite the first side and which includes a ballistic resistant material configured to withstand a ballistic projectile fired toward the barrier. The modular unit further comprises a member coupled to at least one of the frame and the protective panel such that the member extends away from the first side of the protective panel, thereby defining a gap between the first side of the protective panel and a first surface of the member. The gap defines an angle measured from the first side of the protective panel to the first surface of the member. The gap is configured to receive at least a portion of a protective panel of another modular unit of the ballistic barrier.

In an example embodiment, a ballistic barrier may be formed from at least a first modular unit and a second modular unit. The first modular unit may comprise a first frame and a first protective panel coupled to the first frame. The first protective panel has a first side that faces the first frame and a second side that is opposite the first side and which includes a ballistic resistant material configured to withstand a ballistic projectile fired toward the barrier. The first modular unit further has a member coupled to at least one of the first frame and the first protective panel such that the member extends away from the first side of the first protective panel and defines a gap between the first side of the first protective panel and a first surface of the member. The second modular unit has a second frame and a second protective panel coupled to the second frame. The second protective panel has a first side that faces the second frame and a second side that is opposite the first side of the second protective panel. The second side of the second protective panel includes a ballistic resistant material configured to withstand a ballistic projectile fired toward the barrier. In an example embodiment, the ballistic barrier defines an assembled configuration in which a portion of the second protective panel is positioned within the gap such that the ballistic barrier defines a straight line passes through each of: 1) the first surface of the member, 2) the gap, 3) the portion of the second protective panel, and the first side of the first protective panel.

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the modular units may be arranged and interconnected in various different configurations. In an example embodiment, the ballistic barrier defines an assembled configuration in which: 1) the second protective panel abuts the first protective panel thereby defining a first point of contact between the first and second modular units, and 2) the second protective panel abuts the first surface of the member thereby defining a second point of contact between the first and second modular units, the ballistic barrier defining the first and second points of contact simultaneously.

The present application further discloses methods of assembling a ballistic barrier. In an example scenario, a first modular unit is positioned on a surface such that a first side of a first protective panel of the first modular unit faces in a first direction and a second side of the first protective panel faces in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The second side includes a planar portion that defines a first plane. The method further includes the step of selecting an angle, from a range of angles, at which to position a second modular unit of the ballistic barrier with respect to the first modular unit. The angle may be measured between a first line that lies entirely within the first plane and a second side of a second protective panel of the second modular unit. The second modular unit is positioned on the surface adjacent to the first modular unit such that a portion of the second protective panel is disposed within a gap that is at least partially defined by: 1) a first surface of a member of the first modular unit that extends away from the first side of the first protective panel, and 2) the first side of the first protective panel. The gap is configured such that the second positioning step can be performed at any angle within the range of angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1Bprovide front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an example barrier10formed from modular units12. As shown, a barrier10includes at least one modular unit12positioned adjacent to and interconnected with another modular unit. The barrier10can include a row14of modular units12positioned adjacent one another such that each of the modular units12of the row14is at substantially the same height off the ground or other supporting surface with respect to each other. Variations in height of the modular units12in the row14may arise as consequence of the barrier10being constructed on uneven ground or other supporting surface. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the barrier10can include a plurality of rows14including a first row14ahaving a plurality of modular units12apositioned adjacent one another, and a second row14bhaving a plurality of modular units12bpositioned adjacent one another.

The barrier10can include a column16of modular units12positioned on top of, or vertically with respect to, one another. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the barrier10can include a plurality of columns16including a first column16ahaving a plurality of modular units12cpositioned on top of one another, and a second column16bhaving a plurality of modular units12dpositioned on top of one another. As shown, each of the modular units12of the column16can be stacked such that the centerlines18of each of the modular units12of the respective column16are aligned. Alternatively, each of the modular units12of the column16can be stacked such that the centerlines18of each of the modular units12of the respective column16are not aligned. According to one embodiment, each of the modular units12is part of one row14and one column16.

In an example embodiment, each of the modular units12is configured to be human-portable according to military standards. For example, in one embodiment, each of the modular units12weighs less than 45 pounds. According to another embodiment, each of the modular units12weighs less than 30 pounds.

FIGS. 2A through 2Hprovide various views of an example modular unit12. As shown, in an example embodiment, the modular unit12includes a first side20that faces in a first direction and a second side22that faces in a second direction, which may be, for example, the opposite the first direction. The first side20, according to one embodiment, is configured to face toward a threat, such as, for example, a ballistic projectile when the modular unit12is arranged as part of the barrier10. The second side22is configured to face away from a threat and may face, for example, a human that seeks safety behind the barrier10. The modular unit12includes or may be composed of a ballistic resistant material such as, for example, a material configured to withstand rifle rounds rated up to NIJ level IV 30-06 AP. In an example embodiment, at least a portion of, and up to an entirety of the first side20of the modular unit12may be composed of or comprise ballistic resistant material.

The modular unit12includes a body24that comprises a frame26and a protective panel28. The protective panel28is configured to be connected to the frame26either releasably, such as with fasteners, or integrally, such that the frame26and protective panel28are monolithic with one another. The protective panel28has a first side30that faces the frame26when the protective panel28is coupled to the frame26. The protective panel28further has a second side32that is opposite the first side30, such that the second side32faces away from the frame26when the protective panel28is coupled to the frame26. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the modular unit12can further include a gap34defined at least partially, for example entirely, by the body24. The gap34is configured to receive a portion of another modular unit12of the barrier10.

The modular unit12includes a member36carried by the body24. In an example embodiment, the member36is coupled to at least one of the frame26and the protective panel28. The member36extends out from the first side30of the protective panel28at an angle. The member36has a first surface38that, along with the first side30of the protective panel28, defines at least a portion of the gap34. The gap34defines an angle α measured, in an illustrated embodiment, from the first surface38of the member36to the first side30of the protective panel28. According to one embodiment, the modular unit12defines an angle α between about 0° and about 90°. According to another embodiment, the modular unit12defines an angle α between about 30° and about 60°. The modular unit12defines an angle α having a value such that the gap is configured to receive at least a portion of a protective panel28of another modular unit12of the ballistic barrier10.

The second side32of the protective panel28includes at least a portion that is substantially planar such that at least the portion of the second side32defines a plane.

The frame26can include a top plate40and a bottom plate42that each share a common edge with and extend in a direction from the first side30of the protective panel28. As shown, the top and bottom plates40,42each extend from the first side30in respective planes that are perpendicular to the plane defined by the portion of the second side32. The frame26can further include a tubular member44that extends between and interconnects the top plate40and the bottom plate42, for example at their respective, outwardly positioned vertices.

The tubular member44may be substantially square in cross-section and include a plurality of holes46formed through respective surfaces of the tubular member44. Respective ones of the holes46can be on opposing sides of the tubular member44such that ones of the holes46are diametrically aligned with one another. In addition, the tubular nature of tubular member44can extend fully through the top plate40and the bottom plate42, providing a tubular passage therethrough. It should be appreciated that the tubular member44may have any suitable configuration and need not be square tubular, or even fully tubular. Rather, the tubular member44need merely allow for interconnection to a vertically adjacent tubular member44of another modular unit12.

An upper portion48of the tubular member44and a lower portion50of the tubular member44are dimensioned such that one will fit inside the other, with the holes46in the upper portion of one modular unit12aligning with the holes46of the lower portion50of another modular unit12positioned thereon. The first and second ones of the modular units12may be interconnected to each other and held together via any conventional fastener52, such as a bolt or pin, inserted through the aligned holes46of the stacked modular units12. The tubular member44may also be formed from separate upper and lower sections that are configured to vertically interconnect adjacent ones of the modular units12.

The top plate40and the bottom plate42can each include one or more openings54that extend through the respective one of the top plate40or the bottom plate42. In an example embodiment, the one or more openings54include an opening54positioned centrally within the respective one of the top plate40or the bottom plate42. The one or more openings54may also include an opening54positioned adjacent an edge of the respective one of the top plate40or the bottom plate42. The one or more openings54can include openings54with different sizes, different shapes, or different sizes and shapes. The one or more openings54can be configured to receive a linkage member that operates to secure two or more modules relative to each other. In an example embodiment, the linkage member may be, for example, a flexible member such as a bungee cord or an inflexible member such as a crossbar, that is passed through or connected to at least one of the one or more openings54of both a first modular unit12and a second modular unit12to secure the first and second modular units12relative to one another.

The linkages member can be configured to be attached to first and second ones of the modular units12so as to permit pivotal movement of the first modular unit12relative to the second modular unit12and vice versa. The pivotal positioning of the modular units12permits the barrier10that is formed from the modular units to be formed in any desired shape, including a planar wall structure, a curved barrier structure, or even a fully enclosed barrier (where all personnel would be fully enclosed on all sides by the barrier).

According to one embodiment, the body24of the modular unit12includes a mounting panel55to which the protective panel28may be attached. For example, the protective panel28can include one or more threaded posts57that are configured to be inserted through corresponding holes59defined by the protective panel28. Once the threaded posts57are inserted through the corresponding holes59, a plurality of fasteners61such as, for example, wing nuts, can then be threaded onto the threaded posts57to mount the protective panel28onto the mounting panel55. Where the protective panel28is removably attached to the mounting panel, the protective panel28can be replaced in the event of damage without having to dissemble the barrier10. Any suitable form of securing the protective panel28to the mounting panel55may alternatively be used including, for example, rivets, bolts, clips, and the like.

According to one embodiment, the body24of the modular unit12can include at least one armor strip63. As shown, the body24can include an armor strip63positioned on the second side32of the protective panel28such that the armor strip63is configured to cover a seam, or a space between, adjacent ones of the modular units12when the adjacent ones of the modular units12are positioned adjacent to one another. For example, the armor strip63may cover a seam or space between modular units12when the units are arranged horizontally to create a row14or vertically to create a column16.

FIGS. 3A to 3Hprovide various views of an example modular unit comprising a support assembly. Referring toFIGS. 3A to 3H, a barrier10may include an embodiment of the modular unit12that is configured to be a base, or a bottom, of one of the columns16of the barrier10. The body24of the modular unit12can include a foot assembly56that is configured to provide stable support for the modular unit12so that the modular unit12does not tip over as a result of a force such as, for example, a force from a ballistic projectile impacting the modular unit12. According to one embodiment, the foot assembly56includes a base plate58coupled to the protective panel28such that the base plate58extends out from the second side32of the protective panel28. The foot assembly56can further include one or more coupling members60configured to couple the base plate58to the body24. As shown, the one or more coupling members60can be in the form of triangular braces that abut both the base plate58and the second side32of the protective panel28. The coupling members60may be attached to base plate50and sides32by any suitable means including, for example, by welding.

According to one embodiment, the foot assembly56is configured to cooperate with the bottom plate42of the frame26to define a substantially planar surface that faces the ground, or other surface the barrier is being assembled upon, and supports the modular unit12such that tipping of the modular unit12is prevented. The bottom plate42, the base plate58, or both the bottom plate42and the base plate58can include one or more anchor holes62each configured to receive an anchor member that can be driven through a respective one of the one or more anchor holes62and into the ground or supporting surface, thereby providing additional anchoring of the modular unit12such that the modular unit12will not tip over as a result of a force applied to the modular unit12.

FIG. 4provides a perspective view of a barrier10composed of modular units12, some of which comprise additional structural elements. Referring toFIG. 4, one or more of the modular units12of the barrier10can have additional structures that can provide additional functionality as described in detail below. For example, the barrier10can include one or more of a first modular unit12′ that includes a protective panel28which may be, for example, a solid panel of ballistic resistant material such as described above in connection withFIGS. 2A to 2H. The barrier10can further include one or more of a second modular unit12″ that includes the foot assembly56such as described above in connection withFIGS. 3A to 3H. The barrier10can further include one or more of a third modular unit12′″ that includes a view port64that provides visibility through the barrier10. The barrier can still further include one or more of a fourth modular unit12″″ that includes a gun port66that provides an aperture through which a gun can be fired through the barrier10. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that one or more of the modular units12of the barrier10may be provided with any number of features that are desirable or advantageous in a ballistic barrier.

According to one embodiment, the view port64of the third modular unit12′″ can include a pivotal window frame68that carries a transparent portion70, the transparent portion70composed of ballistic resistant material. As shown the view port64can be positioned within the protective panel28. According to one embodiment the fourth modular unit12″″ can include a movable cover72composed of a ballistic resistant material. The movable cover72is configured to be movably coupled, for example rotatably coupled, slidably coupled, or rotatably and slidably coupled, to the fourth modular unit12″″ such that the movable cover72can be moved to selectively expose or cover an aperture of the gun port66through which a weapon, for example a gun, can be pointed and discharged.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 to 7, the structural features of the modular units12allow for the barrier10to be assembled in various configurations. Referring toFIG. 5, in one embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled in a substantially straight line, such that the second side32of the protective panel28of a first one of the modular units12is substantially parallel to the second side32of the protective panel28of a second one of the modular units12that is positioned adjacent to the first one of the modular units12. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that a portion of the second one of the modular units12, for example a portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12, is positioned within the gap34of the first one of the modular units12.

According to one embodiment, the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12is positioned within the gap34such that the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12abuts one or both of the first side30of the protective panel28of the first one of the modular units12and the member36of the first one of the modular units12. The portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12may be positioned within the gap34such that a straight line74that is normal to the first surface38of the member36intersects the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the barrier10can be assembled in a shape other than a straight line. The barrier10may include a first one of the modular units12positioned adjacent a second one of the modular unit12such that the second side32of the protective panel28of the first one of the modular units12is offset with respect to the second side32of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12by an angle β. According to one embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that the angle β is within the range from between about 0° to about 90°. For example, the angle β may be about 45°. According to another embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that the angle β is greater than or equal to about 90°. In one embodiment, the barrier10can include a first pair of adjacent ones of the modular units12offset by a first angle β, and a second pair of adjacent ones of the modular units offset by a second angle β that is different than the first angle β. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that a portion of the second one of the modular units12, for example a portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12, is positioned within the gap34of the first one of the modular units12.

According to one embodiment, the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12is positioned within the gap34such that the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12abuts at least one of (i.e., one or both) of the first side30of the protective panel28of the first one of the modular units12and the member36of the first one of the modular units12. According to another embodiment, the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12is positioned within the gap34such that a straight line74that is normal to the first surface38of the member36intersects the portion of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12.

Modular units12may be assembled to form a barrier10that has any suitable configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that the barrier includes both: 1) a first one of the modular units12positioned adjacent a second one of the modular units12such that the second side32of the protective panel28of the first one of the modular units12is offset with respect to the second side32of the protective panel28of the second one of the modular units12by an angle β, and 2) a third one of the modular units12positioned adjacent the first one of the modular units12such that the second side32of the protective panel28of the third one of the modular units12is substantially parallel to the second side32of the protective panel28of the first one of the modular units12. In another embodiment, the barrier10can be assembled such that an outer perimeter of the barrier10defines a completely enclosed space, for example a substantially square shaped space.

FIGS. 8A and 8BandFIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate aspects of additional example barriers10. Although the barrier10is shown having a height of two of the modular units12, it will appreciated by those of skill in the art that the barrier10can be assembled to have a height as desired, for example a height of four or more of the modular units12.

Referring toFIGS. 1A to 9B, a method of assembling the barrier10can include the step of positioning a first modular unit12on a surface, for example the ground, such that the first side30of the protective panel28of the first modular unit12faces in a first direction and a second side32of the protective panel28of the first modular unit12faces in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. According to one embodiment, the second side32can include a planar portion that defines a first plane. The method of assembling the barrier10can further include the step of selecting an angle β, from a range of angles, at which to position a second modular unit12of the barrier10with respect to the first modular unit12, wherein the angle β is measured between a first straight line76that lies entirely within the first plane and the second side32of the protective panel28of the second modular unit12. The method of assembling the barrier10can further include after performing the selecting step, the step of positioning the second modular unit12on the surface adjacent to the first modular unit12such that a portion of the protective panel28of the second modular unit12is disposed within the gap34, the gap34at least partially defined by: 1) the first surface38of the member36of the first modular unit12, the member36extending away from the first side30of the protective panel28of the first modular unit12, and 2) the first side30of the protective panel28of the first modular unit12. The method of assembling the barrier10can further include the gap34being configured such that the second positioning step can be performed at any angle β within the range of angles.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The term “plurality”, as used herein, means more than one. When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. All ranges are inclusive and combinable. Certain features of the invention which are described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any subcombination.