Patent Number: 052256855
Section: claims

1. A construction module for use in protecting personnel against emissions from radio active material comprising: a shaped member suitable for assembly with other shaped members to form a structure for shielding personnel;  said shaped members being formed from suitable shielding material capable of excluding passage of emissions from radio active material and having adjoining surfaces for reception closely adjacent complementary surfaces of other shaped members; and  a synthetic polymeric material having been formed by molding to engage and extend over an exterior surface of said shaped member forming a hardened coating layer protecting the shielding material from contamination by exposure to radio active material and serving as a readily decontaminated surface to avoid exposure of personnel to emissions from radio active material;  whereby an encapsulated construction module is formed suitable for assembly as a structure to shield personnel and which is easily decontaminated avoiding exposure to emissions from radio active material.  forming a shaped member suitable for assembly with other shaped members to form a structure for shielding personnel;  said shaped members being formed from suitable shielding material capable of excluding passage of emissions from radio active material and having adjoining surfaces for reception closely adjacent complementary surfaces of other shaped members; and  molding a synthetic polymeric material to engage and extend over an exterior exposed surface of said shaped member forming a hardened coating layer protecting the shielding material from contamination by exposure to radio active material and serving as a readily decontaminated surface to avoid exposure of personnel to emissions from radio active material;  whereby an encapsulated construction module is formed suitable for assembly as a structure to shield personnel and which is easily decontaminated avoiding exposure to emissions from radio active material.  a synthetic polymeric material having been formed by molding to engage and extend over an exterior surface of said shaped member forming a hardened coating layer protecting the shielding material from contamination by exposure to radio active material and serving as a readily decontaminated surface to avoid exposure of personnel to emissions from radio active material; and  said hardened coating layer being first molded as a shape and then said shape filled with shielding material;  whereby an encapsulated construction module is formed suitable for assembly as a structure to shield personnel and which is easily decontaminated avoiding exposure to emissions from radio active material. 2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including a joint construction for assembly of said modules wherein a full thickness of shielding material is afforded with full coverage of adjoining surfaces of respective modules by said hardened coating lay on of molded synthetic polymeric material. 3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said joint is an interengaging structure formed by opposing portions of adjacent modules. 4. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said joint is chevron shaped in cross section, end surfaces of adjoining shaped members forming an angle of 45.degree. to each other. 5. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said joint is formed by modules each having a bulbous arcuate opposing portion on one side, and a complementary arcuate end on the other side, said bulbous portion having a recess accommodating a complementary end of an adjoining construction module. 6. The structure set forth in claim 1, prepared by the process of molding said hardened coating layer in situ upon said shielding material. 7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said shielding material is concrete. 8. The structure set forth in claim 1, prepared by the process of molding said hardened coating layer as a shape and then filling said shape with shielding material. 9. The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said shielding material is lead. 10. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said synthetic polymeric material is polyethylene polymer. 11. The structure set forth in claim 10, prepared by the process of molding said hardened coating layer by rotational molding and filling said layer with concrete shielding material. 12. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said construction module is a panel. 13. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said construction module is a brick. 14. The method of making a construction module for use in protecting personnel against emissions from radio active material comprising the steps of: 15. The method set forth in claim 14 including forming said shaped member from concrete. 16. The method set forth in claim 14 including forming said hardened coating layer as a container, and then filling said container with shielding material. 17. The method set forth in claim 16 wherein said shielding material is lead poured as molten material into said container. 18. A molded shape for use in a construction module for shielding personnel against emissions from radio active material having a shaped member suitable for assembly with other shaped members to form a structure, said shaped members being formed from suitable shielding material capable of excluding passage of emissions from radio active material and having adjoining surfaces for reception closely adjacent complementary surfaces of other shaped members, comprising: 19. The structure set forth in claim 18 including a joint construction for assembly of said modules wherein said hardened coating layer of molded synthetic polymeric material contains a full thickness of shielding material. 20. The structure set forth in claim 18, prepared by the process of making said shape by rotational molding.