Abstract:
Armored protective panels for inflatable (and other) boats are detailed. The panels themselves may be inflated, either separately or together, for deployment and hence need not normally impede navigation or performance of the boats. If relatively flexible anti-ballistic materials are selected as components, the panels may be designed to collapse into rolls when not inflated. Alternative panels may include stealth or other non-anti-ballistic materials or be designed for use with objects or vehicles other than boats.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to armored or otherwise protected objects and more particularly to inflatable boats or other vehicles or objects with anti-ballistic panels or other shields that are inflatable for use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,217 to Ferronniere (“the Ferronniere patent”), incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, details aspects of exemplary pneumatic, or inflatable, boats. As described in the Ferronniere patent, versions of these boats may include one or more inflatable tubes forming a bow and generally parallel legs between which a rigid floor may be located. Each leg may comprise both an upper and a lower compartment, to which a lateral canvas may be fixed tangentially. 
     Among purposes of the boats of the Ferronniere patent is to carry “large useful loads in a lifted-off configuration, i.e. at high speed and with optimum efficiency.” See Ferronniere, col. 2, 11. 44-46. These boats are especially (although not exclusively) suited for military and law-enforcement operations, in which substantial numbers of persons and gear often must be transported rapidly across water. Indeed, one boat made consistent with the principles of the Ferronniere patent, Zodiac&#39;s F470 watercraft, is among the most popular boats in use worldwide by military and law-enforcement personnel. 
     Because popularly used in this manner, these boats are likely to encounter hazards and situations dangerous to both their crews and structural integrity. In particular, bullets or other projectiles may be fired or launched at the boats and their crews by those opposing the objectives of the crews. Should the projectiles strike the crew members, injuries or deaths may occur. Should the projectiles puncture the inflatable tubes, loss of buoyancy may occur, which may impede proper functioning of the boats or, potentially, sink them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention attempts to ameliorate adverse effects associated with these hazardous operations by providing armored protective panels principally, but not exclusively, for inflatable boats. When deployed, the panels are designed to impede progress of at least some bullets or other projectiles, reducing the likelihood of their impacting either personnel within the boats or the boats themselves. Although use of the panels provides no guarantee of safety, their existence may render some situations less hazardous and improve the possibility of successful missions occurring. 
     Protective panels of the present invention additionally may themselves be inflatable. As a consequence, they need not always be deployed. Instead, they may remain deflated until needed, hence not normally hindering navigation or performance of the boats. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention the panels need not all be inflated simultaneously, hence permitting deployment of only selected panels when desired. 
     By choosing relatively flexible anti-ballistic materials, panels of the invention may be designed to fold or otherwise collapse into rolls when not inflated. The rolls may be fastened to the tubes (or other suitable portions) of their corresponding watercraft, using straps or other appropriate fasteners, so as to secure them in place for subsequent use. Positioning the panels in this manner maintains the general aerodynamic and hydrodynamic profiles of the boat, so that presence of the undeployed panels typically does not significantly impact navigation or speed. Likewise, even when deployed, the panels are designed so as not to impact maneuverability or speed of most vehicles appreciably. 
     The anti-ballistic materials may be incorporated into the panels or positioned wholly or partially within pockets formed, preferably, on exterior surfaces of the panels. If such pockets are utilized, the materials could be made to be removable and replaceable if desired. Additionally, rigid anti-ballistic materials (such as ceramic plates) could be placed in the pockets in addition, or as an alternative, to the flexible materials, although doing so might inhibit the rollable (although not necessarily the foldable) nature of the panels. Yet further, radar-absorbing (“stealth”) or other energy-absorbing or non-anti-ballistic materials could be placed in the pockets (or incorporated into the panels) if appropriate or desired. As a result, the invention includes as among its features the ability to support, using inflatable components, various types of materials to provide objects with myriad kinds of protection. 
     It thus is a non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide protective materials for stationary or mobile objects including, but not limited to, boats. 
     It is another non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide armored protective panels for, particularly, inflatable boats. 
     It is a further non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide protective panels that may be inflated for deployment. 
     It is also a non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide protective panels that may collapse into rolls or folds when not deployed. 
     It is yet another non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide multiple protective panels inflatable separately if desired. 
    
    
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and drawings of this application. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially-schematicized view of an exemplary watercraft with a protection system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the protection system prepared for deployment. 
     FIG. 3 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the rear panel of the protection system deployed. 
     FIG. 4 is a similar view of the watercraft of FIG. 1 with the rear and side panels of the protection system deployed. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematicized view of a portion of the watercraft of FIG. 1 showing the collapsible nature of the protection system. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, partially-schematicized view of a portion of the watercraft of FIG. 1 showing a support for a side panel of the protection system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary boat  10 , which may be similar to any of those depicted in the Ferronniere patent. Boat  10  need not be configured thusly, however, but rather may have any suitable shape and structure. Indeed, as those skilled in the art will recognize, boat  10  need not necessarily be of the pneumatic or inflatable type. 
     Nevertheless, boat  10  preferably is inflatable, with one or more inflatable tubes  14  defining port and starboard legs  18  and  22  and front or bow  26 . Also depicted in FIG. 1 are floor  30  and transom  34 , each spanning the distance between legs  18  and  22 . Transom  34 , positioned at or adjacent the stern of boat  10 , is adapted to receive an outboard motor or similar propulsion device, while floor  30  typically is rigid to help support troops, equipment, or cargo. 
     Each of legs  18  and  22  defines an exterior side ( 18 A and  22 A, respectively; see also FIGS. 5-6) and an interior side ( 18 B and  22 B, respectively). As shown in FIG. 1, optional fittings, hand grips, rails, and lanyards may, if present, be glued or connected to or placed about both exterior sides  18 A and  22 A and interior sides  18 B and  22 B of legs  18  and  22 . In some embodiments of boat  10 , fittings in the form of D-rings advantageously will be present. 
     Connected to boat  10  is an exemplary protection system  50  of the present invention. System  50  may comprise side sections  54  and  58  as well as rear section  62 . In some versions of the invention, system  50  may also comprise a front section, although deploying such a section may adversely impact the visibility of the pilot when boat  10  is travelling forward. Alternatively, system  50  may include only rear section  62  or only either or both of side sections  54  and  58 . System  50  typically may be installed quickly and easily on boat  10 , with its attachment usually sufficiently simple to permit retrofitting of existing boats. 
     Depending on the manner in which boat  10  is configured, each side section  54  or  58  conceivably could include more than one panel. FIG. 2 illustrates two panels  54 A and  54 B comprising section  54 , for example. Likewise, depicted in FIG. 2 are two panels  58 A and  58 B comprising section  58 . Again, however, more or fewer panels may form either of these sections  54  or  58 . Similarly, although rear section  62  beneficially may comprise a single panel  62 A, multiple panels alternatively may be employed. 
     FIG. 1 shows system  50  in its deflated state, with each of panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B, and  62 A collapsed. In this state, the panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B, and  62 A may be rolled or folded for stowage until needed for use. FIG. 5 details, as an example, panel  54 B collapsed into a roll generally on top of leg  18  but positioned slightly toward exterior side  18 A. As so collapsed, panel  54 B may be maintained in this position using straps  66  connecting to D-rings present as part of boat  10 . Alternatively, other fasteners may be used. 
     To deploy panel  54 B, corresponding straps  66  are removed, as shown in FIG.  2 . Although underside  70  of panel  54 B remains attached to leg  18  (as shown in FIG. 6) using straps or other fasteners, removing straps  66  permits panel  54 B to expand through inflation. Thereafter, panel  54 A is inflated, producing the relatively inflexible structure illustrated in FIG.  6 . Clear from FIG. 6 is that panel  54 B, when inflated, covers much of exterior side  18 A of leg  18  above the waterline. Panel  54 B also extends well above the top of leg  18 , providing cover for personnel sitting, kneeling, reclining, or possibly even standing in boat  10 . 
     Panels  54 A,  58 A-B, and  62 A may be deployed similarly. FIG. 3 depicts rear panel  62 A when inflated and deployed as a rear anti-ballistic shield. As so deployed, panel  62 A extends sufficiently rearward of transom  34  as to provide some protection for any outboard motor mounted to the transom  34 . Straps, ropes, or any other suitable fastening mechanism may be used to connect panel  62 A to boat  10 . FIG. 4 details exemplary system  50  as fully inflated, with each of panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B, and  62 A designed to provide at least some armored protection of both boat  10  and its occupants from certain projectiles or other hazards. 
     Illustrated respectively in FIGS. 6 and 4 are support panels  74 A and  74 B. Although optional, support panels  74 A and  74 B may be useful in orienting (and maintaining the orientation of) side panels  54 B and  58 B when those panels are inflated. In particular, because panels  54 B and  58 B typically extend substantially above the profile of boat  10  (see, especially, FIG.  6 ), absent support for their upper portions, the panels  54 B and  58 B may tend to reorient themselves more horizontally under force of gravity. Support panels  74 A and  74 B are adapted to counteract this effect and maintain panels  54 B and  58 B generally in the orientations depicted in FIGS. 6 and 4. In some embodiments of system  50 , support panels  74 A and  74 B are inflatable and designed to inflate simultaneously with respective panels  54 B and  58 B. 
     Any suitable inflation system may be used to inflate panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B,  62 A, and  74 A-B. As noted earlier, various of the panels may be inflated separately. Alternatively, all, or sets of, panels may be designed to inflate concurrently. 
     Each of panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B, and  62 A may be constructed in any manner and, in certain preferred embodiments, of any components capable of providing at least some protection against certain projectiles. Generically, these types of panels may be called “anti-ballistic shields.” Some embodiments of the panels advantageously may incorporate Kevlar (poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide) or other aramid-containing material or high-density foam within (or attached to) a heavy, tear-resistant polyester, polyamide, or other fabric whose exterior surfaces are coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other material such as Hypalon, Neoprene, or polyurethane. The coated fabric is designed to be substantially impervious to air so as to allow for inflation, and both it and the Kevlar (or other anti-ballistic material) beneficially are selected to be sufficiently flexible to roll, fold, or otherwise collapse for stowage. Preferably, internal stitching within the panel fabric allows inflation to substantial pressure (e.g. 800 mbar) and helps maintain high rigidity thereafter. 
     Alternatively or additionally, pockets or other containers may be formed in any suitable manner on or in any or all of panels  54 A-B,  58 A-B, and  62 A. Anti-ballistic material (whether flexible or rigid) could be wholly or partially positioned within or enclosed by the pockets and, possibly, even adapted to be removable for repair, replacement, or substitution if desired. Other materials too could either be positioned within the pockets or incorporated into the panels. Non-limiting examples of these materials include energy-absorbing materials to reduce the radar- or other-signature of boat  10  and materials providing protection against weather, environmental, or marine hazards or conditions. Similarly, the pockets themselves could be formed of any of these materials and, perhaps, camouflaged if desired. 
     Further, because aspects of the invention relate broadly to inflatable support systems for protective or other materials, the object to be protected need not necessarily be boat  10  or any other watercraft. Instead, part or all of innovative system  50  may be adapted for use with other vehicles (such as but not limited to trucks or troop carriers) or stationary objects (such as but not limited to huts or other buildings). Hence, although the foregoing has been provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention, further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.