Abstract:
A security support assembly includes a base having a top, a bottom and sides that together define an interior chamber of the base. The base is designed such that the interior chamber is filled with a resilient material to absorb ballistic projectiles or concussive force.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/567,572, filed on May 4, 2004, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to a security support assembly, and deals more particularly with a security support assembly that includes an improved base for accommodating materials useful in deflecting or protecting against blast and ballistic projectiles, as well as concussive force.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Chairs, benches and the like have evolved over the years to accommodate not only changes in style, but changes in technology as well. That is, the particular design of support apparatuses has always been driven by a combination of aesthetics and material considerations. What has not changed over the years, however, is the desire to produce high quality support apparatuses, which meet the functional or aesthetic requirements of their owners.  
         [0004]     One challenge facing producers of support apparatuses is to design a bench that meets certain criteria, including having a simple, attractive design which is capable of being employed in commercial, residential and public areas. The capability of appearance modification and the ability to be mass produced using a number of materials with differing dimensions has also been problematic, as well as shipping components which facilitate ease of construction at a given destination.  
         [0005]     In addition, the manner in which the constituent elements of any support apparatus are held together has a great bearing on the longevity of the support apparatus, as well as bearing on the ability of the support apparatus to withstand environmental and criminal insults.  
         [0006]     With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, the present invention therefore seeks to provide a security support assembly which not only may be easily altered to meet many of the design needs of the varying requirements of architects, designers and city planners, but also provides an improved base for accommodating materials useful in deflecting or protecting against blast and ballistic projectiles.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The recessed support and bracket may be used in conjunction to support, fasten, and hold rigid the pieces or surfaces supported. The support configuration can also be utilized to support a multitude of requirements including, but not limited to, benches, beds, stackable bookcases, tables and bridge abutments, while utilizing various natural and man made materials. The configuration dimensions may be altered to accept the supported material while maintaining the original concept and utilizing a variety of fastening methods.  
         [0008]     Problems of design requirements while keeping structural integrity have been addressed by the present invention. The design may therefore be altered to identify with local architecture and/or enhance a particular setting while keeping the integral structure of the piece intact.  
         [0009]     Shipping problems have been addressed by allowing the completed bench to be shipped as separate pieces with completed assembly of the horizontal surface to be supported with minimal effort, time, experience or expense.  
         [0010]     Theft is curtailed by the weight and integrity of construction. While some fasteners are apparent to those looking for them, others may be hidden and impossible to remove without taking the side rails off first, which are themselves integrally attached to the top surface. Further security may be accomplished by various methods of affixing the supports themselves to the ground or pavement.  
         [0011]     The “wracking” of the completed piece is prohibited as the supported surface is integrally attached to the side pieces, ergo, secured on two adjacent planes, which may be at approximately 90 degrees from each other.  
         [0012]     Further, a back may be added at the time of assembly, or later, utilizing a number of different design or fastening methods.  
         [0013]     For less expensive or less demanding requirements of stability and integrity, a simple metal, wooden or man made material brace may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to the deigned metal bracket.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a security support assembly that includes a multi-positional base structure which may be filled with anti-ballistic or blast materials.  
         [0015]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a security support assembly includes a base having a top, a bottom and sides that together define an interior chamber of the base. The base is designed such that the interior chamber is filled with a resilient material to absorb ballistic projectiles or concussive force.  
         [0016]     These and other objectives of the present invention, and their preferred embodiments, shall become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings taken as a whole. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top plan of the recessed support according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the recessed support illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the recessed support illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the recessed support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the recessed support illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cooperating bracket with ends, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  illustrates the use of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a cooperating bracket without ends, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  illustrates the use of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  illustrates the use of a cooperating bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  illustrates the use of a cooperating bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  illustrates the use of a cooperating bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  illustrates the use of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 23  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 24  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 25  is a front elevational view of the recessed support in a design-modified form, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 26  is side view of a security support assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 27  is an isometric view of a security support assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 28  is side view of a security support assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 29  is side view of a security support assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 30  illustrates bench seating components, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a recessed support  10 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the recessed support  10  includes an upright member  12  and a ledge member  14 . Although shown as two distinct pieces in  FIG. 1 , the upright member  12  and the ledge member  14  may alternatively be formed integral with one another without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0048]     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the ledge member  14  includes a plurality of attachment bores  16  formed therein. The attachment bores  16  are themselves utilized to anchor a non-illustrated support bracket, which will be described in more detail later. The bores  16  may be integrally formed with the ledge member  14  or, in the preferred method, drilled in the ledge member  14  after formation of the ledge member  14 . It will be readily appreciated that the recessed support  10  is used in pairs as matching ends for supporting an elevated bridging element, or elements, as will also be described in more detail later.  
         [0049]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevational view of the recessed support  10 , while  FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the recessed support  10 .  FIG. 4  depicts the recessed support  10  as it is utilized to support a plurality of horizontally oriented bridging elements  18 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a pair of vertically oriented side elements  20  are affixed to a matching pair of inner, longitudinal brace elements  22  which are themselves fixedly connected to the bridging elements  18 . The brace elements  22  serve to not only provide a surface upon which to hang the side elements  20 , but also act with the side elements  20  to prevent racking or twisting of a recessed support assembly  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  illustrates one proposed embodiment of the recessed support assembly  24  wherein a pair of the recessed supports  10  are utilized to form opposing ends of an integrated bench.  
         [0050]     It will be readily appreciated that the recessed support  10  of the present invention may be fabricated from stone, metal, wood, composite, plastics, concrete or other aggregates, natural or man made materials or other non-descript materials. In a similar vein, the bridging elements  18 , as well as the side elements  20  and the brace elements  22 , may also be constructed from any known material without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0051]     The upright member  12  may be horizontal, convex, concave or comprise a wave configuration, allowing for various seating or supporting designs, as is shown in the alternative embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 6-9 . As specifically shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , the ledge member  14  may also include convex, concave or other wave profiles which can be combined with similarly curved profiles of the upright member  12  to produce a large number of possible shape permutations for the recessed support assembly  24 . Common to each of these configurations is that the distal ends of the bridging elements  18  are supported upon the ledge member  14  and affixed thereto. In this regard, the bridging elements  18  may be affixed to the ledge member  14  by a multitude of fastening methods including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, complimentary fixtures, pegs, nails, adhesives, cohesive forces, brackets or other methods or braces, as will be described in more detail later.  
         [0052]     Although the ledge member  14  has been shown as being substantially coextensive with the planar surface of the upright members  10 , the present invention is not limited in this regard. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the ledge member  14  may instead be formed from three rectangular support members with associated bores  16  formed therein.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show even more alternative embodiments of the recessed support  14 .  
         [0053]     As discussed previously, one preferred method of attaching the bridging elements  18  to the recessed support  10  is the use of a preformed bracket  26 , which may be affixed to the ledge member  14  as well as to the bridging element(s)  18 .  FIG. 13  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the preformed bracket  26  which includes a horizontal segment  28  and a vertical segment  30  disposed approximately 90° from one another. As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the bracket  26  further includes a pair of bracket end caps  32  arranged on either distal end of the bracket  26 .  
         [0054]     The bracket  26  is preferably formed from a thick gauge metal and includes a plurality of securement apertures  34  which are spaced so as to conform to the plurality of bores  16  formed in the ledge member  14 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . A plurality of attachment apertures  36  are also formed through the horizontal segment  28  and are themselves utilized to fixedly hold the bridging elements  18  in place.  
         [0055]      FIG. 14  illustrates the method of attaching the bracket  26  to the recessed support  10 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the bracket  26  is placed over the upper surface of the ledge member  14 , thereby aligning the bores  16  with the securement apertures  34 . A plurality of first fastening devices  34   a , i.e. expansion bolts, or the like, are then utilized to secure the bracket  26  to the ledge member  14  leaving the attachment apertures  36  free to fix the bridging elements  18  thereto. A plurality of second fastening devices  36   a,  i.e. expansion bolts, or the like, are then utilized to secure the bracket  26  to the bridging elements  18 . It should be noted that the preferred method of assembly includes securing the bracket  26  to the bridging elements  18  prior to fixing the bracket  26  to the ledge member  14 , however combining the elements of the present invention in a differing sequence is also contemplated by the present invention. Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that the bracket  26  is sized and shaped to accommodate the profile of any particular ledge member  14 , including those having curved or wave-form profiles as depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 .  
         [0056]     Construction of the recessed support assembly  24  will now be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 4, 5  and  14 . As previously discussed, the recessed support  14  and the bracket  26  are first formed having a matching, and aligned, plurality of bores  16  and securement apertures  34 . Prior to securing the bracket  26  to the ledge member  14 , the bridging elements  18  are affixed to the bracket  26  by screwing up through the attachment apertures  36  and into the horizontal bridging elements  18 . While a screwing operation has been described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as alternative methods and similar devices may be utilized without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention, provided that they extend up through the attachment apertures  36  and into the horizontal bridging elements  18 .  
         [0057]     It is therefore an important aspect of the present invention that the underside of the bridging elements  18  are secured to the bracket  26  so as not to mar the surface of the bridging elements  18  once the recessed support assembly  24  is fully assembled. Moreover, by attaching the bridging elements  18  in such a manner, the present invention effectively hides the screws, or the like, which are utilized to fixedly attach the bridging elements  18  to the bracket  26  and thereby effectively ensures that the ledge member  14  and the bridging elements  18  may not be disengaged from one another, as will be discussed in more detail later.  
         [0058]     Returning to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  14 , after the bridging elements  18  have been affixed to the bracket  26 , the bracket  18  is then arranged over the upper surface  38  of the ledge member  14 . Once so positioned, a plurality of expansion bolts, or the like, are then used to fixed mate the securement apertures  34  of the bracket  18  to the bores  16  of the ledge member  14 , thus firmly seating the bracket  26  to the ledge member  14 . As mentioned above, once the bracket  26  is firmly seated upon the ledge member  14 , the operative end of the screws utilized to affix the bridging elements  18  to the bracket  26  are effectively hidden and captured between the bracket  26  and the ledge member  14 .  
         [0059]     In order to prevent racking of the recessed support assembly  24  as a whole, a pair of the brace elements  22  may be position underneath the bridging elements  18 , along the longitudinal sides of the recessed support assembly  24 . The brace elements  22  may then be attached to the bridging elements  18  by screwing, or otherwise fastening, up through the brace elements  22  and into the bridging elements  18 . Thus, the exterior surface of the bridging elements  18  are maintained free from any observable fastening mechanism and are therefore more aesthetically appealing.  
         [0060]     A pair of the side elements  24  may also be attached to the brace elements  22  and also help protect the recessed support assembly  24  from warping or racking over time. The side elements  20  also add to the aesthetic nature of the recessed support assembly  24  while hiding the expansion bolts positioned through each of the securement apertures  34  formed in the bracket end caps  32 .  
         [0061]     It is therefore another important aspect of the present invention that, once attached to the brace elements  22  via screws or the like, the side elements  20  hide the expansion bolts positioned through each of the securement apertures  34  formed in the bracket end caps  32 , thereby effectively frustrating any attempt by thieves, vandals or the like from having access to the fasteners of the recessed support assembly  24 . Moreover, the end caps  32  of the bracket  26  also enable the bracket  26  to be affixed to the ledge member  14  on three separate planes for greater securement thereto. As discussed previously, the bridging elements  18  and the side elements  20  may then overlay the bracket  26  itself, thereby covering the bracket  26  from sight.  
         [0062]     While the bracket  26  has been shown in its preferred embodiment in  FIG. 13 , other structural configurations of the bracket may be employed as well.  FIG. 15  illustrates an alternative bracket  40 , which includes a horizontal segment  42  and a vertical segment  44  disposed approximately 90° from one another. As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the bracket  40  does not include pair of bracket end caps, such as were arranged on either distal end of the bracket  26 .  
         [0063]     The bracket  40  is preferably formed from a thick gauge metal and includes a plurality of securement apertures  46 , which are spaced so as to conform to the plurality of bores  16  formed in the ledge member  14 . A plurality of attachment apertures  48  are also formed through the horizontal segment  42  and are themselves utilized to fixedly hold the bridging elements  18  in place, as discussed in conjunction with the bracket  26 . It should be noted that it is still possible to utilize both the side elements  20  and the brace elements  22  with the bracket  40 , which may be utilized for temporary installations or where rapid assembly and disassembly of the recessed support assembly  24  may be required, or desired, criteria.  FIG. 16  depicts the bracket  40  as it is mounted upon the ledge member  14  according to this alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0064]      FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative bracket  50  which includes a horizontal segment  52  and a pair of end caps, or wing members,  54  disposed on either distal end of the horizontal segment  52 . The bracket  50  is preferably formed from a thick gauge metal and includes a plurality of securement apertures  56 , which are spaced so as to conform to the plurality of bores  16  formed in the ledge member  14 . A plurality of attachment apertures  58  are also formed through the horizontal segment  52  and are themselves utilized to fixedly hold the bridging elements  18  in place, as discussed in conjunction with the bracket  26 . It should be noted that it is still possible to utilize both the side elements  20  and the brace elements  22  with the bracket  50  which, as compared to the securement of the bracket  26 , may be utilized for temporary installations or where rapid assembly and disassembly of the recessed support assembly  24  may be a required, or desired, criteria or utilized where no assembly hardware may be visible from any perspective.  
         [0065]      FIG. 18  illustrates yet another alternative bracket  60  which includes a horizontal segment  62  and a vertical segment  64 , similar to the bracket  40  shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The bracket  60  is also preferably formed from a thick gauge metal and includes a plurality of securement apertures  66  which are formed in the vertical segment  64  and are spaced so as to conform to the plurality of bores  16  formed in the ledge member  14 . A plurality of attachment apertures  68  are themselves formed through the horizontal segment  62  and are themselves utilized to fixedly hold the bridging elements  18  in place, as discussed in conjunction with the bracket  26 . It should again be noted that it is still possible to utilize both the side elements  20  and the brace elements  22  with the bracket  60  which, as compared to the securement of the bracket  26 , may be utilized for temporary installations or where rapid assembly and disassembly of the recessed support assembly  24  may be required, or desired, criteria.  
         [0066]     As will be appreciated from a review of the bracket  60  in  FIG. 18 , the bracket  60  does not merely overlay the ledge member  14 , as was shown in conjunction with the previously described brackets,  26 ,  40  and  50 . In contrast, the bracket  60  is instead inserted into an engagement slot  70  so as to align the securement apertures  66  with the bores  16 . Vandal proof bolts, or the like, may then be utilized to secure the bracket  60  to the ledge member  14 . Although  FIG. 18  does not show the use of an upright member integrally attached to the ledge member  14 , it will be readily appreciated that such an upright member may be employed without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0067]     While  FIGS. 13-18  depict brackets having a mixture of horizontal, vertical and end cap planes arranged approximately 90° from one another, the present invention is not so limited in this regard as the various constituent planes of the brackets illustrated in  FIGS. 13-18  may be at any angle from one another, provided that they conform to the exterior profile of the ledge member  14 .  
         [0068]     The simplest form of alternative bracket contemplated by the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 19  where a single plane bracket  80  is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 19 , the bracket  80  includes only a horizontal segment  82 . The bracket  80  is also preferably formed from a thick gauge metal and includes a plurality of securement apertures  84  which are formed in the horizontal segment  82  and are spaced so as to conform to the plurality of bores  16  formed in the ledge member  14 , as well as a plurality of attachment apertures  86  which are also formed through the horizontal segment  82  and are themselves utilized to fixedly hold the bridging elements  18  in place, as discussed in conjunction with the bracket  26 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 20  illustrates the use of the bracket  80  as it facilitates the fastening of the bridging elements  18 , the brace elements  22  and the side elements  20  to the superstructure of the ledge member  14 . Although  FIG. 19  does not show the use of an upright member integrally attached to the ledge member  14 , it will be readily appreciated that such an upright member may be employed without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0070]     While the foregoing drawing Figures have illustrated differing structural configurations of the brackets used to help integrally fasten the recessed support assembly  24 ,  FIGS. 21-25  depict alternative structural configurations of the ledge member  14  and the upright member  12 .  
         [0071]     As shown in  FIG. 21 , a ledge member  90  is illustrated integrally attached to the upright member  12 . The ledge member  90  includes a sloping front face  92  having a plurality of bores  16  formed therein for securing any of the previously described brackets thereto, in dependence upon the particular structural configuration of the bracket utilized. In  FIG. 22 , this arrangement is substantially reversed with the ledge member  14  being planar and the upright member  94  being formed to include a sloping front face  96 . The toe  98  of the upright member  94  may be attenuated as shown in  FIG. 22  for the sake of extending the life of the recessed support  10 , if so desired.  
         [0072]      FIG. 23  illustrates a recessed support  10  having both a planar upright member  12 , and a planar ledge member  14  having a back extension  100 . The back extension  100  may be utilized to support back rest for the recessed support assembly is such is desired.  
         [0073]      FIG. 24  is yet another example of both the upright member  12  and the ledge member  14  having a contoured profile to which the various brackets described herein would conform.  FIG. 25  illustrates a recessed support  10 , which includes the upright member  12  having an integrally formed backrest portion  102 . Moreover,  FIG. 25  further illustrates that the ledge member  14  follows the curved profile of the upright member  12  extending outwardly from the upright member  12 , similar to the structural orientation of the ledge members depicted in  FIGS. 10-12 .  
         [0074]     Although the present invention has described the recessed support acting as a bench, the present invention is not limited in this regard. Indeed, the present invention contemplates that the recessed support may be equally adaptable to alternative constructs, such as a table, a bed, a couch, a stand, a bridge and a bookcase or other shelving or surface elevated above the ground.  
         [0075]     As discussed previously, the recessed support is used in pairs to form naturally supporting members upon which the distal ends of a single bridging piece, or multiple bridging pieces, may be rested. Using the brackets, the bridging element(s) may be secured to create a ridged configuration of support, and the recessed support may itself be constructed with or without internal fiber, wire, rod, mesh or other means of reinforcement.  
         [0076]     The recessed supports of the present invention may be prefabricated, thereby enabling reproduction at one or more decentralized locations, while the design may be modified to yield multiple designs while maintaining structural integrity through the use of one or more means of reinforcement.  
         [0077]     The brackets described herein are utilized to provide an integral median between the recessed support and the bridging element(s) supported thereon. The bracket is fixed to the recessed support and conforms to the ledge member.  
         [0078]     While the side elements have been described, in certain embodiments, as covering the end caps of those brackets employing the same by extending approximately parallel to the bridging element(s), the present invention is not limited in this regard as the side elements any be fixed at any angle to the bridging element(s) without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Similarly, while the brackets depicted herein have been described as being formed from a heavy gauge metal, it will be readily appreciated that they may instead be formed from any known plastic, polymer, ceramic or other resilient materials, especially non-rusting materials, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0079]     It will also be readily appreciated that the recessed support assembly of the present invention may be stacked, oriented end-to-end or otherwise integrally constructed with other recessed support assemblies to form whatever configuration is demanded by the chosen application. Moreover, while the recessed support of the present invention has been described as being primarily utilized in pairs to form a recessed support assembly, such as a free standing bench, the present invention is not limited in this regard as it is envisioned that only a single recessed support may be utilized whereby the free end of the bridging elements not connected to the recessed support may be affixed to an existing wall, or the like, in any conventional manner.  
         [0080]     Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 26-29  in which another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In particular,  FIG. 26  illustrates a security support assembly  200  wherein a screen  202 , or similar enclosure, forms the desired shape of a bench base. The end panels of the security support assembly  200  have been removed from  FIG. 15  for clarity&#39;s sake, however it will be readily appreciated that the security support assembly  200  does preferably include such end panels.  
         [0081]     The screen  202  forms the base of the security support assembly  200  and may be filled with stone, sand, rock, brick, concrete, debris or other readily available materials, either natural or manmade, for the purposes of providing for ballistic and/or blast protection. An unillustrated bench top (such as previously disclosed) may be fixed to the screen base  202  by any appropriate means to provide for a seating area for users. Moreover, the top  204  of the base screen  202  may be moved from the horizontal position, to the raised or vertical position (shown in  FIG. 15 ) via hinges  206  or the like, as desired or needed, to thereby add height to the defensive nature of the security support assembly  200 .  
         [0082]     It will be readily appreciated that while the screen base  202  is preferably formed from ballistic and/or blast resistant screening, other structurally applicable materials may be cut, bent, molded, and welded or otherwise fabricated to a particular design to define a fully enclosed cage (or screen base  202 ) having one or more side end panels hinged to allow the “cage” to be filled with materials suitable for design and/or security requirements. The hinged top  204  may be fit with a hasp and padlock assembly  208  or other means of making the unit secure for storage and use purposes.  
         [0083]      FIG. 27  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention in which a security support assembly  300  includes a base  302  which may be constructed of hard or soft plastic, or other similar substance, to conform, contrast or accent the surrounding architectural elements and environment and/or security requirements. In a preferred embodiment, the base  302  may be filled with water or other liquid, sand or other natural or made materials so as to provide for ballistic and/or blast protection.  
         [0084]     As will be appreciated, the base  302  may be manufactured from plastic, lexan, fibre glass, Teflon or other materials or combinations of materials consistent with engineering, security, and/or architectural requirements.  
         [0085]     Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 28 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , a security support assembly  400  includes a base  402  that may be solid or flexible, such as may be found in a balloon or beanbag. The base  402  conforms to its desired, final shape as the base  402  is filled with liquid, sand, Styrofoam or other materials consistent with engineering, security and/or architectural requirements, and for the purposes of providing for ballistic and/or blast protection. A bench top is fixed to the base  402  by any appropriate means. The non-illustrated bench top may itself be raised from the horizontal position, to a raised or vertical position, thereby adding height to the defensive nature of the security support assembly  400 .  
         [0086]     As will be appreciated, the embodiments of  FIGS. 26-28  all exhibit a capacity for greater flexibility of design than is heretofore known in the art. Moreover, the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 26-28  may effectively reduce the shipping or transportation weight of the security support assembly by providing the ability to ship in a “knocked down”, or collapsed, state, thus saving the costs of construction, materials, time, shipping and handling.  FIG. 29  depicts the security support assembly  200  of  FIG. 26  in a collapsed or unassembled state. As shown in  FIG. 29 , the security support assembly  200  includes the end panels  210  and may be folded from the configuration indicated in  FIG. 29  so as to lessen the size of the security support assembly  200  in anticipation of shipping or the like.  
         [0087]     It will therefore be readily appreciated that the embodiments of  FIGS. 26-28  may be expanded to accommodate a security support that has an elongated, continuous length, and that any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 26-28  may be formed as a continuous barrier of various configurations having integrated public seating.  
         [0088]     It will also be appreciated that the security support assemblies of  FIGS. 26-28  could quickly be stacked one upon another, thereby forming a higher barrier. Additionally, the security support assemblies of  FIGS. 26-28  could be stood on end, thus providing the necessary components of a formidable defensive wall of which the “security screen” of the bench seat may or may not be integrally used.  
         [0089]     The security support assemblies of  FIGS. 26-28  may also be used as secure storage lockers on site, or for shipping purposes. They may also be utilized themselves as shipping containers for solids, liquids or gases, or may be used as floatation devices.  
         [0090]     The security support assemblies of  FIGS. 26-28  are therefore fashioned to accommodate the bench seating made of wood or other natural or man made materials consistent with design, engineering and/or security objectives, and as described above in conjunction with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-25 . Such bench seating components are attached to the security support assemblies of  FIGS. 26-28  by hinge, bolts or other appropriate means.  FIG. 30  exhibits one embodiment of bench seating components  500  in which the bench top  502  is disposed over a security screen  504  which itself is defined by a structural frame  506 .  
         [0091]     Thus, the present invention is consistent with the development of public seating that is attractive, may be adapted to the architectural vision of the surrounding environment and is defensive in nature.  
         [0092]     While the invention had been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.