Blast pressure, fragment and projectile resistant panel mounting systems

Abstract

The present invention is a protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor and a ceiling or just a floor. The system has a plurality of structural columns attached to the ceiling and/or the floor, a frame attached to the structural columns, a plurality of protective panels that are set within the frame and a means for attaching the protective structure and panel system to the ceiling and/or the floor. The invention also includes a vertical retrofit support system used in combination with a load bearing structure such as a wall to support a floor and a ceiling of the load bearing structure.

1 . A protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor and a ceiling, comprising;
 a plurality of structural columns for additional support to said system;   an adjustable collar that can adjust to height variations involving said floor and said ceiling;   supportive rods and ropes that are crossed and attached to said structural columns;   a frame attached to said structural columns;   a plurality of protective panels that are set within said frame;   a sliding frame assembly disposed on said frame, where said protective panels and can be slid along said sliding frame assembly;   a means for attaching said protective structure and panel system to said floor and said ceiling.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said structural columns have slots. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said slots are integral with clips on said protective panels for attachment of said protective panels to said structural columns. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said supportive rods and ropes are made of steel rods and wire ropes. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said structural columns and said frame are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame and protective panels are hingedly attached to said structural columns. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said frame and protective panels are hingedly attached with a piano hinge. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said piano hinge can be disassembled to allow said frame and said plurality of protective panels to swing and to rotate. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said structural columns are connected to said means for attaching by a clevis. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said protective panels are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates. 
   
   
       12 . A vertical retrofit support system used in combination with a load bearing structure to support a floor and a ceiling of said load bearing structure, comprising;
 a plurality of vertical support columns;   support bracing attached to said vertical support columns that supports said floor and said ceiling; and   means for attaching said vertical support columns and said support bracing to said floor and said ceiling.   
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said vertical support columns and said support bracing are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein said load bearing structure is a masonry wall. 
   
   
       16 . A protective structure and panel system to protect a user against projectiles, blast pressures and fragments from small arms and explosions that is attached to a floor, comprising;
 a plurality of structural columns attached to said floor;   a frame attached to said structural columns;   a plurality of protective panels that are set within said frame; and   a means for attaching said protective structure and panel system to said floor.   
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said structural columns and said frame are made of a selected one of aluminum and steel. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said structural columns have relief cutouts. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said protective panels are selected from the group consisting of a steel panel, an aluminum panel, a chain link panel, an expanded metal mesh panel, a laminated glass panel, a glass clad polycarbonate panel, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panel or another polymeric panel. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said means for attaching are a plurality of bolts, a plurality of mechanical anchors, a plurality of chemical epoxy anchors and a product of a welding process and are used in combination with a plurality of bent support plates and a plurality of straight support plates.