Transportable Modular System Permitting Isolation of Assets

Abstract

A system comprising inexpensive composite panels and a configuration that holds them, all components of which are man portable. Select embodiments protect assets against external force and impacts from airborne projectiles. An open box-like stackable frame module holds thin panels along a longitudinal axis of the frame. Multiple frames a reconnected to construct a protective barrier, such as a wall. The panels may be formulated of a very high strength portland cement-based concrete with one side, both sides, or both sides and all edges, covered with elastic material, the combination of which significantly reduces penetration of projectiles. A panel may be covered with specially formulated elastic material comprising multiple layers, each layer of a different type or thickness of elastic material. The elastic material may include reinforcing material such as fabric woven from available COTS high-strength fibers. The panels may be fabricated using basic means available in rural locations. A method of installing is also provided.

1 . A configuration providing isolation of assets, comprising:
 a quadrilateral frame module with an open top and an open bottom, comprising:
 one each mount of a first type at each of four corners of said module establishing extremities of said top, 
 one each mount of a second type at each of said four corners establishing extremities of said bottom, 
   wherein said mount of a first type is connectable to said mount of a second type on another said module to permit vertical stacking of said frame modules, and   wherein said mount of a first type is connectable to an abutted said mount of a first type to permit horizontal connection of said frame modules one to another;
 a pair of cross members in compression on each of said four sides of said frame module, each said cross member establishing a diagonal connection between a said first type of mount and a said second type of mount, 
   wherein each said cross member of said pair is pivotally joined at the center to the other said cross member of said pair, and   wherein each said cross member is pivotally joined to one said mount of a first type and one said mount of a second type to allow pivoting of said pair of cross members in a plane parallel to said side containing said pair of cross members; and
 at least first and second members in tension on each said side, ends of one first member in tension attached horizontally to each said mount of a first type in each said side and ends of one second member in tension attached horizontally to each said mount of a second type in each said side; 
 at least one pair of z-bars comprising integral open channels facing opposite directions and raised slots at each end on one side for indexing said z-bar to said module, each said z-bar incorporating an adjustable tensioner at each end, 
   wherein said z-bars are affixed along at least a first side of said frame module, each end of a first z-bar of said pair affixed to one of two said mounts of a first type at the extremities of the top of said first side and each end of a second z-bar of said pair affixed to two said mounts of a second type at the extremities of the bottom of said first side;
 four leveling pads indexed to each bottom corner of said module via at least one first type of rod in each said pad that mates with an opening in said mount of a second type, 
   wherein each said pad is in operable communication both with at least one each said mount of a second type and a surface upon which said pads rest; and   wherein said second type of mount is connectable to said leveling pad when said second type of mount is employed in modules that are a base of said configuration, and   wherein said pads may accommodate up to at least three said mounts of a second type;   panels having a length, width and depth;   
       wherein said panels are mounted on at least one said side of said configuration in each said pair of z-bars to provide said isolation. 
     
     
         2 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said leveling pads are adjustable at least in height. 
     
     
         3 . The configuration of  claim 2  in which said pads further comprise:
 a bottom plate configured to accept a non-threaded end of a second type of rod having a threaded portion; 
 a top plate configured to accept said threaded portion of said rod of a second type in a matching threaded bearing in the center of said top plate; 
 wherein said rod is in operable communication with said bottom plate and said top plate and configured to be rotated and moved in relation to said top plate using a COTS tool for adjusting the height of said module. 
 
     
     
         4 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which all components of said configuration are man transportable and at least some said components comprise at least steel having at least a corrosion resistant finish. 
     
     
         5 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which the length, width and height of said frame modules are equal. 
     
     
         6 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said z-bars comprise integral first and second open rectangular channels, the open portion of a first said channel facing to said top and the open portion of a second said channel facing to said bottom of said configuration, said channels incorporating open ends, said z-bars much longer in length than either width or depth. 
     
     
         7 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said panels are quadrilateral in dimension, wherein said length and said width are much greater than said depth. 
     
     
         8 . The configuration of  claim 1 , said panels further having a pre-specified resistance to penetration,
 wherein said panels having a pre-specified resistance to penetration provide protection of assets from physical damage due to dynamic force.   
     
     
         9 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said members in tension comprise wires, wherein for each said module, four said wires are employed with said mounts of a first type and four said wires are employed with said mounts of a second type. 
     
     
         10 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said panels are installed on two opposing sides of said configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The configuration of  claim 1  comprising panels that overlap on at least one said side as installed in said z-bars. 
     
     
         12 . The configuration of  claim 1  in which said cross members have a quadrilateral cross section. 
     
     
         13 . The configuration of  claim 1 , said frame modules foldable to facilitate storage and transport. 
     
     
         14 . A method for isolating assets via a modular configuration, comprising:
 a) providing and unfolding a quadrilateral frame module with an open top and an open bottom, comprising:
 one each mount of a first type at each of four corners of said module establishing extremities of said top, 
 one each mount of a second type at each of said four corners establishing extremities of said bottom, 
   wherein said mount of a first type is connectable to said mount of a second type on another said module to permit vertical stacking of said frame modules, and   wherein said mount of a first type is connectable to an abutted said mount of a first type to permit horizontal connection of said frame modules one to another;
 a pair of cross members in compression on each of said four sides of said frame module, each said cross member establishing a diagonal connection between a said first type of mount and a said second type of mount, 
   wherein each said cross member of said pair is pivotally joined at the center to the other said cross member of said pair, and   wherein each said cross member is pivotally joined to one said mount of a first type and one said mount of a second type to allow pivoting of said pair of cross members in a plane parallel to said side containing said pair of cross members; and
 at least first and second members in tension on each said side, ends of one first member in tension attached horizontally to each said mount of a first type in each said side and ends of one second member in tension attached horizontally to each said mount of a second type in each said side; 
   b) providing at least one pair of z-bars comprising integral open channels facing opposite directions and raised slots at each end on one side for indexing said z-bar to said module, each said z-bar incorporating an adjustable tensioner at each end, affixing said z-bars along at least a first side of said frame module by indexing each end of a first z-bar of said pair to one of two said mounts of a first type at the extremities of the top of said first side and indexing each end of a second z-bar of said pair to two said mounts of a second type at the extremities of the bottom of said first side;   c) providing four leveling pads;   d) placing said pads on a level surface spaced to approximate the spacing of the four corners of a said frame module;   e) indexing each said pad to each bottom corner of a first said module via at least one first type of rod incorporated in each said pad that mates with an opening in said mount of a second type,   wherein each said pad is in operable communication both with at least one each said mount of a second type and a surface upon which said pads rest; and   wherein said second type of mount is connectable to said leveling pad when said second type of mount is employed in modules that are a base of said configuration, and   wherein said pads may accommodate up to at least three said mounts of a second type;   f) providing two additional said pads per a second and each succeeding said frame module to be connected to existing installed said modules to comprise said modular configuration, each said addition of said second and succeeding frame modules comprising:
 1) repeating steps (a) and (b); 
 2) placing said two pads on a level surface, spaced to approximate the spacing of two of the four corners of an additional said frame module to be abutted to said installed frame module; 
 3) indexing each of two said pads employed in installing said installed frame module to each mount of a second type on the side of said additional frame module abutting said first frame module and in a similar manner indexing said additional two pads to remaining said mounts of a second type on said additional frame module; 
 4) adjusting the height of said leveling pads now associated with said additional frame module to permit connection of said mounts of a first type on the abutting sides of said installed and additional frame modules to be connected together and approximately level; 
 5) providing panels having a length, width and depth; 
 6) mounting said panels on at least one said side of said configuration in each said pair of z-bars in each said frame module incorporated in said configuration as a base of said configuration; 
 7) checking openings between installed panels, 
 8) re-adjusting the height of said installed modules to minimize any said openings above a pre-specified value; 
 9) setting tension of said adjustable tensioners to a pre-specified value; and 
 g) repeating steps a)-f) until a pre-specified length of said configuration is established. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising installing said panels on two opposing sides of said configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising installing overlapped said panels on at least one said side of said configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  connecting said mounts of a first type via fitting rivet heads on a first abutting said frame module to rivet slots on a second abutting said frame module. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  stacking additional said frame modules directly upon first installed said modules to increase the height of said configuration, further comprising.
 a) providing and unfolding at least one said quadrilateral frame module; 
 b) selecting said at least one pair of said z-bars; 
 c) indexing a first said z-bar along at least a first side of said frame module, affixing each end of said first z-bar of said pair to one of two said mounts of a first type at the extremities of the top of said first side and affixing each end of a second said z-bar of said pair to two said mounts of a second type at the extremities of the bottom of said first side; 
 d) indexing each said mount of a first type on said installed frame modules to a below corresponding said mount of a second type on said additional stacked frame module via said at least one first type of rod; 
 e) adjusting the height of said leveling pads now associated with abutting said stacked frame modules to permit approximately level connection of said mounts of a first type on the abutting sides of said stacked frame modules; 
 f) selecting said panels; 
 g) mounting said panels on at least one said side of said stacked frame modules; 
 h) checking openings between all said installed panels, 
 i) re-adjusting the height of said installed frame modules to minimize any said openings above a pre-specified value; 
 j) setting tension of said adjustable tensioners of said z-bars affixed to said stacked frame modules to a pre-specified value; and 
 k) repeating steps (a)-(j) until a pre-specified length of said configuration is established. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising installing said panels on two opposing sides of said stacked frame modules. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising installing overlapped said panels on at least one said side of said stacked frame modules.