Bar armor system for protecting against rocket-propelled grenades

Abstract

A bar armor system is provided for reducing damage caused by RPGs launched towards a vehicle. The bar armor system includes at least one bar array, comprised of lateral bars and vertical bars, wherein the lateral bars are set in predetermined positions so as to reduce the possibility of shaped charges being directed towards the target vehicle. Tubular shaft retainers are provided to be positioned in annular openings in the vertical bars. The lateral bars can be of a round or hexagonal cross-section, and when hexagonal lateral bars are employed, the flat surfaces of the cross-section are positioned horizontally by the tubular shaft retainers so as to minimize the area presented to an oncoming RPG, particularly when the RPG strikes at a non-normal incidence. Push washers can be employed at the outside surfaces of the vertical bars so as to hold them in position. A mounting system is provided that is capable of positioning the bar armor system at close distances to the vehicle so that the overall size and weight of the vehicle is not unduly increased by the bar armor system. The mounts can include rotary latches to provide easy installation and removal. The system can also be of an electrically-conductive unified composition so that efficient electrostatic coating techniques can be used to cover the system. The system can also be provided in the form of kits for ready installation and for more economical repair.

1 . Bar armor system for protecting a vehicle from rocket-propelled grenades, comprising:
 at least one bar array;   said bar array being comprised of:
 a plurality of lateral bars, said lateral bars being either round or hexagonal in cross-section; 
 at least two vertical bars, each having a plurality of annular openings; and 
 a plurality of tubular shaft retainers disposed in said annular openings of said vertical bars for receiving said lateral bars and for locating said lateral bars in a predetermined position; and 
   mounts for mounting said bar array to said vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular shaft retainers are comprised of a spring steel alloy containing, by weight, between about 0.3% and about 0.8% carbon. 
     
     
         3 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are round in cross-section and have a yield strength of at least about 100 ksi. 
     
     
         4 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are hexagonal in cross-section and have a yield strength of at least about 93 ksi. 
     
     
         5 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are approximately 5/16ths of an inch in diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are hexagonal in cross-section, wherein two flat faces of the cross-section are oriented substantially horizontally. 
     
     
         7 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are each spaced apart at a distance less than about 57 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are each spaced apart at a distance of approximately 53 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral bars are comprised of a steel alloy with greater than 2% uniform plastic deformation up to ultimate tensile strength and a total elongation to failure of not less than 5%. 
     
     
         10 . The bar armor system of  claim 9 , wherein said steel alloy is selected from the group consisting of: AISI 1144 steel and AISI 41L40 steel. 
     
     
         11 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said bar array further comprises at least two push washers disposed on at least one of said lateral bars abutting at least one of said vertical bars. 
     
     
         12 . The bar armor system of  claim 11 , wherein said bar array has a top and a bottom, and said push washers are disposed on the lateral bars second from top and second from bottom of said bar array. 
     
     
         13 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said mounts comprises a bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The bar armor system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said brackets further comprises a rotary latch. 
     
     
         15 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said mounts position said lateral bars at a standoff distance of less than about 9 inches from the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said mounts position said lateral bars at a standoff distance of approximately 7.5 inches from the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said mounts attach to the vehicle magnetically. 
     
     
         18 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said bar array is approximately 3 feet wide. 
     
     
         19 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical bars are substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         20 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical bars are approximately six feet in length, about one-half inch in width, and about one inch in depth. 
     
     
         21 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical bars are comprised of a wrought aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         22 . The bar armor system of  claim 21 , wherein said wrought aluminum alloy is 7075-T651 aluminum. 
     
     
         23 . The bar armor system of  claim 1 , wherein each bar array is electrostatically coated. 
     
     
         24 . The bar armor system of  claim 23 , wherein the electrostatic coating comprises a chemical agent resistant coating. 
     
     
         25 . A kit for preparing a bar armor system comprising:
 at least two vertical bars, said vertical bars having a plurality of annular openings;   a plurality of lateral bars, said lateral bars being either round or hexagonal in cross-section;   a plurality of shaft retainers with an outer geometry adapted to be in registering relationship to said annular openings of said vertical bars and an inner geometry adapted to be in registering relationship to said lateral bars;   said vertical bars, lateral bars, and shaft retainers operative to assemble into a bar array;   and mounts for mounting said bar array to a vehicle.   
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 25 , further comprising a plurality of push washers. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein said mounts further comprise rotary latches. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein said shaft retainers are already placed and oriented in said annular openings of said vertical bars.