Ballistic resistant office cubicle panel

Abstract

Provided are free-standing and interlocking partitions that appear to resemble commercially-available cloth-covered cubicle partitions, but the core of each partition is a panel fabricated to render the partition bullet resistant. The panels and partitions are optimized for use as ballistic-resistant office partitions and cubicles for offices, schools and other business environments.

1 . A ballistic-resistant partition for installation in an offices, schools and other business environments, wherein the partition comprises
 a) at least one flat and rigid ballistic-resistant panel comprising multiple layers of ballistic-resistant cloth impregnated with thermoset polymer resin, wherein the impregnated cloth has been compressed to render the impregnated cloth rigid and to prevent penetration of a ballistic projectile;   b) sheets of sheathing for each ballistic resistant panel, each sheet having about the same length and width as its corresponding ballistic-resistant panel, wherein each ballistic-resistant panel is positioned between at least two sheets of sheathing and wherein each sheet of sheathing optionally may be of a different material;   c) an optional external covering which occludes external visibility of the panel and sheathing   d) an angular or U-shaped metal or plastic trim surrounding the periphery of the panel, sheathing and optional covering, wherein the trim protects the covering that the trip occludes from abrasion and supplies a rigid point of attachment to the partition for an accessory such as a foot assembly, corner stabilization accessory or hardware for joining two or more partitions; and   e) wherein the partition is installed so that a ballistic projectile cannot pass between the partition and a floor lying underneath the installed partition.   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1 , wherein the bullet-resistant cloth is woven roving ballistic-grade fiberglass cloth and the thermoset polymer resin is thermoset polyester resin. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 2 , wherein the sheathing is polyisocyanurate foam. 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 3 , wherein the panel is about 1 7/16 inches thick. 
     
     
         5 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 4 , wherein the penetration of a ballistic projectile is resisted at UL752 Level 8; 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1 , wherein the trim comprises extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1 , wherein the external covering is a polyester textile. 
     
     
         8 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1 , wherein at least one sheet of sheathing is selected from the group consisting of cardboard, corkboard, chalkboard, whiteboard, plating, rigid plastic sheets, polystyrene foam and polyisocyanurate foam. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  covered on one side of its panel, wherein the opposite side is uncovered, optionally unsheathed, and the partition is attached to an existing building wall. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of partitions, wherein the number, size and arrangement of each partition relative to the other partitions of the plurality is configured to the room into which the partitions are installed. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  further comprising four partitions joined at right angles to form a cubicle, wherein an entry opening into the cubicle is allowed by providing a shorter lateral length for one of the partitions than are the nominally identical later lengths of the other three partitions. 
     
     
         12 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  further comprising a foot assembly selected from the group consisting of an angled pedestal style, a triangular style, a semicircular style, and an ovoid style. 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  further comprising a leg-style support selected from the group consisting of a monopod support, a bipod support and an A-frame support. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 1  further comprising a mobile base assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The ballistic-resistant partition of  claim 14 , wherein a component of the mobile base assembly passes underneath the partition. 
     
     
         16 . A system of ballistic-resistant partitions comprising one or more pairs of partitions, wherein each pair consists of a first and a second partition joined at a right angle, wherein the right angle joint is formed by overlapping an end of the first partition with the side of the second partition adjacent an end of the second partition, thereby forming both internal and external right angles at the overlap, then securing the partitions together so that no space or void is present between the first and second partitions that would permit penetration of a ballistic projectile. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein trim placed over the joint creates an appearance that the joint is mitered. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising one or more wheels which allow the partition to be rolled across a floor.