Ordnance – Shields – For fixed structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-10-09
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Ordnance
Shields
For fixed structure
C089S036010, C052S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298766
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to protection of windows and so-called curtain walls, i.e., glass facades, against effects of blasts and explosions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many office and public buildings today are constructed with so called external curtain walls, i.e., large glass facades. Although such structures are aesthetically pleasing and very architecturally attractive, protecting such buildings from conventional bomb attack as well as chemical and biological attack poses an enormous challenge. A standard curtain wall exposed to a bomb blast instantly becomes a source of flying debris of sharp shards which are often more deadly than the bomb blast itself.
Window panes made of coated or laminated glass are known to stand up significantly better than regular glass panes to the effects of bomb blasts, but nevertheless these types of window panes do have a threshold beyond which they too shatter and become a source of flying sharp debris.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide apparatus and methods for protecting windows and curtain walls against effects of blasts and explosions.
The present invention comprises placing a protective manner structure of cables, mesh, pipes and the like inwards of the glass panels of the window or curtain wall. The inner protective cable structure preferably does not contact the window or curtain wall, but rather is separated a small distance from the internal surfaces of the window or curtain wall The protective cables are basically anchored to the floor and ceiling, but may also be anchored at some points to other, non-curtain walls of the room. The protective cables vent the blast while at the same time act as a barrier against flying shards by means of tensile forces in the cables.
It is noted that throughout the description and claims the terms “window” and “curtain wall” are used interchangeably.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention protective apparatus including a plurality of spaced, slender tensile elements installed in a room inwards of a glass panel of a window of the room, wherein when the glass panel is destroyed by an explosive blast, the tensile elements generally prevent fragments from the glass panel from flying inwards past the tensile elements.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tensile elements do not contact the window of the room, but rather are separated a small distance from internal surfaces of the window of the room.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tensile elements are anchored to at least one of a floor and a ceiling of the room.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the tensile elements is anchored to a wall of the room which does not include glass. The tensile elements may include cables, mesh, pipes, rods and/or bars.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tensile elements are generally mutually parallel. Alternatively at least one of the tensile elements may be non-parallel to another tensile element.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tensile elements are wrapped around a mounting bar which is fixedly attached to at least one of a floor and a ceiling of the room.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1858801 (1932-05-01), Bolard
patent: 2768679 (1956-10-01), Kiefer
patent: 3671370 (1972-06-01), Littel, Jr.
patent: 4061093 (1977-12-01), Carstens, Jr. et al.
patent: 4625468 (1986-12-01), Hampel
patent: 5127204 (1992-07-01), Braun
patent: 5427169 (1995-06-01), Saulters
patent: 5454414 (1995-10-01), Colson et al.
patent: 5939658 (1999-08-01), Muller
patent: WO 95/18277 (1995-07-01), None
Jordan Charles T.
McDonnell & Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Nelson Judith A.
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