Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Display in frame or transparent casing; or diorama including... – Peripheral enclosure or frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-17
2001-11-20
Turner, Archene (Department: 1775)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Display in frame or transparent casing; or diorama including...
Peripheral enclosure or frame
C428S038000, C428S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319571
ABSTRACT:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of reducing high velocity particles resulting from explosive overpressure. More particularly, this invention provides methods and apparatus for enabling primarily lateral displacement of windows and window elements such that overpressure from an explosive blast is released to the edges of the displaced window so that the window or window elements do not fragment, shatter or shatter in a controlled fashion. Projectiles are not released or are released in a way not to harm or injure persons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
On Jun. 25, 1996, twenty-three died and hundreds were injured as a result of a terrorist attack on the United States Air Force housing complex on King Abdul Aziz Airbase outside Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The carnage was caused by flying debris from the glass windows which were explosively shattered by the bomb that was detonated over one-quarter of a mile away. The United States Defense Special Weapons Agency (“DSWA”) estimated that glass fragmentation caused ninety percent (90%) of all injuries. The conventional glass windows were shattered by the force of the explosive overpressure directly or indirectly applied to them.
Several attempts to reduce the hazards of glass shrapnel have yielded limited success. Military forces housed in buildings may be protected by replacing conventional glass windows with synthetic materials such as acrylic or polycarbonate which will not shatter and produce high velocity projectiles. This solution is undesirable for a number of reasons. First, the mass of material required to resist overpressure on the order of three pounds per square inch (3 psi) (~500 psf) is very large. As a result, a window pane would be very thick, very heavy and viewing would be significantly distorted. Building construction methods would also have to be modified to accommodate the added bulk and weight. Window receiving pans or receptors inset within a wall would also need to be significantly strengthened or redesigned.
Another attempt to reduce shrapnel concerns methods and apparatus to allow the overpressure to be reduced by redirecting or dissipating its effects.
The development of a window system which would substantially reduce the danger of flying shrapnel would fulfill a long felt but unmet need. Such an innovation would also constitute a significant advance in the field of window technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides methods and apparatus to enable primarily lateral displacement of windows and window elements in reaction to overpressure forces resulting from an explosion. According to the present invention, these forces are released to the edges of the displaced window and window elements, and the window itself remains intact or shatters in a manner that does not release life-threatening or injurious projectiles.
In the simplest embodiment of the disclosed invention, a lateral displacement mechanism comprises a number of retainers having one end attached to a window frame and the other attached to the window framework embedded in the window wall or other structure. In normal use, the retainers are hidden in the window framework between the window frame and the wall. Under explosive overpressure, the window frame is displaced laterally from the wall to the extended length of the retainers. As the overpressure is reduced, the window pane falls under gravity, contacting the wall or other structure and perhaps the floor. The totality of retainers is designed not to rupture under the applied overpressure.
In alternative embodiments, the retainers are comprised of cloth webbing, rope, synthetic materials, mechanical mechanisms or membranes. A particularly advantageous retainer is a Velcro® strap. Velcro obtains its holding ability from the mechanical interaction of “hook” material with opposing “eye” material. Use of Velcro® retainers delivers a graceful and controlled lateral displacement because of the “zippered” detachment of the two halves of the Velcro®.
Alternative configurations enable angular displacement via a hinge connection between the window frame and its receiving pan. Further alternative embodiments comprise adhering or bonding sheets or films of synthetic material such as Mylar® to a traditional glass window to prevent release of shrapnel or projectiles from glass sheathing as a result of displacement forces. Further alternative configurations comprise “shatter-proof” or “blast-proof” glass or other synthetic material which likewise laterally displace from a window frame via points of attachment between an embedded web or mesh and the frame. Further alternative configurations comprise glass or other synthetic materials which are configured to rupture in a controlled manner so that harmful or injurious projectiles are not released.
An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and a more complete and comprehensive understanding of this invention maybe obtained by studying the following description of a preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 912950 (1909-02-01), Gibert
patent: 2721157 (1955-10-01), Martin et al.
patent: 4637444 (1987-01-01), Tanner
patent: 4742664 (1988-05-01), Johnson
patent: 4748790 (1988-06-01), Frangolacci
patent: 5645940 (1997-07-01), Teddington, Jr.
patent: 5670220 (1997-09-01), Tanaka et al.
Anglin & Giaccherini
Turner Archene
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