Patent Application
20230295982
This disclosure is generally directed to a roll-up barrier and, in some particular embodiments, to a fortified roll-up barrier which is resistant to forced entry and projectiles.
Roll-up barriers may be constructed from rigid sections or slats which are hinged together to form the barrier when in a closed position and to spool into a rolled configuration when the barrier is opened. In certain applications, it may be desirable for a roll-up barrier to be reinforced, armored, or otherwise strengthened to provide enhanced security to building occupants and property.
Accordingly, a need exists for a roll-up barrier that addresses one or more shortcomings of conventional roll-up barriers.
The present disclosure is directed to a roll-up barrier system that may address one or more of the challenges found in conventional roll-up barriers. Some implementations may be bullet proof, bullet resistant, or otherwise armored to improve the safety and security of building occupants and property.
According to some examples, the present disclosure is directed to a barrier system including a roll-up barrier, a guide system, and a drive system. The roll-up barrier includes a plurality of slats hingedly connected together. The number of slats may vary depending on a particular application but in some examples include approximately 25 slats. Each slat of the plurality of slats includes a central portion having a first thickness, a top portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and a bottom portion having a third thickness less than the first thickness. The top portion of each slat overlaps the bottom portion of an adjacent slat forming an overlapping region having the first thickness when the barrier is in a closed configuration. The guide system is configured to guide movement of the roll-up barrier. The drive system is configured to transition the roll-up barrier between open and closed configurations along the guide system.
In some examples, a roll-up barrier may include a plurality of roller assemblies. Each roller assembly may be secured to one of the plurality of slats. A guide system may include opposing tracks configured to receive a plurality of rollers of the plurality of roller assemblies to guide the slats as the barrier transitions between the closed configuration and the open configuration. A guide system may further include a spiral bracket secured to each opposing track. Each spiral bracket may be configured to guide the plurality of slats into a spiral formation when in the open configuration.
In some example, a barrier system may include side columns shrouding at least a portion of the plurality of roller assemblies and the tracks. The side columns may be formed of a first material configured to splay a projectile. A barrier system may include at least one protective panel disposed within at least one of the side columns. A protective panel may be formed of a second material configured to arrest a projectile. The first material may include steel and the second material may include at least one of fiberglass, aramid, or carbon. Each side column may form a slot configured to receive an end portion of each slat of the plurality of slats. A width of the slot may correspond to a thickness of the plurality of slats.
According to some examples, a slat for a roll-up barrier may include a core formed of a first material configured to arrest a projectile and a front covering formed of a second material different than the first material and configured to splay the projectile.
In some examples, a slat may include a rear covering formed of a third material configured to trap debris within the core. The third material may be the same as the second material. The second material and the third material may comprise steel. The first material may comprise woven compressed fiberglass.
In some examples, a top edge of a slat may be angled with respect to a front surface of the slat in a first direction and a bottom edge of the slat may be angled with respect to the front surface in the first direction. A top edge of a slat may include a rabbet formed into a front surface or a rear surface of the slat and a bottom edge of the slat may include a rabbet formed into the other of the front surface or the rear surface.
According to some examples, a barrier may include a plurality of slats hingedly connected. Each slat may include a central portion having a first thickness, a top portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and a bottom portion having a third thickness less than the first thickness. The top portion of each slat may overlap the bottom portion of an adjacent slat forming an overlapping region having the first thickness when the barrier is in a closed configuration.
In some examples, each slat may include a core formed of a first material configured to arrest a projectile and a front covering formed of a second material different than the first material and configured to splay the projectile. The front covering may extend across the central portion and one of the top portion or the bottom portion. Each slat may include a rear covering formed of the second material. The rear covering may extend across the central portion and the other of the top portion or the bottom portion. The top portion of each slat may include a surface angled relative to a front surface of the slat in a first direction and a bottom surface angled relative to the front surface in the first direction. The top portion of each slat may include a rabbet formed into a front surface or a rear surface and the bottom portion of each slat may include a rabbet formed into the other of the front surface or the rear surface.
According to some examples, a barrier system includes a roll-up barrier, a guide system, and a drive system. The roll-up barrier may include a plurality of adjacent slats. Each slat of the plurality of slats having a first thickness and comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge connecting the front surface and the rear surface, and a lower edge connecting the front surface and the rear surface. At least a portion of both the upper edge and the lower edge may have a non-horizontal profile when the barrier is in a closed configuration, such that the upper edge of each slat vertically overlaps the lower edge of an adjacent slat to form an overlapping region having the first thickness when the barrier is in the closed configuration. The guide system may be configured to guide movement of the roll-up barrier. The drive system may be configured to transition the roll-up barrier between open and closed configurations along the guide system.
In some examples, the non-horizontal profile of the upper edge may be shaped to matingly engage with the non-horizontal profile of the lower edge.
According to some examples, a roll-up barrier includes a plurality of slats hingedly connected together and forming joints between adjacent slats. The roll-up barrier may have a closed configuration in which the plurality of slats collectively form a vertical panel and an open configuration in which the plurality of slats assume a rolled formation. The joints are configured to arrest, in a closed configuration of the barrier, a projectile meeting the criteria of UL 752 Level 8.
In some examples, each joint may include a vertically overlapping region including a top portion of a first slat and a bottom portion of a second slat. The vertically central region of each slat of the plurality of slats may include one or more projectile resistant materials and each joint comprises the one or more projectile resistant materials in substantially equal proportion to the vertically centrally region of each slat as measured in a cross-section perpendicular to a front surface of the barrier. Each joint may include a seam extending from a front surface of the barrier to a rear surface of the barrier. At least a portion of the seam may be non-perpendicular to the front surface of the barrier.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following. One or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combinable with one or more features of other embodiment or aspect.
The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
These Figures will be better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In addition, this disclosure describes some elements or features in detail with respect to one or more example implementations or figures although those same elements or features may appear in other example implementations or figures without such a high level of detail. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one or more example implementations or figures may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other example implementations or figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present disclosure is directed to a roll-up barrier system with a barrier constructed from rigid slats which is resistant to high-speed projectiles and forced entry and which prevents or traps debris generated by impact from a projectile. The barrier, side columns, and/or other elements of the barrier system may be fortified, reinforced, armored, or otherwise strengthened to provide enhanced security to building occupants and property. Elements which are susceptible to damage during forced entry may be concealed within side columns and shielded from access. Joints formed between adjacent slats may be constructed to provide protective capabilities similar to the bodies of the slats themselves.
In operation, the barrier 113 is driven between the open and closed position via a drive system 102. According to some embodiments, the drive system 102 includes a motor 106 for rotating the drive shaft 115, which as explained in greater detail below, operates to position the barrier 113 between the open and closed positions. It should be understood, however, that drive system 102, in addition to, or in lieu of a motor, can include a manually driven chain drive system 109 or other applicable systems for positioning the barrier 113 between the open and closed positions. According to some embodiments, the drive system 102 may be connected to a controller. The controller may serve as an interface for a user to command and monitor the operation of the barrier system 100. For example, the controller may include a monitor display, a touch screen, a keyboard, a touch pad, a mouse, or other input and output devices for a user to control, adjust, or program the operation of the barrier system 100.
A guide system may aid in guiding the barrier 113 as it is moved. The guide system includes a pair of spiral brackets 120 and vertical tracks 122 to guide a plurality of slats 110 forming the barrier 113 movable between a closed position, to prevent access through a passageway, and an open position, to facilitate access through the passageway. The spiral brackets 120 may be mounted to or within a frame 107 disposed near the top of the barrier system 100 and the vertical tracks 122 may be secured to the spiral brackets 120.
Each of the slats 110 includes a roller assembly at each respective end as discussed in more detail below. Each roller assembly includes a roller disposed and movable within the vertical tracks 122 and the spiral brackets 120. The vertical tracks 122 are positioned along the side columns 150a, 150b on either side of the barrier 113 and the spiral brackets 120 are aligned in a position generally above the passageway blocked by the barrier 113. In the example shown, the side column 150a is shown with a panel cover in place, while the side column 150b is shown with a panel cover removed for visualization of inner components and operation. In some implementations, the same components shown at side column 150b are also in the side column 150a. When the barrier 113 is in the open position as shown in
As the barrier 113 is moved from the closed position to the open position, a bottom slat 114 is driven upward and balanced by a dual belt counterbalancing system 130. In the example illustrated, the counterbalancing system 130 includes a counterbalance belt 135 and a drive belt 137 and is positioned on each side of the barrier 113. However, it should be understood that the counterbalancing system 130 may be otherwise configured. For example, the counterbalancing system 130 may be positioned only on a single side of the barrier 113. As illustrated, the counterbalancing system 130 engages the bottom slat 114 via a coupling member 145 such that, as explained in greater detail below, the drive belt 137 pulls and otherwise lifts the bottom slat 114 upward toward the spiral brackets 120. The counterbalance belt 135 counterbalances the barrier 113 during movement thereof.
The counterbalancing system 130 includes a common drive shaft 115, a first reel or drive pulley 136 in which the drive belt 137 is wound thereon to lift or otherwise raise the bottom slat 114 and, in turn, the barrier 113, and a second reel or pulley 134 in which the counterbalance belt 135 is wound thereon to apply a counter balancing torque to the drive shaft 115 in a direction opposite the weight of the barrier 113. The counterbalance belt 135 connects a counterbalance weight 132 to the second reel 134. The second reel 134 is rotatably connected with the first reel 136 via the drive shaft 115. The drive belt 137 extends about a guide reel 104 on a first support shaft 103 and the counterbalance belt 135 extends about a guide reel 111 on a second support shaft 105.
A ratchet mechanism 142 connects the counterbalance belt 135 with the weight 132. In use, the ratchet mechanism 142 enables the counterbalance belt 135, and the length thereof, to be adjusted. Similarly, a ratchet mechanism (not shown) may connect the drive belt 137 with the coupling member 145 for adjusting the length of the drive belt 137.
Turning now to
When a barrier 113 formed of slats having the core 160 of
In
When a barrier 113 formed using slats having the core 160 of
It will be appreciated that other overlapping features on adjacent slats may be used in the joints. For example, each slat may include a V-shaped channel at its top or bottom edge and a corresponding V-shaped protrusion at the other of its top or bottom edge. Yet other shapes are contemplated.
As seen in
In some examples, the front covering 168b may be configured to resist but permit penetration by a design projectile. As used herein, the term “design projectile” may refer to a projectile for which the barrier system 100 is designed to block or arrest so that the projectile striking the barrier 113 at a design velocity at a specified testing orientation (e.g., perpendicular to a front surface of the barrier) is unable to pass through the barrier 113 from the front side to the rear side. In some examples, a design projectile may be a bullet having a particular size, shape, weight, velocity, kinetic energy, material, or other specific characteristics. A slat or a joint between two slats may be configured to arrest a design projectile meaning it is constructed in a manner providing properties sufficient to prevent penetration of the design projectile. In some examples, a design projectile may be a 150 grain 7.62×51 mm (.308 caliber) lead core full metal copper jacket military ball round weighing about 9.7 grams with a velocity of 2750-3025 feet per second, more or less, at a range of 4.6 meters or other projectile falling within the standard provided by Underwriter's Laboratory Standard 752 (“UL 752”) including, for example, a projectile specified for Level 8 certification. A slat or joint configured to arrest such a design projectile may be configured to withstand repeated impacts from the design projectile, such as 3 impacts or 5 impacts within a 4.5″ square area, without penetration through the barrier. A joint may be configured to arrest a design projectile by including overlapping portions of adjacent slats such each joint has a thickness of one or more projectile resistant materials that is similar or substantially equal to a thickness of the one or more projectile resistant materials forming each slat. In this regard, the front covering 168b may be configured to slow a design projectile and/or splay the design projectile into a larger diameter as the projectile passes through the front covering 168b. The core 160 may be configured to arrest the design projectile which may be aided by the increased diameter caused by splaying of the projectile with the front covering 168b. In some instances, the front covering 168b and core 160 may be sufficient to completely arrest a design projectile. However, for increased fortification of the barrier 113 and to aid in preventing any shrapnel (e.g., projectile fragments, core fragments, or front covering fragments) from exiting the rear side of the barrier 113, a rear covering 168a may be provided on each slat 110 to trap the projectile and any such shrapnel within the slat 110. Each joint may be formed of a full thickness of a front covering 168b of a first slat, a partial thickness of a core 160 of the first slat, a partial thickness of a core 160 of a second slat, and a full thickness of a rear covering 168a of the second slat. In this regard, the joints may provide a substantially similar level of projectile resistance as the central portion of the slats that is not in an overlapping portion.
In an example, the first material comprises a woven compressed fiberglass such as of FG 800 by Insulgard® or Acculam® by Alro Plastics. In some instances, it may be desirable for the core material to satisfy Underwriters Laboratories UL 752 (Levels 1-8), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (I, II A, II, III A, III), MIL P 46593A (ORD) V 50 test, ASTM E119 OOa (1 hour fire test), and ASTM E84 91a (Surface Burning Characteristics). Depending on the material used, the core may have a thickness of between ¼″ and 3″, for example ½″ to 1½″. In an example, the second material is steel such as AR500 or AR600 steel plating having a thickness of 1/16″ to ½″, such as 3/16″. The first material, used in the core 160 in some examples, may be approximately ½″ thick and have a specific gravity of approximately 1.81, a Rockwell hardness of approximately 117, a compressive strength greater than approximately 75,000 PSI, and an Izod impact strength rating of greater than approximately 14 ft-lbs./in. The first material, used in the core 160 in some examples, may be approximately 1.5″ thick and have a specific gravity of approximately 2.07. As used in describing these characteristics of the first material, the term “approximately” may refer to greater or less than about 50% of the specified number such as greater or less than about 25% of the specified number.
As shown in
The upper and lower mounting plates 171, 173 are formed with an angle to position the rollers 112 rearward from a centerline of the slat 110. This arrangement may place the slats 110 of the barrier 113 forward (or outward) relative to the vertical tracks 122 of the barrier system 100. In this regard, the tracks 122, rollers 112, and other components of the barrier system 100 may be offset “behind” the slats 110 to help prevent tampering and deter forced entry with tools which a perpetrator may use in an attempt to bend or break some of these components.
It will be appreciated that the bottom slat 114 and the top slat of the barrier 113 do not overlap with or hingedly connect to an adjacent slat 110 on one side. Accordingly, the configuration of the bottom and top slats may differ from the description of the slats 110 provided herein. For example, the bottom slat 114 may have a unique mounting plate to position a roller above the bottom edge. The bottom edge may also be flat rather than tapered to overlap an adjacent slat. Similarly, the top slat may omit the upper mounting plate or have a unique mounting plate to position a roller below the top edge, which may be flat rather than tapered. In some examples, the bottom slat 114 may be constructed of primarily of steel, omitting the core material altogether and using a greater thickness of steel than in the front covering 168a and rear covering 168b described herein.
Turning now to
The vertical track 122 may be formed by two bent metal plates affixed together by removable fasteners or may be formed by bending a single plate. A bracket 206 is secured to the front panel 200 and the track 122 is attached to the bracket 206 to position the track 122 at proper location for alignment with the rollers 112.
The front panel 200 and the rear panel 202 may each have an edge formed into a C-channel 201, 203, respectively. A space between the C-channels 201, 203 forms a slot 204 extending along a substantial height of the side column 150b. This slot may be sized and positioned to receive the slats 110 and the barrier 113. A width of the slot 204 may correspond to a thickness of the barrier 113. By sizing the slot 204 and positioning the barrier 113 within the slot appropriately, there may be only a minimal gap (e.g., 1/16″ or ¼″) formed between the front surface of the barrier 113 and the front panel 200. Such a small gap may help prevent forced entry by providing insufficient space to insert tools into the side column 150b.
A guide tongue 207 may be positioned on the front panel 200 and a guide tongue 208 may be positioned on the side panel 210. These guide tongues extend linearly up and down the side column 150b to guide the counterbalance weight as described below.
Although the figures show relative positions of each component, the actual dimension and scale of each component may differ from the illustration and depend on different production specifications.
Additional components may be used in the barrier system 100 which are not illustrated or described with specificity to avoid obfuscating the present disclosure. These additional components include but are not limited to tensioners, sensors, controllers, user interfaces, etc. For further description of such components, see U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2019/0071923.
In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “outer” and “inner,” “upper” and “lower,” “first” and “second,” “internal” and “external,” “above,” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.
Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, although illustrative implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, combination, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.
