Blast And Collision Protection Structures

Abstract

Apparatus for suppressing the effects of an explosion or collision, the apparatus comprising or including a pair of inflatable spaced-apart walled containers ( 1, 2 ) connected or connectable at respective upper ends to each other by webs ( 3 ), and connected or connectable at their respective lower ends to each other by an inflatable base ( 4 ), and inflatable support cushion means ( 5 ) disposed between the walled containers to at least partially support the walls thereof against collapse when such are filled with water.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . Shock suppression apparatus for suppressing the effects of an explosion or collision, the apparatus comprising a pair of inflatable spaced-apart walled containers connected or connectable at respective upper ends to each other, either directly or indirectly, and connected or connectable at their respective lower ends to each other, either directly or indirectly, and inflatable support cushion means disposed between the walled containers to at least partially support the walls thereof against collapse when such are filled with water. 
   
   
       14 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  further characterised in that the upper ends of the walled containers are connected together by webbing or strapping and the lower ends are splayed apart and connected to an inflatable base to form in combination therewith a structure of generally triangular section when inflated. 
   
   
       15 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  further characterised in that the support means is partially or wholly of triangular section. 
   
   
       16 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  further characterised in that the walls of the walled containers are interconnected by drop stitches so as to prevent or inhibit outward bulging thereof in response to the weight of water contained therein. 
   
   
       17 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  characterised in that each walled container is comprised of a number of individual segments or cells which thereby minimise the tendency of each segment or cell to jeopardise the overall required shape of the walled containers by collapsing under the weight of water. 
   
   
       18 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  characterised in that the internal walls of the walled containers are interconnected by straps at strategic locations. 
   
   
       19 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 18  further characterised in that the internal walls are interconnected by straps which are heat-welded in place. 
   
   
       20 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  further characterised in that the walled containers overlap with each other in a stepped or staggered formation such that adjoining ones of each apparatus may be interlinked to form a continuous wall of such structures. 
   
   
       21 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 20  further characterised in that the containers are interlinked with each other along the line of the wall by support webbing/strapping. 
   
   
       22 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 20  further characterised in that the containers are interlinked through the use of strips of releasably interconnectable webbing or strapping stitched to each one and adapted to releasably interconnect with adjacent ones of such support structures. 
   
   
       23 . Shock suppression apparatus according to  claim 13  further characterised in that the support means is adapted to contain air or liquid or a mixture of both which may contain e.g. a fire retardant/suppressant or some other material which may be released following an explosion or collision event.