Ballistic barriers and enclosures and methods for providing ballistic barriers and enclosures

Abstract

Ballistic barriers, ballistic enclosures, and methods of fabricating ballistic barriers and ballistic enclosures are provided. The ballistic barrier comprises a panel having a plurality of woven sheets and a matrix, for example, a resin matrix, adapted to retain the plurality of woven sheets; and a protective elastomeric layer mounted to at least one side of the panel, but typically both sides. The barriers may be provided with camouflage to assist in concealing the barrier or the enclosure. The ballistic enclosures include support structures adapted to retain the ballistic barriers, for example, about a potential target, such, as personnel, equipment, or a structure. Aspects of the invention may be uniquely adapted to protect domestic infrastructure, such as, components of the electric power grid; however, aspects of the invention may be used to protect any potential target of vandalism or aggression.

1 . A ballistic barrier comprising:
 a panel comprising a plurality of woven sheets and a matrix adapted to retain the plurality of woven sheets; and   an elastomeric layer mounted to at least one side of the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of woven sheets comprises a fiberglass woven sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a resin. 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the resin comprises one of a polyester resin and a polyurethane resin. 
     
     
         5 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the polymer comprises at least one of a natural polymer and a synthetic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 6 , wherein synthetic polymer comprises one or more of a urethane, a neoprene, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic rubber, a polyvinyl chloride, an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the fibers of the elastomeric layer comprises one of plastic fibers and glass fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel further comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect contact with the ballistic barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of woven sheets have a direction of orientation, and wherein the direction of orientation of at least some of the plurality of sheets varies. 
     
     
         12 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the direction of orientation of at least some of the plurality of sheets varies by at least 15 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic barrier further comprises a cosmetic layer. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic barrier as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the cosmetic layer comprises at least one of a layer of paint and a layer of sheet material. 
     
     
         15 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A ballistic barrier kit comprising:
 at least one ballistic barrier comprising a panel comprising a plurality of woven sheets and a matrix adapted to retain the plurality of woven sheets; and an elastomeric layer mounted to at least one side of the panel; and   a support structure adapted to receive the at least one ballistic barrier.   
     
     
         33 . The kit as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the kit further comprises a plurality of fasteners adapted to retain the at least one ballistic barrier on the support structure. 
     
     
         34 . The kit as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the kit further comprises installation instructions. 
     
     
         35 . The kit as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the installation instructions comprise an instruction manual. 
     
     
         36 - 39 . (canceled)