Ballistic wall structure

Abstract

A ballistic wall structure has a primary wall panel formed of a ballistic-resistant material, the primary wall panel having a bottom edge adjacent to a floor surface, and extending to an upper edge above head level, a removable secondary wall panel formed of ballistic-resistant material and removably supported adjacent to the primary wall panel, the secondary wall panel having a lower edge at a first level, and an upper edge at a second level, the first level being at a level above the bottom edge of the primary wall panel, and the second level being at a level below the upper edge of the primary wall panel, such that the secondary wall panel bears the effects of bullet strikes at an intermediate level, and may be replaced as wear becomes excessive without replacing the primary wall panel. There may be a curtain layer adjacent to the primary and secondary wall panels.

1 . A ballistic wall structure for a shoot house in which live ammunition training exercises are conducted, the structure comprising;
 a primary wall panel formed of a ballistic-resistant material;   the primary wall panel having a bottom edge adjacent to a floor surface, and extending to an upper edge above head level;   a removable secondary wall panel formed of ballistic-resistant material and removably supported adjacent to the primary wall panel;   the secondary wall panel having a lower edge at a first level above the bottom edge of the primary wall panel; and   the secondary wall panel having an upper edge at a second level below the upper edge of the primary wall panel, such that the secondary wall panel bears the effects of bullet strikes at an intermediate level, and may be replaced as wear becomes excessive without replacing the primary wall panel.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1  further comprising a curtain layer adjacent to the primary and secondary wall panels, the curtain layer being formed of a flexible material that is penetrable by bullets, and impenetrable by bullet fragments resulting from strikes with the wall panels. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the primary wall panel includes a support element, and the secondary wall panel rests on the support element. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 3  wherein the support element is an upwardly opening channel. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the primary wall panel is at least 8 feet tall, and wherein the secondary wall panel is 4 feet high. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the secondary wall panel is at least about 2 feet above floor level. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the top of the secondary wall panel is at least about 6 feet above floor level. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein an intermediate portion of the wall panel is 5 feet above floor level. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the wall structure is articulated to form a plurality of walls that in part define a room. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the primary wall panel is vertical, and the secondary wall panel is angularly offset from vertical. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the secondary wall panel is about 3 feet above floor level, and the top edge of the secondary wall panel is about 7 feet above floor level. 
     
     
         12 . A ballistic wall structure comprising:
 a wall having a bottom and an exterior surface;   a sacrificial liner removably attached to the exterior surface of the wall;   wherein the liner covers a selected portion of the exterior surface of the wall; and   wherein the liner prevents a bullet from penetrating the liner and striking the exterior surface of the wall.   
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the liner is attached to the exterior surface of the wall such that the liner is not parallel to the exterior surface of the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the liner is a steel plate. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the wall is a steel plate. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of angles attached to the exterior surface of the wall, each of the angles defining a channel that removably receives one end of the liner. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 12  further comprising a curtain removably covering the exterior surface of the wall and the liner, wherein the curtain permits an intact bullet to penetrate completely through, but captures any ricochets or shrapnel created by a bullet strike on the exterior surface of the wall or the liner. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein the exterior surface of the wall is vertical and the liner is offset from vertical by at least 3°. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein the liner is angled relative to the exterior surface of the wall such that a bullet striking the liner is deflected downward. 
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the selected portion of the exterior surface of the wall covered by the liner is located between 3 feet and 7 feet above the bottom of the wall.