Ballistic and fire protection enclosures

Abstract

A modular ballistic panel may include first and second vertical members, and curved rectangular first and second slats. The second vertical member may be spaced from the first vertical member. Each of the slats may be disposed between the first and second vertical members, with a first edge coupled to the first vertical side member and a second edge coupled to the second vertical side member. The first and second slats may be configured to deflect a projectile downward.

We claim: 
     
         1 .A modular ballistic panel comprising:
 a first vertical side member;   a second vertical side member spaced from the first vertical side member;   a curved rectangular first slat disposed between the first and second vertical side members, with a first side edge of the first slat coupled to the first vertical side member and a second side edge of the first slat coupled to the second vertical side member; and   a curved rectangular second slat disposed between the first and second vertical side members and vertically above the first slat, with a first side edge of the second slat coupled to the first vertical side member and a second side edge of the second slat coupled to the second vertical side member;   wherein the first and second slats are configured to deflect a projectile downward.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of claim  1 , wherein the first and second slats are stacked above one another so that a front outer edge of the first slat is aligned with a front outer edge of the second slat. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of claim  1 , wherein the first and second slats are disposed such that a horizontally traveling projectile passing between an upper edge of the second slat and a lower edge of the first slat must contact either the first slat or the second slat. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of claim  1 , further comprising a foundation structure connected to each of the first and second vertical side members. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the foundation structure includes a horizontal expanse of concrete. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the foundation structure is above-ground and includes a frame at least partially filled with concrete, each of the first and second vertical side members being coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of claim  1 , wherein each of the first and second slats includes armor steel. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of claim  1 , further including a plurality of rectangular curved slats, each slat spanning between the first and second vertical side members. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 8 , wherein each slat is angled and the angles of the plurality of slats vary as a function of height off the ground. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of claim  1 , wherein the second slat is spaced from the first slat to allow airflow through the panel. 
     
     
         11 . A modular enclosure system comprising:
 at least two columns with each column oriented vertically; and   a plurality of panels, with each panel disposed between a pair of adjacent columns of the at least two columns;   wherein at least one of the panels includes:   a first vertical side member configured to be attached to a first column of the at least two columns;   a second vertical side member; and   a plurality of slats oriented generally horizontally and spanning a distance between the first and second side members;   wherein each of the plurality of slats includes a curved surface and is angled to deflect projectiles originating from outside the enclosure in a downward direction.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the curved surface of each of the plurality of slats is concave as viewed from outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one panel of the plurality of panels includes (a) concrete, (b) a plurality of round objects embedded within the concrete and configured to hinder the advance of projectiles through the panel, with each of the round objects having a dimension in a range of 0.25-1.0 inches, (c) an exterior-facing resin layer configured to bind the concrete of the panel when struck by projectiles, and (d) an interior-facing fire-resistant layer configured to protect an interior space of the enclosure against fire exterior to the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of slats is spaced from an adjacent slat of the plurality of slats to allow airflow into and out of the enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . A modular enclosure system comprising:
 a plurality of modular panels, each panel including:
 first and second vertical side members, and 
 a plurality of rectangular slats spanning horizontally between the first and second vertical side members, 
 wherein each slat has a curved outer surface that is downwardly concave as viewed from outside the enclosure. 
   
     
     
         16 . The enclosure system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of slats is angled to deflect projectiles originating from outside the enclosure in a downward direction. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of slats is vertically stacked such that a front outer edge of each slat is aligned. 
     
     
         18 . The enclosure system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of slats is stacked such that a horizontally traveling projectile passing between an upper edge of an upper slat of a pair of adjacent slats of the plurality of slats and a lower edge of a lower slat of the pair of adjacent slats must contact either the upper slat or the lower slat. 
     
     
         19 . The enclosure system of  claim 15 , wherein the slats are comprised of armor steel. 
     
     
         20 . The enclosure system of  claim 15 , wherein each modular panel includes an above-ground foundation structure that includes a frame at least partially filled with concrete, each of the first and second vertical side members of the panel being coupled to the frame.