Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Ballistic shelter
The present invention relates to a protective shelter for protection against
fragment effect,
fire from light/small arms and like external effect.
In different conflict situations, it is imperative to protect own troops and
equipment
from the adversary's fire and other hostile activity in order to maintain the
oper-
ational functionality of own troops. Such conflict situations include wars,
peacekeep-
ing operations, wide riots and similar occurrences that presumably may involve
the
use of light/small arms, bombs, other explosives or, simply, throwable objects
alone.
Particularly in war situations, modem warfare doctrines strongly emphasize
fast
deployment and speed of troops, whereby arduous long-term field fortifications
are
impossible. On the other hand, today's world appears to meet at an increasing
rate
such situations that require temporary or semitemporary shelter constructions.
These
.15 needs are especially typical in peacekeeping operations and, sometimes,
also in con-
junction with international summits involving the risk of protest
demonstrations
turning violent.
Conventionally, troops are protected by the shelter offered by armored
vehicles,
rapid digging or other preparation of a shelter from locally available
material. If
efficient digging is not possible, shelter erection becomes both time-
consuming and
frequently necessitates haulage of construction materials to the erection
site. During
peace, digging or erection of heavy shelter constructions in an urban
environment is
generally entirely out of question. In Finnish utility model reg. no. U 1518
is
disclosed a shelter assembly system comprised of polygonal or sector-shaped
panels
made from a metal or non-metal material and adapted connectable to each other.
Along the edges of the panels, suitably spaced apart from each other, are
fitted
coupler bushings of noncircular cross section. When two elements are placed -
abutting edge-to-edge, the coupler bushings of the panels form a string of
interleaved
bushings. Thus, the panels can be connected to each other by means of a
locking bar
threaded through the string of coupler bushings. The panel may have a planar
or
curved surface and also the panel edges may be planar or profiled.
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The above-described construction is hampered by its relatively heavy structure
and
the limited number of angles possible in the connection of the panels to each
other.
The cross-sectional shape of the coupler bushings and the locking bar
constrain the
allowable locking angles between the panels. Additionally, the spacing pitch
of the
coupler bushings on one edge of a given panel are dictated by the spacing
pitch along
the mating edge of the adjoining panel thus necessitating the use of a given
set of
panels in the connection of the panels to each other. As a result, shaped
panels for
instance cannot be used but in a single given construction or, alternatively,
in another
shelter but only with an exactly identical construction. Hence, the
modifiability of a
fortification erected according to this construction is limited and, hence,
the panel
system is optimally usable only for rapidly erecting a relatively long-term
fortifica-
tion at a terrestrial point taken over. Such locations are, e.g., guard and
observation
points and like. According to the teachings of the example of the invention,
metallic
materials are employed for strengthening the panel edges and as connecting
members, whereby the weight of the panels becomes high. Obviously, the panel
weights are also increased by their size.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight ballistic
shelter
system comprising mutually connectable panels of two sizes only. Each panel of
the
novel shelter structure is connectable to any other panel of the shelter
system thus
allowing protective structures of different sizes and shapes to be assembled
therefrom.
The goal of the invention is achieved by virtue of having the shelter system
com-
prised of planar panel elements of which at least one has the shape of an
equilateral
triangle and at least another one has a rectangular shape.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that
at least
one edge of the shelter system panels includes at least one open coupling slot
having
a smoothly rounded surface provided on at least the inner slot edge facing the
inner
area of the panel.
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More specifically, the ballistic shelter according to the invention is
characterized by
what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.
The invention offers significant benefits
By virtue of the invention, a lightweight modular shelter is provided with
ease of
erection. The construction and shape of the shelter system components
facilitate the
assembly of shelters in varying shapes, whereby the maximal size of the
shelter is
limited only by the number of available panel elements. Inasmuch as the
shelter
system comprises panel elements of two different sizes only and all the panel
ele-
ments are connectable to each other, the erection of a shelter becomes simple,
whereby different types of shelters are possible without the need for multiple
parts
that must be shipped connected together. The erection of a shelter can be
carried out
extremely quickly and the coupler means may be implemented as quick-lock
couplers whose locking levers on a given edge of the panel are connected
together by
a rope thus permitting the locking levers to be released simultaneously by a
single
pull. As the coupler means are integral members of the shelter panels, they
cannot
become lost during the haulage, erection or dismantling of the shelter. The
coupler
means are further adapted to the edges of the panel elements in such a fashion
that
any panel element can be connected to any other panel element. The level of
protec-
tion provided by the panel elements can be designed compatible with the
protection
needs depending on whether the shelter shall offer protection against
fragments, stop
fire from small arms or other offense. The shelter panels are also highly
durable
under the stresses imposed thereon during haulage and handling, as well as
very
resistant to weather exposure due to their entirely sealed structure with
fully sealed
edges. Planar panels of triangular and square shape connected to each other
allows a
maximally simple construction to provide full protection by a shelter of
desired kind,
wherein all panel elements of the shelter are always compatible with each
other thus
disposing with the need for any special complementary members.
In the following, the invention is described in more detail by making
reference to the
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appended drawings in which
FIG 1 shows an embodiment of a modular panel element usable in the erection of
a
shelter;
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a modular panel element usable in the
erection
of a shelter;
FIG. 3 shows the modular panel elements of FIGS. 1 and 2 connected together;
FIG. 4 shows three modular panel elements connected together;
FIGS. 5 - 7 show an embodiment of a coupler suited for use in the connection
of
modular panel elements;
FIG. 8 shows a triangular panel element in a top view and side views of its
all edges;
FIG. 9 shows a square panel element in a top view and side views of its all
edges;
FIGS. 10 - 15 show different applications of the invention; and
FIGS. 16 - 18 show a support leg suited for use in conjunction with the
invention.
Referring to FIG 1, a square-shaped modular shelter panel element is shown
therein.
The shelter panel element 1 comprises a planar part 2, edges 3, pawl couplers
4 and
open slots 5 shaped to accommodate the coupler pawls. The planar part 2 is
manufac-
tured from a composite material offering sufficient level of protection. The
thickness,
materials and production method of the panel are selected depending on whether
the
shelter is required to protectively encounter only a relatively mild fragment
effect,
give better protection against direct fire from small arms or resist the fire
and frag-
ments of even heavier arms. In practice, the shelter provides good protection
against
fragments and small arms fire, while stronger structures or even armor must be
used
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against the fire of heavier arms. The basic material of the planar part 2
comprises
reinforcing fiber bonded in a matrix of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric
material. The most generally employed fiber in this kind of protective
structure is
aramide fiber, but also glass or polyethylene fiber is applicable. The matrix
material
5 may be a phenolic or epoxy resin. Inasmuch as the material of the planar
part is
irrelevant to the spirit of the present invention, any material capable of
offering a
sufficiently lightweight planar structure of sufficiently good protective
effect may be
contemplated suitable for use in the manufacture of the planar part.
The edges 3 of the planar part 2 are rounded smooth and sealed with a durable,
elastic and weather-resistant material such as an urethane-based sealant or,
in the
case that matrix material has suitable properties, using the matrix material
also for
surfacing the edges so as to make them highly resistant to impacts and other
mechanical stresses as well as capable of preventing penetration of water into
the
matrix material. With the smoothly rounded profile of modular panel edges 3,
the
system becomes extremely flexible inasmuch as any planar panel element can
thus
be readily connected to another planar panel element at any angle.
Additionally, the
cross sections of open slots 5 and pawl recesses of couplers 4 of the panel
connection
system are shaped in a convex/concave rounded fashion, whereby the clamping
hold
of the coupler is similar to the grip of a plumber's wrench about a round
tube. In the
illustrated embodiment, the open slots 5 comprise openings made in the planar
part 2
such that the panel edge at the open slot 5 forms a bridge of a circular cross
section.
Hence, the coupler can be locked at any angle of the panel and, moreover,
panels
already connected to each other may be rotated even after connection if it is
desired
to alter the mutual position of the panels.
The couplers 4 are placed on two cornering edges of a panel element, while the
open
slots 5 of the coupling system are made along the opposite edges of the panel,
at
identical positions relative to the couplers 4. Resultingly, the modular
panels 1 will
be connectable to each other in any kind of protective shelter assembly. In
FIG. 2 is
shown a modular panel element 6 shaped as a triangle. The triangular modular
panel
6 has a similar structure as the square panel 1 described above. The only
difference
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in regard to the square panel can be seen in the panel shape and in that the
couplers 4
are mounted on one edge of the triangular panel only, while the open slots 5
are
located along both of the other edges. By virtue of this coupler means
arrangement,
the triangular panel becomes connectable to any adjacent modular panel,
whether
triangular or square.
In FIG. 3, a triangular modular panel 6 is shown connected to a rectangular
modular
panel 7. In this embodiment, the short edge of the rectangular panel 7 has the
same
length as the short edge of the triangular panel. The triangular panel is not
equilateral
and the length of its long edges is equal to the length of the long edges of
the rect-
angular panel. While this selection of the dimensions of the modular panels
puts
some constraints on their connectability, it may serve particularly well in
certain
applications. The shelter system shown in FIG. 4 has further a narrow
rectangular
panel 8 connected to one edge of the triangular panel.
In FIGS. 5 - 7 is shown a preferred coupler arrangement suited for use in a
protective
shelter assembly according to the invention. The coupler 4 comprises a coupler
body
part 9 having an extended part 10 for mounting the coupler on the planar part
2 of the
modular shelter panel and a coupler pawl 11 with a coupler claw 12 adapted
therein.
The coupler pawl 11 forms a pawl recess 13 having a cross-sectional shape of a
concave arc. The coupler claw 12 is shaped to form a complementary concave
claw
recess 14. The coupler pawl 11 has a slot 15, wherein the coupler claw 12 is
inserted
and pivotally secured to the coupler pawl by means of a pivot pin 16 fixed to
one of
the pawl arcuate portions on both sides of the claw with the arcuate recess
14. About
the pivot pin 16 is adapted a coiled spring having its one end secured in the
coupler
pawl 11 and the other end on the coupler claw 12. The coiled spring serves to
close
the coupler claw 12 toward the center of the coupler pawl recess 13. The
coupler
claw 12 has also an eye ring 18 for threading a release rope therethrough.
The connection of the modular protective panels into a shelter construction
takes
place as follows. Two protective panels are aligned adjacent to each other so
that the
adjacent panels have one coupler-type edge and one slotted edge abutting.
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Thereupon, pulling the release rope of the coupler members 4 allows the
coupler
claw 12 to rotate about its pivot pin 16 as shown in FIG. 7 whereby, having
the
panels aligned in a desired angular position relative to each other, the
coupler 4 can
be inserted into the respective open slot 5 of the adjacent panel. When the
rope is
next released, the coupler claw 12 rotates under the torque applied by a
spring 17
into the position shown in FIG. 6, whereby the coupler 4 clamps the panels
together
by locking itself into the open slot 5. The couplers 4 may be either closed
from the
interior side of the panels in the shelter being erected, whereby the coupler
body part
9 receives stresses imposed on the exterior side of the shelter or,
alternatively, the
couplers are closed from the exterior side of the shelter, whereby the
erection of the
shelter is easier. In the latter case, the self-tightening action of the
coupler pawl
securingly takes the loads imposed on the coupler mechanism.
In FIGS. 8 and 9 is shown the location of coupler members and open slots for
two
modular shelter panels having the most preferred shapes. The modular panel of
FIG. 8 has the shape of a equilateral triangle, while the modular panel of
FIG. 9 has
the shape of a square with a side length equal to that of the triangular
panel. Modular
panels shaped in this fashion can be connected to each other in all kinds of
assembly
and position.
In FIGS. 10 - 15 is shown a selection of shelter constructions erectable
according to
the invention. The construction shown in FIG. 10 is suited for use as a quick-
erect
shelter of a single soldier or combat pair. The shelter comprises two modular
triangular panels supporting a square panel. The shelter structure is sturdy
and stays
well in shape. The construction of FIG. 11 may be employed as a protective
shelter
for tents, supplies or armament. The shelter is comprised of modular panels of
square
or rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 12, a simple closed shelter can be
erected as
a cubicle comprised of square panels. Respectively, FIG. 13 illustrates the
ease of
use of triangular panels in the construction of surfaces at slanted angles.
While a
slanted surface cannot be erected using a square panel, a triangular panel
allows the
angle of a given panel to be set as desired in both the horizontal and
vertical direc-
tions. Using a number of triangular modular panels, even more complicated
shelter
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structures are feasible. In FIG. 14 is illustrated a relatively large closed
shelter. As is
evident also from this diagram, triangular modular panels make the erection of
an
angled shelter structure simple and easy. As shown in FIG. 15, the
constructions
illustrated in FIG. 10 can be combined into a structure giving protection in
four
directions.
In certain constructions, e.g., those having large roof areas, support columns
can be
used to prevent sagging of the roof. The support column may be such as shown
in
FIGS. 16 - 18. This support column construction comprises a simple telescopic
column part 19 with a fixture part 20 rotatably connected to the column part.
Being
freely rotatable about the column part end, the support column may also be
used
as an oblique brace or support to the sidewalls.
As is evident from the diagrams discussed above, the invention makes it
possible to
implement a plurality of different protective shelter structures.
In addition to those described above, the invention may have alternative
embodi-
ments.
The profile of the planar part edges can be varied and the edge may be
fabricated
from continuous metal sections, for instance. However, the panel structure is
hereby
complicated unnecessarily and, moreover, the weight and cost of the modular
panel
element become higher. While the sets of triangular and square modular panels
may
be complemented with panels of other shape, particularly having the shape of a
rect-
angle or non-equilateral triangle, the unlimited connectability of different
modular
panels is hereby constrained. The connection technique and coupler means of
the
modular panels can be replaced by, e.g., the clamping means used in transport
pallets, but also herein the clamping surface and the compatible slot are most
advantageously designed to have an arcuate cross-sectional shape so as to
permit any
angular alignment between modular panels adjacently connected to each other.
Advantageously, the edges of the modular panels are longitudinally straight.
The
connection system comprising two coupler members/slots on one edge of the
panel
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may alternatively comprise a greater number of coupler means and open slots
compatible therewith. Obviously, the number of coupler means must at all times
be
selected to take the stresses occurring in service.
