FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to individual installable and removable armored louvers and a system incorporating the louvers to protect critical infrastructure components which need to be protected against bullets and other kinetic threats; and includes a method of protecting critical infrastructure components such as power transformers. In a further embodiment the invention relates to a modular system incorporating armoured louvers that is scalable to accommodate different sizes of critical infrastructure components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Threats due to terrorism can come in many forms, including attacks against critical infrastructure such as power transformers and the like. Critical infrastructure is not typically protected against bullets and other kinetic threats outside of areas involved in war. Recent attacks on critical infrastructure including power transformer stations have shown the need for a system that can easily be put in place to protect these structures. Typical methods of protecting infrastructure involve building large concrete walls or with heavy armored plates, both of which require the use of large scale equipment due to the weight of the components. Once in place, these large armor systems block maintenance access to the equipment or structure being protected. Due to this, access points have to be designed into the armoring structure or the large equipment must be brought in to remove the armoring system.

The prior art discloses armor patents that involve the protection of vehicles and people from these types of threats.

For example US 8,037,802 discloses a transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises ballistic plastic prisms with mirrored external surfaces disposed between armor plates so that the reflection of the image occurs entirely within the prism. The armor sheets are also redesigned with perforations to reduce weight while defeating incoming threats. Furthermore, US 7,225,718 teaches a window cover for a military vehicle which includes both upper and lower armored plates angled away from an underlying vehicle window, an upper reflector overlying the underside of the upper armored plate, and a lower reflector, penetrable by projectiles, positioned in front of the lower armored plate. Moreover US 5,753,847 illustrates a grille armor system for use on a armored vehicle. The grille armor system adds an applique grille to a grille to increase the protection provided by the grille armor system. The applique grille also is designed to allow maximum air flow through the applique grille.

Yet another arrangement is shown in US 4,325,283 which discloses a vehicle body armored grille that has particular utility with a front engine compartment opening and includes vertically spaced louvers of an armor plate construction for stopping projectiles from passing through the grille. Each louver has an elongated shape extending horizontally across the opening and includes an outer armor plate that is inclined downwardly in an outward direction and an inner armor plate secured to and extending downwardly from the upper and inward extremity of the outer armor plate. An upper extremity of each inner armor plate projects above the associated outer armor plate to deflect a projectile impacted therewith upwardly toward the next higher louver. Orienting the outer armor plate at an inclination of 45° with respect to the horizontal and the inner armor plate at a greater angle, such as 55°, defines an acute junction there between at which the plates are welded to each other and at which a projectile deflected upwardly from the next lower louver is trapped.

Furthermore, US 4,036,104 illustrates acutely angled louvers or slats mounted outboard of a vehicle walls to intercept enemy projectiles before such projectiles reach the vehicle; the louvers are formed of hardened material to exert a fragmentization force on the projectiles.

US2012/0240757 discloses a grille having a plurality of s-louvers shaped to increase the efficiency of air flow through the grille without decreasing the effectiveness of the louvers at stopping or deflecting projectiles. Each louver has a hooked portion at the end of the louver to present a ballistic hook for stopping projectiles ricocheting through the circuitous path defined between the louvers. An insert having a closeout for covering the ballistic hook is positioned within each hooked shape portion to eliminate the eddy or stall created at the end of the circuitous path by ballistic hook. The closeout can be penetrated by projectiles ricocheting through the closeout can be penetrated by projectiles ricocheting through the circuitous path such that the ballistic hook can still capture projectiles within the inlet.

US2012/0204711 illustrates an armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile. The armor system has a material capable of being detonated and configured to substantially retain a shape, wherein the material leads a vehicle exterior surface relative to the expected projectile trajectory. The material has a dimensional thickness that is greater than a minimum detonation thickness of the material.

The prior art also shows the use of concrete walls for protecting critical infrastructure in http://www.oldcastleprecast.com/products/powerenergy/substat ions/Pages/Firewall.aspx

Other arrangements show the use of kevlar (trademark) or the like for louvers by Southern States in the USA, louvered fiberglass by Betafence (trademark) in the USA and curved louvers by High Impact technologies in the USA.

There is a need for an improved armored system and method of installation. There is a need to accommodate the scalability of different sizes and configuration critical infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the invention to provide an armored system to shield components comprising first and second spaced support members; a plurality of slats disposed at an angle relative to one another, each slat having a first and a second end for engaging a first and second support members respectively. In another embodiment a locking member disposed is between the first and second spaced support members for engaging an intermediate portion of the slats between the first and second ends.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method of protecting a component comprising placing a plurality of spaced supports having a bottom end around the component and anchoring the bottom end to a surface, each support having a plurality of spaced receiving slots opening in a first receiving direction; placing longitudinally extending portable slats individually between adjacent supports, each slat having spaced sides, an intermediate portion and two opposite ends, wherein each end is placed into one receiving slats of the adjacent supports in the first receiving direction, so as to define a plurality of slats overlapping each other from 0-50%; placing at least one locking plate between the adjacent supports, wherein each locking plate has a plurality of spaced locking slots opening in a second locking direction and installing the locking plate so that each locking slot engages the intermediate portion of each slat, wherein the first receiving direction is disposed opposite the second locking direction. It is another aspect of the invention to provide a modular armored system to shield components comprising: first and second spaced support members; each said first an second spaced support system comprising a selected number of support segments fastened together; a plurality of slats disposed at an angle relative to one another, each slat having a first and a second end for engaging said first and second support members having the selected number of support segments fastened together respectively; and locking plates having a selected number of modular locking plate segments for locking said louvers in place.

A system 2 of armored louvers 6 and columns 4 has been designed with a locking member or plate 8. The columns 4 have a plurality of spaced receiving slots 10 open in a first receiving direction A. These louvers 6 are "man" carry-able and can be installed with a couple of people. The plurality of louvers 6 are slid into pre-engineered slots 10 that are built into the columns 4. These slots 10 maintain the louvers 6 at an angle x which will force bullets 30 and other kinetic projectiles to break up and then divert toward the ground. A locking plate 20 is then installed with simple tools to hold the system together. The locking plate 20 has a plurality of spaced locking slots 22 opening in a second locking direction B.

For maintenance and access to the equipment or structure being protected, the louvers 6 and locking plate 20 can be simply disassembled using basic tools. Only the minimum amount of louvers 6 have to be removed based on the type of work that is being performed behind the system. Due to the open design of the louvers 6, natural air flow can move through the system 2 allowing the components (not shown) behind the armored system 2 from needing additional devices such as fans or the like to push through airflow. This open design also allows wind to pass through the system lower wind forces on the system allowing the use of less heavy columns to support the system.

The system 2 is completely modular and scalable, allowing it to easily enclose any size equipment or structure.

The system 2 can be coated with electrically isolating coating to prevent the system from having a current induced by the equipment be surrounded by the system. This coating can also protect the system from corrosion and environment related damage.

Locks can be employed on the locking mechanism anchor bolts 50 to prevent vandalism or theft.

These and other features and object of the invention shall now be described in relation to the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of preferred embodiments are provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the system showing the columns, louvers and locking plate. The louvers would overlap to from 0% to 50% of the height of the louver system. FIG. 2 illustrates how a bullet would hit the louvers, be deflected, and the bullet remains (spall) would come out the back of the system.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the louver can have angles to allow the louvers to meet in the corners while maintaining their proper angle and still maintain 100% ballistic coverage even inside the columns. Figure 4 illustrates how these louvers would meet in the corner and at intermediate columns in the structure. Figure 5 illustrates how the columns can have slots or holes to maintain the desired angle of the louver. This also shows how the slots in the locking plate are at the reverse angle of the slots in the columns to cause the locking action.

Figure 6 illustrates a modular line post segment of another embodiment of the invention. Figures 7 illustrate a cross section of a corner segment as well as the ballistic face plates.

Figure 7a illustrates a front view of the ballistic face plate taken along section lines H-H of figure 7.

Figure 7b illustrates a front view of the ballistic face plate taken along section lines L-L of figure 7. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modular locking post base.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modular locking plate segment.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the louver.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a locking post base.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a modular corner post segment. Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of a post segment.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a post cap.

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the modular armoured system.

Figure 16 is front elevational view of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the modular armoured system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates an armored system 2 to shield components (not shown) which components can include critical infrastructure components such as power transformers or the like. The system 2 includes first and second spaced support members 4 and a plurality of slats or louvers 6 disposed at an angle x relative to one another, each slat 6 has a first end 10 and a second end 12 for engaging the first and second support members 4 respectively. The system also includes a locking member 8 disposed between a first and second spaced support members 4 for engaging an intermediate portion 14 of the slats 6 between the first and second ends 10 and 12.

Columns 4 are installed around the facility mounted to a surface 40 such as a floor or ground. This could be through concrete footings, on a concrete pad 42, or any other suitable flooring. Columns could alternately be buried in the ground 40. The columns 4 would be high enough to allow the completed system 2 to protect the inside, even from an elevated threat. The columns 4 have slots or holes 10 cut to allow the installation of the louvers.

These slots are disposed at an angle between 30 to 60 degrees as measured from a vertical line to the slot. The slots 10 are also cut in such a way that the louvers would have an overlap from 0% to 50% of the louver height. The louvers 6 are installed by sliding them into the slots 10 on the columns 4. The louvers 6 for example could be made from 5/16" thick 600 brinell hardness armor which would have the capability of stopping a 50 caliber ball bullet at full muzzle velocity. Alternatively the louvers 6 could be made from 3/8" thick 500 brinell hardness armor. However other thicknesses and hardness could be used for the purposes outlined herein. The louvers 6 can be pre-coated with a coating to allow electrical isolation from the rest of the structure and/or to protect against the weather. Some of the supports or columns 4 are corner supports 5. The louvers 6 have opposite ends 10 and 12 that are pre-cut at angles b and c when going into the corner columns or supports 5 to allow the louvers 6 to intersect with other louvers 6 coming in from the other side of the column 5. For the columns 4 that are between corner columns, the louvers 6 can be cut square or at an angle and installed so they match up. For the louvers 6 that engage corner columns 5, the louvers can be cut square or at an angle and installed so they match up.

Locking plates 8 are then installed by sliding it over the intermediate portion 14 of the louvers 6 approximately half way between each set of columns 4. The slots 6 on the locking columns 8 are at the opposite angle of the columns 4. This allows the locking plate 8 to slide over the louvers 6 and then be attached to the ground 40 through a concrete footing, on a concrete pad 42, or any other suitable flooring. The attachment bolts or fasteners 50 can have a feature to allow the installation of a lock to prevent left or vandalism.

Alternatively the lovers 6 ends 10 and 12 can be locked in place by welding the ends 10 and 12 to the support columns 4.

Figure 3 illustrates a louver 6 having one end 10 at an angle b and another end 12 at and angle c. The angle b and c can be the same or different. Furthermore, the angle b and c can be disposed such that the sides 10 and 12 are substantially parallel as shown in Figure 3 or convergent as shown also in Figure 3. Furthermore, one of the ends 12 can be straight. In another alternative embodiment both ends could be straight and substantially parallel to one another ie perpendicular to the sides 16 and 18. The slats 6 extend generally longitudinally thereof so as to present two spaced sides 16 and 18. As previously described, the armored system 2 comprises support columns 4 having a plurality of spaced receiving slots 10 opening in a first direction A for engaging a first end 10 or second end 12 of a slat 6 so as to orient the plurality of slats 6 at the angle x. The armored system 2 comprises a locking member or plate 8 having a plurality of locking slots 22 in a second locking direction B for engaging the intermediate portion 14 of the slat 6. The locking plate 8 is slidingly removable by moving the locking plate 8 in a direction opposite the second locking direction. Each louver 6 is slidingly removable by moving each louver 6 in a direction opposite the first receiving direction A.

FIG. 2 illustrates how a bullet would hit the louvers 6, be deflected or defeated, and the bullet remains (spall) would come out the back of the system. The invention described herein also relates to a method of protecting a component (not shown) comprising: a. placing a plurality of spaced supports having a bottom end 56 for anchoring to a surface 40, each support 4 having a plurality of spaced receiving slots 10 opening in a first receiving direction A; b. placing longitudinally extending portable slats 6 individually between adjacent supports 4, each slat 6 having spaced sides 16 and 18, an intermediate portion 14, and two opposite ends 10 and 12 wherein each end 10 and 12 is placed into one receiving slot of adjacent supports 4 in the first direction A so as to define a plurality of slats 6 overlapping each other from 0-50%; c. placing at least one locking plate 8 between the adjacent supports 4, wherein each locking plate 8 has a plurality of spaced locking slots 22 opening in a second locking direction B; d. installing the locking plate 8 so that each locking slot 22 engages the intermediate portion 14 of each slat 6, wherein the first receiving direction A is disposed opposite the second locking direction B.

The locking plate 8 is installable and removable with basic tools. Furthermore, if access is needed to a power transformer only some of the louvers 6 need to be removed to access the power transformer.

Locking plates 8 are then installed by sliding it over the louvers 6 approximately half way between each set of columns 4. The slots 22 on the locking plates 8 are at the opposite angle of the columns 4. This allows the locking plate 8 to slide over the louvers 6 and then be attached to the ground 40 through a concrete footing, on a concrete pad 42, or any other suitable flooring. The attachment bolts or fasteners 50 can have a feature to allow the installation of a lock to prevent left or vandalism.

Another embodiment of the invention is described in Figure 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 which comprises a modular system 2. As previously mentioned some of the support members 4 are corner supports 5.

Figures 6, 9 and 12 illustrate that the support members 4, locking members 8 and corner supports 5 can comprise of pre-selected lengths of the modular post units 4a and modular locking members 8a and modular corner members 5a which by way of example can be 24 inches long. However other preselected lengths can be selected such as for example 72 inches, or 96 inches. More particularly the modular post units or modular post sections 4a and modular corner post units or modular corner sections 5a can be formed from steel and are hollow as shown in Figures 6 and 12. The post sections 4a and corner sections 5a have a plurality of slots 10 that are disposed at an angle between 30 to 60 degrees as measured from the vertical line to the slot 10 as shown.

The support sections 4a and corner sections 5a have at one end 60 thereof a plurality of legs or post joining tags 62 that are fastened to the inside of the post segments 4a and corner sections 5a as best shown in Figure 7 and 13 by means of welding or other suitable means. Each post joining tag 62 has at least one hole 64 that will align with fastening holes 66 found at another end 68 of the post segment 4a or corner segment 5a as best shown in Figure 6 and 12 so as to extend the length of the support members and corner members.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a locking post base 70 having a base plate 72 with a plurality of anchoring holes 74 to accommodate fasteners that are secured into a concrete pad 42. The locking post base 70 has upstanding wall formations 76 which are similar in configuration to the post segments 4a and corner sections 5a and form a cross section that is similar or identical to that shown in Figure 6 and 12 so that the post segments 4a are engageable with the upstanding wall segment 76. More particularly the holes 64 align with the upstanding wall holes 78 so that the base segment 70 and lowest post segment 4a and lowest corner segment 5a register with each other, and are locked together by means of plurality of fasteners.

As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8 one embodiment of the invention shows that each of the four sides of the post segment 4a and base segment 70 have a lower slot portion 67 and 77 respectively to accommodate a louver 6 to be described herein. Furthermore each of the four sides of the post segment 4a and base segment 70 have an upper smaller slot segment 69 and 79 respectively. When a post segment 4a is fasted the the base segment 70 the upper smaller slot portion 79 of base segment 70 aligns with the lower slot portion 67 of post segment 4a and corner segment 5a such that the combined length of slot segments 67 and 79 are substantially the same as the length of slots 10 so as to accommodate the insertion of the ends 82 and 84 of the louvers 6. Moreover when the post segments 4a are stacked upon each other and the corner segments 5a stacked upon each other the upper smaller slot portion 69 of one post segment 4a and corner segment 5a aligns with relatively longer lower slot portion 67 of the next adjacent post segment 4a and corner segment 5a respectively such that the combined length of slot portions 67 and 69 are substantially the same as the length of slots 10 so as to accommodate the insertion of the ends 82 and 84 of the louvers 6.

The louver 6 shown in the embodiment of figure 10 is similar to the louvers described above with the added feature of notches 77 and 80 presented at opposite ends 82 and 84. More specifically the louvers 6 extend longitudinally to present two opposite sides 81 and 83 and two opposite ends 82 and 84. One side 81 of the louver 6 is longer than the other side 83 so as to present the notch 77 and 80. The notches 77 and 80 as shown are the same dimension and are configured so that the length L of sides 82 and 84 fit within the slots 10. The end length 1 of the notch 77 and 80 along the ends 82 and 84 will contact either the upstanding walls 67 of posts 4a or upstanding walls wall segments 76 of base 70. The length 11 of notches 77 and 80 represents generally the length of insertion of the louvers 6 within the hollow post segments 4a and base segment 70.

Figure 6 illustrates that the post segment 4a having upstanding side walls 9, 11, 13 and 15 define a hollow post segment 4a. The slots 10 are presented on opposite side walls 13 and 15 and these slots 10a can be slightly longer than the slots 10 on the corner segments 5a because the slots 10a extend along side wall 13 or 15 respectively to side wall 9 which presents a portion of the slot 10b. The length of the slots 10b along the side wall 9 is long enough to permit insertion of the length of side 81 of the louver 6 between two spaced adjacent posts 4. In other words the length of slot 10b is slightly longer than the length 11 of louver 6. Figure 9 illustrates a segment of the locking plate 8a that can be 24, 72 or 96 inches in length as described for the post segments 4a. More particularly the locking plate segments 8a have a plurality of locking slots 22 which open along a side 21 and are disposed at an angle which is generally at the same angle as the plurality of slots 10 but in the opposite direction B as shown. The locking plate 8a includes at one end 19 locking tabs 17 disposed on either side of the locking plate 8a. The locking tabs 17 are fastened by welding or the like. An opposite end 15 of the locking plate segment 8a includes a fastening aperture or hole 13 to align with another end 19 of another locking plate segment 8a to extend the length of the locking plate segments 8a. A suitable fastener (not shown) is used to fasten the locking plate segments together.

The open end 23 of the slots 22 may have a rounded portion as shown to facilitate the insertion of the assembled locking plate segments 8a along the intermediate sections of the plurality of louvers 6. The modular system also includes a locking post base 90 as shown in figure 11. The post base 90 has a base plate 91 having a plurality of anchoring holes 92 which can be elongated to facilitate assembly. The holes 92 are adapted to receive anchoring fasteners to be secured to a concrete pad 50. Furthermore the locking base plate 91 presents an upstanding locking extension 93 having a hole 94 that is axially aligned with aperture or hole 13 of locking plate extension 8a to receive a fastener.

Once the selected length of the post segments 4a and corner segments 5a are selected and fastened together a post cap 100 as shown in figure 14 can be used to be fastened to the top of a post 4 or corner post 5. The post cap 100 has four post cap joining tabs 102 each presenting a hole 104 that aligns with holes 66 of post segment 4a or corner segment 5a. The post cap joining tabs 102 can be welded to the post cap 100.

Furthermore a ballistic faceplate 110 can be secured to the sides of the corner sections 5a as shown in figure 7, 7a, and 7b. The ballistic faceplates 110 provide added ballistic resistance. The ballistic faceplates 110 include tabs 112 that are welded to the ballistic faceplates and include holes 114 that are aligned with holes 64 so as to be secured together by means of suitable fasteners (not shown).

The ballistic face plates also can include fastening holes 116 so as to fasten the ballistic face pate to a segment of the post segment 4a or corner segment 5a.

Accordingly the modular system is adaptable to present an armored system to accommodate any size of infrastructure components by selecting the desired number of post segments 4a, corner segments 5a and locking plate segments 8a. Furthermore if the infrastructure component needs to be serviced, only a portion of the posts 4 or post segments 4a , locking pate 8 or locking plate segments 8a or corner post 5 or corner post segments 5a need to be removed for servicing and then fastened together again as described above.

It should also be noted that the lengths of adjacent post segments 4a, corner segments 5a and locking segments 8a can be staggered for added strength. For example a 24 inch post segment 4a can be fastened atop a 72 inch post segment 4a while the next adjacent post 4 may have a 72 inch post segment 4a fasted atop a 24 inch post segment 4a and so on.

Figures 15, 16, and 17 illustrate an assembled modular armoured system ads described. In one embodiment the overall height can be between 8 to 18 feet although other heights can be used.