BULLET RESISTANT SECURITY FENCE

Abstract

A bullet resistant security fence is formed by a plurality of horizontally oriented formed metal panels extending between I-beam support posts. Each panel can be an extrusion having a hollow void for insertion of optional insert modules to enhance the bullet resistant capability. The insert module can be formed as a sandwich with alternating layers of metal sheeting and furniture grade plywood, screwed together to create an integral module. Each panel extrusion includes a tongue and groove interlocking configuration to resist penetration of the fence between metal extrusions. Construction is accomplished by stacking the metal extrusions between spans of adjacent support posts and securing the metal extrusions with a cap, which can include a louvered topper for the fence. Crash protection can be obtained by running cables through the voids in the lowermost extrusions and holes drilled through the support posts, and anchoring the cables at opposing ends thereof.

Claims

1. A security fence, comprising: at least two support posts spaced apart a predetermined distance; and a plurality of horizontally extending, bullet resistant formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts, each said intermediate panel having a tongue and groove configuration formed at both a top portion and a bottom portion of said intermediate panel to engage tongue and groove configurations on adjacent panels and provide interlocking panels.

2. The security fence of claim 1 wherein each said panel is formed as an extrusion having a front wall, a rear wall, said top and bottom portions, and a cavity between said front and rear walls and said top and bottom portions.

3. The security fence of claim 2 wherein each said panel is formed from aluminum.

4. The security fence of claim 2 wherein each horizontal section through each respective said panel has a total thickness of metal to provide the desired bullet resistance for said security fence.

5. The security fence of claim 2 wherein each said panel includes at least one insert formed from a layer of bullet resistant material with a substrate, energy dissipating layer of non-metal material on opposing sides of and secured to said layer of metal, said at least one insert being installed within said cavity.

6. The security fence of claim 5 wherein each said insert is formed with an aluminum plate as the bullet resistant material and a substrate layer of plywood on opposing sides of the aluminum plate.

7. The security fence of claim 2 further comprising a louvered panel placed on top of said uppermost panel.

8. The security fence of claim 2 wherein said uppermost panel is capped with an angle iron.

9. The security fence of claim 2 wherein selected panels are provided with a cable passing horizontally through said selected panels, each said cable being anchored at opposing ends thereof to provide vehicle crash resistance for said security fence.

10. The security fence of claim 2 wherein each said support post is formed of a base portion having an H-beam projecting upwardly therefrom oriented to present a channel to opposing sides thereof to receive said panels therein.

11. A security fence, comprising: a plurality of support posts with adjacent support posts being spaced apart a predetermined distance; and a plurality of horizontally extending formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts, each said intermediate panel having a tongue and groove configuration formed at both a top portion and a bottom portion of said intermediate panel to engage tongue and groove configurations on adjacent panels and provide interlocking panels, each said panel having a front wall, a rear wall, said top and bottom portions, and a cavity between said front and rear walls and said top and bottom portions, each said panel having a total thickness of metal to provide the desired bullet resistance for said security fence through each horizontal section through each respective said panel.

12. The security fence of claim 11 wherein each said panel includes at least one insert formed from alternating layers of materials, with one layer being a bullet resistant material and an adjacent layer being a substrate layer of energy dissipating material, said at least one insert being installed within said cavity.

13. The security fence of claim 11 wherein said uppermost panel is capped with an angle iron.

14. A method of constructing a bullet resistant security fence comprising the steps of: installing in the ground a plurality of support posts spaced apart a predetermined distance, each said support post including a vertically oriented metal beam having front and rear flanges and a central web extending between said front and rear flanges; providing extruded metal panel members with each panel member having spaced front and rear walls forming an interior cavity therebetween, said cavity being further defined by upper and lower walls, each said upper and lower wall including a tongue and groove configuration with upper wall being formed in an offset manner with respect to the tongue and groove configurations such that the groove on the upper wall will receive the tongue from a lower wall of an adjacent panel member; placing a lowermost metal panel member in, a horizontal orientation between the central webs of adjacent support posts; placing a first intermediate metal panel member vertically on said lowermost panel member such that the tongue and groove configurations at a joint between the lowermost and first intermediate panel members are engaged; placing an additional intermediate metal panel member vertically on the previously placed intermediate panel member, and repeating this step until the security fence has reached a preferred height; placing an uppermost metal panel member vertically on the last placed intermediate panel member; and securing said uppermost panel member so that the uppermost panel member cannot be removed easily.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said securing step includes one or more of capping the uppermost panel member with an angle iron; placing on top of the uppermost panel member a decorative member; and fixing a cap member on each support post to prevent removal of the panel members.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein prior to placement of the panel members, each respective panel member has the interior cavity filled with an insert module.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the tongue and groove configuration on the upper and lower walls of each respective panel member includes a groove at one end of each respective panel member and a tongue located at the opposing end of the respective panel member.

18. A bullet resistant panel for use in forming a bullet resistant fence having at least two vertical support posts and a plurality of bullet resistant panels in an array between adjacent support posts, comprising: an elongated formed metal panel having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall defining an internal cavity, said top and bottom walls having a tongue and groove configuration to permit engagement with like panels positioned above and below said panel.

19. The bullet resistant panel of claim 18 wherein the formed metal panel is extruded.

20. The bullet resistant panel of claim 18 wherein said tongue and groove configuration includes a tongue at one end of the panel and a corresponding groove located at the opposing end of the panel so that adjacent vertically stacked panels are interengaged.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a bullet resistant security fence incorporating the principles of the instant invention, the full length of the security fence can have an indeterminate length as needed to front or enclose an area of land;

[0032] FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the security fence shown in FIG. 1, but having additional resistance to the passage of a motor vehicle;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the security fence shown in FIG. 2 and corresponding to lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the security fence depicted in FIG. 1, the adjoining panels immediately above and below the depicted panel being partially shown to show the interconnection between the panels;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an insert module;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a single horizontal panel similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing the insert installed in the interior cavity of the extruded panel;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a single horizontal panel, similar to that of FIG. 6, but having three modular inserts within the interior cavity to provide a Class 2 bullet resistant panel;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through a support post, the position of the fence panels being shown in phantom;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a security fence similar to that of FIG. 3, but incorporating a preferred alternative design for the extruded horizontal panels; and

[0040] FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of a single horizontal panel similar to that shown in FIG. 9, but having a higher caliber resistance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0041] Referring to the drawings, several embodiments of a bullet resistant security fence incorporating the instant invention can be seen. In general, the security fence 10 is formed from a plurality of horizontally extending panels 15 formed from bullet resistant material having a required material thickness to prevent the passage of a desired caliber of weapon. The panels 15 are preferably formed from extruded 6061 or 6063 aluminum to define an interior cavity in the interior of the panel 15, which provides an economical and effective panel 15. The lowermost panel 15a is preferably located at ground level resting on the base portion 13 of the support posts 12.

[0042] The fence 10 includes a plurality of support posts 12 that have a base portion 13 that terminates at ground level and embeds an H-beam or perhaps an I-beam 14 that extends upwardly from the base portion 13 to receive the panels 15, as is best seen in FIGS. 1-3 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8. Preferably, the support posts 12 are positioned about ten feet apart so that the length of the individual panels 15 is slightly less than ten feet long, as the panels 15 extend horizontally between the central webs 14a of the H-beams 14. The lowermost panel 15a rests on the base portion 13 at ground level. The embedded H-beam provides bullet resistant protection for the security fence 10 as the steel H-beam 14 provides adequate metal thickness to prevent the passage of most bullets through the support post 12.

[0043] The primary bullet resistant part of the security fence 10 is formed by a plurality of interlocking, vertically stacked, horizontally extending panels 15, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each panel 15 formed with a sufficient thickness of metal to provide the ballistic resistance desired. Although the panels 15 can have other shapes, including a solid panel, and any bullet resistant material, including metals and synthetics, the preferable configuration of each panel 15 is that of an extrusion made from either 6061 or 6063 aluminum that includes a pair of opposing front and rear walls 16, 17 separated by a cavity 18 provides an economical panel 15. One skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the panel can be formed by securing together two opposing halves of the panel with fasteners (not shown) to create the same bullet resistant structure. The thickness of the front and rear walls 16, 17 is a function of the extent of bullet resistance that is desired. The security fence 10 can be a Class 1 variety capable of stopping small caliber bullets, such as from 9 mm and 0.357 caliber hand guns, and even shotguns by using 6063 aluminum extrusions having 5/16 inch thick front and rear walls 16, 17. By using 6061 aluminum forming an extrusion with 11/16 inch thick front and rear walls 16, 17, a Class 2 security fence can be formed to stop bullets from most all caliber weapons, except perhaps high powered 0.50 caliber weapons. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 represents both panels 15.

[0044] The top and bottom portions 19 of each panel 15 have a tongue and groove configuration 20 that enables the interlocking connection between adjacent panels 15. The tongue and groove configuration 20 includes an outwardly projecting tongue 22 and an adjacent groove 24 that will mesh with the tongue and groove configuration 20 of the vertically adjacent panel 15. With the intermeshing tongue and groove configurations 20, the security fence 10 provides adequate bullet resistance at the intersection between adjacent panels 15 by providing sufficient thickness of metal to resist passage of a bullet through the intersection of the adjacent panels 15. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the lowermost panel 15a may be fabricated without a tongue and groove configuration 20 at the bottom edge thereof; however, from the standpoint of economics, making the lowermost panel 15a, as well as the uppermost panel, different from the intermediate panels 15 is not economically efficient. Therefore, both the lowermost panel 15a and the uppermost panel are preferably formed in the same manner as all other panels 15.

[0045] To further enhance the bullet resistant nature of the security fence 10, the interior cavity 18 of each panel 15 can be provided with one or more insert modules 25, as is depicted in FIG. 5. Each insert module 25 is preferably formed as a sandwich with a plate 26 of aluminum or other metal between two plates 28 of furniture grade, 5 ply plywood, with countersunk screws (not shown) holding the insert plates 26, 28 together. Preferably, the plate 26 of aluminum is slightly longer than the plates 28 of plywood so that the aluminum plate 26 can slide into grooves 27 formed as part of the extrusion panel 15 to lock the inserts into a desired location and orientation. The insert 25 is preferably coated with an exterior sealer to prevent rot in the plywood plates 28 before being inserted into the interior cavity 18.

[0046] A bullet passing through the front wall 16 expands upon impact and then encounters the soft substrate defined by the plywood plate 28 where the energy of the bullet is partially dissipated. If passing through the first plywood plate 28, the bullet would then encounter the aluminum plate 26 whereupon the bullet would expand again. Then, if passing through the aluminum plate 26, the bullet encounters the second plywood plate 28 and dissipates more energy. The rear wall 17 should then be able to prevent the passage of the bullet completely through the panel 15. One skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred materials of an aluminum plate and plywood substrates are not the only materials from which the insert modules can be constructed, as other bullet resistant materials can be substituted for the aluminum plate and other energy dissipating materials can be substituted for the plywood.

[0047] An alternative embodiment of panel 15 for a Class 2 security fence is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the extruded panel 15 is formed with a larger interior cavity 18 and four grooves 27 in the top and bottom portions 19. The interior cavity 18 has sufficient width to accept the insertion of a single insert 25, as described above, and three additional modified inserts 25a, which have only one plywood plate 28 and one aluminum plate 26. For inserts 25 and 25a formed with a ¼ inch thick aluminum plate 26 and ¼ plywood plates 28, which have a nominal thickness of 0.23 inches, the overall width of the inserts 25 and 25a is about 2.15 inches. Thus, a cavity 18 having a width between the front and rear walls 16, 17 of 2.375 inches would accommodate the insertion of all three inserts 25. Thus, with the front and rear walls 16, 17 having a thickness of ¼ inch, the panel 15 would provide a total of ½ inches of metal and an additional 1.25 inches of energy dissipating plywood plates 28. The top and bottom portions 19 of each panel 15 would have sufficient metal thickness to provide adequate bullet resistance at the intersection between panels 15.

[0048] The upper portion of the security fence 10 can be formed with an optional louvered panel 30, which is best seen in FIGS. 1-3. The louvered panel 30 can have a plurality of angled slats or louvers 32 that are overlapping and angled to provide some bullet resistance and also a function to deflect any bullets encountering the louvered panel 30. With a sufficient number of horizontal panels 15 to provide a primary bullet resistant portion that is about six feet high, an upper louvered panel 30 will be about eight feet above the surface of the ground, assuming a two foot high louvered panel 30, which would not likely expose the property or occupants within the fence enclosure to danger. The louvered panel 30 provides an aesthetically pleasing aspect to the appearance of the security fence, as does the v-shaped grooves between the adjacent panels 15. Alternatively, the louvered panel 30 can be replaced with several more panels 15 to provide a greater amount of security. With the above-described configuration of security fence formed with vertically stacked horizontally extending panels 15, the height of the primary bullet resistant portion of the fence 10 can be formed to any desired height simply by adding more panels 15.

[0049] Another alternative embodiment for the security fence 10 can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The addition of a plurality of wire cables 35 that are anchored in the ground by a concrete anchor 36 and extend through respective panels 15, as is depicted in FIG. 3. One skilled in the art will recognize that the opposite end of the security fence 10 will have a corresponding concrete anchor 36. The cables 35 provide security against a crashing vehicle breaking through the structure of the security fence 10. Although this additional feature to protect against a crashing vehicle, would work better with panels 15 that do not have the inserts 15 inserted, the inserts 25 could be formed in a manner to accept the positioning of the wire cables 35 at the bottom of the corresponding panel 15.

[0050] In operation, the extruded panels 15 are formed and cut to proper length to fit between adjacent support posts 12. If inserts 25 are to be used in the fabrication of the security fence 10, the inserts are constructed separately from plywood layers 28 and a metal layer 26, as is described above. The metal of preference in the formation of the extruded panel 15 and in the metal layer 26 is either 6061 or 6063 aluminum. The insert or inserts 25 are installed into the cavity 18 of each of the extruded panels 15 and then placed between adjacent support posts 12 by sliding the panels 15 one at a time from the tops of the H-beams 14 of the support posts 12 until resting on the base 13 of the support post 12, if the first panel 15a, or into engagement with the previously installed panel 15. If inserts 25 are not being utilized internally of the panels 15, the panels 15 are installed in the same manner as described above.

[0051] The vertically adjacent panels 15 are provided with tongue and groove configurations 20 that interengage to secure one panel 15 to the other panel 15. The process of installing panels 15 is repeated until the desired height of the primary bullet resistant portion of the security fence 10 has been completed. An angle iron 33 can be placed onto of the uppermost panel 15, with the inverted V-shape of the angle iron 33 covering the uppermost tongue and groove configuration 20. If desired, a louvered panel 30 can be placed between the adjacent support posts 12 above the uppermost panel 15 and angle iron 33, if used, to provide additional height to the security fence 10 and to provide an improvement to the aesthetic appearance of the security fence 10. When the construction of the security fence 10 has been completed, a cap 38 can be secured to the top of the H-beam 14 of each support post 12 to capture the stack of panels 15, 30.

[0052] In the event that vehicle crash protection is desired, the cables 35 are secured to a concrete anchor 36 and threaded through respective panels 15 passing through holes drilled through the central web 14a of each H-beam 14 so that the cables 35 can extend through the entire portion of the security fence 10 for which vehicle crash protection is desired. The cables 35 are then tightened and secured to a second concrete anchor 26 at the opposing end of the portion of the security fence 10 for which vehicle crash protection is provided.

[0053] If any particular panels 15, 30 are damaged in some manner, replacement is simple and convenient. The section of the security fence 10 that has damage and be disassembled in the opposite manner described above by removing the caps 38 and the panels 15, 30 by sliding the respective panels 15, 30 upwardly through the H-beams 14 until the damaged panel(s) 15, 30 have been removed. The damaged panel 15, 30 can then be replaced with a new panel formed in the same manner as the original panels 15, 30, and the undamaged panels 15, 30 returned to the stack as noted above in greater detail. Accordingly, the entire security fence 10 does not require replacement with the security fence 10 formed according to the principles of the instant invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the great advantage the instant invention provides to the art.

[0054] As best seen in FIG. 9, the panels 15 can be made ballistic resistant without using the internal insert modules 25 by increasing the wall thickness of the front and rear walls 16, 17 of the panels 15. As noted above, the bullet resistant part of the security fence 10 is formed by a plurality of interlocking, vertically stacked, horizontally extending panels 15. As noted previously the preferred material for forming the panels 15 is either 6061 or 6063 aluminum, with the opposing front and rear walls 16, 17 separated by a cavity 18 providing an economical panel 15. The thickness of the front and rear walls 16, 17 is preferably 5/16 inch thick. Different aluminum material using 6061 aluminum with thicknesses in the front and rear walls of 11/16 provides a Class 2 security fence can stop bullets from most all caliber weapons, except perhaps high powered 0.50 caliber weapons.

[0055] The top and bottom portions 19 of each panel 15 have a single tongue and groove configuration 20 that enables the interlocking connection between adjacent panels 15. The tongue and groove configuration 20 includes an outwardly projecting tongue 22 in one panel and a corresponding groove 24 in the adjacent panel 15 that mesh together. With the intermeshing tongue and groove configurations 20, the security fence 10 provides adequate bullet resistance at the intersection between adjacent panels 15 by providing sufficient thickness of metal to resist passage of a bullet through the intersection of the adjacent panels 15. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the lowermost panel 15a may be fabricated without a tongue and groove configuration 20 at the bottom edge thereof; however, from the standpoint of economics, making the lowermost panel 15a, as well as the uppermost panel, different from the intermediate panels 15 is not economically efficient. Therefore, both the lowermost panel 15a and the uppermost panel are preferably formed in the same manner as all other panels 15.

[0056] FIG. 10 depicts a similar horizontal panel 15 as shown and described with respect to FIG. 9, but constructed to have a higher caliber bullet resistance, to provide a Class 2 security fence. Such horizontal panels would preferably be extruded from either 6061 or 6063 aluminum and have front and rear wall 16, 17 thickness of ⅝ of an inch and a central cavity having a width of an inch and a quarter (1¼ inches).

[0057] It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.