EMERGENCY SCHOOL DOOR BARRICADE RETROFIT SYSTEM APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

A reinforcement system and method for a door having a window provides for a window shutter that slides into a position covering the window during a shooting incident. An elongated bar has one end pivotally supported by a securing bracket, which is attached to a wall adjacent the door. A release pin is attached to the securing bracket; it normally supports the bar in a vertical stored position. A holster is secured to the wall on the opposite side of the door in alignment with the securing bracket. The shutter, the securing bracket, and the holster are formed from a ballistic resistant material. During a shooting incident, the user moves the shutter to cover the window, removes the release pin and pivots the bar into a horizontal position barring the door. The free end of bar is received in the holster, thereby reinforcing the door independently of the door frame and door hinges.

Claims

1. A barricade apparatus for reinforcing a door having a window formed in the door, said apparatus comprising: (i) a window shutter assembly configured for mounting on the door over the window; and (ii) a barricade bar assembly secured adjacent the door, the barricade bar assembly comprising a pivotable elongated bar, a securing bracket attached to a wall on one side of the door and pivotally supporting one end of the bar, and a holster mounted on the wall on an opposite side of the door in alignment with the securing bracket, the holster being configured to receive a second end of the bar when the bar is pivoted to extend across the door.

2. The barricade apparatus of claim 1, wherein the window shutter assembly and the barricade bar assembly are formed from a ballistic resistant material having a ballistic resistance equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating.

3. The barricade apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket member having a first planar member attached to the wall adjacent the door, a second planar member extending transversely to the first planar member, and a third planar member extending transversely to the second planar member and in parallel to the first planar member, and wherein a pivot pin extends through the third planar member and is secured to the elongated bar, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis for the elongated bar and allowing a secured end of the elongated bar to pivot between a position extending substantially vertically along the door to a position extending horizontally across the door.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third planar member of the securing bracket is provided with an opening, and wherein a release pin is removably positioned therein, the release pin being adapted to support the secured end of the elongated bar in a vertical stored position within the securing bracket, and wherein the elongated bar is configured to pivot about the pivot pin when the release pin is removed from the securing bracket.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the release pin extends through and transversely to, the third planar member into the U-shaped space defined by the securing bracket, while contacting one side surface of the elongated bar.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, comprising a release pin cable having a first cable end attached to one end of the release pin and having a second cable end secured to the second planar member, the release pin cable retaining the release pin in a position suspended from the securing bracket when the release pin is removed from the securing bracket.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holster defines a receptacle with an upwardly facing, open channel configured to receive and house a free end of the elongated bar and prevent the elongated bar from pivoting downwardly about the pivot pin.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the holster comprises upwardly extending a first holster side and a second holster side extending in parallel to the first holster side, the first holster side being attached to the wall adjacent the door, and the second a second resisting pushing force applied to the door during an active status of the system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, said holster comprising a bottom part allowing the elongated bar to rest within the holster and preventing downward movement of the elongated bar within the open channel of the holster.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the window shutter assembly comprises a shutter member, a shutter handle attached to the shutter member, and a shutter frame mounted on the door in a surrounding relationship to the window, the shutter frame supporting the shutter member in a sliding relationship within the shutter frame between an active position covering the window and a stored position away from the window.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the shutter assembly further comprises a latch anchored to the door adjacent the window and the frame, the latch being configured to engage the shutter handle when the shutter member is in the active position covering the window.

12. A barricade apparatus for reinforcing a door having a window formed in the door, said apparatus comprising: (i) a window shutter assembly configured for mounting on the door over the window, the shutter assembly comprising a shutter member, a shutter handle attached to the shutter member, and a shutter frame mounted on the door in a surrounding relationship to the window, the shutter frame supporting the shutter member in a sliding relationship within the shutter frame between an active position covering the window and a stored position away from the window; and (ii) a barricade bar assembly secured adjacent the door, the barricade bar assembly comprising a pivotable elongated bar, a securing bracket attached to a wall on one side of the door and pivotally supporting one end of the bar, and a holster mounted on the wall on an opposite side of the door in alignment with the securing bracket, the holster being configured to receive a second end of the bar when the bar is pivoted to extend across the door.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, the shutter assembly further comprising a latch anchored to the door adjacent the window and the frame, the latch being configured to engage the shutter handle when the shutter member is in the active position covering the window.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securing bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket member having a first planar member attached to the wall adjacent the door, a second planar member extending transversely to the first planar member, and a third planar member extending transversely to the second planar member and in parallel to the first planar member, and wherein a pivot pin extends through the third planar member and is secured to the elongated bar, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis for the elongated bar and allowing a secured end of the elongated bar to pivot between a position extending substantially vertically along the door to a position extending horizontally across the door.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third planar member of the securing bracket is provided with an opening, and wherein a release pin is removably positioned therein, the release pin being adapted to support the secured end of the elongated bar in a vertical stored position within the securing bracket, the release pin extending through and transversely to, the third planar member into the U-shaped space defined by the securing bracket, while contacting one side surface of the elongated bar, and wherein the elongated bar is configured to pivot about the pivot pin when the release pin is removed from the securing bracket.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the holster defines a receptacle with an upwardly facing, open channel configured to receive and house a free end of the elongated bar and prevent the elongated bar from pivoting downwardly about the pivot pin, the holster comprising upwardly extending a first holster side, a second holster side extending in parallel to the first holster side, the first holster side being attached to the wall adjacent the door, and the second a second resisting pushing force applied to the door during an active status of the system, the holster further comprising a bottom part allowing the elongated bar to rest within the holster and preventing downward movement of the elongated bar within the open channel of the holster.

17. A method of reinforcing a door having a window formed in the door during a shooting incident, comprising the steps: (i) providing a window shutter assembly configured for mounting on the door over the window, the shutter assembly comprising a shutter frame mounted in a surrounding relationship over the window and a shutter member slidably received in the shutter frame; (ii) providing a barricade bar assembly secured adjacent the door, the barricade bar assembly comprising a pivotable elongated bar, a securing bracket attached to a wall on one side of the door and pivotally supporting one end of the bar while the bar is positioned in a normally vertical stored position, and a holster mounted on the wall on an opposite side of the door in alignment with the securing bracket; (iii) during a shooting incident, slidably moving the shutter member to a position covering the window and pivotally moving the bar and lowering a free end of the bar into engagement with the holster, thereby reinforcing the door independently of door hinges and door frame.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of providing a release pin removably positioned in the securing bracket, the release pin being adapted to support the secured end of the elongated bar in a vertical stored position while contacting one side surface of the elongated bar, and wherein the method comprises a step of removing the release pin and allowing the bar to pivot about the pivot pin prior to engaging the free end of the bar in the holster.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of providing a shutter latch anchored to the door adjacent the window and the frame, providing a shutter handle on the shutter member, the method comprising a step of engaging the latch with the shutter handle after the shutter member has been moved into an active position covering the window.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising a step of forming the shutter assembly and the barricade bar assembly from a ballistic resistant material having a ballistic resistance equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a windowed school door, in a disengaged state.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a windowed school door, in a partly engaged state, wherein the ballistic shutter is closed.

[0025] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a windowed school door, in a fully engaged state.

[0026] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a double-wide windowed school door, in a disengaged state.

[0027] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a double-wide windowed school door, in a partly engaged state, wherein the ballistic shutter is closed.

[0028] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade system of the present invention retrofitted to a double-wide windowed school door, in a fully engaged state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, and 2C generally, the figures depict a perspective view of the emergency school door barricade retrofit system 100 of the present invention from the perspective of a person in a school room. The emergency door barricade retrofit system comprises two main sections: the window shutter section and the barricade section. The window shutter section comprises a ballistic shutter member 400, a shutter handle 410, and a shutter frame 420. The barricade section comprises a bar 200, a bar holster 210, as well as a securing bracket 300. All parts of the present invention are ballistic resistance material equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating, preferably of steel. The emergency school door barricade retrofit system may be modified in terms of scale to retrofit to a variety of doors 102 and door windows 110. The system of the present invention can be retrofitted to many door styles including doors covering double-wide entryways such as windowed double-wide doors as illustrated in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C.

[0030] The invention has three states disengaged, engaged, and partly engaged. In a disengaged state, as can be seen in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A, the system of the present invention remains when there is no emergency. In an engaged state, as shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 2C, the system of the present invention is activated during a time of emergency such as an intruder or school shooter. In a partly engaged state, as illustrated in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2B, the system of the present invention appears when the system is in the process of being engaged or disengaged by student, faculty, or other persons. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, going from disengaged state of FIG. 1A or 2A to the engaged state of FIG. 1C or FIG. 2C is done in no more than a few seconds

[0031] The ballistic shutter member 400 comprises a ballistic plate sized to fit directly over and cover the window 110. The shutter frame 420 is configured to substantially extend to the edges of the window 110 and about an area that allows the ballistic plate to fit in the ballistic frame while beside and not covering the window 110. The shutter frame 420 enables the ballistic shutter member to be manually moved within the frame using the handle 410 to cover the window 110. All parts of the ballistic frame 420 and the ballistic plate are preferably formed from steel or of a material composition and thickness equivalent or greater to UL level 3 rating. In one of the preferred embodiments, the ballistic shutter member 400 is preferably formed from -inch steel having a composition and thickness with ballistic resistance equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating.

[0032] The UL level 3 rating, which stops three 0.44 magnum shots, is generally considered the sufficient level for the needs of those in industries which suffer from armed robberies. A barricade system designed to stop a shooter should have at least a level 3 UL ballistic rating or an equivalent from a nationally accredited and audited designator overall. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, this material is preferably steel of a material composition and thickness such as to meet or exceed the UL level standard.

[0033] Thus, the ballistic shutter member 400, which closes off line of sight, is also adapted to provide at least UL level 3 ballistic resistance: significantly helping to prevent a shooter from shooting through the door window 110.

[0034] The shutter plate handle 410 attaches to the ballistic shutter member 400 and has a thickness and material composition with a ballistic resistance equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating, preferably of steel. The plate handle 410 allows for the ballistic plate to be moved within the ballistic shutter frame 420 to a position covering the window 110. The plate handle 410 is easily accessible to persons inside the classroom.

[0035] A latch 430, also of ballistic resistant material with a ballistic resistance equivalent to or greater than a UL level 3 ballistic rating, preferably of steel, is designed to latch onto the plate handle 410. The latch 430 is anchored to the door 102 adjacent the window 110. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the latch 430 may be anchored to the ballistic shutter frame 420 or the wall near the door 102. Regardless of placement, the latch 430 is configured to secure the ballistic shutter member 400 over door window 110 in the ballistic shutter frame 420.

[0036] The securing bracket 300 is adapted to be secured to a wall adjacent to the door 102. One end of the bar 200 is pivotally attached to the bracket 300. The bracket 300 comprises a U-shaped bracket member comprising a first planar member 302 attached to the wall adjacent the door 102, a second planar member 304 extending transversely to the first planar member 302, and a third planar member 306 extending transversely to the second planar member and in parallel to the first planar member 302.

[0037] A pivot pin 310 extends through the third planar member 306 and is secured to the bar 200. The pivot pin 340 defines a pivot axis for the bar 200, allowing the secured end 202 of the bar 200 to pivot between a position extending substantially vertically along the door 102, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to a position extending horizontally across the door 102, as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0038] The third planar member 306 of the securing bracket 300, is provided with an opening 320, which receives a release pin 340 therein. The release pin 340 is adapted to support the secured end 202 of the bar 200 in a vertical stored position within the securing bracket 300. The release pin 340 extends through the third planar member 306 transversely to the third planar member 306 into the U-shaped space defined by the bracket 300 and contact one side surface of the bar 200.

[0039] A release pin cable 330 is attached to one end of the release pin 340; and a second end of the release pin cable 330 is secured to the second planar member 304. When the bar 200 rests in the bracket 300, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the release pin 340 extends through the bracket 300. When the system 100 is activated and the bar 200 is pivoted across the door 102, the release pin 340 is withdrawn from the opening 320 and is suspended by the release pin cable 330, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C.

[0040] In cases such as a double-wide door wherein the bar 200 may be too long to store upright, the bar 200 may be extendable in a locking fashion and retractable in a non-locking fashion. In each case, the release pin 240, secures the bar 200 in place when the bar 200 is not engaged across the doorway. The release pin 240 secures the bar 200 in place, by preventing it from pivoting around the fixed pivot pin 310.

[0041] A bar-receiving support holster 210 is secured on about the same horizontal level as the securing bracket 300, on opposite side of the door 102. The support holster is configured to receive a free end 204 of the bar 200 when the bar 200 is moved into an active position barring the door 102. The holster 210 defines a receptacle with an upwardly facing, open channel 212 for the bar 200; it is configured to receive and house the free end 204 of the bar 200 and prevent the bar 200 from pivoting further downwardly about the pivot pin 310.

[0042] The holster 210 has upwardly extending sides 214 and 216; the side 214 is used as an attachment plate for attaching the holster to the room wall near the door 102, while the side 216 stops movement of the bar 200 if pushing force is applied to the door during an active status of the system. A bottom part 218 of the holster 210 allows the bar 200 to rest within the holster 210 and prevents its downward movement within the channel 212.

[0043] However, the bar holster 210 is not necessary for this system, as the bracket 300 may be fitted to support the bar 200 in a horizontal position. Other preferred embodiments of the invention have a bar which is positioned near the door 102 against the wall when disengaged and wherein the holster bracket 210 is duplicated on the opposite side of the door 102 to allow the bar 200 to lay across door 100 when engaged.

[0044] Other preferred embodiments may have a holster bracket that provides support in four directions or may forgo holster bracket 210 altogether if the securing bracket 300 only allows for a limited range of pivot motion. Other preferred embodiment the release pin 340 may act as a locking pivot point, eliminating the need for a fixed pivot pin 310 and making the bar 200 detachable.

[0045] In use, the system is usually disengaged and is in a stored position shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A. In this position, the bar 200 is pivotally connected to the wall near the door 102 and rests in a vertical orientation. The securing bracket 300 maintains the bar 200 in the normally vertical position using the release pin 340. The shutter member 400 is positioned next to, but not covering, the door window 110. The latch 430 is in a disengaged position on the door 102.

[0046] When an emergency arises, the system 100 is activated by one or more room occupants. FIGS. 1B and 2B depict a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a partly engaged state where ballistic shutter member 400 has been moved within the ballistic shutter frame 420 and latched by the rotating latch 430 so that it latches the handle 410 thus holding the ballistic shutter member 400 in place over the window 110. The shutter member 400 completely covers the window 110 and prevents a would-be intruder to see inside the classroom. It will be understood that although the shutter may be closed first in the preferred method of operating the present invention, in some cases the bar 200 will be lowered before the ballistic shutter 400 is engaged.

[0047] FIGS. 1C and 2C show a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a fully engaged state. In this active position, the release pin 340 has been withdrawn from the bracket 300 allowing the bar to pivot about the pivot pin 310 in the bracket 300. The bar 200 has been pivoted into engagement with the holster 210. The bar 200 lays across the door 102 preventing entry into room in manner not wholly dependent on door hinge or lock integrity, being held in place by the holster bracket 210 and the securing bracket 300, both of which are firmly anchored to the room wall. The bar 200 laying across the doorway in this manner also supports hinge and lock integrity by further preventing travel of the door in a way that would compromise lock or hinge integrity.

[0048] Many changes and modifications can be made in the security system according to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. We therefore pray that our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.