Vehicle and structure shield method

• US 8,245,622 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: QinetiQ North America Incorporated (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Inventors: Farinella, Michael D., Cardenas, Robert Lee, Lawson, William R., LaBrecque, Brendan, Rush, Frances, Hoadley, David, Wheaton, Michael, Anderson, Michael, Mann, Thomas, Kanaan, Abed, Callahan, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEMAN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US13/136,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 89 3601- 3617, 109/49.5, 114/241, 296/187.07
• US Class Current: 89/36.08
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/013 Mounting or securing armour plates
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/026 Slat armour; Nets

Abstract

A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a vehicle or structure, the method comprising:

choosing a flexible compliant net including strands designed to break if struck by a projectile;

attaching an array of hard points on the net, the hard points designed and attached to the net in such a manner that the hard points tumble and angle inwardly digging into an ogive of a projectile striking the net;

attaching the net to a frame;

attaching the frame to a vehicle or structure supporting the net and hard points; and

spacing the frame at a predetermined distance from the vehicle or structure.

2. The method of claim 1 in which attaching the net to the frame includes using hook and loop fasteners.

3. The method of claim 1 in which attaching the frame to the vehicle or structure includes using hook and loop fasteners.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the net mesh size is between 110 mm and 180 mm.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the hard points weigh between 10 to 40 grams, are between ½

inch to ¾

inches across, between ½

inch to 1 inch tall, and are multi-sided.

6. The method of claim 1 in which the frame is designed to space the net between 4 and 24 inches from the vehicle or structure.