Title: Structure and method for containing the detonation of an explosive
Abstract: A modular containment structure kit comprises (i) a plurality of elongate members, (ii) a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, (iii) a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, and (iv) a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates. A method for the handling of the explosive includes the steps of (a) providing the modular structure kit, (b) using the kit to assemble a containment structure around the explosive while avoiding obstacles near the explosive, and (c) handling the explosive within the containment structure.
Patent Number: 6,874,401 Issued on 04/05/2005 to Bishop, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Bishop; Edward C. (Manassas, VA);
Bhinge; Deepak (Fairfax, VA);
Buckley; Sean M. (Arlington, VA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Parsons Corporation (Pasadena, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
411669 |
| Filed:
|
April 10, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
86/50 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F42B 039//30 |
| Field of Search: |
86/50
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 377732 | Feb., 1888 | Adams | 2/2.
|
| 3986310 | Oct., 1976 | van den Broek | 52/169.
|
| 4621559 | Nov., 1986 | Ohlson | 86/50.
|
| 5044252 | Sep., 1991 | Gamadi et al. | 86/50.
|
| 5076168 | Dec., 1991 | Yoshida et al. | 102/303.
|
| 6302026 | Oct., 2001 | Parkes | 102/303.
|
| 6439120 | Aug., 2002 | Bureaux et al. | 102/303.
|
| 6514009 | Feb., 2003 | Northcott et al. | 405/53.
|
Primary Examiner: Luu; Teri Pham
Assistant Examiner: Hayes; Bret
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Anderson; Denton L.
Sheldon & Mak
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for handling an explosive which is disposed at a specific
location having obstacles proximate to the explosive, the method
comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a plurality of elongate support members, each elongate
support member comprising at least two channels running substantially the
entire length of the elongate support member, some of the channels in some
of the elongate support members being disposed back to back and some of
the channels in some of the elongate support members being disposed at
right angles to one another;
(b) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, the
side wall members having at least two different lengths, the side wall
members having four side wall peripheral edges;
(c) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, the roof
members having at least two different lengths, the roof members having
four roof peripheral edges; and
(d) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates;
(e) attaching back to back at least one pair of the elongate support
members having channels which are disposed at right angles to one another
so as to provide an elongate support member having four channels each
disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to adjacent channels;
(f) assembling a containment structure using the elongate support members,
side walls members, roof members and metal plates, the containment
structure being custom designed to surround the explosive and to avoid the
obstacles at the location, the containment structure being assembled by:
(i) constructing side walls which surround an area having the explosive but
which avoids the obstacles at the location, the side walls comprising a
plurality of side wall members whose side wall peripheral edges are
retained within the channels of the elongate support members, each side
wall being attached to one or more adjacent side walls by elongate support
members;
(ii) constructing a roof which encloses the area surrounded by the side
walls, the roof comprising a plurality of roof members whose roof
peripheral edges are retained within the channels of elongate support
members, the roof being attached to the side walls by elongate support
members; and
(iii) disposing metal plates in abutment with the side walls and with the
roof; and
(g) thereafter, handling the explosive within the containment structure;
whereby any inadvertent detonation of the explosive and any resultant
shrapnel therefrom is safely contained within the containment structure.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein each side wall member and each roof member
comprises a thermoplastic foam core sandwiched between two metal sheets.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the containment structure is sufficiently
heavy so that the detonation of the explosive raises the containment
structure above the location by a distance of less than 1/4 inch.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the containment structure is sufficiently
strong to contain shrapnel from the explosion of a 75 mm Mk II chemical
round.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein each side wall member and each roof member
has a pair of opposed long peripheral edges and wherein one of the two
long peripheral edges defines a projecting tongue and wherein the opposite
long peripheral edge defines a matching groove which is sized and
dimensioned to accept and retain an identical tongue disposed upon the
long peripheral edge of another side wall member or roof member.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the elongate support members, the side
wall peripheral edges and the roof peripheral edges comprise a plurality
of spaced apart apertures, the apertures in the elongate support members
matching the size and location of the apertures in both the side wall
members and in the roof members so that, when the periphery of a side wall
member or a roof member is disposed within an elongate support member,
fastening pins can be inserted through an aperture in the elongate member
and an aperture in the periphery to securely retain the side wall or the
roof member within the elongate support member.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the elongate support
members comprise a pair of support member portions which are slidably
disposed with respect to one another such that each such support member
having a pair of support member portions is adjustable with respect to
length.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of disposing sandbags
around the entirety of the base of the containment structure.
9. A method for the contained detonation of an explosive which is disposed
at a specific location having obstacles proximate to the explosive, the
method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a plurality of elongate support members, each elongate
support member comprising at least two channels running substantially the
entire length of the elongate support member, some of the channels in some
of the elongate support members being disposed back to back and some of
the channels in some of the elongate support members being disposed at
right angles to one another, each of the elongate support members having a
plurality of spaced apart apertures, some of the elongate support members
comprising a pair of support member portions which are slidably disposed
with respect to one another, such that each such support member having a
pair of support member portions is adjustable with respect to length;
(b) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, the
side wall members having at least two different lengths, the side wall
members having four side wall peripheral edges, the roof members
comprising a foamed thermoplastic core sandwiched between a pair of metal
plates, the roof peripheral edges comprising a plurality of spaced apart
apertures, the spaced apart apertures matching the size and location of
the apertures in the elongate support members so that, when the peripheral
edge of a side wall member is disposed within an elongate support member,
fastening pins can be inserted through apertures in the elongate member
and apertures in the peripheral edge of the side wall member to securely
retain the side wall member within the elongate support member, each side
wall member further comprising a pair of opposed long peripheral edges,
one of each such long peripheral edges defining a projecting tongue and
the opposite long peripheral edge defining a matching groove which is
sized and dimensioned to accept and retain an identical tongue disposed
upon the long peripheral edge of another roof member;
(c) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, the roof
members having at least two different lengths, the roof members having
four roof peripheral edges, the roof members comprising a foamed
thermoplastic core sandwiched between a pair of metal plates, the roof
peripheral edges comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures, the
spaced apart apertures matching the size and location of the apertures in
the elongate support members so that, when the periphery of a roof member
is disposed within an elongate support member, fastening pins can be
inserted through an aperture in the elongate member and an aperture in the
periphery of the roof member to securely retain the roof member within the
elongate support member, each roof member further comprising a pair of
opposed long peripheral edges, one of each such long peripheral edges
defining a projecting tongue and the opposite long peripheral edge
defining a matching groove which is sized and dimensioned to accept and
retain a similar tongue disposed upon the long peripheral edge of another
roof member;
(d) providing a plurality of fastening pins; and
(e) providing a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates;
(f) attaching back to back at least one pair of the elongate support
members which are disposed at right angles to one another so as to provide
an elongate support member having four channels each disposed at a
90.degree. angle with respect to adjacent channels;
(g) assembling a non-rectangular containment structure using the kit, the
containment structure being custom designed to surround the explosive and
to avoid the obstacles at the location, the containment structure being
assembled by:
(i) constructing side walls which surround an area having the explosive but
which avoid the obstacles at the location, the side walls comprising a
plurality of side wall members whose side wall peripheral edges are
retained within the channels of elongate support members by the fastening
pins, each side wall being attached to one or more adjacent side walls by
elongate support members;
(ii) constructing a roof which encloses the area surrounded by the side
walls, the roof comprising a plurality of roof members whose roof
peripheral edges are retained within the channels of elongate support
members by the fastening pins, the roof being attached to the side walls
by elongate support members; and
(iii) disposing metal plates in abutment with the side walls and with the
roof;
(h) disposing sandbags around the base of the containment structure; and
(i) thereafter, handling the explosive within the containment structure;
whereby any inadvertent detonation of the explosive and any resultant
shrapnel therefrom is safely contained within the containment structure.
10. A kit for constructing a modular containment structure, the kit
comprising:
(a) a plurality of elongate support members, each elongate support member
comprising at least two channels running substantially the entire length
of the elongate support member, some of the channels in some of the
elongate support members being disposed back to back and some of the
channels in some of the elongate support members being disposed at right
angles to one another, at least one pair of the elongate support members
having channels which are disposed at right angles to one another being
attached back to back so as to provide an elongate support member having
four channels each disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to adjacent
channels;
(b) a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, the side wall
members having at least two different lengths, the side wall members
having four side wall peripheral edges;
(c) a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, the roof members
having at least two different lengths, the roof members having four roof
peripheral edges; and
(d) a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates.
11. The kit of claim 10 wherein each side wall member and each roof member
comprises a foam core sandwiched between two metal sheets.
12. The kit of claim 10 wherein each side wall member and each roof member
has a pair of opposed long peripheral edges and wherein one of the two
long peripheral edges defines a projecting tongue and wherein the opposite
long peripheral edge defines a matching groove which is sized and
dimensioned to accept and retain an identical tongue disposed upon the
long peripheral edge of another side wall member or roof member.
13. The kit of claim 10 wherein the elongate support members, the side wall
peripheral edges and the roof peripheral edges comprise a plurality of
spaced apart apertures, the apertures in the elongate support members
matching the size and location of the apertures in both the side wall
members and in the roof members so that, when the periphery of a side wall
member or a roof member is disposed within an elongate support member,
fastening pins can be inserted through an aperture in the elongate member
and an aperture in the periphery to securely retain the side wall or the
roof member within the elongate support member.
14. The kit of claim 10 wherein a plurality of the elongate support members
comprise a pair of support member portions which are slidably disposed
with respect to one another such that each such support member having a
pair of support member portions is adjustable with respect to length.
15. A non-rectangular modular containment structure comprising a plurality
of side walls and a roof,
(a) the containment structure being assembled from a containment structure
kit comprising:
(i) a plurality of elongate support members, each elongate support member
comprising at least two channels running substantially the entire length
of the elongate support member, some of the channels in some of the
elongate support members being disposed back to back and some of the
channels in some of the elongate support members being disposed at right
angles to one another, at least one pair of the elongate support members
having channels which are disposed at right angles to one another being
attached back to back so as to provide an elongate support member having
four channels each disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to adjacent
channels;
(ii) a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, the side wall
members having at least two different lengths, the side wall members
having four side wall peripheral edges;
(iii) a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, the roof members
having at least two different lengths, the roof members having four roof
peripheral edges; and
(iv) a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates;
(b) the containment structure being assembled from the modular containment
kit by an assembly method comprising the steps of:
(i) constructing side walls which surround an area having the explosive but
which avoid the obstacles at the location, the side walls comprising a
plurality of side wall members whose side wall peripheral edges are
retained within the channels of elongate support members, each side wall
being attached to one or more adjacent side walls by elongate support
members;
(ii) constructing a roof which encloses the area surrounded by the side
walls, the roof comprising a plurality of roof members whose roof
peripheral edges are retained within the channels of elongate support
members, the roof being attached to the side walls by elongate support
members; and
(iii) disposing metal plates in abutment with the side walls and with the
roof;
whereby the containment structure is sufficiently strong to contain
shrapnel from the explosion of a 75 mm Mk II chemical round.
16. The structure of claim 15 wherein each side wall member and each roof
member comprises a thermoplastic foam core sandwiched between two metal
sheets.
17. The structure of claim 15 wherein each side wall member and each roof
member has a pair of opposed long peripheral edges and wherein one of the
two long peripheral edges defines a projecting tongue and wherein the
opposite long peripheral edge defines a matching groove which is sized and
dimensioned to accept and retain an identical tongue disposed upon the
long peripheral edge of another side wall member or roof member.
18. The structure of claim 15 wherein the elongate support members, the
side wall peripheral edges and the roof peripheral edges comprise a
plurality of spaced apart apertures, the apertures in the elongate support
members matching the size and location of the apertures in both the side
wall members and in the roof members so that, when the periphery of a side
wall member or a roof member is disposed within an elongate support
member, fastening pins can be inserted through an aperture in the elongate
member and an aperture in the periphery to securely retain the side wall
or the roof member within the elongate support member.
19. The structure of claim 15 wherein a plurality of the elongate support
members comprise a pair of support member portions which are slidably
disposed with respect to one another such that each such support member
having a pair of support member portions is adjustable with respect to
length.
20. The structure of claim 15 wherein sandbags are disposed around the
periphery of the base of the side walls.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to methods for containing the detonation
and resulting fragmentation of an explosive and, more particularly, to
methods which employ a containment structure in the containing of the
detonation and resulting fragmentation of an explosive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Unexploded bombs, land mines and other unexploded ordnance present a very
risky handling problem. Often, the unexploded device is buried under the
top soil and must be carefully exposed by excavation. Where an unexploded
device is discovered in an area proximate to populated neighborhoods, the
handling of such device presents a significant risk to surrounding people
and property.
The preferred method of handling an explosive discovered at a particular
site is to first surround the explosive with a suitable containment
structure which will contain any unintended detonation of the explosive
and which will contain the resulting fragmentation of the detonated
explosive. There are problems, however, with the use of such containment
structures. The erection of custom-built containment structures is
generally expensive and time-consuming. However, the use of prefabricated
containment structures is often unsatisfactory as well. This is because
such prefabricated containment structures are of a predetermined size and
shape. The problem in this regard is that explosives are often discovered
in locations crowded with various obstacles, such as buildings, trees,
boulders and hillocks. Unless a prefabricated containment structure is
available which happens to fit among the various obstacles at the site
where the explosive is located, a prefabricated containment structure
cannot be used.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method for handling explosives which
avoids these problems in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a unique method for
surrounding an explosive with a containment structure.
The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a plurality of elongate
support members, each elongate support member comprising at least two
channels running substantially the entire length of the elongate support
member, some of the channels in some of the elongate support members being
disposed back to back and some of the channels in some of the elongate
support members being disposed at right angles to one another, (b)
providing a plurality of rectangular, planar side wall members, the side
wall members having one or more lengths and four side wall edges, (c)
providing a plurality of rectangular, planar roof members, the roof
members having one or more lengths and roof peripheral edges, and (d)
providing a plurality of rectangular, planar metal plates, (e) assembling
a containment structure using the elongate support members, side walls
members, roof members and metal plates. The containment structure is
custom designed to surround the explosive and to avoid the obstacles at
the location. The containment structure is assembled by (i) constructing
side walls which surround an area having the explosive but which avoids
the obstacles at the location, the side walls comprising a plurality of
side wall members whose side wall peripheral edges are retained within the
channels of the elongate support members, each side wall being attached to
one or more adjacent side walls by elongate support members, (ii)
constructing a roof which encloses the area surrounded by the side walls,
the roof comprising a plurality of roof members whose roof peripheral
edges are retained within the channels of elongate support members, the
roof being attached to the side walls by elongate support members, and
(iii) disposing metal plates in abutment with the side walls and with the
roof. Thereafter, the explosive is safely handled within the containment
structure. Any inadvertent detonation of the explosive and any resultant
shrapnel is safely contained within the containment structure.
The invention is also a kit comprising the plurality of support members,
side wall members, roof members and metal plates.
Finally, the invention is also a modular containment structure assembled
from the kit described above.
The invention provides the ability to quickly and inexpensively construct a
containment structure around an explosive. The containment structure is
easily made to conform to the site where the explosion is located.
DRAWINGS
These features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood with regard to the following description, appended
claims and accompanying figures where:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first containment structure having
features of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of components useable in the construction of the
containment structure illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a second containment structure having features of
the invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the internal skeleton of the containment structure
illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the containment structure illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view of the corner of the containment
structure illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third containment structure having
features of the invention, showing the structure at a site;
FIG. 8 is a detail view in partial cross-section of one of the walls of the
containment structure illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top view a fourth containment structure having features of the
invention;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the containment structure illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side view in partial cross-section of the containment
structure illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is an end view of an elongate support member useable in the
invention;
FIG. 13 is a detail cross-sectional view of a corner of the containment
structure illustrated in FIG. 10; and
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional detail view of a wall section of a containment
structure having features of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of the
invention and several variations of those embodiments. This discussion
should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those
particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize
numerous other embodiments as well.
The invention is a method for safely handling an explosive at a specific
location having obstacles proximate to the location. In the method, a
modular containment structure 10 is assembled around the explosive in such
a way so as to avoid the obstacles at the site.
FIGS. 1, 3, 7 and 9 illustrate a containment structures 10 useful in the
method. Each containment structure 10 has a plurality of side walls 12 and
a roof 14. The containment structure 10 is assembled from a plurality of
elongate support members 16, side wall members 18 (as illustrated in FIG.
2), roof members 20 and metal plates 22.
Each elongate support member 16 comprises at least two channels 24 running
substantially the entire length of the elongate support member 16. The
width of the channels 24 are sized and dimensioned to accept the
peripheral edges 26 of the side wall members 18 and the roof members 20.
The channels 24 of some of the elongate support members 16 can be disposed
back to back. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the channels 24 in other elongate
support members 16 are supported at right angles to one another. A pair of
this latter type of elongate support members 16 can be welded back to back
to provide an elongate support member 16 having four channels 24 which are
each disposed at a 90.degree. angle with respect to adjacent channels 24
(as illustrated in FIG. 14).
The elongate support member 16 can also be a tee post elongate support
member (not shown). The tee post elongate support member has a pair of
channels 24 disposed back to back and one channel 24 disposed at right
angles to the other two channels 24.
The elongate support members 16 are typically fixed in length, each
elongate support member 16 is typically being between about 2 feet and
about 10 feet in length.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, some of the elongate support members 16 can be
adjustable with respect to length. Such adjustable elongate support
members 16 have a pair of support member portions 16a and 16b which are
slidably disposed with respect to one another. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the support member portions 16a and 16b are
disposed with respect to one another in telescopic fashion. Typically, the
adjustable elongate support members 16 have several positive lock
settings. In one example, the lock settings are provided by a locking pin
disposed through both of the support member portions 16a and 16b.
The elongate support members 16 can be used as vertical support members 28
to retain side wall members 18. In this regard, the vertical support
members 28 can be disposed as intermediate supports 30 within the side
walls 12 or for the connecting of two perpendicular side walls 12. The
elongate support members 16 can also be disposed horizontally to retain
side wall members 18 or roof members 20 or to connect a side wall 12 to
the roof 14.
The side wall members 18 are typically rectangular and planar. Each side
wall member 18 has four opposed side wall peripheral edges 26. Typically,
all of the widths of the side wall members 18 are the same, although this
is not necessary. Typically, each of the side wall members 18 is about 2
feet in width and has a length of between about 8 feet and about 16 feet.
Typically, each side wall member 18 comprises a metal sheet 30. In one
embodiment of the invention, the side wall member 18 comprises a pair of
parallel aluminum alloy sheets 30 spaced apart by a distance of about 2
inches. Disposed between the two aluminum alloy sheets 30 is a plastic
foam core 32. The aluminum alloy sheets 30 are typically between about
0.181 inches and about 0.25 inches in thickness.
Typically, each side wall member 18 has a pair of opposed long peripheral
edges 26 and a pair of opposed short peripheral edges 26. One of the long
peripheral edges 26 of each of the side wall members 18 can define a
projecting tongue, and the opposed long peripheral edge 26 of the side
wall members 18 defines a matching groove. The matching groove is sized
and dimensioned to accept and retain an identical projecting tongue
disposed upon the long peripheral edge 26 of another side wall member 18
having an identical configuration.
The roof members 20 are also typically rectangular and planar. The roof
members 20 can be identical to the side wall members 18, but this is not
necessary. Each roof member 20 has four opposed side peripheral edges 26.
Typically, all of the widths of the roof members 20 are the same, although
this is not necessary. Typically, each of the roof members 20 is either 1
foot or 2 feet in width and have lengths of between about 8 feet and about
16 feet.
Like the side wall members 18, the roof members 20 can comprise a pair of
parallel aluminum alloy sheets 30 spaced apart by a distance of about 2
inches and disposed between the two aluminum sheets 30 is a foam core 32.
Like the side wall members 16, each roof member 20 has a pair of opposed
long peripheral edges 26 and a pair of opposed short peripheral edges 26.
One of the long peripheral edges 26 of each of the roof members 20 can
define a projecting tongue 33, and the opposed long peripheral edge 26 of
the roof member 20 can define a matching groove 34. The matching groove 34
is sized and dimensioned to accept and retain an identical projecting
tongue 33 disposed upon the long peripheral edge 26 of another roof member
20 having an identical configuration.
In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the elongate support members
16, the side wall peripheral edges 26 and the roof peripheral edges 26
comprise a plurality of spaced apart apertures 35. The apertures 35 in the
elongate support members 16 match the size and location of the apertures
35 in both the side wall members 18 and in the roof members 20, so that,
when the periphery 26 of a side wall member 18 or a roof member 20 is
disposed within an elongate support member 16, fastening pins 36 can be
inserted through an aperture 35 in the elongate support member 16 and an
aperture 35 in the periphery 26 to securely retain the side wall member 18
or the roof member 20 within the elongate support member 16. The pins 36
can be any appropriate retaining pins. In a typical embodiment, the pins
36 comprise an elongate pin portion 38 and a separate keeper portion 40.
In one such embodiment, the pin portion 38 is an externally threaded bolt
and the keeper portion 40 is an internally threaded nut. In another
embodiment, the pin portion 38 is an unthreaded pin with a head at one end
and a transverse bore at the other end. In this embodiment, the keeper
portion 40 can be a cotter pin disposed within the transverse bore.
Elongate support structures 16, side wall members 18, roof members 20,
fastening pins 36 and other related hardware useable in the invention can
be purchased from Speed Shore Corporation of Houston, Tex.
The metal plates 22 typically are aluminum plates having a thickness
between about 1/8 inch and about 3/8 inch. Additional metal plates 22 can
be disposed on top of the aluminum plates on the roof 14 or contiguous
with metal plates 22 on the side walls 12 as necessary to provide
additional strength.
Typically, the containment structure 10 is sufficiently heavy so that the
inadvertent detonation of an explosive within the containment structure 10
raises the containment structure 10 above the location by a distance of
less than about 1/4 inch.
In one embodiment, the containment structure 10 is sufficiently strong to
contain shrapnel from the explosion of a 75 mm Mk II chemical round. If a
larger explosive is to be handled, additional metal plates 22 can be used
to increase the containment strength of the containment structure 10.
Each of the component parts, including the plurality of elongate support
members 16, side wall members 18, roof members 20 and metal plates 22 can
be assembled to form a kit.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-14, the containment structures 10 can be
easily custom designed to surround the explosive and to avoid the
obstacles at the location. The containment structure 10 is assembled by
constructing side walls 12 which surround an area having the explosive but
which avoid the obstacles at the location. The side walls 12 comprise a
plurality of the side wall members 18. The side wall peripheral edges 26
are retained within the channels 24 of the elongate support members 16.
Each side wall member 18 is attached to one or more adjacent side wall
members 18 by elongate support members 16.
As illustrated in the drawings, side wall members 18 can be used to create
interior walls 42. Such interior walls 42 can be used to shield an access
opening 44 from the interior of the containment structure 10. As
illustrated in the drawings, a plastic or cloth curtain 46 can be disposed
over the access opening 44.
Also as illustrated in the drawings, apertures 48 can be disposed in the
side walls 12 to provide ingress and egress for ventilating air. The
ventilated air can be heated or cooled as necessary by a heater or air
conditioner unit disposed exterior to the containment structure 10.
The containment structure 10 can be assembled around an excavating machine
50 or other large tools which are too massive to enter the containment
structure 10 via the access opening 44. Alternatively, such excavating
machine 50 or other large tools can be dropped into the containment
structure 10 with a crane at any time prior to the completion of the roof
14.
After the side walls 12 are assembled, a roof 14 is constructed which
encloses the area surrounded by the side walls 12. The roof 14 comprises a
plurality of roof members 20 whose roof peripheral edges 26 are retained
within the channels 24 of the elongate support members 16. The roof 14 is
attached to the side wall members 18 by elongate support members 16.
After the side walls 12 and the roof 14 are completed, the metal plates 22
are disposed in abutment with the side walls 12 and with the roof 14. The
metal plates 22 are then tentatively retained against the side walls 12
and the roof 14 by upper periphery lateral plates 52 which are attached to
the metal plates 22 and to the elongate support members 16 as illustrated
in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the metal plates 22 are tightened against the side
walls 12 and the roof 14 with ropes or straps 54 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Wedges 56, such as wooden wedges, are disposed between the ropes or straps
54 and the metal plates 22 to tightly hold the metal plates 22 against the
side walls 12 and the roof 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fastening
pins 36 along opposed elongate support members 16 on opposite sides of the
roof 14 can be eyebolts 58 to guide and retain ropes or straps 54 used to
press the metal plates 22 against the roof 14.
Any corner gaps in the coverage of the metal plates 22 can be covered with
metal corner blocks 60, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
As illustrated in the drawings, it is typical to dispose sandbags 62 at
least around the exterior of the containment structure 10.
The invention provides a method for quickly, conveniently and inexpensively
constructing a containment structure around an unexploded ordnance or
other explosive. Because the method provides for the assembling of the
containment structure from preconstructed elements, the containment
structure can be conveniently made to conform to the typography at the
explosion site.
Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous
structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without
departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set
forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.
*
