Bulletproof protection system and method of use

Abstract

An inclusive bulletproof protection system can include ways to enhance the safety of students and staff during a shooting incident in a classroom environment. The system can include bulletproof partitions, which can include a single panel or a series of interconnected panels and can deploy in a roll-up or sliding manner. The partitions can extend from the ceiling to the floor of the classroom and utilize floor tracks and ceiling tracks for their movement. Additionally, a remote monitoring system can be included that can automatically activate the partitions when a shooter is detected, as determined by one or more cameras monitoring the exterior of the school. The partitions function to create a safe room and protect the people inside from harm by covering walls, doorways, and / or windows.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of bulletproof protection systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel bulletproof protection system designed to be installed in individual rooms such as classrooms in schools or other rooms in buildings.

Background Art

[0002] As background, a school shooting incident refers to an incident where an armed attacker intends to harm and kill students, teachers, and other people by entering an educational institution such as an elementary school, middle school, high school, or university. Frequent shootings pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of students and teachers. Generally, attackers use firearms or other weapons to carry out the attack.

[0003] Regarding protection in a shooting incident, an immediate means of protection is to hide under a desk. However, a desk neither effectively hides a student nor provides effective bulletproof protection. This means of protection is ineffective and may not be able to prevent casualties during an intense shooting situation.

[0004] To address the problem of protecting students and staff during a shooting, some schools employ security guards or even armed guards to provide an immediate response in case of an attack. Many educational institutions struggle with limited budgets and it is difficult to implement comprehensive security measures across all schools.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a bulletproof protection system to protect individual classrooms. Also, there has long been a need for an improved measure to protect students and staff by providing a safe room during a shooting incident. Furthermore, in this technical field, there has long been a need for a bulletproof protection system that eliminates the need to hide under a desk even when faced with an armed attacker.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a bulletproof system for providing safe rooms for students and staff in the event of a school shooting. This system can be designed to be installed in classrooms of various sizes without occupying much space. Further, this system can be used to cover one or more walls, doors, and windows of a classroom. Although the description herein refers to schools and classrooms, it will be apparent that the present disclosure is also applicable to office buildings, post offices, and various other buildings that may be attacked by armed assailants, as well as various types of rooms.

[0007] The present invention can also overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a bulletproof protection system. This system can include a bulletproof shield (also referred to herein as a bulletproof partition or simply a partition) installed in a classroom. In various embodiments, the partition may include a plurality of interconnected panels, the partition may be rollable or slidable, and the partition may be fixed in a predetermined position. The partition can extend from the ceiling to the floor of the classroom, and the ceiling and / or floor can have tracks for the movement of the partition. A remote monitoring system can be designed to automatically activate the bulletproof partition to cover the walls and / or windows of the classroom when a shooter is detected, and the bulletproof partition forms a safe room for students, staff, or other people in the classroom. The shooter can be detected using one or more cameras located outside the school that monitor people approaching the school and / or one or more classrooms.

[0008] In various embodiments, a movable bulletproof partition system deployed in a school or other building includes at least one movable bulletproof panel, at least one roller on the movable bulletproof panel, and at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the movable bulletproof panel to a wall or floor to fix the movable bulletproof panel in a deployed position, thereby creating a sealed safe room within a room. The movable bulletproof partition system can include at least one track in a fixed position within the room, the at least one track defining an area of the safe room, and the roller on the at least one movable bulletproof panel being capable of traveling along the track such that the movable bulletproof panel can define a sealed safe room. The at least one track can be recessed into the floor by a predetermined distance, such that the bottom edge of the movable bulletproof partition is below the floor surface, thereby creating a safe room with no gap between the movable bulletproof partition and the ceiling through which a shooter could shoot into the safe room. The at least one partition can include a kick plate at the bottom of the partition, the kick plate extending from the partition to cover the track recessed into the floor, the kick plate being configured to deflect bullets such that they cannot be fired at the roller or the track. The at least one track can be an overhead rail recessed into the ceiling by a predetermined distance, such that the top edge of the movable bulletproof partition is above the ceiling, thereby creating a safe room with no gap between the movable bulletproof partition and the ceiling through which a shooter could shoot into the safe room. The overhead rail can include a barricade, the barricade extending from above the rail and at least one roller to below the rail and at least one roller, the barricade extending less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the movable bulletproof partition when the movable bulletproof partition is in a deployed configuration.At least one roller can include a height adjustment device. When the height adjustment device is in an extended configuration, the roller extends at least partially below the bottom of the movable bulletproof panel such that the movable bulletproof panel can move within the deployment position. When the height adjustment device is in a retracted configuration, the roller does not extend below the bottom of the movable bulletproof panel such that the bottom of the movable bulletproof panel rests on the floor. At least one movable bulletproof panel can include a plurality of movable bulletproof panels arranged in a row. The movable bulletproof panel further includes a hinge between adjacent panels such that two adjacent panels can pivot relative to each other. A movable bulletproof partition including a plurality of movable bulletproof panels can be deployed along a track to create a defensive wall that defines a safe room. At least one of the plurality of movable bulletproof panels can have a seam overlap flap at one end of the panel and a notch at the other end of the panel such that when the panels pivot relative to each other to form a wall, the seam overlap flap of one panel is placed within the notch of an adjacent panel, such that the seam overlap flap creates bulletproof protection for the hinge between the panels. At least one movable bulletproof panel can include at least two movable bulletproof panels. The two movable bulletproof panels are hinge-connected to one or more walls of a room at the proximal end of the movable bulletproof panel. The movable bulletproof panels are hinge-connected to one or more walls of the room at fixed positions spaced apart from each other. The two movable panels can be stored along one or more walls in a storage configuration. The two movable panels can pivot hingeably from the walls. The movable bulletproof panel can contact at the distal end of the panel to form a safe room having movable panels that form at least two walls of the safe room. The safe room includes at least one wall of a building as a wall of the safe room.

[0009] In one embodiment, a system for protecting human lives during a violent attack can include at least one camera facing the outside of a building, at least one monitor for monitoring the video stream from the camera, at least one movable bulletproof partition within the building, the at least one movable bulletproof partition being stored in a stowed configuration, and at least one automatic partition moving device operably connected to the at least one movable bulletproof partition. The at least one movable bulletproof partition can be automatically moved by the automatic partition moving device into a form that is at least partially deployed in response to an operation signal from the monitor. The system for protecting human lives can include at least one overhead rail for supporting the at least one movable bulletproof partition. The at least one movable bulletproof partition can further include at least one roller for rolling on the overhead rail for carrying the movable bulletproof partition. The at least one overhead rail can further include a barrier wall for shielding the rail, the roller, and the top of the partition from gunfire. The system for protecting human lives can include at least one lower rail fitted into the floor. The at least one movable bulletproof partition can further include at least one roller for rolling on the lower rail for carrying the movable bulletproof partition. Since the bottom edge of the movable bulletproof partition is below the floor surface, there is no gap through which a shooter can shoot into the safe room. The at least one movable bulletproof partition can be hidden behind a false wall when the at least one movable bulletproof partition is in the stowed position. When the at least one automatic partition moving device automatically moves the at least one movable bulletproof partition in response to an operation signal, the at least one movable bulletproof partition is at least partially exposed by pushing the at least one movable bulletproof partition out from behind the false wall, such that a person can grasp it and manually fully deploy it.

[0010] In one embodiment, a method of protecting human life can include monitoring the exterior of a building, detecting threatening individuals approaching the building, sending an activation signal to the building under threat, warning the people inside the building of the threat in response to the activation signal, and automatically activating an automated portion of a bulletproof protection system in response to the activation signal. The step of automatically activating an automated portion of the bulletproof protection system in response to the signal can include moving a portion of the bulletproof protection system to form a safe room, which is configured to provide a bulletproof shelter to protect the lives of the people inside the safe room.

[0011] The following description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0013] The present invention has a very large number of possible embodiments, too many to be described in this specification. Some possible embodiments will be described below. In the following specification, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. However, it is obvious that the innovation can be practiced without various specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate the description. Various embodiments will be described below. Note that the drawings are provided only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, any particular embodiment need not have all of the aspects or advantages described herein. Thus, in various embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments can be combined. However, it cannot be overemphasized that these are descriptions of embodiments of the present invention and not descriptions of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the detailed embodiments described in this section, but is described more broadly in the claims.

[0014] The bulletproof protection system can be installed for use in various buildings, including schools, office buildings, post offices, shopping malls, etc. As described herein, terms such as bulletproof protection system and ballistic protection system can be used interchangeably, and no distinction is intended between the terms ballistic and bulletproof. The system described herein is designed to protect people in a building from a shooting incident, and this system is referred to as bulletproof and / or ballistic protection. In various embodiments, the bulletproof protection system can create a bulletproof safe room, also called a safe room, in a classroom or other room. In various embodiments, the bulletproof protection system can convert an entire room into a safe room or create a space-saving safe room within a subset of the room. The bulletproof partition can be stored in a storage configuration that occupies minimal space within the room and can be moved to a deployed configuration to create a protected safe room. By way of non-limiting example, in various embodiments, the storage configuration for the bulletproof partition can include a folded configuration, a rolled configuration, a stacked configuration, and / or can include being in a storage location on a track that allows the partition to be moved to the deployment location. In various embodiments, the partition can be automatically deployed, or can be manually deployed, or the deployment can be automatically initiated and manually completed.

[0015] In various embodiments such as shopping malls, the bulletproof partition can be deployed across the entrance to the store, such that the entire store can become a safe room protected from attackers who may attack from the interior of the mall or the corridor area. Similarly, for various classroom applications, the bulletproof partition can be deployed across the entrance to the classroom, such that the entire classroom can become a safe room protected from attackers who may attack from the interior of the school or the corridor area. In various embodiments, the bulletproof partition can be deployed to form a space-saving safe room within a portion of a classroom, office, store, etc. Although many of the examples herein are described in the context of schools and classrooms, it is clear that the ideas disclosed herein are applicable to a wide range of environments and are not intended to be limited to schools.

[0016] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a bulletproof protection system for installation in a classroom, school, or other building that may be subject to a violent attack, according to an exemplary embodiment. The bulletproof protection system shown in Figure 1A can provide a space-saving safe room 112 at the back of the room. The bulletproof protection system 100 can include a foldable bulletproof partition 102 designed like an accordion wall. The partition 102 can include a plurality of interconnected panels 104a-104n (hereinafter referred to as panels 104). The individual panels 104 are interconnected so that a user can contract or extend the foldable partition 102. The continuous panels can be connected to the ceiling at the top end 106 and / or to the floor at the bottom end 108. The panels 104 can be folded like an accordion or a fan to a location where they do not interfere with the foldable and deployable partition. The partition can be stored in a folded configuration to minimize the space occupied by the partition and reduce the impact on the installation area of the room, and the partition can be quickly deployed in a deployed configuration to create a bulletproof protected safe room in at least a portion of the room. In the deployed configuration, the partition can form a protective wall of a width that occupies a minimum amount of space within the installation area of a small room. In various embodiments, the thickness of the protective wall can be less than 12 inches (30.48 cm), and as a result, the protective wall will occupy less than 12 inches of the space of the room. In various embodiments, the thickness of the protective wall can be less than 6 inches (15.24 cm), and as a result, the protective wall will occupy less than 12 inches of the space of the room.

[0017] Individual panels 104 of the bulletproof partition 102 can be designed to move along the track system 110, which is embedded in the floor of the classroom 120 and provides a safe and stable path for the movement of the partition. The track 110 is preferably recessed or lowered by a specific distance (e.g., 5 inches (12.7 cm)) into the floor to ensure complete protection and smooth movement of the partition 102. The track 110 is a single-width track, and all panels ride on the same single track. This single-track design allows the track 110 to use the minimum floor area possible. Additionally, in various embodiments, there may be a corresponding upper track, also called a rail, on the ceiling of the classroom, and the upper rail can also be recessed into the space above the ceiling (e.g., 8 inches (20.32 cm)) to stabilize the partition 102 during movement. By extending the track to the ceiling or above the ceiling, the partition can extend to the ceiling or above the ceiling, thereby enhancing bulletproof protection by limiting the ability of a shooter to shoot over the top of the partition. The upper track, when present, is also a single-width track, and all panels ride on the same track. Various embodiments can have only a floor track, only a ceiling track, or a combination of a floor track and a ceiling track. Throughout this specification, the floor tracks and / or ceiling tracks of various embodiments can have the advantage of being single-width tracks, and all panels ride on single-width tracks. However, it is clear that referring to them as single tracks does not exclude embodiments having both a single-width track on the ceiling and a single-width track on the floor. Many embodiments have a single track on the ceiling and a separate single track on the floor, and all panels ride on the upper and lower tracks or between the upper and lower tracks.

[0018] The upper and / or lower tracks can carry the partition such that it is easier for a single child to move the partition. Inserting the tracks into the floor and ceiling enables the partition to extend fully from the floor to the ceiling without gaps at the top or bottom of the partition, thereby enhancing the bulletproof protection provided by the partition. The partition can create a safe room with no gaps between the panel and the floor, no gaps between the panel and the ceiling, and / or no gaps between the panel and the walls of the room.

[0019] In its fully deployed form, the partition may be substantially linear in shape and, in embodiments having a floor track 110, the partition can be positioned substantially on the floor track. The partition 102 can have overlapping seam overlap flaps 114 at each joint section where the panels 104 of the bulletproof partition 102 are folded. The seam overlap flaps 114 are designed to provide additional protection by covering the gaps between the panels 104 when the bulletproof partition 102 is fully deployed. The seam overlap flaps enable the partition to provide a seamless span from wall to wall with no gaps for an attacker to exploit.

[0020] Figure 1B is a top view of a portion of the partition of Figure 1A according to an exemplary embodiment. The seam overlapping flap 114 minimizes the possibility that a projectile or attack penetrates the joint. The seam overlapping flap 114 improves the overall defensive ability of the partition 102. When the partition is extended to its fully deployed form, the individual panels can pivot relative to adjacent panels at the hinges 116. In the fully deployed form, the seam overlapping flap 114 of one panel can engage a notch 118 in the immediate vicinity of an adjacent panel. With the flap 114 of one panel placed within the notch 118 of the next panel, the entire partition 102 forms a barrier with an additional layer protecting the hinges, thereby increasing the resistance to gunfire. The partitions described herein provide a seamless extent from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling, eliminating gaps, seams, or other openings that an attacker might utilize and protecting the people therein.

[0021] In various implementations, the bulletproof partition can be manually operated and / or can also deploy automatically. A bulletproof partition that deploys automatically can be deployed by using magnets, chain drives, screw drives, rack and pinions, or other mechanical means. A bulletproof partition that deploys automatically can be deployed in response to a signal indicating an incoming threat. In various embodiments, the bulletproof partition can be made from any conventional bulletproof material, including combinations of bulletproof materials such as steel, liquid armor, ballistic gelatin, bulletproof glass, fiberglass, Kevlar®.

[0022] Figure 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a hinged sliding partition used in a ballistic protection system according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the hinged sliding partition can be stored along one wall and can be deployed along a track from a stored position to a deployed position in a different location. In various embodiments, the partition can be stored within a pocket along one or more walls and can be slid from the pocket to a deployed position by sliding the partition along a floor and / or ceiling track.

[0023] Partition 202 can be hingedly connected and can be stored on a track along one or more walls 204, 216 of classroom 224. As shown, partition 202 is stored along left wall 204. Partition 202 is designed to slide along track system 206, enabling partition 202 to move from a stored position to a deployed position 220 (along wall 204). In various embodiments where wall 208 is a solid wall such as an inner wall made of brick, cinder block, or other ballistic material, the partition can form a safe room 222 between wall 208 and partition 202 on the track. In various embodiments where wall 208 may be a "soft" wall that may include doorways, windows, and / or non-ballistic material, partition 202 can be deployed along track 206 to cover the soft wall so that the rest of the classroom can become a safe room.

[0024] The sliding partition 202 can include rollers with frictionless bearings. As a result, the rollers can easily roll on the track, so that even a child can easily move the heavy partition from the storage position (e.g., along the wall 204) to the deployment position 220 without applying a greater force. The rollers can be any conventional rollers, including so-called idler rollers, drive rollers, etc. With the rollers, the partition can move on the upper and / or lower tracks with minimal friction, and the partition can slide smoothly along the track system 206.

[0025] The track system 206 may extend in a U-shape along three sides, or may extend in an L-shape along two sides. In various embodiments, the partition may be a single partition stored along one wall, or may be two partition components stored along two walls. An embodiment with two partitions can include a first partition component stored along a first wall such as the wall 204, and a second partition component stored along a second wall such as 216. The two partition components can be deployed along the track so that they contact at the deployment position 206 and can be locked at the place where they abut each other. In an embodiment with a single partition, the partition can include a switch joint, and as will be described in more detail below, the switch joint enables the partition to be stored and deployed along one track, and then a part of the partition is switched to the deployment track portion.

[0026] In embodiments with a single partition, the partition can slide through the switch junction 210 within the track system 206 and then move in the reverse direction (towards the wall 204 along the track system 206) and engage with the lock 212. The lock 212 can fix the partition 202 in the deployed position. In various embodiments, the lock can be fitted into the wall 204 so that the partition can be nested inside the wall. This fitted position can provide additional protection by reducing any potential gaps.

[0027] In various embodiments, additional stub wall partition segments can be fixed in place or hinge - connected to deploy and cover any gaps remaining after the partition has been moved in the reverse direction through the switch junction so as to engage with the lock 212. In various embodiments, the partition 202 can be designed to have the folding ability of an accordion or a fan. The partition 202 can be folded in a manner similar to an accordion or a fan, and the rear end of the partition 202 can slide through the switch junction 210. The front edge of the partition can engage with the lock 214, and the rear edge can slide through the switch junction and then extend to engage with the lock 212. The opposite ends of the partition 202 can be locked into the fitting locking mechanisms 212, 214 disposed within the walls 204, 216.

[0028] In various embodiments having two partition components, partition 202 can be divided into two parts, one part can be stored along wall 204, and the other part can be stored along wall 216. When deployed, both parts can be moved along floor track system 206, and the two parts of partition 202 can be latched together at the center of track system 206. A dual-half configuration can provide an extended range and enhance the protective ability of the partition. Partition 202 can form a vault enclosed between partition 202 and bulletproof wall 208 (at the top of FIG. 2) to accommodate students and staff during a shooting incident, or the partition can cover soft wall 208 to form a safe room within the classroom. A portion of track system 206 can be designed to be hidden within a pocket, and the pocket can be formed by pocket wall 218 which can also have a blackboard, shelves, etc. along opposing walls 204, 216.

[0029] In various embodiments, a movable partition system can include an automatic partition moving device 230. The automatic partition moving device 230 can move the partition from a storage position to a deployed position or a partially deployed position. The automatic partition moving device can include a piston, a magnet, a screw drive, a chain drive, or other various means for moving the partition. Upon receiving an activation signal indicating an incoming threat, the automatic partition moving device can quickly move the partition automatically to a deployed position or a partially deployed position. In embodiments where the partition is hidden behind a blast wall, the automatic partition moving device 230 can move the partition to a partially deployed position that is at least far enough so that some of the partition extends from behind the blast wall, such that a child can grasp the partition and move the partition to a fully deployed position.

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of two back-to-back classrooms with a permanent bulletproof protection system according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the safe room can be constructed using a permanent reinforced shelter. As described herein, a permanent shelter means that at least some of the bulletproof shelters do not need to be moved for deployment and instead remain fully deployed at all times. Figure 3 shows two classrooms 302, 304 in a back-to-back position, with a shared safe room 314 located between the classrooms 302, 304. The safe room 314 can be formed from a permanent bulletproof wall 322 of classroom 302 and a permanent bulletproof wall 310 of classroom 304. In various embodiments, each classroom can have separate shelters such as shelter 312 for classroom 302 and shelter 314 for classroom 304, with a classroom wall between them, or the two rooms can share a single shelter between the rooms. Shelters 312, 314 can function as protected areas within classrooms 302, 304 that are immediately accessible during emergencies such as a situation caused by a mass shooter. The people inside can then seal the shelter by closing the bulletproof door, or other movable bulletproof partitions on door 316.

[0031] Figure 4 is a front view of the bulletproof partition shown in Figure 3 according to an exemplary embodiment. Looking now at Figures 3 and 4, the movable partition for sealing the safe room 312 can be a hinged door 416 that selectively provides access to the safe room or can seal the safe room. Door 316 can be designed using an overlapping joint as shown in Figure 4, and the overlapping joint is overlapping section 418 that ensures maximum protection against external threats. The overlapping joint improves the overall strength and integrity of the door and minimizes the risk of a bullet or projectile penetrating the shelter.

[0032] In various embodiments, the reinforced shelters 312, 314 may be large enough to accommodate more than 50 students. The reinforced shelters 312, 314 can be designed to provide sufficient room for students and teachers to seek safety without sacrificing the overall installation area of the classroom. Various comforts can also be provided to the students within each shelter. The comforts can include one or more ventilation openings 318 to ensure a supply of fresh air even when the shelters 312, 314 are sealed for safety reasons. In various embodiments, the ventilation openings 318 can be disposed on the outer wall for exhausting to the outside. Further, a TV monitor 320 can be installed in each shelter, and the students can watch for the arrival of rescue.

[0033] The bulletproof partition 322 can be constructed using various materials to guarantee a high level of protection against gunfire, projectiles, etc. The bulletproof partition 322 can include various panels 402, 404, 406, and 408, which can be made from one or more of bulletproof glass, Kevlar, steel, ballistic gelatin, or other protective materials. It should be understood that the specific combination of materials for forming the panels 402 - 408 can be adjusted based on the desired level of protection and design requirements.

[0034] The installed bulletproof partition 322 includes an entrance 316 and a movable partition 416, which can be a hinged door, a sliding door, a shutter door, or some other person for covering the opening with a bulletproof partition that cannot be easily broken by a person who may attack. To ensure the safety of the people inside the shelter, the door 416 can have a handle at the rear of the door 416 and can be opened and closed only from the inside of the shelter 312. The absence of an external handle helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures control over access to the shelter 312.

[0035] In an embodiment having a hinged door, the hinged door 416 can be fixed by a crossbar or a latch bar 410 from the inside. This additional measure strengthens the door's resistance to external forces, prevents unauthorized access, and improves the level of protection. The exact method of inserting a crossbar or a latch bar into the door 416 can be changed based on the design and the specific locking mechanism.

[0036] The partition 322 of the safe shelter can be bolted to the classroom floor using bolts 324, and the top edge 326 can extend above the classroom ceiling. By firmly bolting the bottom of the partition 322 to the floor, the partition 322 will not shift or be damaged during an attack. By extending the partition 322 above the ceiling, additional protection is provided and access from the top of the partition 322 is prevented.

[0037] FIG. 5 is an internal view of a bulletproof protection system in the form of a sliding partition according to an exemplary embodiment. The sliding partition can be stored in a first area and deployed to a deployed position to protect from an attacker. The sliding partition 500 includes a plurality of interconnected panels 502, and each panel can have top rollers and bottom rollers for easy sliding. The panel 502 can include an armored steel frame 506 and can include various bulletproof protection materials. The top track 510 and / or the bottom track 514 can enable easy movement and deployment of the panel 502. The armored steel hinge plate 512 can connect adjacent panels 502 to each other. The bottom track 514 can be embedded in the classroom floor, and the top track can be fitted above the ceiling to provide a complete range from the floor to the ceiling.

[0038] In various embodiments, one or more of the individual panels can be locked to the floor using deadbolt-type locks that engage holes in the floor or floor tracks. In an embodiment, a panel can include a spring-latching deadbolt 504 on the inner surface of the terminal panel such that when the terminal panel slides to a predetermined position at the end of the track, the spring-loaded deadbolt can slide into openings at the top and / or bottom to secure the panel in a predetermined position.

[0039] In various embodiments, the leading panel can be locked to a fixed wall at the end of the track using a latch 516 that can be an automatic latch. The fixed wall at the end of the track can be a stub wall 520 that includes a bullet-resistant panel that makes the stub wall resistant to gunfire, and / or the fixed wall at the first end of the track can be a stub wall 508 that includes a bullet-resistant panel that makes the stub wall resistant to gunfire.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a roller for use with a floor track of a movable bulletproof protection system according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the floor track 602 can be designed to support at least a portion of the weight of the partition 600, and the partition 600 can extend from the floor of the room, or from beneath the floor, up above the ceiling. In various embodiments, the partition panel can have a tension adjustment device 604 that can adjust how much tension exists between a lower track and an upper track, also called an upper rail. The tension adjustment device 604 can adjust how freely the bulletproof partition moves by adjusting the tension at each panel between the upper and lower tracks. In various embodiments, the tension adjustment device 604 can be within the panel, and an adjustment bolt 608 can be accessed from within a safe room so that the tension can be adjusted. The roller 600 can ride on the track 602, and the bearings 610 within the roller can help reduce friction and can help make it as easy as possible for a child to move the partition to a deployed configuration.

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a roller for use with a ceiling track system for a movable bulletproof protection system according to an exemplary embodiment. The ceiling track 702 can be disposed above the ceiling 70. In various embodiments, the ceiling track can be disposed approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm) inside the ceiling 704. The ceiling track 702 can be made of armored steel or other similar materials. The ceiling track 702 has one or more rollers 706 that can ride on the upper track 702. The roller 706 can move the partition 710 along the ceiling track 702. A plurality of armored steel rivets 708 can be used to secure the partition 710 to the roller 706 that can be above the partition 710. The upper edge of the partition 710, together with the roller 706 and the upper track 702, can all be disposed above the ceiling 704. This enables complete bulletproof protection for children behind the partition all the way up to above the ceiling. The rollers and floor track of FIG. 6 can support the bottom of the movable panel, the rollers and upper track of FIG. 7 can support the top of the same movable panel, and the tension adjustment device can adjust the tension on the panel between the two tracks.

[0042] FIG. 8A is an end view of a partition with a swivel caster and a height adjustment device for moving and positioning a bulletproof partition, with the height adjustment device in an extended configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 8B is an end view of a partition with a swivel caster and a height adjustment device for moving and positioning a bulletproof partition, with the height adjustment device in a retracted configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the trackless bulletproof partition 802 can be deployed from a storage position to a deployed position without the need for a floor track or a ceiling track. The trackless partition 802 can have a plurality of rollers that can be swivel casters, and the plurality of rollers can be used to move the partition 802 to create a safe room for protecting people from armed attackers. In various embodiments, the partition 802 can include a plurality of interconnected partitions, and each partition 806 can have its own rollers that can be casters. The casters 804 provide smooth movement on the floor of a classroom or other room, and this smooth movement allows a user to quickly and easily deploy the partition 802 by simply pulling the partition 802 across the room, over doorways, over windows, or wherever a movable bulletproof partition is desired. Once deployed in a desired position, the partition can be locked to the floor and / or fixed walls of the classroom, and in various embodiments, the locks can be recessed into the walls to eliminate gaps and provide a safe and secure safe room for the people inside.

[0043] Partition 802 can include a height adjustment device that can lift the partition above the caster or to the top of the caster. In various embodiments, the height adjustment device can be embedded within the partition, and in various embodiments, the height adjustment device can be a piston 808 at the top of each caster 804. In the extended configuration shown in FIG. 8A, the piston is extended such that the caster extends below the bottom of the partition, whereby the partition can move over the caster. In the retracted configuration shown in FIG. 8B, the piston is retracted such that the caster is drawn into the space within the partition and the partition can be lowered to the ground. In various embodiments, the partition can rest fully on the ground with the caster completely within the wall. In various embodiments, the caster can be left slightly extended to allow for placement and adjustment. In other words, the piston 808 can be used to lower the partition 802 on the caster 804, enabling the user to deploy the partition 802 with the piston extended and then lower the partition to the floor in the deployed position to eliminate the gap between the partition 802 and the floor.

[0044] In various embodiments of the partition, the bulletproof kick plate 810 can extend obliquely outward along the bottom 812 of the partition 802. The kick plate can be made of armored steel or other bulletproof materials. In embodiments without a height adjustment device, the kick plate extends from the bottom of the partition and can limit the ability of a shooter to fire bullets under the partition or in an orbit or the like. In embodiments having a floor track, the kick plate 810 can protect the track and rollers and prevent a shooter from firing under the partition. In embodiments having a height adjustment device, the partition can be lowered so that the kick plate rests on the floor, thereby preventing a shooter from firing at the bottom of the partition. The angle of the kick plate can deflect bullets and prevent them from entering the safe room or hitting mechanical components of the partition such as pistons and casters, or rollers and tracks. When the partition 802 is lowered to the floor, the kick plate 810 rests on the ground or floor, thereby preventing a shooter from firing at the seam where the partition 802 meets the floor. In various embodiments, the partition of the partition 802 can be made of multiple layers of different bulletproof materials, such as a continuous layer made of armored steel, bulletproof glass, bulletproof film, liquid armor, and the like.

[0045] Figure 9 is a top view showing a bulletproof protection system with pivotable panels for forming a foldable pop-out shelter according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 9, a track system is not required. As shown in Figure 9, the system 900 can include two pivotable bulletproof panels 902, 904 designed to pivot from the corners 906, 908 of the classroom wall 910. The free ends 912, 914 of the panels 902, 904 are designed to contact each other, for example, in the center of the classroom, thereby forming a triangular shelter 916 formed by the panels 902, 904 and the wall 910.

[0046] Vertex 918 can include an overlap hook 920, which enables the panels 902, 904 to be quickly arranged in a nested form, and enables them to be safely latched to each other in a state where the overlap protects the joint. Each panel can include a plurality of casters 922 to enable the movement of the panels 902, 904 along the floor of the classroom. In various embodiments, a plurality of locking rods 924 can be included as part of the panels 902, 904 and can be pushed into holes in the floor to stably hold the panels 902, 904 in a predetermined position. In various embodiments, two panels, such as panels 902 and 904, can be latched to each other where they contact.

[0047] In embodiments such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 having panels that move to a position above the floor, when a shooter fires at a joint where the partition contacts the floor or at a joint where the partition is immediately above the floor, a kick plate on the outside of the wall can help prevent bullets from entering the safe room. The embodiment of FIG. 9 is shown with two panels forming a triangle, but it is clear that in various embodiments, a plurality of hinged panels, each hinged to the next panel, can be deployed to create various safe rooms of different sizes and shapes. The proximal end panel can pivot outward while remaining hinged to the wall to form a shelter, and another hinged panel can pivot relative to each adjacent panel and unfold into the safe room, and the safe room can remain hingedly attached to the wall for strength and stability.

[0048] FIG. 10A is a top view of a series of armor panels deployed through an orbital system to create a ballistic protection partition according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the series of armor panels of FIG. 10A in the deployed arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, a series of separate armor panels 1002 can be deployed by an orbital system that can include floor and ceiling tracks. Each individual armor panel can be deployed individually, and each panel can be nested relative to a subsequent panel to create overlapping armor plates. Each panel can include an overlapping flap 1004 that forms a butt joint over the panel that the panel abuts after the panels are slid together on the tracks. When each panel is slid to a predetermined position on the tracks, the overlapping flap covers the seam between the panels to create a partition without gaps. Note also that the individual panels can be bolted to each other and / or bolted to the floor using mechanical fasteners to create a complete partition. In various embodiments, the last panel deployed can be locked in place, thereby holding the previous panel in position within the tracks without the need to lock each panel to the floor or an adjacent plate. The individual armor panels can have many different combinations and configurations of materials. In various embodiments, the armor plates can be made of a combination or layer of Kevlar, ballistic gelatin, and / or armor steel.

[0049] FIG. 10C is a schematic view of a partition formed from ballistic panels hinged together according to an exemplary embodiment. Looking at FIGS. 10A-10C, in various embodiments, a plurality of armor plates 1002 can optionally be hinged together by armor pins 1006 so that they can move together. These pins can be armored or hardened in other ways. With the armored hinge pins in place, the panels 1002 can be held together and move together. The overlapping flap 1004 of panel 1002a overlaps panel 1002b such that the overlapping region 1008 can protect the hinge region.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a top view showing a bulletproof partition designed to be rolled or unfolded for deployment according to an exemplary embodiment. The vertical roll partition can be made of a flexible material including Kevlar fibers, ballistic gelatin, etc. The vertical roll partition 1102 can be stored in a coiled or rolled form and may be on a vertical spool 1104, and the partition 1102 can be deployed by unfolding the partition along an orbital system within the classroom 1106. The partition 1102 can be stored in a roll at a convenient location such as a corner 1104 of the classroom 1106 for easy storage and can be deployed along the orbital system to form a safe room. In various embodiments, the partition 1102 can form a semi-circular safe room 1108 or can form various shapes depending on the shape of the orbital system. People in the room can move to the protected area 1110 and then pull the partition around the perimeter of the protected area. The partition can move on the orbital system in a manner similar to pulling a shower curtain around a shower. The partition 1102 can then be fixed to the wall at the end of the orbit. The partition may be flexible, but the leading edge of the partition can have a rigid vertical edge that can be fixed to the wall to form a safe room.

[0051] In various embodiments, the movable bulletproof partition including the vertical roll partition 1102 can be used to close off the entrance to a store including stores within a shopping mall. The movable bulletproof partition used to securely close the entrance to the store and convert the store into a safe room also serves an additional function of protecting the interior of the store when the store is closed, such as at night. The movable bulletproof partition is designed to firmly latch onto the wall and effectively seal off the space, so that neither an attacker nor a potential thief can enter the sealed-off space.

[0052] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partition that can be stored above the ceiling of a classroom according to an exemplary embodiment. The overhead bulletproof partition can be stored within an overhead horizontal roll or within an L-shaped track that slides along the ceiling like a conventional garage door. The overhead partition 1202 can be stored within the ceiling 1204 and lowered to a predetermined position above the classroom door 1206 and / or other vulnerable locations along the classroom wall such as a window (shown by arrow “B”). In various embodiments, the bulletproof partition 1202 may be a rugged roll type overhead door, or a flexible bulletproof barrier that can be wound in a horizontal roll, or similar to a garage door on an L-shaped track. Similar to the vertical roll bulletproof partition of FIG. 11, various movable bulletproof partitions including the overhead partition 1202 can be used to close off an entrance to a store including stores within a shopping mall. The movable bulletproof partition used to securely close off the entrance to the store and convert the store into a safe room also serves an additional function of protecting the interior of the store when the store is closed, such as at night. The movable bulletproof partition is designed to make firm contact with the floor and engage a locking mechanism securely to effectively seal off the space, such that neither an attacker nor a potential burglar can enter the sealed-off space.

[0053] FIG. 13 is an end view showing a slidable partition having ballistic protection for partition rails and wheels according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, partition 1302 can slide along an overhead rail to a deployed position. In various embodiments, the partition can be used to block doorways and / or windows to make an entire room into a safe chamber, or the partition can extend across a portion of a room to convert a portion of the room into a safe room. When faced with a protective partition, a person who may attempt an attack may try to fire at the top end of the partition and at the support that holds the partition in place. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper track in the ceiling can include ballistic protection for separating the track from the rollers.

[0054] The slidable partition 1302 can be suspended by wheels 1304 on a large barn door-type rail 1306 above the ceiling 1308. The bulletproof protection / armor plate 1310 protects the rail 1306 and the wheels 1304, so that a shooter cannot shoot the partition off the rail or shoot at the rail until it breaks. The bulletproof protection / armor plate 1310 of the rail 1306 can be attached at the top end 1312 to a building stud or other structural part above the ceiling and can be wrapped around to completely protect the rail 1306 and the roller 1304. The lower end of the armor plate for the rail 1306 can include a lower end 1314 for protecting the rail 1306 and the wheels 1304 from below. The flange 1316 of the armor plate 1310 can also extend from the area below the rail to the area in contact or almost in contact with the side of the partition, so that a shooter cannot shoot at the wheels 1304, or at the connection between the wheel and the partition, or at any other mechanical parts. There is a slight gap between the flange and the partition so that the partition does not rub against the flange when the partition moves to the deployed position. The armor plate can extend downward from the stud, wrap around the rail and the wheels, and extend to the partition. By connecting from the ceiling to the partition, the armor plate helps to provide bulletproof protection from the top to the bottom of the room where a shooter cannot shoot from above or around. The armor plate helps to protect the people in the room from gunfire and can also protect the support system for the partition, so that the partition does not break.

[0055] FIG. 14 is an internal view of a security system using a bulletproof partition to protect people in a room, according to an exemplary embodiment. In many cases, for safety purposes in the event of a fire or other evacuation, the classroom door typically opens outward from the room towards the corridor. The sliding bulletproof door 1408 can slide on an overhead track and / or a floor track to cover the opening of the entrance 1412 from the inside, regardless of whether the classroom door is open or closed. In various embodiments, the sliding bulletproof door 1408 can be remotely triggered to automatically close the entrance to a building such as a classroom. In various embodiments, the system can include an automatic partition moving device 1430 that can propel the sliding door 1412. In various embodiments, the sliding door 1412 can be propelled by a magnet to quickly close upon the appearance of a threat. In various embodiments, the sliding door 1412 can be propelled by a chain drive, a screw drive, or other means.

[0056] In various embodiments, the door can be fixed in the closed position using an electromagnet 1414 that attracts a corresponding magnet on the door 1408 so that the door cannot be easily pulled open. In various embodiments, the sliding door 1412 can be locked using bolts such as bolts to the floor and / or bolts to the wall around the door. In various embodiments, the door can be propelled to and held in the closed position using a magnet until the bolt lock can be engaged with the floor and / or wall. The warning 1416 can provide an audible alarm and / or light to warn the people present of a threat. In embodiments with an automatic sliding door, the warning 1416 can warn to move away from the door as the door closes.

[0057] FIG. 15 is an end view of a bottom track recessed into the floor according to an exemplary embodiment. The panel 1502 of the bulletproof partition can ride on rollers 1504, and the rollers can ride on a track 1510 that can be recessed into the floor 1508. The bulletproof kick plate 1506 can protect the rollers 1504 and the track 1510 from gunfire. Since the track is recessed into the floor, the bottom end of the panel 1502 can be made lower than the floor level as shown in FIG. 15, and a shooter cannot shoot under the panel or into the safe room behind the panel. The kick plate 1506 further protects the people there and prevents bullets from passing under the partition 1502 and into the safe room.

[0058] FIG. 16A is an internal view of a window protection system for a classroom according to an exemplary embodiment. The window protection system 1600 can include a series of slidable panels 1604 that can slide to a predetermined position to cover the window 1602. The panel 1602 can have rollers 1608 that travel on an overhead rail, and the panel 1602 can have lower rollers that travel on a lower rail. With the weight of the panel supported on the upper and lower rails, even a young child can easily grasp the panel and slide the partition over the window to create a safe room inside the classroom.

[0059] Figure 16B is a schematic end view of the top of a sliding partition that can be used for entrances, exits, and windows according to an exemplary embodiment. Looking at FIGS. 16A and 16B, the rails can be suspended high enough above the window so that the rails and rollers are safely out of the path of any bullet coming through the window. The partition 1604 is then suspended below the roller 1608 and below the rail 1606, and the bearing 1610 and / or other vulnerable parts face inward toward the interior of the room. For a sliding partition covering a door and a window, bullet protection can extend up to the bearing 1610 connecting the roller 1608 to the panel 1604. With this design, the rails can be mounted at the same height on the wall, and the panel can hang down from the rails and cover the window without gaps when in a protected position. In various embodiments, additional bullet protection 1612 can extend downward from the roller 1608 inside the room. This not only allows the weight of the panel 1604 to hang below the roller 1608 but also ensures that there is no gap for a bullet to pass between the rail and the panel.

[0060] Figure 16C is a schematic end view of the bottom of a sliding partition for a door and a window according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the lower roller 1622 may ride on a lower track 1624 at or above floor level. The protective strip 1614 can protect the roller 1622 at the bottom of the partition and can also protect any gap between the bottom of the partition 1604 and the track 1624. In various embodiments, the protective strip 1614 may be part of the movable partition 1604 and can hang down into a groove along the side of the track from the partition. In various embodiments, the protective strip 1614 may be a non-movable part of the track itself and can extend upward from the track to cover the lower roller 1622 and any gap between the partition 1604 and the track 1624.

[0061] FIG. 16D is an internal view of a stackable panel according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 16E is a top view of the stackable panel of FIG. 16D according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the stackable panel 1602 can be stored together in an upright state where each panel is ready to be deployed and in a state where a plurality of panels are lined up in a row one in front of the other. The stackable panel 1620 can be stored within a support (shoe) or a holding area at the end of the track system. When each panel 1620 is pulled down into the track system in the direction of arrow D, the teeth 1622 of the leading panel can engage within the pits 1624 of the next panel. In this way, when each panel is deployed onto the track to cover a window or a wall, the next panel can be automatically engaged by the previous panel, thereby pulling the next panel down below the track. When the teeth of one panel engage the next pit, each panel is engaged by the previous panel until a connected series of panels forms a partition over the window and / or wall.

[0062] FIG. 17A is a partial cutaway view showing a roller riding within a sealed overhead tube-shaped rail according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the partition can be supported at the top end by an upper rail having a tube-like structure. The roller 1704 can roll within the tube 1706. The bulletproof partition can be attached to the tab 1708 and suspended below the roller and the tube. The tube can be made of a hardened material such as steel to protect the roller from gunfire.

[0063] In various embodiments, the upper rail can have a barrier 1702 that can provide bulletproof protection to the rail and rollers. The various upper rails can include a barrier for protecting the rail and rollers, including tube-type and non-tube-type upper rails. The barrier 1702 can deflect bullets and be angled to protect the mechanical mechanism above the movable partition. The barrier 1702 can shield the rail, the rollers, and the top of the partition from bullets.

[0064] FIG. 17B is a partial cutaway view showing a roller riding on a T-shaped or I-beam rail according to an exemplary embodiment. The roller 1714 can roll along the rail 1716 and deploy a movable bulletproof partition that can be suspended from tabs 1718. A barrier 1712 can wrap around to cover the rail 1716 and the roller 1714. The barrier 1712 can extend along the length of the rail to protect the rail and rollers from bullets, and the barrier 1712 can be suspended lower than the rail and rollers to provide additional protection. The barrier provides bulletproof protection for the rail and rollers and for people in the safe room without interfering with the operation of the moving partition. In various embodiments, the barrier 1712 can extend to the right and contact the partition as shown in FIG. 17B to form a seamless protective covering. In various embodiments, there can be a small gap between the barrier and the partition so that the partition does not rub against the barrier as the partition moves to the deployed position, but the barrier is in substantial contact with the partition. In various embodiments, the gap can be less than 1 inch (2.54 cm).

[0065] Figure 18 is a perspective view from within a safe room showing a vertical bolt locking mechanism for securing a movable partition in a desired position according to an exemplary embodiment. The locking vertical bars can be driven into bolt holes to lock the partition in the deployed position, thereby making it impossible to be moved by an attacker. The locking handle 1802 can be disposed inside each panel 1804, and the locking handle 1802 can, for example, rotate counterclockwise to push the upper bar 1806 into an upper locking bolt receptacle 1810 that may be in an upper rail or other upper region, and the lower bar 1808 into a lower locking bolt receptacle 1812 that may be in the floor or a lower track. The locking handle 1802 can rotate clockwise to pull the vertical bars 1806, 1808 out of the locking bolt receptacles 1810, 1012, so that the partition can be moved. It will be apparent that the direction of rotation can be changed without departing from the present disclosure. In various embodiments, a single vertical bolt locking mechanism can secure the entire partition in the deployed position, but a plurality of locking mechanisms can be provided, optionally including one or more locking mechanisms for each panel of the partition.

[0066] Figure 19A is a top view showing the layout of a classroom equipped with a movable bulletproof partition designed to slide on a floor track and a ceiling track according to an exemplary embodiment. The floor track can be fitted into the floor of the classroom, and / or the ceiling track can be a load-bearing track in the ceiling. The track 1908 can be arranged in an L-shape, so that the movable partition can be stored along one wall and deployed along a second wall to enclose the room and form a safe room within the room. As shown, the partition 1902 can be stored behind the false wall 1906 of the classroom 1904. The optional false wall 1906 can hide the movable partition to reduce the appearance of bulletproof materials within the room, but is not important for the function of the partition. When an attack occurs, the partition can be pulled out along the track and cover the doors and / or windows of the soft wall 1910.

[0067] FIG. 19B is a top view showing the layout of a classroom with a movable bulletproof partition in a partially deployed position according to an exemplary embodiment. Partition 1902 can be pushed along track 1912 to cover all or part of soft wall 1910. In various embodiments, the movable partition 1902 can be wound back through switch junction 210 and locked in place using a latch 1914 that may be at the end of the track. In various embodiments, the movable partition can extend to cover door 1916 and can be locked in place to prevent entry even when door 1916 is open. In various embodiments, the classroom door may be a bulletproof door, which can be locked in place, prevent entry by an intruder, and stop a bullet. In embodiments having a locked bulletproof classroom door, the movable partition need not extend to cover door 1916. In various embodiments without a bulletproof classroom door, the movable partition can extend to cover the entire soft wall 1910 and can be locked in place at any one or both ends of the wall or along the length of the wall.

[0068] Figure 19C is a top view showing the layout of a classroom with a movable bulletproof partition that forms a space-saving safe room within a subset of the classroom, according to an exemplary embodiment. The movable partition can be deployed along track 1924 to form a space-saving safe room 1920 within a subset of classroom 1904. In various embodiments, it may be preferable to install a protective partition on the soft inner wall 1910 and another protective partition on the outer wall window 1922 for the space-saving safe room within the subset of the room. In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 19C, when partition 1902 is locked in place in the fully deployed position, there may be a gap 1928 left between the trailing edge of bulletproof panel 1902 and wall 1926. This gap 1928 can be used as an opening for entering and exiting safe room 1920. In various embodiments, a hinged bulletproof panel 1930 that can be pivotally hinged to wall 1926 can be used to close the gap. In various embodiments with hinged bulletproof panel 1930, a switch junction may not be necessary. In other embodiments, at least a portion of partition 1902 can have the ability to fold in a fan or accordion style, such that the trailing edge can pass over the switch junction and then extend until it contacts wall 1926. In various embodiments, classroom door 1916 may also be a locking bulletproof door that can provide a second level of security.

[0069] Figure 20A is a top view showing the layout of a classroom with a movable bulletproof partition stored in the front of the classroom according to an exemplary embodiment. The blast wall 1906 may be in the front of the classroom and can hold a blackboard or the like. The partition 1902 can be stored behind the blast wall 1906 on an L-shaped track 1912. In the event of an attack, the partition can be deployed along the track 1912 to cover the soft inner wall 1910 including the entrance 1916 and the internal window facing the corridor. In various embodiments, the partition 1902 can be wound back through a switch junction, or the door can be a bulletproof door or various other options as provided throughout the present disclosure.

[0070] Figure 20B is a top view showing the layout of a classroom with a movable bulletproof partition in the deployed position according to an exemplary embodiment. The movable bulletproof partition 1902 can be deployed along the soft wall 1910 and wound back through a switch junction to the corner of the room where it can safely cover the entrance and prevent intrusion. The stub wall 1926 with bulletproof panels can protect the end of the soft wall so that the movable partition can serve as a bulletproof partition for the entire wall even though it covers less than the entire soft wall. The locking bolt 1924 can lock the movable partition in the desired position covering the entrance 1916.

[0071] Figure 20C is a top view showing the layout of a classroom with a movable bulletproof partition with a bulletproof classroom door in the deployed position according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the partition 1902 can be deployed to cover less than the entire soft inner wall 1910. The bulletproof door and door frame can protect the entrance, and the movable panel can be deployed to cover the remaining portion of the soft inner wall.

[0072] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a security room for a bulletproof protection system. In various embodiments, a camera system can monitor threats that can occur within and around a school. The remote monitoring room 2204 enables one computer system and / or one monitoring operator to detect incoming threats at several schools within a school district, several different office buildings, shopping malls, etc. In various embodiments, one or more monitors 1404 can display one or more feeds 2206 from different schools and / or other buildings. Cameras 2208 can be placed outside the school to monitor access to the school, and the camera feeds can monitor hostile individuals approaching the school. In various embodiments, human monitors and / or AI technology can be used to monitor individuals carrying weapons towards any one school. When a threat is detected, the human monitor and / or AI monitor can send an activation signal to the school under threat. Cameras 2208 can also be placed inside the school to monitor hostile acts already occurring within the building.

[0073] In various embodiments, the monitoring room 2204 may be located within the school, with one human monitor and / or one electronic monitoring system per school, or the monitoring room may be remote from several schools being monitored by the same monitoring system. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may operate completely online without an actual physical monitoring room 2204, or within a cloud system. The monitors may be human monitors and / or electronic monitors.

[0074] The monitor can sense threats, and then the monitor can send an activation signal to the school under threat. The activation signal may cause the school to fall into a threatening situation. By the activation signal, automatic doors can be closed and locked at the entrance to the school. By the activation signal, automatic bulletproof classroom doors can be automatically closed in each classroom. By the activation signal, automatic access doors can be automatically closed. By the activation signal, various partitions can be automatically deployed or can start to be automatically deployed. In various embodiments, the partition can be automatically deployed the first few inches when the monitor sends the activation signal by means of magnetic force, piston force, or other force means. In various embodiments, the partition may be completely hidden behind a blast wall until the activation signal is received, and then the activation signal can trigger a piston, magnet, or other propulsive force to move the partition at least a few inches from behind the blast wall, so that the partition can be easily grasped and moved to a fully deployed configuration. The activation signal can also trigger a warning that may include a siren, flashing lights, etc. Students, staff, and others can terminate the deployment of the partition if the partition is not fully automatically deployed, and then can safely stay inside the safe room.

[0075] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a method for protecting a school or other building according to an exemplary embodiment. In box 2202, a monitor can monitor the outside of the school. The monitor may be a human monitor, an electronic monitor including an AI monitoring system, or a combination of human work and an electronic monitoring system. In box 2204, the monitor can sense threats such as hostile persons approaching the school with weapons. In box 2206, the monitor can send an activation signal to the school under threat. In various embodiments, the monitor may be located at the school under threat or may be remote from the school under threat. In box 2208, the activation signal can trigger an alarm system at the school. The alarm signal can warn the people in the building of the threat. In box 2210, the activation signal can trigger the automatic part of a bulletproof protection system including an automatically sliding bulletproof door that can automatically slide to a predetermined position to cover the school entrance door and classroom doors to protect the people there. The activation signal can trigger all the automatic components of the bulletproof protection system including partitions that can slide to a predetermined position to cover a wall or an entrance and / or can slide to a predetermined position to create a safe room. The activation signal can trigger an automatic partition that can automatically start moving, and as a result, the automatic partition appears from behind a blast wall at a distance sufficient for a child to grab the partition and move it along the track. In box 2212, the people in the room can deploy all manual partitions, and all manual partitions include partitions that automatically deploy partway and require the people there to complete the deployment. In box 2214, the people there can stay in the created safe room and wait until help arrives. In box 2216, the people in the safe room can watch a TV monitor showing a feed from an external camera, and as a result, the people in the safe room can see the arrival of help at the school.

[0076] Figure 23 is a schematic overview of a processing and control system for an automatic threat detection and bulletproof protection system according to an exemplary embodiment. The control device 2300 can monitor threats and take measures to protect the lives of people under threat, such as students in a school under threat. The control device 2300 includes a processor 2310, and the processor 2310 can have a threat monitoring module 2312. The threat monitoring module can receive input from an external camera 2320, and the threat monitoring module can monitor the camera signal for displaying hostile persons approaching the school with weapons. The external camera is arranged outside the school and can monitor the outside of the school and / or the inner monitoring area inside the school. The control device can have a life protection operation module 2314. The threat monitoring module can send a signal to the life protection operation module 2314 indicating that there is a threat. The bus 2316 can connect various modules and components so that signals can be passed to each other. The life protection operation module can send a signal to the school control device 2330. The school control device 2330 can send a signal to the automatic partition 2332 to instruct it to close or partially close the automatic partition. The school control device can send a signal to the warning system 2334 and instruct the warning system to signal to the people in the school that a threat has been detected. The warning system 2334 can include visible light and auditory indicators indicating the threat. It should be noted that the above-mentioned processes / processors and / or modules are examples of various control and feedback architectures that can be implemented in various embodiments to perform the desired functions described herein. Alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0077] Furthermore, the described features, operations, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the order of the steps or operations of the methods described in connection with the disclosed embodiments can be changed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, any order in the drawings or detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply a required order unless expressly specified as such.

[0078] The bulletproof protection system described herein can be adapted for use in almost any environment in all kinds of schools, homes, and businesses. It is clear that the partitions described herein can be of any suitable size and configuration known in the art, so long as the above objectives are achieved and without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. One skilled in the art will understand that the bulletproof system shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only and that many other sizes and shapes of bulletproof systems fall well within the scope of the present disclosure. The dimensions of the bulletproof system are important design parameters for user convenience, but the bulletproof system may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and / or meets the needs and / or preferences of the user.

[0079] The terms "bulletproof" and "ballistic" are used herein to describe systems and materials designed to prevent bullets from passing through the described systems and materials. Almost all materials will eventually fail when faced with long-term, heavy assaults, such as heavy artillery, but the terms "bulletproof" and "bullet protection" are intended to be used herein as they are used in common usage, which means being effectively bulletproof for at least some predetermined amount of time or number of firings. The size of the ammunition, the number of firings, and other factors all affect how long the systems described in the present invention can maintain bulletproof performance. However, the systems and methods described herein are intended to be bulletproof as the words would be understood by those skilled in the art. The systems and methods described herein are designed to provide at least Level III protection. Similarly, the various locking mechanisms described herein that keep attackers out may not be permanently impenetrable when faced with long-term, heavy assaults, such as heavy machinery, but the locking mechanisms described herein are designed to be impenetrable for at least some predetermined period until help arrives. The locking mechanisms described herein are designed to withstand an attack without heavy machinery for at least as long as the longest currently recorded school shooting incident.

[0080] The above has been a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Various changes and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each feature of the various above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined with the features of the other described embodiments in order to provide combinations of numerous features in related new embodiments. Further, although several separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention have been described above, what is described herein is merely an illustration of the application of the principles of the present invention. Also, terms of various directions and orientations (and their grammatical variations) as used herein, for example, "vertical", "horizontal", "above", "below", "bottom", "top", "side", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "forward", "backward", etc. are used only as relative conventions and are not used as absolute orientations with respect to a fixed coordinate system such as the direction of the action of gravity. Further, the terms "substantially" or "approximately", when used with respect to a given measurement, value, or characteristic, mean an amount that is within the normal operating range to achieve the desired result, but includes some variation due to inherent inaccuracies and errors within the system's tolerance (e.g., 1 - 2%). Also, as used herein, "process" and / or "processor" should be noted to be interpreted broadly to include various electronic hardware and / or software-based functions and components. Further, the illustrated process or processor can be combined with other processes and / or processors, or can be divided into various sub-processes or processors. Such sub-processes, and / or sub-processors, can be combined in various ways according to the embodiments herein. Similarly, any function, process, and / or processor herein can be implemented using electronic hardware, software consisting of non-transitory computer-readable program instructions, or a combination of hardware and software. Therefore, this description is intended to be interpreted as illustrative only and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

**Claim 1** A mobile bulletproof partition system for deployment in a school or other building, said mobile bulletproof partition system comprising: at least one mobile bulletproof panel; at least one roller on said mobile bulletproof panel; at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively lock said mobile bulletproof panel to a wall or floor to secure said mobile bulletproof panel in a deployed position, thereby creating a sealed safe room within a room. A mobile bulletproof partition system. **Claim 2** Further comprising at least one track in a fixed position within the room, said at least one track defining said area of said safe room, said roller on said at least one mobile bulletproof panel being configured such that said mobile bulletproof panel can travel along said track so as to define said sealed safe room. The mobile bulletproof partition system according to claim 1. **Claim 3** Said at least one track can be recessed into said floor by a predetermined distance, such that the bottom edge of said mobile bulletproof partition is below said floor surface, thereby creating a safe room between said mobile bulletproof partition and said ceiling with no gap through which a shooter can shoot into the safe room. The mobile bulletproof partition system according to claim 2. **Claim 4** Said at least one partition further comprises a kick plate at the bottom of said partition, said kick plate extending from said partition to cover said track recessed into said floor, said kick plate being configured to deflect bullets so that they cannot be fired at said roller or said track. The mobile bulletproof partition system according to claim 3. **Claim 5** Said at least one track may be an overhead rail recessed into said ceiling by a predetermined distance, such that the top edge of said mobile bulletproof partition is above said ceiling, thereby creating a safe room between said mobile bulletproof partition and said ceiling with no gap through which a shooter can shoot into said safe room. The mobile bulletproof partition system according to claim 2 **Claim 6** The overhead rail further includes a protective wall, the protective wall extending from above the rail and the at least one roller to below the rail and the at least one roller, the protective wall extending less than 1 inch from the movable bulletproof partition when the movable bulletproof partition is in the deployed configuration, the movable bulletproof partition according to claim 5.

7. The at least one roller further includes a height adjustment device, the roller extending at least partially below the bottom of the movable bulletproof panel such that the movable bulletproof panel can move into the deployment position when the height adjustment device is in the extended configuration, and the roller not extending below the bottom of the movable bulletproof panel such that the movable bulletproof panel is placed on the floor when the height adjustment device is in the retracted configuration, the movable bulletproof partition according to claim 1.

8. The at least one movable bulletproof panel further comprises a plurality of movable bulletproof panels arranged in a row, the movable bulletproof panels further comprising hinges between adjacent panels such that two adjacent panels can pivot relative to each other, the movable bulletproof partition comprising a plurality of movable bulletproof panels capable of being deployed along the track to create a protective wall defining a safe room, the movable bulletproof partition according to claim 2.

9. At least one of the plurality of movable bulletproof panels has a seam overlap flap at one end of the panel and a notch at the other end of the panel such that when the panels pivot relative to each other to form a wall, the seam overlap flap of one panel is placed within the notch of the adjacent panel, such that the seam overlap flap creates bulletproof protection for the hinge between the panels, the movable bulletproof partition according to claim 8.

10. The at least one movable bulletproof panel includes at least two movable bulletproof panels, the two movable bulletproof panels are hingedly connected to one or more walls of a room at a proximal end of the movable bulletproof panel, the movable bulletproof panels are hingedly connected to the one or more walls of the room at positions spaced apart from each other, the two movable panels can be stored along one or more walls in the storage configuration, the two movable panels can pivot hingedly from the walls, the movable bulletproof panel can contact at a distal end of the panel to form a safe room having movable panels forming at least two walls of the safe room, the safe room includes at least one wall of the building as a wall of the safe room, the movable bulletproof partition according to claim 1.

11. A system for protecting human lives during a violent attack, at least one camera facing the outside of a building, at least one monitor for monitoring a video stream from the camera, at least one movable bulletproof partition within the building, the at least one movable bulletproof partition being stored in a storage configuration, and at least one automatic partition moving device operably connected to the at least one movable bulletproof partition comprising The system, wherein the at least one movable bulletproof partition is automatically moved by the automatic partition moving device into a form at least partially deployed in response to an operation signal from the monitor.

12. The system for protecting human lives according to claim 11, further comprising at least one overhead rail for supporting the at least one movable bulletproof partition, the at least one movable bulletproof partition further comprising at least one roller rolling on the overhead rail for carrying the movable bulletproof partition, the at least one overhead rail further comprising a protective wall for shielding the rail, the roller, and the top of the partition from gunfire.

13. The bed further comprises at least one lower track fitted therein, and the at least one movable bulletproof partition further comprises at least one roller that rolls on the lower track for carrying the movable bulletproof partition. Since the bottom edge of the movable bulletproof partition is below the floor surface, there is no gap through which a shooter can shoot into the safe room. The system for protecting human lives according to claim 11.

14. When the at least one movable bulletproof partition is in the storage position, the at least one movable bulletproof partition can be hidden behind the blast wall. When the at least one automatic partition moving device automatically moves the at least one movable bulletproof partition in response to an operation signal, the at least one movable bulletproof partition is at least partially exposed by pushing the at least one movable bulletproof partition out from behind the blast wall, so that a person can grasp it and manually fully deploy it. The system for protecting human lives according to claim 11.

15. A method for protecting human lives, comprising: monitoring the outside of a building; detecting a threatening person approaching the building; sending an operation signal to the building being threatened; warning the people in the building of the threat in response to the operation signal; automatically moving an automatic part of a bulletproof protection system in response to the operation signal; The method.

16. The step of automatically moving an automatic part of the bulletproof protection system in response to the signal further comprises moving a part of the bulletproof protection system to form a safe room, and the safe room is configured to provide a bulletproof shelter to protect the lives of the people in the safe room. The method according to claim 15.

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