Foundation for a ballistic shelter and method for fabricating a foundation for a ballistic shelter

Abstract

The object of the invention is a foundation for a ballistic shelter comprising a plurality of adjusting feet (1), bottom parts (9) of the foundation and top parts (12) of the foundation to be assembled around the adjusting feet (1), a guide rail (17) to be fastened to the adjusting feet (1) through the top parts (12) of the foundation, whereby the adjusting feet (1) comprise a base surface (20) coming against the mounting surface, an adjustment part (5), means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5) with respect to height and inclination, whereby the aforementioned means are exposed through the top part (12) of the foundation. The object of the invention is also a method for fabricating a foundation for a ballistic shelter.

Description

[0001] FOUNDATION FOR A BALLISTIC SHELTER AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING A

[0002] FOUNDATION FOR A BALLISTIC SHELTER

[0003] The object of the invention is a foundation for a ballistic shelter and a method for fabricating a foundation for a ballistic shelter according to the independent claims. The foundation for a ballistic shelter according to the invention enables rapid erection of a ballistic shelter particularly, but not exclusively, on a sloping surface.

[0004] Various ballistic shelters are needed in conflict areas to safeguard personnel and equipment from injury and damage. Solutions according to prior art have focused on the development of ballistic shelters for personnel. These types of shelters are transported in vehicles along with troops, the vehicles also carrying other heavier equipment and supplies.

[0005] Such ballistic shelters are known from, inter alia, specification US2021102398 AL This specification presents various erectable solutions for ballistic shelters for personnel. The solutions are shelters erectable by one person or several persons together, which shelters are typically for one person or several persons and are A-shaped or have flat roofs. A-shaped ballistic shelters are erected by raising the hinge point at the peak of the A upwards and by supporting the bottom parts of the A against the ground. The ballistic shelter thus comprises an A-shaped frame and the actual ballistic shelter is implemented with separate protective plates that are connected to the A-frame. Another alternative is to bring to the site just the bare A-frame, in which spaces are formed for filling. These spaces are filled with on-site earth, such as sand, for achieving ballistic protection. Shelters with a flat roof are raised upwards with a solution similar to an articulated jack, in which case people can shelter below the raised plate. In such a case, ballistic protection is only provided in the incoming from above direction.

[0006] A second corresponding solution for a ballistic shelter for people is revealed in specification US 10739113 BL In it, a ballistic shelter is constructed on top of an erectable load-bearing frame. One or more panels providing ballistic protection are fastened to the frame. The purpose is to provide a rapidly erectable shelter for an individual person. Another solution for achieving a ballistic shelter is to erect an L-shaped shelter by lifting a wall providing ballistic protection to the upright position by means of a hydraulic cylinder and turning mechanism. In such a case, the wall rises to become upright around a hinge point. Alternatively, the ballistic protective wall can be erected by means of an articulated jack and the ballistic wall comprises two parts connected in a hinged manner to each other.

[0007] Solutions according to prior art are designed for personal use and movable ballistic shelters are not known to have been manufactured as larger constructions. From the viewpoint of the erection of the ballistic shelter, it is advantageous to install such larger movable ballistic shelters onto a foundation. Conventionally, the construction of a foundation is slow, especially on an uneven surface. Often, in this case, foundations are made by pouring concrete and then it is necessary to wait for the concrete to dry before building on the concrete cast. Conventionally, shelters are constructed by using separate roof trusses, onto which battens are placed, and then sarking and roof covering on top of the battens. Ballistic protection is not known to be provided in these types of buildings.

[0008] The solution according to the invention eliminates the problems of prior art and provides a foundation for a rapidly erectable ballistic shelter, which foundation can also, if necessary, be installed onto a sloping surface. Rapid erection of ballistic shelters is extremely important in situations of crisis. These type of ballistic shelters are needed e.g. in conjunction with supplementary aerodromes to protect landed aircraft. In such installation sites the mounting surface often deviates from a level surface, in which case the foundation must adapt to the uneven surface of the terrain. The solution according to the invention enables rapid erection of a ballistic shelter also on uneven surfaces and in such a way that the foundation of the ballistic shelter is itself slightly inclined and the ballistic shelter to be placed upon it is built slightly slanted. This is possible owing to the adjustable foundation and the fact that the solid foundation allows the foundation, and at the same time the ballistic shelter, to be built at a slight angle to the terrain, even when the foundation is filled with poured concrete. Owing to this adjustability and the enclosing nature of the formwork of the foundation, the foundation can be shallower and can be built on an uneven bed. When installing the foundation, there is no need to wait for the poured concrete to dry before building on top of the foundation, but instead the construction of the shelter can be started immediately. This enables rapid erection of a ballistic shelter. If necessary, the foundation according to the invention can also be quickly disassembled and conveyed to another location. The metal-structured foundation for a ballistic shelter according to the invention comprises adjusting feet to be set against the mounting surface, which adjusting feet are connected to each other with plate-like wall structures. Adjusting feet that are adjustable in height allow level installation of the ballistic shelter to be installed onto the foundation. Unevenness of the mounting surface can be compensated for with the adjustment margin of the adjusting feet. If necessary, the formwork assembled around the adjusting feet formed from the bottom part and top part of the foundation can be filled with poured concrete after adjustment of the foundation. The filling of the foundation can be done immediately after the installation of the foundation or, if necessary, at a later stage, when the ballistic shelter has been built on top of the foundation. Owing to the adjustable metal foundation, there is no need to wait for the concrete foundation to dry before installing the wall structures of the ballistic shelter. The weight of the wall structures of the ballistic shelter is supported by means of the adjusting feet, in which case the wall structures of the foundation function only as a casting formwork. The ballistic shelter can be erected quickly, in less than 12 hours, into a finished structure. Likewise, it can be quickly disassembled and conveyed to a different location if the need arises. As the ballistic shelter is fabricated with an adjustable metal foundation, a significant saving in weight is gained in the total weight of the ballistic shelter. The foundation for a ballistic shelter according to the invention is suitable more particularly, but not exclusively, as a foundation for the protection of aircraft.

[0009] In the following the invention will be described in more detail with the aid of some examples of its embodiment with reference to the attached simplified drawing, wherein

[0010] Fig. 1 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred adjusting foot of a foundation according to the invention,

[0011] Fig. 2 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred bottom part of a foundation according to the invention,

[0012] Fig. 3 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred bottom part of a foundation together with adjusting feet according to the invention, Fig. 4 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred foundation according to the invention with the bottom part and top part installed, and

[0013] Fig. 5 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred foundation according to the invention, as viewed from above, with the guide rails installed.

[0014] Fig. 1 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment of an adjusting foot 1 of a foundation according to the invention. The adjusting foot 1 comprises a bottom part 2 coming against the mounting surface, the bottom part having an essentially flat base surface 20. On the upper part of the bottom part 2 is a preferably plate-like top surface 21, to which at least one nut 3 is immovably fastened. Joining the nut 3 to the plate-like top surface 21 of the adjusting foot 1 is preferably done e.g. by welding. In this embodiment there are four nuts 3. Threaded rods 4 are fastened to the nuts 3 with threads. Thus, there are one or more units of combined nuts 3 and threaded rods 4, and very advantageously four units, allowing adjustment into the correct attitude of the adjustment part 5 fastened to the top part of the threaded rods. The adjustment part 5 is preferably a plate-like metal piece with holes 6 for the ends 7 of the threaded rods 4. Only the ends 7 of the threaded rods 4 protrude to outside the holes 6 of the adjustment part 5, in which case the threaded rods support the adjustment part. The adjustment part 5 can also comprise protrusions 23 extending downwards on one or more sides, the purpose of which is to stiffen the structure. In this embodiment there are two protrusions 23 and the protrusions are disposed on the sides of the adjustment part that are transverse to the foundation. Adjustment of the adjusting foot 1 to the correct attitude takes place by rotating the ends 7 of the threaded rods 4, allowing placement of the adjustment part 5 into the correct attitude and a true installation of the ballistic shelter to be built on top of the foundation. The ends 7 of the threaded rods 4 are shaped in such a way that they can be rotated e.g. with an open-ended spanner or corresponding. The adjustment part 5 has a threaded installation hole 8 ready for the installation of a guide rail to be connected to the foundation at a later date. The base surface 20 of the bottom part 2 of the adjusting foot 1 and the plate-like top surface 21 are connected by the longitudinal plate-like sides 22 of the foundation, in which case the bottom part of the adjusting foot forms an essentially rectangular structure in the longitudinal direction of the foundation. The bottom part 2 of the adjusting foot 1 may also have support structures supporting the structure of the adjusting foot that are not shown in the figures. An adjusting foot 1 thus comprises a bottom part 2 having a base surface 20 coming against the mounting surface, an adjustment part 5, means fastened to the upper part of the bottom part for adjusting the position (height and inclination) of the adjustment part, which means are preferably nuts 3 welded into place and threaded rods 4 rotatable from their ends 7, upon which threaded rods the adjustment part rests, in which case the ends of the threaded rods extend right through the adjustment part for enabling adjustment of the position of the adjustment part. The structure of the adjusting foot 1 can also be implemented partly in a different way, deviating from that described, but what is essential is that the adjusting foot comprises the combination of a nut 3 and a threaded rod 4 below the adjustment part 5 to adjust the position of the adjustment part.

[0015] Fig. 2 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred bottom part 9 of a foundation according to the invention. The bottom part 9 of the foundation comprises side plates 10 in its longitudinal direction installed vertically, which are connected by one or more stiffener plates 11. The side plates 10 can be fastened to the stiffener plates 11 using any connecting technique whatsoever known in the art, such as screws, pop rivets or corresponding. The side plates 10 are preferably made from e.g. edge-bent galvanized sheet metal and the stiffener plate 11 e.g. from edge-bent steel plate. The edge-bending of the aforementioned parts 10 and 11 substantially increases the rigidity of the parts without essentially increasing the weight of the structure. The edge-bends at the same time improve the installability of the parts, as e.g. the edge-bends of the bottom edge of the side plates 10 settle under the bottom part 2 of the adjusting foot 1 presented in Fig. 1. It is also obvious to the person skilled in the art that other materials suited to the use can be used in fabrication of the aforementioned parts 10 and 11. From the viewpoint of easy and rapid installation, it is advantageous that the length of the side plates 10 is 1000-5000 mm, and extremely advantageously 2500 + / - 500 mm. The stiffener plates 11 connecting the side plates 10 are dimensioned to be suited to the width of the adjusting foot 1 and the width is determined by the intended use / size of the ballistic shelter. The width of the ballistic shelter is e.g. in the case of aircraft protection 250- 600 mm, preferably 300-500 mm and very preferably 350-450 mm.

[0016] Fig. 3 presents adjusting feet 1 of a foundation according to the invention and the bottom part 9 of the foundation when joined, The bottom parts 9 of the foundation are assembled around the adjusting feet 1 and the aforementioned parts are connected to each other e.g. with screws, pop rivets or corresponding. The adjusting feet 1 are preferably positioned longitudinally halfway between the sections in the bottom part 9 of the foundation or, correspondingly, in such a way that the junction of the bottom parts of the foundation coincides with the adjusting feet. The foundation of the ballistic shelter is assembled to its necessary size by combining the required number of adjusting feet 1 and bottom parts 9 of the foundation. If it is planned that the foundation of the ballistic shelter is filled with concrete, the foundation can be provided with concrete reinforcement to prevent breaking of the concrete casting, in which case reinforcing bars can be installed inside the foundation in the longitudinal direction of the foundation (not presented in the figures). Even if the foundation of the ballistic protection is filled with concrete, the use of concrete reinforcement is not mandatory. In some circumstances, breakage of the concrete casting inside the casting formwork may even be an acceptable / desirable event. There are 1-6 units of reinforcing bars in the longitudinal direction of the foundation, inside it, preferably three units.

[0017] Fig. 4 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred foundation according to the invention with the top part 12 of the foundation installed. The top part 12 of the foundation, which top part covers the adjusting feet, is installed into position and fastened from the skirt to the bottom part 9 of the foundation e.g. with self-tapping screws. There are ready-made holes (not shown in the figures) in the bottom part 9 and top part 12 of the foundation, so that parts 9 and 12 automatically align correctly. Also at the bottom of the top part 12 of the foundation there is preferably bent edging 24, which stiffens the structure of the top part of the foundation. The top parts 12 of the foundation are installed preferably in such a way that the seams of the bottom parts 9 of the foundation and the seams of the top parts of the foundation are as far apart as possible. The seam of the top parts 12 of the foundation is preferably at the point of the adjusting foot, which allows the ends of two adjacent top parts of the foundation that face each other to be fastened to one adjusting foot. This improves the rigidity of the foundation. Together, the bottom part 9 and top part 12 of the foundation form a formwork around the adjusting feet. The formwork formed by the top part 12 and bottom part 9 of the foundation does not support the weight of the structures of the ballistic shelter, but only allows the foundation of the ballistic shelter to be filled with concrete. The weight of the wall structures of the ballistic shelter is supported only by the adjusting feet. The wall structures of the ballistic shelter are supported by two adjacent adjusting feet, which means that the position of each wall structure can be adjusted to that desired by means of the adjusting feet.

[0018] In the top parts 12 of the foundation are filling holes 13 for any filling of the formwork with concrete. When filling the foundation with concrete, the filling holes 13 at a lower level can be plugged closed so that the poured concrete cannot escape from inside the foundation through them. Plugging of the filling holes is preferably done with e.g. plastic plugs. The foundation withstands the weight of the ballistic shelter to be installed on top of it without poured concrete, which means filling the foundation is optional and it can be done immediately after assembly of the foundation or at a later phase when installation of the ballistic shelter has been completed. If concrete casting is carried out, there is no need to wait for the poured concrete to dry, but instead the ballistic shelter can be immediately erected on top of the foundation. This significantly speeds up the erection time of a ballistic shelter.

[0019] In the top part 12 of the foundation there are holes 14 for the ends 7 of the threaded rods 4, allowing the foundation / adju sting feet to be adjusted precisely to the desired attitude still at this stage. In addition, the top part 12 of the foundation has holes 15 for the guide rails to be installed onto the top part. Through the holes 15, it is possible to use a hole provided with threads that is on the adjusting foot for fastening the guide rail. The guide rail is fastened to the foundation preferably at the point of the adjusting feet 1. The wall structures of the ballistic shelter are installed into position by means of the guide rail. Installation of the guide rail is shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, in the top part 12 of the foundation there are holes 16 enabling later installation of threaded rods. Threaded rods can be pre-installed in the holes 16 together with nuts and washers, even if the foundation is not immediately filled with poured concrete.

[0020] Fig. 5 presents a simplified schematic drawing of a preferred foundation according to the invention, as viewed from above, with the guide rails 17 installed. A guide rail 17 is preferably e.g. an upward-opening metal U-profile. An L-profile can also be used as a guide rail 17, in which case the wall structure of the ballistic shelter is supported by only one edge of the guide rail. The guide rail 17 is fastened with the bolts 18 to the adjusting feet remaining inside the formwork by means of installation holes 8 already provided with threads in the adjusting feet. It is advantageous to use a washer under the bolts 18, in which case the fixing surface of the guide rail 17 is increased. The top part 12 of the foundation can be fastened to the adjusting feet with the same bolts 18. If the foundation is filled with concrete through the holes 13, threaded rods are preferably installed during casting in the holes 25 of guide rail 17. The threaded rods are held in place by means of an adjustment nut and washer. The threaded rods can be advantageously pre-installed into position even if the foundation of the ballistic shelter is not immediately filled with poured concrete. The holes 16 (see Figure 4) in the top part 12 of the foundation and the holes 25 in the guide rail 17 are aligned for the installation of the threaded rods. The wall structures of the ballistic shelter are fastened by means of the threaded rods to the guide rail 17 in addition to the fastening to the foundation of the ballistic shelter occurring at the point of the adjusting feet. The adjusting feet and at the same time the entire foundation can still be adjusted to the correct position with the foundation assembled by turning the ends 7 of the threaded rods before pouring any concrete.

[0021] The method for fabricating a foundation for a ballistic shelter includes one or more of the following phases: adjusting feet 1 are produced, each of which adjusting feet 1 comprising a base surface 20 coming against the mounting surface, an adjustment part 5 and means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part, the bottom parts 9 of the foundation are assembled around the adjusting feet 1, concrete reinforcement is installed inside the foundation, the top parts 12 of the foundation are assembled to cover the adjusting feet 1 in such a way that the ends 7 of the threaded rods 4 of the adjustment part 5 of the adjusting feet remain exposed for adjusting the position of the adjustment part 5, in which case the bottom part 9 and top part 12 of the foundation together form a formwork around the adjusting feet, a guide rail 17 is installed onto the top part 12 of the foundation and the guide rail is fastened with bolts 18 to an adjusting foot 1 through the top part of the foundation, threaded rods are installed through the holes 25 of the guide rail 17 and the holes 16 of the top part 12 of the foundation, and the foundation is filled with poured concrete. The method according to the invention thus includes one or more of the aforementioned phases, and the phases are not necessarily in the same sequence that is presented. The aforementioned numbering in the phases of the method refer to the numbering in Figs. 1-5. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited solely to the examples described above, but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Foundation for a ballistic shelter, characterized in that the foundation for a ballistic shelter comprises a plurality of adjusting feet (1), whereby the adjusting feet (1) comprise a bottom surface (20) coming against the mounting surface, an adjustment part (5), means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5) with respect to height and inclination, bottom parts (9) of the foundation and top parts (12) of the foundation to be assembled around the adjusting feet (1), a guide rail (17) to be fastened to the adjustment part (5) of the adjusting feet (1) through the top parts (12) of the foundation, whereby the aforementioned means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5) are exposed through the top part (12) of the foundation.

2. Foundation for a ballistic shelter according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5) of an adjusting foot (1) comprise at least one combination of a nut (3) fastened immovably to an adjusting foot (1) and an adjusting rod (4) to be rotated from its end (7), preferably four combinations of a nut (3) and an adjusting rod (4).

3. Foundation for a ballistic shelter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the top part (12) of the foundation and the bottom part (9) of the foundation together form a formwork for enabling the pouring of concrete into the foundation, in which case in the top part (12) of the foundation are holes (13) for filling the foundation with concrete.

4. Foundation for a ballistic shelter according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the foundation comprises concrete reinforcement, in which case preferably 1-6 reinforcing bars pass inside the foundation in its longitudinal direction.

5. Foundation for a ballistic shelter according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that in the top part (12) of the foundation are holes (16) for installation of threaded rods.

6. Foundation for a ballistic shelter according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the guide rail (17) is a U-profile, L-profile or corresponding.

7. Method for fabricating a foundation for a ballistic shelter, characterized in that the method comprises the following phases:- adjusting feet (1) are produced, each of which adjusting feet (1) comprising a base surface (20) coming against the mounting surface, an adjustment part (5) and means for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5),- the bottom parts (9) of the foundation are assembled around the adjusting feet (1),- the top parts (12) of the foundation are assembled to cover the adjusting feet (1) in such a way that the ends (7) of the threaded rods (4) of the adjusting feet (1) remain exposed for adjusting the position of the adjustment part (5), in which case the bottom part (9) and top part (12) of the foundation together form a formwork around the adjusting feet (1), and- a guide rail (17) is installed onto the top part (12) of the foundation and the guide rail (17) is fastened with bolts (18) to an adjusting foot (1) through the top part (12) of the foundation.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the foundation of the ballistic shelter is provided with concrete reinforcement.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the top part (12) of the foundation of the ballistic shelter is provided with holes (13) and the formwork formed by the top part (12) and bottom part (9) of the foundation is filled with poured concrete.

10. Method according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the foundation for a ballistic shelter is provided with threaded rods extending through the holes (25) of the guide rail (17) and the holes (16) of the top part (12) of the foundation for increasing the fixing points of the wall structures.

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