Polycarbonate based rapid deployment cover system
The present invention provides a rapid deployment cover system comprising a polycarbonate laminate or a glass-clad polycarbonate laminate in combination with a versatile and cushioned mounting system to yield a highly durable cover which provides protection from forced-entry, blast, ballistics and/or extreme storms in a wide range of climates.
1. A rapid deployment cover system for a wall having an opening, the system comprising:
a mounting track attached to the wall;
a polycarbonate laminate having a first side adjacent to the mounting track, a second side and a plurality of holes through the first and second sides;
a pressure plate adjacent to the second side of the polycarbonate laminate;
a first plurality of bolts, wherein each such bolt is fixedly attached to the pressure plate, and passes through one of the holes in the polycarbonate laminate; and
a plurality of elastomeric sleeves, wherein each such sleeve is situated substantially around one of the bolts and within one of the holes of the polycarbonate laminate.
2. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bolts is fixedly attached to both the pressure plate and the mounting track, and the mounting track is attached to the wall by a second plurality of bolts.
3. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 2 , wherein the mounting track is attached to the wall by 4 to 8 bolts of the second plurality of bolts.
4. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bolts are fixedly attached to the wall.
5. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 4 , wherein the mounting track is attached to the wall by 4 to 8 bolts.
6. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more shims disposed between the mounting plate and the wall.
7. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 6 , wherein the shims are constructed of an elastomeric material.
8. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 6 , wherein the shims create a space of at least 0.25 inches between the wall and the mounting plate.
9. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bolts are spaced at least 3 inches apart from each other.
10. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of bolts are spaced at least 6 inches apart from each other.
11. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are about 2 inches in diameter.
12. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate has a diameter of about 3.7 times a thickness of at least one of the elastomeric sleeves.
13. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elastomeric sleeves has a thickness of about 0.535 inches.
14. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elastomeric sleeves has a Shore A hardness of about 35 to about 45.
15. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elastomeric sleeves has a tensile strength of about 1450 psi.
16. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elastomeric sleeves is constructed of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
17. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one bushing disposed between at least one of the bolts and at least one of the elastomeric sleeves.
18. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , wherein the polycarbonate laminate comprises at least one edge, and the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are located at least 0.25 inches away from the at least one edge of the polycarbonate laminate.
19. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are located at least 3 inches away from the at least one edge of the polycarbonate laminate.
20. The rapid deployment cover system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure plate cover.
21. A method for installing a cover to a wall having an opening, the method comprising:
A) drilling 4 to 8 anchor holes in the wall around the opening;
B) fixing a mounting track to the 4 to 8 anchor holes in the wall; and
C) hanging a polycarbonate laminate having a first side adjacent to the mounting track, a second side and a plurality of holes through the first and second sides,
(i) through the use of a pressure plate adjacent to the second side of the polycarbonate laminate, and
(ii) also through the use of a first plurality of bolts, wherein each such bolt is fixedly attached to the pressure plate at one end, and passes through an elastomeric sleeve and a hole of the polycarbonate laminate.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first plurality of bolts is fixedly attached to both the pressure plate and the mounting track, and the mounting track is attached to the wall by a second plurality of bolts.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first plurality of bolts is fixedly attached to the wall.
24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
D) installing one or more shims between the mounting plate and the wall.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the shims create a space of at least 0.25 inches between the wall and the mounting plate.
26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first plurality of bolts are spaced at least 3 inches apart from each another.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the first plurality of bolts are spaced at least 6 inches apart from each another.
28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are about 2 inches in diameter.
29. The method of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate has a diameter of about 3.7 times the thickness of an elastomeric sleeve.
30. The method of claim 21 , wherein each of the first plurality of bolts passes through a bushing.
31. The method of claim 21 , wherein the polycarbonate laminate comprises at least one edge, and the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are located at least 0.25 inches away from the at least one edge of the polycarbonate laminate.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the plurality of holes in the polycarbonate laminate are located at least 3 inches away from the at least one edge of the polycarbonate laminate.
33. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
E) installing a pressure plate cover.