US20120036988A1

US20120036988A1 - Window blast shielding system and methods thereof

Info

Publication number: US20120036988A1
Application number: US13/207,619
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J. Daniels; Robert C. Hahn
Original assignee: J R Innovations LLC
Current assignee: J R Innovations LLC
Priority date: 2010-08-13
Filing date: 2011-08-11
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Also published as: WO2012021699A1

Abstract

A window blast shield for mounting to a window frame including a top retaining body, a bottom retaining body, a safety drapery having a strength to retard debris propelled by blast forces, the safety drapery operatively coupled with the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, at least one safety cord disposed within a channel within at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, wherein applying blast forces to the window blast shield the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body fails and the at least one safety cord does not fail, and wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and retard debris propelled by blast forces.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/373,557, filed Aug. 13, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/467,483, filed Mar. 25, 2011, the content of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a window blast shield that can substantially retard debris propelled by an explosion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In exemplary embodiments, a window blast shield for mounting to a window frame can comprise a top retaining body that can be operatively coupled with the window frame's top region; a bottom retaining body that can be operatively coupled with the window frame's bottom region; a safety drapery having a strength to retard debris propelled by blast forces, the safety drapery can be operatively coupled with the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body; at least one safety cord disposed within a channel within at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body, the safety cord having a greater length than the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body; wherein applying blast forces to the window blast shield at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body fails and/or the at least one safety cord does not fail; and/or wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and/or retard debris propelled by blast forces.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield of can further comprise a vertical support cable that can be operatively coupled with at least one terminal support member, wherein the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body can be slidably coupled with the vertical support cable.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield of can further comprise a vertical support cable that can be operatively coupled with at least one terminal support member, wherein the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body can be detachably coupled with the vertical support cable.
In exemplary embodiments, the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body can comprise a substantially frangible material such that both the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield; wherein at least one safety cord can be disposed in a channel in the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body, the at least one safety cord can comprise a substantially infrangible material such that the at least one safety cord does not fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield and/or the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery, allowing the safety drapery to billow and/or retard propelled debris.
In exemplary embodiments, the at least one safety cord can be disposed within a channel within the top retaining body and/or the safety cord having a greater length than the top retaining body; wherein when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield the top retaining body fails and/or the at least one safety cord does not fail; and/or wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and/or retard debris propelled by the blast force.
In exemplary embodiments, the at least one safety cord can be disposed within a channel within the bottom retaining body and/or the safety cord having a greater length than the bottom retaining body; wherein when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield the bottom retaining body fails and/or the at least one safety cord does not fail; and/or wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and/or retard debris propelled by blast forces.
In exemplary embodiments, the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body can further comprise: a male idler plug; a female idler plug coupled with the male idler plug; an idler spring housed between the male idler plug and/or the female idler plug; a roller having a first end and/or a second end, the first end coupled with the female idler plug; a tension plug coupled with the second end of the roller; and/or a tensioner base coupled with the tension plug. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the tension plug and/or the tensioner base can further comprise corresponding gearing wherein the gearing of the tension plug and/or the gearing of the tensioner base are releasably coupled, wherein at least a portion of the gearing of the tension plug and/or at least a portion of the gearing of the tensioner base fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield causing the tension plug to decouple with the tensioner base and/or the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body to fail.
In exemplary embodiments, the at least one safety cord can be shielded from light by at least a portion of at least one of the safety drapery, the top retaining body, and/or the bottom retaining body.
In exemplary embodiments, the at least one safety cord can comprise a steel cord.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a top cord affixer coupled to the top mount for securing the at least one safety cord.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a mounting member coupled with the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body and/or the at least one safety cord; and/or a tamper-resistant member removably affixed to the at least one safety cord. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the top mounting member can further comprise a mounting plate releasably coupled to the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body; wherein the mounting plate can comprise an interior mounting plate, a mounting insert, and/or an exterior mounting plate having a recess for accepting the mounting insert, wherein the at least one safety cord can be wedged between the interior mounting plate and/or the mounting insert. Further still, in exemplary embodiments, the interior mounting plate and/or the mounting insert are attached forming an interior mounting member, wherein the interior mounting member can be releasably attached to the exterior mounting plate; and/or wherein the inner mounting plate and/or inner mounting insert are releasably coupled to the external mounting plate by being inserted into the recess in the external mounting plate and/or held in place by a spring. Even further still, in exemplary embodiments, the tamper-resistant member can comprise at least one of a special head screw and/or screw driver assembly, a removable pin and/or pin assembly, a key and/or lock assembly, a hinged latch assembly, and/or a spring loaded sliding latch assembly.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a polyester film secured to a window in blast proximity to the window blast shield.
In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body can be a curtain rod.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a second safety drapery for retarding propelled debris, the second safety drapery, that can be operatively coupled with the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the second bottom retaining body.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a second safety drapery for retarding propelled debris, the second safety drapery being that can be operatively coupled with at least one of a second top retaining body and/or a second bottom retaining body.
In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the safety drapery can be furled about the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body, and/or wherein the at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body are round and/or rotatable.
In exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can further comprise a middle retaining body coupled with a middle mounting member disposed between the top mounting member and/or the bottom mounting member being slidably coupled to at least one vertical support cable, wherein the safety drapery, the middle retaining body comprise substantially frangible material such the top retaining body fails when a blast forces are applied to the window blast shield. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the top terminal member can be affixed to a ceiling; wherein the bottom terminal member can be affixed to a floor; and/or wherein the length of the at least one vertical support cable can be greater than the length between the top terminal member and/or the bottom terminal member. Further still, in exemplary embodiments, the at least one vertical support cable comprise a loop caused by a crimp and/or a pin passed through the loop such that the at least one vertical support cable can be affixed to the top terminal member and/or the bottom terminal member.
In exemplary embodiments, a window blast shield for mounting to a window frame can comprise a top retaining body that can be operatively coupled with the window frame's top portion; a bottom retaining body that can be operatively coupled with the window frame's bottom portion; a safety drapery having a strength to retard debris propelled by blast forces, the safety drapery that can be operatively coupled with at least one of the top retaining body and/or the bottom retaining body, the safety drapery being folded forming one or more pockets attached with a releasable coupling member; and/or at least one safety cord disposed within the one or more pockets of the safety drapery, wherein the releasable coupling member decouples when impacted by blast forces, allowing the one or more pockets to billow and/or retard propelled debris.
In exemplary embodiments, the releasable coupling member can comprise at least one of a stitch or a staple. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the releasable coupling member can comprise a clamp for clamping the safety drapery in a folded position forming the one or more pockets, the clamp can comprise a frame having apertures for receiving a screw to couple the clamp together to hold the one or more pockets in a closed position, the clamp being adapted to fail when the safety drapery can be contacted by blast forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1B illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustratively depict a window blast shield substantially retarding debris propelled by an explosion, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustratively depict a plurality of safety draperies and/or a window blast shields that can be used to substantially retard debris propelled by an explosion, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustratively depict various safety drapery configurations for a window blast shield that can be used to substantially retard debris propelled by an explosion, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustratively depicts an exemplary configuration of various subassembly elements of a window blast shield, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustratively depicts various elements of a window blast shield that can be designed to fail during an explosion, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustratively depict various safety cord affixers of a window blast shield, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8B illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield that can be removably mounted, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustratively depicts various elements of a window blast shield that can be removably mounted, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 10A-10F illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield that can provide for inter alia, billowing, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 11A-11B illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield that can have a safety drapery having a curtain form, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 12A-12B illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield that can have a safety drapery having a curtain form, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 13A-13D illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield that can have a safety drapery having a curtain form having various pleat types, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 14 illustratively depicts various elements of a window blast shield having various deployment pockets, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15B illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield having a deployment roll, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 16 illustratively depict various elements of a window blast shield having a deployment pocket, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a window blast shield capable of substantially retarding debris propelled by an explosion thereby substantially reducing injury and/or damage from the propelled debris. Generally, but not exclusively, in exemplary embodiments, the window blast shield can be used in large, high risk facilities such as airport terminals, embassies, petro chemical facilities, government/public buildings and other similar structures. Further, in exemplary embodiments, at least some portion of at least some elements of the window blast shield can be designed to fail during an explosion and/or be retarded by remaining non-failed elements of the window blast shield.
In exemplary embodiments, the elements designed to fail may be constructed such that, if propelled by an explosion, they are less likely to cause substantial injury and/or damage. For example, the elements designed to fail may be constructed of a substantially lighter material such that, if propelled by an explosion, they, inter alia, have substantially less momentum than if constructed of a heavier material. Further, the elements designed to fail may be constructed such that they fail in a controlled manner. In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the elements designed to fail may comprise a substantially frangible material. By way of example, a frangible section may comprise less than half the material of the elements designed to fail, more than half the material of the elements designed to fail, the entire material of the elements designed to fail, to name a few. These elements designed to fail may also be used to protect and/or shield other elements of the window blast shield. For example, they can be constructed to protect other elements from creep failure, UV degradation, and/or other undesirable forces and/or failures.
Referring to FIG. 1A, in exemplary embodiments, a window blast shield 100 can include at least one mount 102 that can affix, for example, indirectly and/or directly, to a window/building frame 101. In exemplary embodiments, window blast shield 100 can include at least one safety drapery 104 that can extend from at least one top retaining body 106 a to another at least one bottom retaining body 106 b. By way of example, safety drapery 104 can extend from a top retaining body 106 a substantially near the top of a window 103 and/or frame 101 to a bottom retaining body 106 b substantially near the bottom of window 103 and/or frame 101. In exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 104 can extend from a first end of the top retaining body 106 a substantially near a first side of a window 103 and/or frame 101 to a second end of the top retaining body 106 a substantially near a second side of a window 103 and/or frame 101, and from a first end of the bottom retaining body 106 b substantially near a first side of a window 103 and/or frame 101 to a second end of the bottom retaining body 106 b substantially near a second side of a window 103 and/or frame 101.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a window blast shield 100 can be configured such that at least one of safety drapery 104, retaining body 106 a, retaining body 106 b, a safety cord 108, and/or mount 102 can be coupled together in various configurations. In exemplary configurations, safety cord 108 can be substantially shielded from light, stress, and/or strain by at least some portion of safety drapery 104, retaining body 106, and/or mount 102. Safety cord 108 may be shielded from light to, for example, reduce UV degradation and/or may be shielded from stress and/or strain to, for example, reduce creep. In exemplary configurations, safety drapery 104 can also substantially retard propelled glass shards from a failed window 103, debris from failed elements of window blast shield 100, and/or any other propelled debris.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the top retaining body 106 a can be coupled to and/or contain a safety cord 108 that can extend from a first end of the top retaining body 106 a to a second end of the top retaining body 106 a. The bottom retaining body 106 b can be coupled to and/or contain a safety cord 108 that can extend from a first end of the bottom retaining body 106 b to a second end of the bottom retaining body 106 b. In exemplary embodiments, the top and bottom retaining bodies 106 a, 106 b can be, e.g., a curtain rod, and in exemplary embodiments, the safety cord can be, e.g., a stainless steel, Kevlar, to name a few and/or other tested structural cord, line, cable, and/or fiber.
A safety drapery 104 can be coupled to the top retaining body 106 a and the bottom retaining body 106 b, which can be coupled to respective mount 102. The mount 102 can be affixed, for example, indirectly and/or directly, to frame 201. In exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 104 can be a single continuous safety fabric. Further, each safety cord 108 can also be coupled to the respective mount 102 as well as retaining body 106, and/or safety drapery 104. In an exemplary configuration, safety drapery 104 can be relatively taut and located in a substantially parallel plane to glass window 202 and/or in any location that can retard propelled glass and other debris. For example, referring to FIG. 2B, during an explosion safety drapery 104 can be unrolled and can remain attached to one and/or both the top and bottom safety cords 108. The safety drapery 104 can substantially retard propelled glass shards 202′ and/or any other propelled debris.
In exemplary embodiments, at least some portion of any number of elements of window blast shield 100 can be designed to fail during an explosion and/or be retarded by remaining non-failed elements of the window blast shield 100. For example, referring to FIG. 2C, at least some portion of top retaining body 106 a and/or bottom retaining body 106 b can be designed to fail at a predetermined blast strength. Further, safety drapery 104 can remain coupled to one and/or more safety cords 108 allowing for expansion and therefore can still retard propelled glass shards 202′ and/or any other propelled debris including, for example, failed portions 106′ of retaining body 106.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2C, the safety drapery 104 can be coupled to one and/or both safety cords 108 such that a pocket and/or sac can form during an explosion that substantially retards propelled glass shards 202′ and/or of the propelled debris at a center of the safety drapery 104. This pocket and/or sac formed by safety drapery 104 and/or one and/or more safety cords 108 can be used to assist in cleaning and/or containing debris.
Referring to FIG. 3A, more than one window blast shield 100 can be affixed to a window/building frame, for example, on either side of glass window 202. This may be done to substantially encapsulate a window to, for example, reduce the risk of damage caused by propelled debris.
Referring to FIG. 3B, more than one safety drapery 104 can be coupled to retaining body 106 and/or safety drapery 104 can be band shaped such that retaining body 106 may be located within safety drapery 104.
Referring to FIG. 4A-4B, safety drapery 104 can be coupled to retaining body 106 such that safety drapery 104 can remain located on either side of retaining body 106. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, safety drapery 104 can be coupled to retaining body 106 such that safety drapery 104 remains located on a side of retaining body 106 substantially far from window 202. As another example, as shown in FIG. 4B, safety drapery 104 can be coupled to retaining body 106 such that safety drapery 106 remains located on a side of retaining body 106 substantially near window 202.
In exemplary embodiments, safety drapery 104 can be coupled to retaining body 106 such that at least some of safety drapery 104 can be furled about at least a portion of retaining body 106 and/or retaining body 106 can rotate. Safety drapery 104 can be furled about retaining body 106 such that when an explosion occurs at least some of safety drapery 104 can be unfurled from retaining body 106 and/or retaining body 106 can rotate. This unfurling and/or rotating can be designed to retard some of the force from the explosion and/or reduce the speed of propelled debris.
Safety cord 108 and/or safety drapery 104 can be constructed of any reasonable material such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, polyester, aramid, para-aramid, acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyolefin, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), high-performance polyethylene (HPPE), silicon carbide ceramic, thermoset liquid crystalline polyoxazole, lurex, wool, silk, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, modal, bamboo, asbestos, basalt, glass, any combination and/or further separation thereof, and/or from any material from an animal source, plant source, mineral source, and synthetic source, and/or any other reasonable source. By way of example, safety cord and/or safety drapery 104 can be constructed of Kevlar.
Further, safety cord 108 and/or safety drapery 104 can be constructed using any reasonable technique such as, but not limited to weaving, knitting, twisting, braiding, crocheting, knotting, pressing, spinning, laminating, coating, printing, extrusion, any combination and/or further separation thereof, and/or any other technique that can be used to produce a material capable of substantially retarding debris from, for example, an explosion. By way of example, safety cord and/or safety drapery can be constructed of at least one Kevlar material using any techniques such as, but not limited to weaving, knitting, twisting, braiding, crocheting, knotting, pressing, spinning, laminating, coating, printing, extrusion, any combination and/or further separation thereof, and/or any other technique that can be used to produce a material capable of substantially retarding debris from, for example, an explosion.
Safety cord 108 and/or safety drapery 104 can be constructed to be compliant with governmental safety requirements, such as, but not limited to, U.S. General Services Administrations compliancy, British Standards Institution, American National Standards Institute, European Committee for Standardization, and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to name a few.
Safety drapery 104 can also increase energy savings by reducing radiant heating as well as reduce glare and/or act as a privacy shield. Further, safety drapery 104 can be constructed such that an individual can look substantially through safety drapery 104. Further still, safety drapery 104 can come in a wide range of colors such to, for example, accentuate and/or blend in with surrounds and/or increase and/or decrease visibility through safety drapery 104. Further still, safety drapery 104 can include openings and/or pores such that air can flow through safety drapery 104.
Safety drapery 104 can be coupled to safety cord 108 and/or retaining body 106 by any technique such as, but not limited to, mechanically coupling, chemically bonding, any combination and/or further separation thereof, and/or by any reasonable technique capable of ensuring that safety drapery 104 can be coupled to safety cord 108 and/or retaining body 106. For ease, at times, safety drapery 104 can be described as having a pocket region which receives and/or slides over safety cord 108 and/or retaining body 106. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
In exemplary embodiments, at least some element of retaining body 106 can be designed such that it substantially reduces the quantity of stress and/or strain on safety cord 108. For example, retaining body 106 can be coupled to mount 102 as well as safety drapery 104 and safety cord 108 can also be coupled to mount 102 as well as retaining body 106 in a configuration such that force applied on retaining body 106 may not be substantially applied on safety cord 108. As an exemplary configuration, retaining body 106 can include a channel for receiving safety cord 108 such that when safety cord 108 and retaining body 106 are coupled, safety cord 108 remains within the channel without substantially contacting retaining body 106. In this configuration, force applied on retaining body 106 can be absorbed and/or distributed without being substantially applied on safety cord 108.
In exemplary embodiments, at least some element of retaining body 106 and/or safety drapery 104 can be designed to substantially reduce the quantity of light which reaches safety cord 108. This can be done to reduce the UV degradation of safety cord 108. For example, following the above configuration, light may be substantially blocked from reaching safety cord 108 as safety cord 108 can remain within a channel of retaining body 106 that substantially blocks light.
It will be understood that at least one mount 102, safety drapery 104, retaining body 106, safety cord 108, and/or any element of window blast shield 100 can be arranged and/or configured in any reasonable configuration such that window blast shield 100 can substantially reduce the quantity of damage caused by an explosion as well as, inter alia, substantially reduce the quantity of stress and/or strain on safety cord 108, substantially reduce UV degradation of safety cord 108, and/or provide a predetermine amount of force that will cause retaining body 106 to fail. For ease, not all possible arrangements and/or configurations are discussed. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
Further, it will be understood that any of mount 102, retaining body 106, and/or any element of window blast shield 100 can be designed, constructed, and/or configured to fail during a blast. For ease, at times, only retaining body 106 is described as failing. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
Further still, it will be understood that any form of failure such as, but not limited to buckling, corrosion, creep, fatigue, fracture, impact, mechanical overload, rupture, thermal shock, wear, yielding, and/or any other form of failure can be designed to occur with any of mount 102, safety drapery 104, retaining body 106, and/or any element of window blast shield 100. For ease, at times, only some forms of failure are described. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
As an exemplary configuration, referring to FIG. 5, retaining body 106 can be constructed of further subassembly elements. Such configuration of retaining body 106 can be used as either top retaining body 106 a and/or bottom retaining body 106 b, as described in FIG. 1, and/or both. As shown, retaining body 106 can be constructed of a male idler plug 502 that can couple with mount 102 on one end and couples with female idler plug 504 at the other end such that when coupled an idler spring 506 can be housed therein. Further, female idler plug 504 can couple at one end of roller 508 which can couple at the other end with tension plug 510. Tension plug 510 can couple with a tensioner base 512 that can couple with a second mount 102.
Referring to FIG. 6, as discussed above referring to FIG. 2C, and FIG. 5, in exemplary embodiments, tension plug 510 can couple with tensioner base 512 such that during an explosion tension plug 510 and tensioner base 512 can decouple causing retaining body 106 to fail. More specifically, tension plug 510 can include gearing 602 which can couple with gearing 604 of tensioner base 512. To ensure decoupling, at least one of gearing 602 and gearing 604 can be constructed of a material that fails at a predefined load and/or can be mechanically configured such that at a predefined load at least some gears fail and/or they can rotate relative to one another.
Further, mount 102 can receive a male protrusion from male idler plug 502 causing them to couple such that at a predetermined blast can decouple mount 102 and male idler plug 502. The amount of force required to decouple mount 102 and female idler plug 504 can be controlled by idler spring 506 housed within male idler plug 502 and female idler plug 504. For example, when housed within male idler plug 502 and idler plug 504 idler spring 506 can be compressed such that a coupling force can be imparted on mount 102 and male idler plug 502. The quantity of this coupling force can be controlled by the amount of compression of idler spring 506 and its spring constant such that if a blast force can be stronger than this coupling force, retaining body 106 can fail.
Referring again to FIG. 5, male idler plug 502, female idler plug 504, idler spring 506, roller 508, tension plug 510, tensioner base 512, mount 102, safety drapery 104, retainer body 106, and/or any other elements of blast shield 100 can include an opening and/or channel such that safety cord 108 can be passed through and/or housed therein such that, for example, during day to day use the quantity of force applied on safety cord 108 can be substantially reduced and/or the quantity of light that can reach safety cord 108 can be substantially reduced. Reducing the quantity of light which can reach safety cord 108 can reduce the chances of failure of safety cord 108, for example, due to UV degradation. Reducing the quantity of force applied on safety cord 108 can reduce the chances of failure of safety cord 108, for example, due to creep.
Referring to FIGS. 7A-7B, in exemplary embodiments, safety cord 108 can be coupled to mount 102 and/or frame 101 (not shown) such that during an explosion safety cord 108 can remain coupled. It will be understood that safety cord 108 can be coupled to any element of window blast shield 100, a building that window blast shield 100 is affiliated with, and/or any object affiliated with a building that window blast shield 100 is affiliated with. For ease, safety cord 108 is described, at times, as being coupled to mount 102. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
In exemplary embodiments, safety cord 108 can be coupled to mount 102 by a cord affixer 702. Cord affixer 702 can be any mechanism capable of fastening safety cord 108 to mount 102. For example, referring to FIG. 7A, cord affixer 702 can couple to mount 102 such that safety cord 108 can be clamped between at least a portion of cord affixer 702 and mount 102. As another example, referring to FIG. 7B, cord affixer 702 can couple to mount 102 and safety cord 108 can interact with cord affixer 702 such that safety cord 108 can be fastened in place. For example, safety cord 108 can be wedged, furled about, clamped to, adhesively affixed, chemically bonded, and/or buckled to at least a portion of cord affixer 702.
Further, in exemplary embodiments, safety cord 108 can be tied to mount 108 using any reasonable knot type such as, but not limited to, bend, binding, coil, hitch, lasing, loop, plait, seizing, sennit, splice, stopper, and/or any other knot type and/or any other knot.
It will be understood that male idler plug 502, female idler plug 504, idler spring 506, roller 508, tension plug 510, tensioner base 512, mount 102, safety drapery 104, retainer body 106, safety cord 108, cord affixer 702, and/or any other elements of blast shield 100 can be further combined and/or separated. For ease, at times these elements are described separately. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
Further, in exemplary embodiments, a film such as, but not limited to, a polyester film can be placed on a window that is substantially near window blast shield 100 to further reduce injury and/or damage from the propelled debris and/or propelled window glass shards. Also, the window can be constructed of laminated glass.
Further still, in exemplary embodiments, male idler plug 502, female idler plug 504, idler spring 506, roller 508, tension plug 510, tensioner base 512, mount 102, retainer body 106, cord affixer 702, and/or any other elements of blast shield 100 can be constructed of any reasonable material such as, but not limited to any metal and/or alloy such as, but not limited to, aluminum, iron, steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, iron, copper, zinc, and nickel, to name a few; any plastic material such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, polyethylene thermoplastics, High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), Nylon, Rubber, Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), High impact polystyrene (HIPS), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to name a few; any ceramic such as, but not limited to, alumina and boron carbide, to name a few; any combination and separation thereof; and/or any other material.
In exemplary embodiments, various types and configurations of mounts 102 can be used. In exemplary embodiments, a tamper resistant mount 102 can be provided such that a safety cord 108 can be permanently fixed to the tamper resistant mount 102, and the tamper resistant mount can be coupled to a window frame. The tamper resistant mount can be coupled to the window frame using welded plates in these exemplary embodiments. In exemplary embodiments, the safety cord 108 can be removably fixed to a tamper resistant mount 102, such that the safety cord 108 can only be removed using tamper resistant equipment, such as but not limited to a special head screw driver, a removable pin with lanyard, a turn key lock, a hinged latch, a spring loaded sliding latch, etc. In exemplary embodiments, the safety cord 108 can be coupled to a mount 102, which can be fixed to a floor to ceiling cable and/or other line, which can be fixably mounted to structurally secure components of a building, such as but not limited to a ceiling, floor and/or a support beam.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8A, top and bottom retaining bodies 815 can be releasably coupled to mounting plates 820. The top and bottom retaining bodies 815 can be releasably coupled to the mounting plates 820 so that a window located on either side of the safety drapery 104 can be cleaned and/or accessed. As shown in FIG. 8B, a mounting insert 825 can be provided within a recess 822 of the external mounting plates 820, allowing the retaining bodies 815 to be released to allow for cleaning of a window.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8B, a safety cord 830 can be permanently and/or removably affixed to an inner mounting plate 827 and/or a mounting insert 825. The safety cord can be wedged between the inner mounting plate 827 and the mounting insert 825, and/or can be furled around screws and wedged between the inner mounting plate 827 and the mounting insert 825, and/or can be welded, compressed, etc. In exemplary embodiments, the inner mounting plate 827 and/or the mounting insert 825 can be releasably coupled to an external mounting plate 820, which can in turn be fixed to a floor to ceiling cable which can be mounted fixedly to structurally secure components of a building, such as a ceiling, floor and/or support beam.
In exemplary embodiments, the inner mounting plate 827 and/or the mounting insert 825 as described in FIG. 8B can be combined as one unit, which the safety cord 830 can be affixed to, for example, indirectly and/or directly. The one unit can be releasably coupled to the external mounting plate 820, which can be fixed to a floor to ceiling cable which can be mounted fixedly to structurally secure components of a building, such as a ceiling, floor and/or a support beam.
In exemplary embodiments, the inner mounting plate 827 and/or mounting insert 825 (as described in FIGS. 8A and 8B) can be releasably coupled to the external mounting plate 820 by being inserted into the recess 822 in the external mounting plate and can be held in place by a compressive force, such as but not limited to a spring pushing the insert into the recess.
In exemplary embodiments, the safety cord 830 can include a crimp and/or any other change in its shape such that the safety cord 830 can be affixed to an inner mounting plate 827 and/or a mounting insert 825, which can be two separate units and/or one unit, by being seated in a recess 822.
In exemplary embodiments, the safety cord 830 can include a loop, such as but not limited to a loop caused by a crimp, with a pin passed through the loop such that the safety cord 830 can be affixed to an inner mounting plate 827 and/or a mounting insert 825, which can be two separate units and/or one unit.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, retaining bodies 906 can be releasably coupled to mounting plates that can be located at various locations. For example, retaining bodies 906 can be releasably coupled to end mounting plates 920′ and middle mounting plate 920. The retaining bodies 906 can be releasably coupled to mounting brackets 920 that can be coupled, for example, to a vertical cable 925 that can be affixed, for example, indirectly and/or directly, to a structurally solid element of a building. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the vertical cable 925 can be coupled to a terminal member 930, which can be fixed or coupled to a structural beam or support at the ceiling or floor. Terminal members 930 can be provided at a ceiling, or floor, or both. In exemplary embodiments, one or more springs may be provided at the terminal members 930. In exemplary embodiments, the retaining bodies 906 can also be coupled to the ends of a window frame that can be structurally solid. This can be done such that a plurality of windows (and/or a very large window) can be protected (e.g., using a continuous safety drapery) without leaving any spaces and/or gaps allowing glass shards to pass in the event of an explosion. In exemplary embodiments, the retaining bodies 906 can be slidably coupled with the vertical cable 925 such that the vertical retaining bodies 906 may be moved up or down on a vertical orientation. By way of example, the movement of the vertical retaining bodies 906 may be locked by a locking means and restricted by one or more stops.
In exemplary embodiments, more than one safety drapery can be provided such that a large expanse, such as multiple windows can be protected. Further, in exemplary embodiments, intermediate brackets can be provided that can be fixed to a floor to ceiling cable which can be mounted fixedly to structurally secure components of a building and/or which can be fixed to the ceiling, floor, support beam, etc., eliminating gaps that broken glass and debris can otherwise pass through.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10E, a safety drapery 1004 can be provided where the length of the safety drapery 1004 can be greater than a window that it covers. In such exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10A, there can be multiple retaining bodies 1006 such that at least some portion of the retaining bodies 1006 can be designed to fail at predetermined blast strengths. When one and/or more retaining bodies 1006 fail, a safety cord 1008 can remain coupled to the safety drapery 1004 and to the mounts 1002 (as explained above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C), allowing for expansion of the safety drapery to retard any propelled debris. In exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 1004 can allow for some slack, which can be but is not limited to 10% to 30%, and can be approximately 20%.
In exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B (which illustrates a side view of an embodiment of FIG. 10A), mounts 1002 can be movably coupled to vertical support cables 1010 to allow billowing of the safety drapery 1004. Vertical support cables 1010 can be mounted on structural members such as the floor and ceiling, to name the few. In exemplary embodiments, a stop 1012 can be coupled to the vertical support cables 110, to, for example, avoid too much billowing. Further, in exemplary embodiments, during an explosion, the safety drapery 1004 can billow a predetermined amount and deploy to retard any propelled debris.
In exemplary embodiments, the stop 1012 can be adjusted such that a small amount and/or no billowing occurs. As shown in FIG. 10B, a stop 1012 can disengage billowing by being blocked by mounts 1002. In exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 1004 can billow up to a predetermined distance approximately the transverse distance between the stop 1012 and the mount 1002. For example, the safety drapery 1004 will stop billowing once the stop 1012 moves downward and is blocked by the mount 1002. In exemplary embodiments, the stop 1012 can be placed at the mount 1002 to prevent any billowing, such as during hurricanes and bomb threats, when billowing may not be preferable. In exemplary embodiments, a spring 1014 can be provided which can provide tension for the stop 1012 thus limiting the billowing of the safety drapery 1004.
Referring to FIGS. 10C and 10D (which illustrates a side view of FIG. 10C), this embodiment can be similar to the embodiment described in FIGS. 10A and 10B, with one and/or more pockets 1020 that can be provided along the safety drapery 1004. For example, as shown in FIG. 10D, one and/or more pockets 1020 can be provided where the fabric and/or other material making up the safety drapery 1004 can be folded and stitched with a thread. The thread can be of a material that can have strength to hold the safety drapery together and can tear easily in the event of a blast, explosion and/or hurricane, allowing the safety drapery 1004 to billow.
In exemplary embodiments, safety drapery 1004 can include, but is not limited to, a pocket, extra fabric and/or any other material and/or configuration pockets stitched with a thread. For example, FIG. 10E illustrates an embodiment where a deployment pocket 1020 can be provided for the safety drapery 1004 using clamps 1025. In exemplary embodiments, two clamps 1025 can be used, as shown in FIG. 10E, where the clamps 1025 can have holes 1030, allowing for a screw, rivet, and/or any other such device to be used to couple the clamps 1025 together to hold the pocket 1020. In exemplary embodiments, the pocket may just be sewn together in a manner that would allow for the threads to be released in the case of an explosion. Such coupling can be designed to fail based on a predetermined blast strength. In other exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 1004 can be stapled to form a deployment pocket 1020. As shown in FIG. 10D, the deployment pocket 1020 can be formed by extending an edge 1020 a of the safety drapery 1004 in a horizontal direction, and then holding the two ends together at 1020 c, which can be done by a clamp, stapling, thread, or any of the other above-described methods, and is not limited to such. In such embodiments, the device holding the two ends together can be designed to be released in case of explosion.
FIG. 10F illustrates exemplary embodiments where a single safety drapery 1004 can be provided along with top and bottom mounts 1002. In exemplary embodiments, a vertical safety cable can be provided between the top and bottom mounts 1002. The mounts 1002 can be movably coupled to vertical support cables 1010 to allow billowing of the safety drapery 1004. One and/or more pockets may also be provided along the safety drapery 1004 as described above.
Other exemplary embodiments are also possible and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above. For example, the pocket 1020 of the safety drapery 1004 can be provided using different methods and/or devices to provide a pocket 1020, such as folding the safety drapery 1004 at the pocket 1020, rolling the safety drapery 1004 at the pocket 1020, and/or laying the safety drapery 1004 at the pocket 1020 flat, to name a few. Such embodiments will be described more fully below with respect to FIG. 14, and are also contemplated by embodiments of the present invention for the embodiments of FIGS. 10A-10F.
In the exemplary embodiments, shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B (which is a top view of FIG. 11A), 12A, 12B and 13A-13E, the safety drapery 1104 can be provided in the form of a curtain, where the safety drapery 1104 can be bunched along a retaining body 1106 that can be designed to fail, with an associated safety cord 1108 that can be interior of the retaining body 1006, and/or exterior to the retaining body 1006. The safety cord 1108 can be coupled to the safety drapery 1004 and designed to survive the blast, as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the safety drapery 1104 can have a curtain structure. One and/or more deployment pockets can be provided along the safety fabric 1104 as described above. In exemplary embodiments, mounts 1102 can be movably coupled to vertical support cables 1110 to allow billowing of the safety drapery 1104.
Referring to FIG. 12A, a safety drapery 1204 can be provided having grommets 1215, that can be coupled to the retaining body 1206 and can allow the safety drapery 1204 to be proved in curtain form along retaining body 1206. Other methods and/or devices can be used to provide the safety drapery 1204 along the retaining body 1206 and embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the grommets 1215. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, in exemplary embodiments, the grommets can be coupled to a horizontal support 1230. The horizontal support can be a tensioned cable, can be coupled to a tensioned cable, and/or can have a tensioned cable within. The safety drapery 1204 can be stitched with high strength thread 1220, but is not limited to such. In exemplary embodiments, mounts 1202 can be movably coupled to vertical support cables 1210 to allow billowing of the safety drapery 1204, as described above.
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate exemplary embodiments of various pleat types of the safety drapery 1304. For example, FIG. 13A illustrates a S-type pattern for the safety drapery 1304. Holding members 1310 can be provided along the retaining body 1306 between the mounts 1302 to hold the safety drapery in the particular form, such as an S-type. The holding members 1310 can be designed to fail based on a predetermined blast strength allowing the safety drapery to billow. FIGS. 13B-13D are similar to FIG. 13A, but provide various other exemplary embodiments of the pleat type of the safety drapery 1304. For example, FIG. 13B illustrates an accordion-type pattern for the safety drapery 1304, FIG. 13C illustrates exemplary accordion-type pattern for the safety drapery 1304, and FIG. 13D illustrates a half round type pattern for the safety drapery 1304. Various exemplary embodiments of pleat types are possible of the safety drapery 1304 and are not limited to the above.
Referring to FIG. 14, a top retaining body 1406 a and a bottom retaining body 1406 b can be provided with a safety cord provided therein, and/or coupled to the retaining bodies. A safety drapery 1404 can be provided between the retaining bodies 1406 a, 1406 b. The top and bottom retaining bodies are not dynamic. One, both and/or neither of the retaining bodies 1406 a, 1406 b can provide one and/or more deployment pockets as illustrated above, and/or allow the safety drapery 1404 to deploy during a blast and/or explosion. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the top retaining body 1406 a may not have a deployment pocket, and the bottom retaining body 1406B can have a deployment pocket 1430. The safety drapery 1404 can have a strong stitch A to an internal cable, and a weak stitch B to the retaining body 1406 that can be designed to fail based on a predetermined blast strength, allowing the safety drapery to deploy out of the deployment pocket 1430.
In exemplary embodiments, various other deployment pockets 1410, 1412 and 1414 can be provided along the length of the safety drapery 1404. The safety drapery 1404 can be slidable with respect to the top retaining body 1406 a, bottom retaining body 1406 b, and/or the deployment pockets 1410, 412 and 1414, and the safety drapery 1404 is not affixed to the top retaining body 1406 a, bottom retaining body 1406 b, and/or the deployment pockets 1410, 1412 and 1414.
In exemplary embodiments, one or more of deployment pocket 1410 can provide for the safety drapery 1404 to be laid flat within a thin wall plastic cassette 1420 and/or other similar structure. In exemplary embodiments, one or more kind of deployment pocket such as 1410, 1412, and/or 1414, may be used. The safety drapery 1404 can be provided flat therein and/or bound together, such as by but not limited to a weak thread and/or nylon tie-furl. In exemplary embodiments, a deployment pocket 1412 can be provided where the safety drapery 1404 can be rolled in a thin plastic cassette 1420 and/or other structure. In exemplary embodiments, a deployment pocket 1414 can be provided where the safety drapery 1404 can be folded in a thin plastic cassette 1420 and/or other structure. The thin plastic structure 1420 can be destroyed by a predetermined blast strength. Any structure can be used for deployment pockets 1410, 1412 and/or 1414, and such structure is not limited to a plastic cassette. In exemplary embodiments, one of the deployment pockets 1410, 1412 and/or 1414 can be provided at any point along the safety drapery 1404, and/or one and/or more of each can be provided at various points along the safety drapery 1404, and embodiments of the present invention is not limited to any number and/or combination and/or type of such deployment pockets.
Referring to FIG. 15A, a top retaining body 1506 a and a bottom retaining body 1506 b can be provided with a safety cord provided therein, and/or coupled to the retaining bodies. A safety drapery 1504 can be provided between the retaining bodies 1506. A deployment roll 1505 can be provided having an outer housing 1510 and an internal rib 1530. The safety drapery 1504 can be provided within the deployment roll 1505 between the internal rib 1530 and the outer housing 1510, allowing for billowing of the safety drapery 1504 during a blast. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15A, the deployment roll 1505 can be on a side of a window 1540 that can face a potential blast. In this exemplary embodiment, the internal rib 1530 can be a very thin and weak material, allowing the safety drapery 1504 to billow during a blast. In the embodiment of FIG. 15B, where the deployment roll 1505 can be on a room side (facing away from the window 1540), the outer housing 1510 can be a very thin and weak material, allowing the safety drapery 1504 to billow during a blast. Various embodiments and configurations are possible and are not limited to the above.
Referring to FIG. 16, a top retaining body 1606 a and a bottom retaining body 1606 b can be provided with a safety cord provided therein, and/or coupled to the retaining bodies. A safety drapery 1604 can be provided between the retaining bodies 1606. The safety cord can be coupled with tube inserts that can be clamped to vertical cables 1605, which can be coupled to a floor, ceiling and/or a structural support member. A high-strength thread 1620 can be used to hold the deployment pocket 1610 or other exemplary embodiments as described above can be used. A deployment pocket 1610 can be provided along approximately a centerline of the safety drapery 1604, where the safety drapery 1604 can be rolled and/or folded therein. Other locations of the deployment pocket 1610 are possible and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to such. In exemplary embodiments, the safety drapery 1604 can be, but is in no way limited to, approximately 120 inches wide, and approximately 60 inches from each retaining body 1606 a, 1606 b to the deployment pocket 1610. In certain exemplary embodiments, the deployment pocket length L can be, but is in no way limited to, approximately 12 inches.
Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that any of the steps described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviating from the scope of embodiments of the invention. For ease, steps are, at times, presented sequentially. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
Further, it will be understood that any of the elements and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention described can be rearranged, separated, and/or combined without deviating from the scope of the invention. For ease, various elements are described, at times, separately. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.
While the various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention have been outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various steps, elements, and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and not limited by the foregoing specification.
No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to embodiments of the present invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used.
Further, the terms “any of” followed by a listing of a plurality of items and/or a plurality of categories of items, as used herein, are intended to include “any of,” “any combination of,” “any multiple of,” and/or “any combination of” multiples of the items and/or the categories of items, individually or in conjunction with other items and/or other categories of items. In addition, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include any number of items, including zero. Further, as used herein, the term “number” is intended to include any number, including zero.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A window blast shield for mounting to a window frame, comprising:

a top retaining body operatively coupled with the window frame's top region;

a bottom retaining body operatively coupled with the window frame's bottom region;

a safety drapery having a strength to retard debris propelled by blast forces, the safety drapery operatively coupled with the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body;

at least one safety cord disposed within a channel within at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, the safety cord having a greater length than the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body;

wherein applying blast forces to the window blast shield the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body fails and the at least one safety cord does not fail; and

wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and retard debris propelled by blast forces.

2. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a vertical support cable operatively coupled with at least one terminal support member, wherein the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body are slidably coupled with the vertical support cable.

3. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a vertical support cable operatively coupled with at least one terminal support member, wherein the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body are detachably coupled with the vertical support cable.

4. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body comprise a substantially frangible material such that both the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield;

wherein at least one safety cord is disposed in a channel in the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, the at least one safety cord comprising a substantially infrangible material such that the at least one safety cord does not fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield and the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery, allowing the safety drapery to billow and retard propelled debris.

5. The window blast shield of claim 1,

wherein the at least one safety cord is disposed within a channel within the top retaining body, the safety cord having a greater length than the top retaining body;

wherein when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield the top retaining body fails and the at least one safety cord does not fail; and

wherein the at least one safety cord supports the safety drapery allowing the safety drapery to billow and retard debris propelled by the blast force.

6. The window blast shield of claim 1,

wherein the at least one safety cord is disposed within a channel within the bottom retaining body, the safety cord having a greater length than the bottom retaining body;

wherein when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield the bottom retaining body fails and the at least one safety cord does not fail; and

7. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body further comprise:

a male idler plug;

a female idler plug coupled with the male idler plug;

an idler spring housed between the male idler plug and the female idler plug;

a roller having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled with the female idler plug;

a tension plug coupled with the second end of the roller; and

a tensioner base coupled with the tension plug.

8. The window blast shield of claim 7, wherein the tension plug and the tensioner base further comprise:

corresponding gearing wherein the gearing of the tension plug and the gearing of the tensioner base are releasably coupled, wherein at least a portion of the gearing of the tension plug and at least a portion of the gearing of the tensioner base fail when blast forces are applied to the window blast shield causing the tension plug to decouple with the tensioner base and the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body to fail.

9. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one safety cord is shielded from light by at least a portion of at least one of the safety drapery, the top retaining body, and the bottom retaining body.

10. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one safety cord comprises a steel cord.

11. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a top cord affixer coupled to the top mount for securing the at least one safety cord.

12. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising

a mounting member coupled with the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body and the at least one safety cord; and

a tamper-resistant member removably affixed to the at least one safety cord.

13. The window blast shield of claim 12, wherein the top mounting member further comprises:

a mounting plate releasably coupled to the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body;

wherein the mounting plate comprises an interior mounting plate, a mounting insert, and an exterior mounting plate having a recess for accepting the mounting insert, wherein the at least one safety cord is wedged between the interior mounting plate and the mounting insert.

14. The window blast shield of claim 13, wherein the interior mounting plate and the mounting insert are attached forming an interior mounting member, wherein the interior mounting member is releasably attached to the exterior mounting plate; and

wherein the inner mounting plate and inner mounting insert are releasably coupled to the external mounting plate by being inserted into the recess in the external mounting plate and held in place by a spring.

15. The window blast shield of claim 13, wherein the tamper-resistant member comprises at least one of a special head screw and screw driver assembly, a removable pin and pin assembly, a key and lock assembly, a hinged latch assembly, and a spring loaded sliding latch assembly.

16. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising

a polyester film secured to a window in blast proximity to the window blast shield.

17. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body is a curtain rod.

18. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a second safety drapery for retarding propelled debris, the second safety drapery, operatively coupled with the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body.

19. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a second safety drapery for retarding propelled debris, the second safety drapery being operatively coupled with at least one of a second top retaining body and a second bottom retaining body.

20. The window blast shield of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the safety drapery is furled about the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, and wherein the at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body are round and rotatable.

21. The window blast shield of claim 1, further comprising:

a middle retaining body disposed between the top mounting member and the bottom mounting member being slidably coupled to at least one vertical support cable coupled with at least one terminal member and the safety drapery, wherein the middle retaining body comprises substantially frangible material such the middle retaining body fails when a blast forces are applied to the window blast shield.

22. The window blast shield of claim 21, wherein the at least one terminal member is affixed to at least one of a ceiling and a floor.

23. The window blast shield of claim 21 wherein the at least one vertical support cable comprises a loop caused by a crimp and a pin passed through the loop coupling the at least one vertical support cable to the at least one terminal member.

24. A window blast shield for mounting to a window frame, comprising:

a top retaining body operatively coupled with the window frame's top portion;

a bottom retaining body operatively coupled with the window frame's bottom portion;

a safety drapery having a strength to retard debris propelled by blast forces, the safety drapery operatively coupled with at least one of the top retaining body and the bottom retaining body, the safety drapery being folded forming one or more pockets attached with a releasable coupling member; and

at least one safety cord disposed within the one or more pockets of the safety drapery, wherein the releasable coupling member decouples when impacted by blast forces, allowing the one or more pockets to billow and retard propelled debris.

25. The window blast shield of claim 24, wherein the releasable coupling member comprises at least one of a stitch or a staple.

26. The window blast shield of claim 24, wherein the releasable coupling member comprises a clamp for clamping the safety drapery in a folded position forming the one or more pockets, the clamp comprising a frame having apertures for receiving a screw to couple the clamp together to hold the one or more pockets in a closed position, the clamp being adapted to fail when the safety drapery is contacted by blast forces.