HEXAGONAL PRISMS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL

Abstract

A module for constructing a wall comprises a frame forming a hexagonal prism and defining an interior space. The frame is formed from a pair of hexagonal end caps tied together by a plurality of elongated stringer members disposed at corresponding vertices of said hexagonal end caps and extending generally perpendicularly therebetween. A plurality of transverse strap members surrounds the stringer members. A flexible, resilient container is disposed within the interior space and is filled with aggregate material which may be concrete, sand, dirt or rock.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/020,368, filed Aug. 25, 2014, which is incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The apparatus is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0003] FIG. 1 depicts an external frame for an exemplary module;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the frame of FIG. 1;

[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates the frame of FIG. 1 with a flexible container;

[0006] FIG. 4 presents a cut-away view of the interior of the flexible container illustrating the filling thereof; and

[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates multiple modules placed together to form a projectile-resistant barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The various embodiments of the module for a wall and their advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features and principles of operation.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary frame 6 for use as a module 10 forming a hexagonal prism and comprising opposing hexagonally-shaped end caps 1a, 1b tied together with six elongated stringer members 2a-2f disposed at the vertices of the hexagonal end caps 1a, 1b and extending generally perpendicularly between said end caps 1a, 1b. One or more transverse straps 3a, 3b surround the stringer members 2a-2f to prevent the stringer members 2a-2f from deforming outward.

[0010] Each end cap 1a, 1b may be formed into a hexagon from a length of angled metal, for example, 20 gauge steel, or the like, and defining a hexagonal opening 7. Stringer members 2a-2f may also comprise the same material as the end caps 1a, 1b and are formed to define a cross-sectional angle of about 120° to conform to the interior angle at each vertex of the hexagonal end caps 1a, 1b. Stringer members 2a-2f may be attached to the end caps 1a, 1b in a variety of methods, including, without limitation, a slot and tab, rivets, nuts and bolts or welding. Further, frames 6 may be of any suitable length.

[0011] With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a module 10 is assembled by inserting a flexible, resilient elongated container 4 through the opening 7 of the end cap 1a and into the space comprising the interior of the frame 6. The container 4 comprises a length roughly equal to that of the frame 6. The container 4 is then filled with an aggregate material 5, e.g., sand, dirt, rock, and concrete.

[0012] As depicted in FIG. 5, a plurality of hexagonal prism modules 10, thus assembled, may be placed with at least one side of a module 10 abutting a side of another module 10 forming a wall.

[0013] As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a hexagonal prisms for constructing a wall. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention appertaining to the apparatus described is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A module for constructing a wall comprising: a frame forming a hexagonal prism defining an interior space, said frame comprising: first and second hexagonal end caps; a plurality of elongated stringer members, each of said elongated stringer disposed at corresponding vertices of said hexagonal end caps and extending generally perpendicularly between said end caps; a plurality of transverse strap members surrounding said stringer members; a flexible, resilient container disposed within said interior space; aggregate material contained within the container, said aggregate material being at least one of concrete, sand, dirt and rock.