# US 8,464,627 B2 · Vehicle and structure shield with improved hard points > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,627 B2 - Document ID: US8464627B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/373,408 - Filed: 2011-11-14 - Published: 2012-07-19 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-16 - Assignees: QinetiQ North America, Inc. - Applicants: Michael Farinella; William Lawson; Scott Quigley; Robert Curran - Inventors: Michael Farinella; William Lawson; Scott Quigley; Robert Curran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464627B2 ## CPC - F41H 5/026: {Slat armour; Nets} - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A protection system includes a net made of flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes. A frame supports the net and spaces the net from a vehicle and/or structure. Hard points are disposed at least at select net nodes and feature a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof. The body includes a lip extending into the cavity. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front face. A tapered plug is received in the cavity and includes a ledge engaged by the lip locking the plug and a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protection system comprising: a net including flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes; a frame supporting the net and positioning the net at a spaced relationship from a vehicle and/or structure; and hard points disposed at least at select nodes, the hard points including: a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof, a protrusion extending outwardly from the front face, and a plug received in the cavity locking a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the net has a mesh between 110 and 190 mm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard point protrusion is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard point protrusion spans the majority of the front face. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard point body has eight sides. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 in which four sides include slots receiving net lines therein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the plug is tapered. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard point body includes a lip extending into the cavity locking the plug therein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 in which the plug includes a ledge engaged by the lip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard point has a length to diameter ratio of approximately 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the net lines have a breaking strength such that a line will break upon impact of an ordinance fuse with the line for a predetermined percentage of ordinance fuse impacts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 in which the predetermined percent is 100 percent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 in which the predetermined percentage is between 80 and 100%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the net material has a breaking strength of between 100 lbs and 1,500 lbs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the hard points include steel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which each hard point weighs between 10 and 80 grams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the net line has a diameter of between 1.7 and 1.9 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which the plug is press fit into the cavity. ### Claim 19 A protection system comprising: a net including flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes; a frame supporting the net and spacing the net from a vehicle and/or structure; hard points disposed at least at select net nodes, the hard points including: a multi-sided stepped body with a cavity therein; and a plug received in the cavity locking a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 in which the net mesh is between 110 and 190 mm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 in which the hard point has a cylindrical portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 in which the cylindrical portion extends from a front face of the hard point. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 in which the hard point body has eight sides. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23 in which four sides include slots receiving net lines therein. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 in which the hard point has a length to diameter ratio of approximately 1.