# US 9,435,615 B1 · Light weight rocket propelled grenade net protection system and manufacturing process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,615 B1 - Document ID: US9435615B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/084,945 - Filed: 2016-03-30 - Published: 2016-09-29 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-12 - Applicants: Richard N. Kay - Inventors: Richard N. Kay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435615B1 ## CPC - F41H 5/026: {Slat armour; Nets} - F41H 5/06: Shields (in ships B63G9/00; in aircraft B64D7/00 {; blasting mats F42D5/05}) - F41H 5/12: for smallarms; for light-rocket launchers {(shields attached to smallarms F41C27/04)} - F41H 5/16: for ordnance {or tanks (F41H5/18 takes precedence)} - B29C 65/08: using ultrasonic vibrations {(non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645)} - B29C 66/1312: {Single flange to flange joints, the parts to be joined being rigid (the parts to be joined being flexible B29C66/133)} - B29C 66/54: {Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles} - B29C 66/549: {said hollow-preforms being interconnected during their moulding process, e.g. by a hinge} - B29C 66/69: {General aspects of joining filaments (bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00)} - B29C 66/71: {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined (welding bar compositions B29C65/125)} - B29K 2669/00: Use of {PC, i.e.} polycarbonates {or derivatives thereof} for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts - B29L 2028/00: Nets or the like - B29L 2031/777: {Weapons} - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An improved system for protecting vehicles or other objects from rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks. A net panel of the improved system weighs and costs substantially less than a conventional protective system panel, and requires minimal manual work to manufacture, install, replace or repair. When assembled, the hard points, as well as the panels, are symmetrical meaning that a panel does not have a left, right, inward or outward face and may be used on either side of a vehicle. The net may be manufactured as a continuous web or roll and does not require any edging for securing it to a frame. In addition, a damaged net may be replaced easily and rapidly using a simple hand tool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the panel comprising: a net which includes a plurality of intersecting filaments, said net having an edge which is removably attached to a plurality of hinged clamps, each of said plurality of hinged clamps arranged to jacket a portion of a frame, each of said plurality of hinged clamps including a plurality of apertures; said panel being shaped and dimensioned to protect at least one portion of a vehicle when installed in a predetermined spaced relationship on said vehicle; and a plurality of hard points each of which is located at a different intersection of said intersecting filaments, each of said hard points assembled by injection molding thermoplastic material so as to form a symmetrical hard point secured to said net, at least one row or column of said hard points located along said edge being removably secured within said plurality of apertures of one of said plurality of hinged clamps, thereby securing said net to said frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel as in claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of hinged clamps is locked and unlocked by a plurality of snaps. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The panel as in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The panel as in claim 1 wherein said panel is symmetrical. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The panel as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 6 A method for manufacturing a panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the method comprising the steps of: forming a net by arranging a plurality of filaments such that said filaments form a plurality of intersections; at each of said intersections securing a symmetrical hard point to said net, each said symmetrical hard point formed by injection molding thermoplastic material; forming a frame of a predetermined size; attaching a plurality of hinged clamps to said frame, each of hinged clamps including apertures which are shaped and dimensioned to accept a row or column of said hard points; and using said hinged clamps to secure said net to said frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6 wherein said frame is formed by connecting a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of hinged clamps, once attached to said frame, is locked in a closed position by one or more snaps. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6 wherein said panel is formed symmetrically. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method as in claim 6 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 11 A panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the panel comprising: a net which includes a plurality of intersecting filaments, said net having an edge which is removably attached to a plurality of hinged clamps, each of said plurality of hinged clamps arranged to jacket a portion of a frame, each of said plurality of hinged clamps including a plurality of apertures; said panel being shaped and dimensioned to protect at least one portion of a vehicle when installed in a predetermined spaced relationship on said vehicle; and a plurality of hard points each of which is located at a different intersection of said intersecting filaments, each of said hard points assembled by insert injection molding thermoplastic material so as to form a symmetrical hard point secured to said net, at least one row or column of said hard points located along said edge being removably secured within said plurality of apertures of one of said plurality of hinged clamps, thereby securing said net to said frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The panel as in claim 11 wherein one or more of said plurality of hinged clamps is locked and unlocked by a plurality of snaps. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The panel as in claim 11 wherein said frame includes a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The panel as in claim 11 wherein said panel is symmetrical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The panel as in claim 11 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 16 A method for manufacturing a panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the method comprising the steps of: forming a net by arranging a plurality of filaments such that said filaments form a plurality of intersections; at each of said intersections securing a symmetrical hard point to said net, each said symmetrical hard point formed by injection molding thermoplastic material; forming a frame of a predetermined size; attaching a plurality of hinged clamps to said frame, each of hinged clamps including apertures which are shaped and dimensioned to accept a row or column of said hard points; and using said hinged clamps to secure said net to said frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as in claim 16 wherein said frame is formed by connecting a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method as in claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of hinged clamps, once attached to said frame, is locked in a closed position by one or more snaps. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method as in claim 16 wherein said panel is formed symmetrically. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method as in claim 16 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 21 A panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the panel comprising: a net which includes a plurality of intersecting filaments, said net having an edge which is removably attached to a plurality of hinged clamps, each of said plurality of hinged clamps arranged to jacket a portion of a frame, each of said plurality of hinged clamps including a plurality of apertures; said panel being shaped and dimensioned to protect at least one portion of a vehicle when installed in a predetermined spaced relationship on said vehicle; and a plurality of symmetrical hard points each of which is located at a different intersection of said intersecting filaments, at least one row or column of said hard points located along said edge being removably secured within said plurality of apertures of one of said plurality of hinged clamps, thereby securing said net to said frame. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The panel as in claim 21 wherein one or more of said plurality of hinged clamps is locked and unlocked by a plurality of snaps. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The panel as in claim 21 wherein said frame includes a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The panel as in claim 21 wherein said panel is symmetrical. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The panel as in claim 21 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 26 A method for manufacturing a panel for a system for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, the method comprising the steps of: forming a net by arranging a plurality of filaments such that said filaments form a plurality of intersections; at each of said intersections securing a symmetrical hard point to said net; forming a frame of a predetermined size; attaching a plurality of hinged clamps to said frame, each of hinged clamps including apertures which are shaped and dimensioned to accept a row or column of said hard points; and using said hinged clamps to secure said net to said frame. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method as in claim 26 wherein said frame is formed by connecting a plurality of tubes, each of said plurality of tubes shaped and dimensioned to fit within a hinge of one of said plurality of hinged clamps. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method as in claim 26 wherein each of said plurality of hinged clamps, once attached to said frame, is locked in a closed position by one or more snaps. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The method as in claim 26 wherein said panel is formed symmetrically. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The method as in claim 26 wherein said plurality of hinged clamps are formed from high impact polypropylene plastic. ### Claim 31 A net-securing apparatus for a panel for protecting a vehicle from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack, said apparatus comprising: a hinged clamp shaped and dimensioned to jacket a portion of a frame, said hinged clamp including a plurality of apertures which are shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a row or column of hard points, each of said hard points secured to a different intersection of a plurality of intersecting filaments which together form a net stretched across said frame, said hinged clamp further including a plurality of snaps for locking said hinged clamp to said portion of a frame.