FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the field of fighting bunker assembly and assembling method. The invention more particularly relates to a manportable, relocatable fighting bunker assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] The construction of permanent/ field defences in Line of Control or Line of Actual Control environment, presently in vogue, is subject to changes on every operational work cycle (two I five-year cycle). The planning, approval, procurement, execution and completion of the defences, in limited number every year, add to the redundancy or inadequate preparation due to the likely ineffectiveness of the same. Such large-scale defences constructed over the years add up only to numerical strength and rarely to enhance the fighting capability of the troops in the envisaged war - in times of need. The quality of the construction, with limited availability of materials and inability to adhere to specifications, also inhibit effective use of the defences from the desired capability.

[003] To enable construct defences for the fighting troops in a tactically suitable time frame and in the fast-changing battle scenario with less logistical support is the need of the hour. The present invention provides the field commanders enough time, effort and resources to concentrate on the tactical issues of the battle. Hardened box defences are the basic unit for a defensive battle. These assume greater importance on the Line of Control (LC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC). The desired attribute of an optimum Hardened Box Defence/ Permanent Defence (PD) system would be: -

(i) Ease of Construction

(ii) Speed of construction

(iii) Protection from direct small arms fire and splinter fire

(iv) Quick availability of desired material (by adequate stocking or by relocation).

[004] The above requirements mandate that the defences should be constructed faster and in a tactically acceptable time frame. The unknowns in the fluid situation being difficult to predict, available time and manpower should be judiciously utilized during the operations. Hence the proposed, ideated, Man-portable, relocatable Fighting Bunker system is planned to provide the following advantages: -

• Is strong enough to withstand small arms fire and artillery shelling with layer of sandbags in front;

• Is superior in quality of the existing PDs which are cost and manpower intensive;

• Is able to relocate the defenses, due change in tactical appreciation of commanders, as and when necessitated (thus saving time, effort and money to exchequer);

• Reduce the cost and time of repeated procurement, thus saving useful time and resources of engineers and valuable money to the exchequer;

• Be able to be constructed by the same body of troops manning the Permanent Defence in a tactically suitable time frame. [005] Large sized Permanent Defences can also be constructed with the system by using two layers of metal segments with the gap in between them (as per requirement) being filled with bullet momentum arresting sand and adequate supports on top for placing the roof steel beams.

[006] A comparison of the present and proposed systems existing in the Indian

Army is as below: -

[007] Accordingly, on the basis of aforesaid facts, there remains a need in the prior art to provide a man-portable, relocatable fighting bunker assembly. The proposed system overcomes the problem to use of conventional and complex techniques and helps to provide an easy assembling in faster time frame at the desired location, irrespective of the terrain; Man-portability of the components in assembly weight of upto 35 Kg; Less manpower required for transportation than that required for shifting the present system of defence stores in WAR; Bullet and splinter resistant material; Time of dismantling/ construction is very less; Can be relocated any number of times; Can be designed to withstand cold climate with adequate insulation material on inner face; Ease of assembling by any non-technical person; Long life of upto minimum 50 yrs; Will reduce cost of repetitive construction due to its re- locatability; Save govt exchequer for modernisation of armed forces. Therefore, it would be useful and desirable to have an assembly, system, and assembling method to meet the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[008] In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bunker system and its assembling methods and techniques having limited scope, are now present in the prior art. This drawback has been overcome with the present protective personnel enclosure for military and similar individuals/ organisations like CAPF/ ITBP/ BSF. More especially, the present invention comprises a portable parapet or bunker structure, which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[009] The present invention provides a design, which enables in the construction of fighting defences for the Army in a faster time frame as, but not limited to:

(i) Is Man-portable to any remote, mountainous, rugged terrain.

(ii) Components are in assembly weight of upto 35 Kg

(iii) Can be made Bullet and splinter with very less effort

(iv) Time of construction/ dismantling is very less.

(v) Can be relocated any number of times based on field commanders’ appreciation and also as per the requirement of the battle

(vi) Can be designed to withstand cold climate with adequate insulation material on inner face.

(vii) Ease of assembling by any non-technical person

(viii) Long life of upto minimum 50 yrs. (ix) Will reduce cost of repetitive construction due to its re-locatability.

In addition, the present invention is provided with, but not limited to:

Better tech; Man-portable, re-locatable; Bullet and Splinter proof; Better field of view (Three/ Four loop holes); Living and Fighting Permanent Defence; Faster re-organisation by quick construction and less porters for shifting the material; Easy re-location suiting tactical appreciation of each commander; Quick Construction (Less than three months from SO to construction); Minimum exposure to enemy. Further, bullet proofing is generally provided with different numbers of layers of Kevlar and the like material with different weights, layers needed for safe bullet-proofing.

[011] In this respect, before explaining at least one object of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of set of rules and to the arrangements of the various models set forth in the following description or illustrated in the working examples. The invention is capable of other objects and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, according to the need of that industry. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[012] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[013] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[014] FIG. 1-8, illustrate various representation of a man-portable, relocatable fighting bunker assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[015] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and as used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or are common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

[016] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.

[017] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. [018] The present invention discloses a man-portable, relocatable fighting bunker assembly. The assembly is comprised of, but not limited to, a plurality of metal segments having variation in shape to provide adequate protection by deflecting the bullet with Z shape profile section and three or more loop holes for effectively engaging an enemy; the interlocks of a metal segment join together the individual segments to form a complete wall; interlocks can be sealed with a preformed polyurethane interlock seal to achieve a watertight joint- if necessary; and wherein further camouflage of the fighting bunker by placing earth, stones and local material all around it is carried out to avoid direct observation from a distance by the enemy.

[020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the metal segments are driven, hammered, drilled, sliced in normal applications for placing and grooving of adjacent sections, which is sufficient to form an enclosure thereby in desert regions.

[021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the metal segments enclosure is provided with overhead protection in the form of Steel Roof Trough, which is placed with an earth cover as per design, immediately after erection of an enclosure.

[022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a PU Foam can be pasted on the inner side of the metal surface as an insulating material. [023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the weight of the Z shaped metal sheets being 69kg per metre, which is cut into segments that are man-portable easily, enabling two sizes are considered for better bond between the various segments during assembling. [024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the sizes decided for easy assembling and structural soundness are - 35 cm height segment and 42 cm segment height.

[025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the Panel segments at which, location, loopholes are to be provided are to be cut to the required shape.

[026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the segments at which location the loopholes shall be cut, further identified and be provided with frame covering both the rows / layers of walls along with the gap to retain the sand.

[027] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, if two rows of panel segments, separated by suitable arrangement, are being used in the fighting bunker, sand is filled in between the segments for more stability.

[028] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the panel segments are cut to shape, as per design, and are transported to the desired location man-portable from road head.

[029] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a manportable, relocatable fighting bunker assembling method, comprising the steps of, but not limited to: providing, the size of the fighting bunker is marked on the ground, as per practice; providing, the position of the door is marked for the segments to be clear of the location; providing, the segments of alternate heights are placed side by side; wherein the segments are slided on the grooves in the segment; providing, the alternate height segments are assembled over the first row, similarly, by sliding in the grooves of the segment; providing, after the position of the loop hole has been reached, care should be taken to slide the segment which has been cut for the loop hole; providing, the additional trapping for the loophole should be fixed to support the segment above and also to retain sand, if two layers of metal segments are used; providing, the last row of segments is again placed similarly by sliding the segments on the groove, to achieve better bonding between them for structural rigidity; providing, after the top row of segments have been placed, supports for the ISMB- to be placed above- are suitable fixed at the designated locations; providing, the ISMBs are fixed on to the supports and suitably anchored; providing, the door is fixed along with the sheet piles at the designated location; providing, the SRTs (Serrated Roof Troughs) in six feet length, transported earlier, are raised and fixed over the ISMB; and providing, the suitable earth is placed over the SRTs as per procedure, for a height not less than 60 cm. providing, one layer of sand bags in front of the assembled fighting bunker upto the loop hole, which adds to the stopping power of bullet by a combination of sand and metal sheets (two materials).

Best mode & enablement of the present invention

[030] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as given below: Steel is a homogeneous building material whose load-deformation behaviour is characterised by an elastic portion and considerable plastic reserves. In addition, there is its favourable strength to-weight ratio. The low carbon steel is used in any retaining wall type that is installed into the ground by driving or pushing, rather than pouring or injection. Further, the metal segments of low carbon steel have a large bearing capacity. The metal segments can penetrate through stiff layers or boulders. The volume of soil displaced during the driving of steel piles is less, and can withstand rough handling.

[031] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, carbon is the most important alloying element in steel and can exist either dissolved in the iron or in a combined form. Increased amounts of carbon increase hardness and tensile strength as well as response to heat treatment but Low Carbon steel is best suited to withstand bullet penetration. The strength, speed and flexibility of assembling segments of metal sheets makes it ideal for all forms of temporary and permanent works. The durability and ease of extraction means that light sheet piling driving can be re-used in sustainable construction. Sheets produced, conforming to Indian Standards, in lengths from 1 -12m and upto 8mm thick, 0.69m wide and max 69.40 Kg/metre to 100.58 Kg/metre2 length can suit requirement for a Permanent Defence.

The main engineering advantages of sheet metal walls over other types of wall are:

• The extremely favourable ratio of steel cross-section to moment of resistance.

• Their suitability for almost all soil types.

• The fast progress on site. • The ability to carry roof loads (earth for protection against enemy shelling) immediately.

• The option of extracting and reusing the sections (to relocate during reorganisation period of war).

• Their easy combination with other roof sections in Permanent Defences.

• The option of staggered embedment depths.

• The low water permeability, if necessary using sealed interlocks.

• No need for excavations in soft soils when driven by hammers (desert regions).

[032] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, further, the variety of metal segment profiles available, Z- Profile sections are more suitable to be adopted for Permanent Defences (PDs) (fighting bunkers). Z-Profiles, with their optimum distribution of material, are the most efficient sheet piling sections available for bending strength. The Z-Profile is the optimal section for weight and strength, coupled with driveability, wherever required (as in deserts or loose soils).

[033] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the variation in shape too provides adequate protection in deflecting the bullet during close quarter battle. The Z shape allows for three or more loop holes for effectively engaging the enemy unlike the only two small loopholes in the present design. The interlocks of the metal segment join together the individual parts to form a complete wall. Interlocks can be sealed with a preformed polyurethane interlock seal to achieve a watertight joint- if necessary. [034] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the Z- type sheets is predominantly used in retaining and floodwall applications where bending strength governs the design and no deflection (swing) between sheets is required. Turns in the wall alignment can be made with standard bent or fabricated corners. Typical configurations are shown above.

The service life of low carbon steel structure is to a large extent dependent on the natural process of corrosion. For corrosion in the atmosphere, i.e., without the effects of water or splashing water, a corrosion rate of as low as approx. 0.01 mm/ annum makes its life equivalent to a hundred (100) years.

[035] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the defensive operations defeat an enemy attack, buy time, economize forces, or develop conditions favourable for offensive operations. Their purpose is to create conditions for a counteroffensive that allows Army forces to regain the initiative. The inherent strengths of the defence include the defender's ability to attack and use the available time to prepare his defences. The static and mobile elements of his defence combine to deprive the enemy of the initiative. He contains the enemy while seeking every opportunity to transition to the offense. Considerable time is saved for the soldier in preparing his defences by use of the Steel Sheet segments and for the ensuing battle to channelize the enemy.

[036] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the metal segments are driven, hammered, drilled, sliced etc in normal applications. The placing and grooving of adjacent sections are sufficient to form an enclosure thereby further easing the construction process and is an advantage over all other types of construction. In desert or loose soil conditions, the metal segments can be hammered or driven into the ground in the desired shape and depth after which excavation of the earth can be carried out. This saves valuable time in preparing defences.

[037] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the advantage of using the Steel metal segments is that overhead protection in the form of Steel Roof Trough can be placed with earth cover as per design, immediately after erection of the enclosure. A PU Foam can be pasted on the inner side of the PD as an insulating material which is otherwise not possible in the conventional PD. The metal sheets are proposed to be in sizes of 35 cm and 42 cm heights for man-portability (one or two men) and easy carriage to the place of erection.

The proposed arrangement of a man portable sheet pile in a Permanent Defence is as reflected in figure.

General Instructions for assembling fighting bunker

• Metal Steel segments of 6mm thick for the size and shape of the fighting bunker is to be decided before proceeding with the work.

• The weight of the Z shaped metal sheet pile being 69kg per metre, it is cut into segments that are man-portable easily.

• Hence, two sizes are considered for better bond between the various segments during assembling.

• The sizes decided for easy assembling and structural soundness are - 35 cm height segment and 42 cm segment height.

• Panel segments at which, location, loop holes are to be provided are to be cut to the required shape. • The segments at which location the loop holes should be cut, should be identified and be provided with frame covering both the rows / layers of walls along with the gap to retain the sand.

• If two rows of panel segments, separated by suitable arrangement, are being used in the fighting bunker, sand is filled in between the segments for more stability and bullet resistance.

• The panel segments are cut to shape, as per design, and are transported to the desired location- man-portable from road head.

• providing, one layer of sand bags in front of the assembled fighting bunker upto the loop hole, which adds to the stopping power of bullet by a combination of sand and sheet pile segment (two materials).

Assembling

• The size of the fighting bunker is marked on the ground, as per practice.

• The position of the door is marked for the segments to be clear of the location.

• Segments of alternate heights are placed side by side. The segments are slided on the grooves in the segment.

• Alternate height segments are assembled over the first row, similarly, by sliding in the grooves of the segment.

• After the position of the loop hole has been reached, care should be taken to slide the segment which has been cut for the loop hole.

• The additional trapping for the loophole should be fixed to support the segment above and also to retain sand, if two layers of sheet piles are used. • The last row of segments is again placed similarly by sliding the segments on the groove, to achieve better bonding between them for structural rigidity.

• After the top row of segments have been placed, supports for the ISMB- to be placed above- are suitable fixed at the designated locations.

• ISMBs are fixed on to the supports and suitably anchored.

• The door is fixed along with the sheet piles at the designated location.

• SRTs (Serrated Roof Troughs) in six feet length, transported earlier, are raised and fixed over the ISMB.

• Suitable earth is placed over the SRTs as per procedure, for a height not less than 60 cm.

• one layer of sandbags is placed in front of the assembled fighting bunker upto the loop hole, which adds to the stopping power of bullet by a combination of sand and sheet pile segment (two materials).

Finishing

[038] Camouflage of the fighting bunker by placing earth, stones and local material all around it is carried out to avoid direct observation from a distance by the enemy.

[039] The aforesaid features makes the present invention novel and inventive to achieve reliability and performance overcoming the drawbacks from the preexisting process and methods is invented. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[040] The foregoing examples are but a few of the total possible parameters and laboratory conditions which may be developed using the basic ingredients and it should be understood the recitation of these compositions is not intended to limit in any way the scope of this invention.

[041] The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.

[042] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.