The present invention relates to portable security barriers generally, and to rapidly deployable barriers for hampering the travel of a road vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The need to rapidly deploy security barriers for use in stopping or disabling vehicles is well known. Among factors that determine the effectiveness of such barriers are size, weight, simplicity and speed of assembly, cost and capability of preventing the progress of an incoming vehicle.

Publications describing known portable barriers are detailed below.

US2015023730 to Tomasz Tarczewski entitled "Vehicle Barrier" relates to a shaped barrier comprising a substantially horizontal portion, a ramp portion, a substantially vertical portion, and at least one connector. The substantially horizontal portion is configured to increase the stabilizing force between the shaped barrier and the ground in an effective amount to prevent substantial movement of the shaped barrier by distributing at least a portion of a groundward force of a rolling vehicle on a receiving side of the shaped barrier. The ramp portion is configured to receive the rolling vehicle onto the horizontal portion. The substantially vertical portion is configured to impede the movement of the rolling vehicle. At least one connector is configured to connect the shaped barrier with at least one other shaped barrier.

US2004028469 to Jim Dehart entitled "Vehicle Barrier" relates to a portable and scaleable barrier which uses a combination of feet, interconnecting members and top portions to provide a vehicle barrier that is capable of, for example, lifting the vehicle off the ground and providing substantial undercarriage damage. The interconnecting nature of the barrier allows the barrier to be configured or adapted based on, for example, a particular environmental condition or application.

WO 2016/030886 to Amos Klein entitled "Movable Modular Vehicle Barrier" relates to a movable modular vehicle barrier (10) formed from at least two modular units (12). Each modular unit is foldable and comprising: a base bar (14), a reclining bar (16) hingedly connected to the base bar, a horizontal reclining bar (38) hingedly connected to the base bar, and a vertical reclining bar (42) hingedly connected to the reclining bar. In a folded position of the modular unit the base bar, the reclining bar, the horizontal reclining bar and the vertical reclining bar are substantially parallel to each other. In an operative position of the modular unit, the reclining bar forms with the base bar an internal angle that is not smaller than ninety degrees, the horizontal reclining bar is perpendicular to two adjacent base bars, and the vertical reclining bar is perpendicular to two adjacent reclining bars. The barrier includes a moving system for enabling manual movement of the barrier. US 2012/0177439 to Uzi More and Henry Morgenstern, entitled "Portable Vehicle Barrier" relates to a portable vehicle barrier which comprises a front base, a rear base, spikes, and multiple folding arms. The folding arms are used to connect individual barriers to form a larger barrier so they can block small or large areas as needed. The spikes drive into the ground slowing oncoming vehicles and eventually stopping them as the barrier cantilevers intruding vehicles on the front base. For storage and transportation, the folding arms can be folded to rest alongside the front base and rear base, while the rear base can be folded to rest atop the front base. A plurality of arm housings are located along the front and rear base, and are used to secure the folding arms in the deployed or storage states.

SUM MARY

The present disclosure provides a free-standing, quick assembly security barrier for inhibiting the progress of an inbound vehicle. The barrier is relatively lightweight, and easily assemblable without the use of tools, connectors or fasteners.

There is thus provided a barrier for use against an incoming vehicle, which includes:

two or more two planar rigid supports each having a short front side, a tall rear side, a lower facing edge for positioning on a ground surface and an upward facing edge sloping upwardly from the short front side to the tall rear side when the planar rigid support is positioned perpendicularly to the ground surface; and

a plurality of lateral tie elements arranged to rigidly connect together the supports and to extend thereacross, upper edges of the ties and of the planar rigid supports operative to engage an incoming vehicle,

wherein the plurality of planar rigid supports and the plurality of the lateral tie elements interlock in a crosswise mating arrangement, thereby to form a rigid structure operative to absorb a crash force of the incoming vehicle so as to reduce the velocity thereof.

Additionally, the barrier also includes two or more interconnected adjacent modules, each module including:

a pair of the planar rigid supports; and

a plurality of the lateral tie elements extending across and interconnecting with the pair of planar rigid supports.

Further, the pair of planar rigid supports includes first and second planar rigid supports; the first rigid support has a plurality of first support edge slots formed in the sloping upward facing edge thereof, the second rigid support has a plurality of second support edge slots formed in registration with the plurality of first support edge slots, one of the plurality of first support edge slots forming a pair of edge slots with a corresponding one of the second support edge slots, and

each lateral tie element has first and second lateral tie slots configured for crosswise mating engagement with a predetermined pair of the edge slots.

Additionally, the plurality of the planar rigid supports includes a shared rigid support which forms part of both first and second modules, and the first module includes a first plurality of the lateral tie elements and the second module includes a second plurality of the lateral tie elements; and the shared rigid support has formed therein two pluralities of support edge slots, each slot of each plurality being adjacent to but slightly spaced apart from a slot of the other plurality, thereby to facilitate crosswise mating engagement of the first and second pluralities of the lateral tie elements with the shared rigid support.

Further, each planar rigid support has a high friction footing operative to resist movement of the barrier along the ground surface.

Additionally, each lateral tie element including damage inflicting elements for puncturing the tires of an incoming vehicle on impingement therewith.

Further, the damage inflicting elements include:

a plurality of high strength, pointed elements formed along an upper edge of the lateral tie element; and

fin apparatus formed along the top of the pointed elements, parallel to the upper edge of the lateral tie element, the fin apparatus operative to maintain structural integrity in the absence of a predetermined force, and, in the presence of the force, being operative to fail, thereby to adopt a spike configuration adapted to damage portions of an incoming vehicle on contact therewith.

Additionally, the fin apparatus includes a pair of fins formed integrally with each spike element, operative to mechanically fail and bend in the presence of the predetermined force.

Further, each rigid planar support has a rear portion, and the plurality of lateral tie elements also includes a rear tie element for laterally extending across and interlocking with the rear portions of the rigid planar elements.

Additionally, the rear portion is adapted to collapse in the presence of a predetermined loading thereof, such that in response to an incoming vehicle having travelled upwardly along the barrier and impinging on the rear tie element, the rear portions of the rigid planar supports collapse, thereby to strand the vehicle in a position whereat its chassis straddles the barrier.

Further, the rear portion of each planar rigid support has an upwardly opening slot, the rear tie element has a pair of downwardly opening slots arranged for crosswise mating engagement with the upwardly opening slots. Additionally, the pair of the rigid supports of each module are parallel to each other, and are separated by a distance equal to the length of the lateral tie elements between the first and second lateral tie slots thereby to define a width of the module.

Further, the respective widths of each module are not equal.

Additionally, the lateral distance between the short front sides of the rigid supports of one or more of the modules is greater than the lateral distance between the tall rear sides of rigid supports of the module, such that the barrier is a generally curved shape.

Further, the barrier also includes a sheet bearing graphics, and

fastening apparatus for fastening the sheet to upward facing portions of the rigid planar supports and the lateral tie elements.

There is also provided a kit for the quick assembly of a barrier for use against an incoming vehicle, which includes:

Two or more planar rigid supports each having a short front side, a tall rear side, a lower facing edge for positioning on a ground surface and an upward facing edge sloping upwardly from the short front side to the tall rear side when the planar rigid support is positioned perpendicularly to the ground surface; and

a plurality of lateral tie elements for rigidly connecting together the supports, upper edges of the ties and of the planar rigid supports operative to engage an incoming vehicle,

wherein the plurality of planar rigid supports and the plurality of the lateral tie elements interlock in a crosswise mating arrangement, thereby to form a rigid structure operative to absorb a crash force of the incoming vehicle so as to reduce the velocity thereof.

Additionally, the pair of planar rigid supports includes first and second planar rigid supports; the first rigid support has a plurality of first support edge slots formed in the sloping upward facing edge thereof, the second rigid support has a plurality of second support edge slots formed in registration with the plurality of first support edge slots, one of the plurality of first support edge slots forming a pair of edge slots with a corresponding one of the second support edge slots, and

each lateral tie element has first and second lateral tie slots configured for crosswise mating engagement with a predetermined pair of the edge slots.

Further, the plurality of the planar rigid supports includes a shared rigid support which forms part of both first and second modules, and the first module includes a first plurality of the lateral tie elements and the second module includes a second plurality of the lateral tie elements wherein the shared rigid support has formed therein two pluralities of support edge slots, each slot of each plurality being adjacent to but slightly spaced apart from a slot of other the plurality, thereby to facilitate crosswise mating engagement of the first and second pluralities of the lateral tie elements with the shared rigid support. Additionally, each planar rigid support has a high friction footing operative to resist movement of the barrier along the ground surface.

Further, each lateral tie element including damage inflicting elements for puncturing the tires of an incoming vehicle on impingement therewith.

Additionally, the damage inflicting elements include:

a plurality of high strength, pointed elements formed along an upper edge of the lateral tie element;

fin apparatus formed along the top of the pointed elements, parallel to the upper edge of the lateral tie element, the fin apparatus operative to maintain structural integrity in the absence of a predetermined force, and, in the presence of the force, being operative to fail, thereby to adopt a spike configuration adapted to damage portions of an incoming vehicle on contact therewith.

Further, the fin apparatus includes a pair of fins formed integrally with each spike element, operative to mechanically fail and bend in the presence of the predetermined force.

Additionally, each rigid planar support has a rear portion, and the plurality of lateral tie elements also includes a rear tie element for laterally extending across and interlocking with the rear portions of the rigid planar elements.

There is also provided, for use with a vehicle barrier, apparatus for puncturing a tire of an incoming vehicle, which includes:

a generally elongate, rigid body for mounting onto a support;

a plurality of damage inflicting elements which include:

a row of high strength, pointed elements each having a base connected to the rigid body, and a tip, distal from the base; and

fin apparatus formed along the top of each of the pointed element, parallel to the rigid body, the fin apparatus operative to maintain structural integrity in the absence of a predetermined force, and, in the presence of the force, being operative to fail when impacted by the tire of an incoming vehicle, thereby to adopt a pointed configuration similar to the pointed element.

Additionally, the fin apparatus includes a pair of coplanar linear fins formed integrally with each pointed element, operative to bend when impacted by the tire of an incoming vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a barrier formed in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B are front and plan elevations of the barrier of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A shows a vertical support of the barrier;

Fig. 3B shows a partially cut away load bearing connection node between a lateral tie and a vertical support of the barrier, prior to assembly thereof therebetween;

Fig. 3C is a cross-section view of the load bearing connection node of Fig. 3B, after assembly;

Fig. 4A shows a lateral tie element of the barrier;

Figs. 4B shows an enlarged detail of a portion of the tie denoted by arrow B in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5A and 5B are views similar to those in Figs. 4A and 4B respectively, but after having been impacted, for example, by an incoming vehicle;

Fig. 6 shows a rear tie element of the barrier;

Fig. 7A is an exploded view of a single barrier module;

Figs. 7B-7M show stages of erection of the barrier of Fig. 1;

Figs. 8A1-8A3 and 8B1-8B3 are pictorial side and plan views showing an incoming vehicle before and during impact with the barrier of the invention;

Figs. 9A-9D are pictorial views showing an incoming vehicle at the moment of initial impact with the barrier;

Fig. 10 is a pictorial side view of the vehicle and barrier after impact;

Fig. 11A shows a barrier similar to that of Figs. 1-2B, but having a non-uniform module width;

Fig. 11B shows a barrier similar to that of Figs. 1-2B, but wherein one or more modules has a segmental shape, thereby to impart a curved shape to the barrier; and

Fig. 12 shows use of the barrier of the invention in the guise of an advertising hoarding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Fig. 1, there is seen a modular barrier, referenced generally 10, for stopping the travel of an incoming vehicle. As will be appreciated from the description below, barrier 10 is formed of a small number of generally planar, rigid components, each adapted to easily fit together with at least two other components, thereby to form a relatively lightweight, easily assemblable, robust, three-dimensional barrier structure. The components are formed of any suitable metal or similarly suitable material, for example, an ST37 carbon steel plate or the like. It should be noted that no tools are required in order to assemble the barrier, nor does the barrier have any hinges, bolts or additional utilities that are a fundamental requirement of portable barriers in the art.

Referring now also to Figs. 2A and 2B, it is seen that barrier 10 is formed of an array of generally triangular, vertically positioned supports 20 which are held in spaced apart, parallel orientation with respect to one another by a plurality of lateral tie elements 40. There are also provided rear tie elements 60.

As will be shown and described in conjunction with Figs. 8A-10 in detail, barrier 10 is operative to halt or slow the progress of an incoming vehicle, preferably in compliance with standard specifications for vehicle security barriers, such as BSi PAS 68, or equivalent. Having said that, the present barrier is not intended to replace large, permanently installed barriers, but is rather intended to provide an effective solution when there is a need to deploy a vehicle resistant barrier in a temporary setting, quickly, easily, and without the need for highly trained personnel. In operation, an incoming vehicle will be disabled by initially having its tires punctured, then 'running aground' as its wheels leave the ground and become entrapped in a void formed between a pair of parallel lateral ties in the same module, while the impact force of the vehicle is opposed by the structural rigidity of the barrier and by a high friction footing on which the barrier stands. Therefore, depending on the weight, speed and angle of impact of the vehicle, its ongoing travel will be halted within a short stopping distance, determined prior to placement as being satisfactory for the purpose.

From Figs. 1-2B, is seen that barrier has a depth 'D' which is dictated by the width of supports 20, and a maximum height Ή' dictated by the height of support 20. Suitable dimensions for depth D and height H may be 140 cm and 80 cm respectively, although any other suitable dimensions may be used.

As described, barrier 10 has a modular structure and, as such, may be of any desired width

'W. In the presently illustrated embodiment, lateral tie elements 40 are of equal length, such that in a single module, composed of a pair of supports 20, a plurality of lateral tie elements 40 and a rear tie element 60, the module width is dictated by the distance 'Md' between the connection points between the ties and the supports, as denoted in Fig. 2A. Similarly, if all the lateral tie elements 40 in a single barrier structure are of uniform size, then all the modules in a single barrier will, likewise, have the same width.

Other, non-uniform configurations, are described hereinbelow in conjunction with Figs. 11A and 11B.

In the presently illustrated embodiment, however, barrier 10 is composed of a plurality of equally dimensioned modules 10' each typically having a width of approximately 54 cm. It will however be appreciated that barrier modules 10' may alternatively be constructed to have any other width, as may be preferred, and that any number of modules may be secured together so as to give rise to a barrier capable of protecting a site of any width.

Referring now to Fig. 3A, it is seen that each support 20 has a short front side 22, a tall rear side 24, a lower facing edge or footing 26 for positioning on a ground surface, and an upward facing edge 28 sloping upwardly from the short front side 22 to the tall rear side 24. As seen in Figs. 1-2B, a plurality of rigid lateral tie elements 40 connect supports 20 and extend across the sloping upward facing edges 28 thereof. Upper facing edges 28 and upper edges 42 of lateral tie elements 40 are operative to engage an incoming vehicle as shown and described hereinbelow.

Referring now also to Figs. 3B and 3C, the lateral tie elements 40 and support 20 interconnect by matching, interlocking tie slots 50 (seen also in Fig. 6) and support edge slots 30 (seen also in Fig. 3A). As seen in Fig. 3B, the interconnecting slots are formed so as to ensure full mutual engagement between tie elements 40 and support 20 at load bearing structural nodes 32, seen also in Fig. 2B. As seen from the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3C, at each node 32, when the two slots are fully engaged, the interior facing walls 30' of slots 30 abut the outer surface 40' of lateral tie 40; and the interior facing walls 50' of slots 50 abut the outer surface 20' of support 20. This abutting, crosswise engagement provides a mechanism for distributing mechanical stresses caused by the impingement of a vehicle, throughout the barrier, and down to the ground surface via supports 20.

In the presently illustrated example, each support 20 may be an end support 20' (Figs. 1-2B) or an interior support 20" (Figs. 1-2B). As an interior support 20" is shared by two barrier modules, it has to accommodate both leftward and rightward extending lateral tie elements 40, at each location along upper edge 28 of each support 20. Accordingly, as clearly seen in Fig. 7A, there are provided, by way of example, three pairs of first and second support edge slots 30, for leftward and rightward extending lateral tie elements 40, respectively. A fourth such pair of slots is provided in the upwardly extending rear portion 19 of each support 20 to accommodate rear tie element 60. The slots are specifically denoted in the drawings (Figs. 7A and 7B) as 30a and 30b, 30c and 30d, 30e and 30f, and 30g and 30h. As mentioned above, an incoming vehicle will be disabled by initially having its tires punctured on impacting barrier 10. This is achieved, as seen in Figs. 4A and 4B, by providing at least the three forwardly angled lateral tie elements 40 with an upper edge 42 which, while fairly even or 'smooth' in a first mode, becomes serrated in a second mode, when subjected to the impact force of an inbound vehicle, having a plurality of tire puncturing teeth 44. Teeth 44 are also variously referred to herein as damage inflicting elements, pointed elements, spikes or spike elements. Use of these terms is interchangeable.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, in order to prevent possible injury from the teeth 44, for example, to personnel assembling the barrier 10, the base 45 of each of the teeth, formed integrally with the rigid body constituted by the tie element 40, are formed with outwardly protruding fins 46. Fins are preferably formed integrally with teeth 44, and connected to the tip thereof, referenced 47. In an initial position, as at the time of assembly of barrier 10, the fins 46 are seen to extend in a collinear manner, and to be of sufficient strength thickness that a person leaning or walking on the upper edge 42 of a lateral tie element 40 will not be impaled on or otherwise injured by the teeth 44.

However, in the presence of a much greater force, such as when impacted by the tire of an incoming vehicle, fins 46 are adapted to fail so that they bend as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, such that the fins adopt a pointed configuration similar to that of the teeth, so as to puncture an impinging tire. Typically, as seen in Figs. 5A and 5B, on deformation under impact, the shape of the fins 46 becomes that which resembles a fish hook. This serves to puncture the front tires of the impacting vehicle. Preferably, the tire walls will become shredded, not just by being punctured at multiple locations, but also, as the vehicle continues to travel along the front surface of the barrier 10, the tire walls, having been impaled on the fish hook shaped fins 46, become caught on the ends 48 of the fins, becoming further shredded as the vehicle attempts to free the tires from the teeth 44.

Referring now to Fig. 7A, it is clearly seen that each module 10' of barrier 10 includes a pair of supports 20, a plurality of tire puncturing lateral tie elements 40, and a rear tie element 60; all of which are slotted together to form a high strength, free-standing barrier, adapted to halt the ingress of a travelling vehicle, as described herein.

Assembly of a single module 10' of barrier 10 (Figs. 1-2B) is now described in conjunction with Figs. 7B - 7M which show a method of assembling barrier 10, as follows:

Initially, as seen in Fig. 7B, a pair of supports 20 are placed on a ground surface at a location where it is sought to assemble the barrier. Their horizontal placement, parallel to each other, is seen in plan view in Fig. 7C. Subsequently, as seen in Figs. 7D and 7E, a plurality of lateral tie elements 40 are inserted into appropriate slots 30a, 30c and 30e, thereby, together with supports 20, to become a free-standing structure. As seen in Figs. 7F and 7G, rear tie element 60 is also inserted into slots 30g, thereby to complete the assembly of a single module 10', illustrated in Fig. 7G. It will be appreciated that although a specific order of assembly has been exemplified, the precise order of assembly of the tie elements 40 and 60 with supports 20 is not significant.

After assembly of a single module 10', as shown and described above in conjunction with Figs. 7B-7G, the assembly of an additional module 10" is shown in Figs. 7H-7M. For purposes of conciseness, as the various stages of assembly are similar to those described above on conjunction with Figs. 7B-7G, they are not described herein in detail, except with regard to the positioning of additional tie elements 40" and 60" in additional module 10". Specifically, if tie elements 40 and 60 in module 10' are seen to be positioned within lower slots 30a, 30c, 30e and 30g of the various pairs of slots formed along supports 20, then additional tie elements 40" and 60" are positioned within upper slots 30b, 30d, 30f and 30h of the various slot pairs, as seen specifically in Figs. 7J and 7L.

Referring now to Figs. 8A-10, there is shown a test run of a vehicle 80 travelling towards barrier 10, and details as to how barrier 10 prevents the ongoing travel of the vehicle.

Referring initially to Figs. 8A1 and 8B1, vehicle 80 is shown travelling towards barrier 10, at a speed of 40 kph. Referring now to Figs. 8A2, 8B2, 9A and 9B, the front wheels 82 of the vehicle, which in the present test was a Volvo 740 Station Wagon, impact the upper edge 42 (Fig. 9A and 9B) of a forward-most lateral tie element 40. As seen in Figs. 9C and 9D, as fins 46 are impacted, they are bent downwards about tooth 44, at the same time assuming a fishhook type configuration. As seen in Fig. 9D, tire 84 of front wheel 82 becomes punctured by multiple teeth 44 in multiple locations, after which, as it continues to travel, during which tire 84 seeks to free itself from fins 46, the tire will become shredded.

Lower facing edge 26 of each of supports 20 is configured to assist barrier 10 in gripping the ground surface and in being pushed therealong, as indicated in Figs. 8A2 and 8B2 by arrow 31.

Typically, any type of motion resistance means could be provided along lower edge 26, although, in the present embodiment, teeth 25 are provided on footing 26 (Fig. 3A) so as to grip the ground surface.

As seen also in Fig. 10, barrier 10 is configured such that as vehicle 80 rides up on the upper surface thereof, composed of the upper edges 28 of supports 20 and lateral tie elements 40, as indicated by arrow 29 (Fig. 8B2), it pivots, as indicated by arrow 33 (Fig. 8B3), about rear corner 27 so as to dig into the ground surface and to become entrenched therein. Subsequently, if the vehicle 80 continues in motion, albeit, much slower than upon impact, its impingement on rear tie element 60 will have the effect of bending the upward-facing rear flanges 19, referred to also as upwardly extending rear portion 19 (Fig. 7A) of supports 30 in a clockwise direction, with respect to the remainder of the barrier 10, further absorbing impact energy so as to impede further advance of the vehicle, while allowing it to traverse the barrier completely, thereby to strand the vehicle in a position whereat its chassis straddles said barrier which becomes firmly trapped under the vehicle. This is shown schematically in Figs. 8A3 and 8B3.

Referring now briefly to Figs. 11A and 11B, it is however envisaged that in some situations it may be desirable to provide modules of differing widths, as exemplified in Fig. 11A, or to provide a curved barrier, as exemplified in Fig. 11B.

As seen in Fig. 11A, while the illustrated barrier 100 has a rectilinear shape, and is formed of pairs of similar modules 101a, 101b and 101c, whose vertical supports 20 are parallel to each other, the modules are of differing widths. In the example, of the six modules, the outside modules 101a have tie elements 40 and 60 which define a module width Mda; the innermost modules 101c have tie elements 40 and 60 which define a module width Mdc; and the remaining modules 101b have tie elements 40 and 60 which define a module width Mdb, where Mdc>Mdb>Mda. This is merely by way of example, and any other variation may be selected according to technical requirements.

Referring now to Fig. 11B, the illustrated barrier 110 is curved. In order to achieve this result, the lateral tie elements 140 of at least some of the barrier modules, exemplified here as 111a and 111c, are progressively shorter from the front of the barrier module to its rear, wherein the rear tie element 160 of these modules is shorter still. Therefore, for modules 111a and 111c, the width Mo of the module at its outermost side is greater than the width Mi of the module at the innermost end of the module. This results in the vertical supports 120 being positioned at an angle less than 180 degree with respect to at least the closest vertical support, thus giving a predetermined curvature to barrier 110. It will be appreciated that the slots via which the tie elements and vertical support interconnect are formed at appropriate angles so as to allow proper locking engagement therebetween.

Referring now briefly to Fig. 12, it is envisaged that barrier 10 may be used to secure large public events such as rock concerts, political rallies and the like. At such locations, barrier 10 would be erected so as to circumvent the area that is wishes to secure. For reasons which may include both aesthetics and commercial reasons, the upward facing, sloped portion of barrier 10 may be overlaid with a sheet 90 of flexible material on which advertising or informational material is printed. Such material can be any type of webbing or flexible sheet material known to be used for such purposes, secured by any suitable means, such as screws, rivets, adhesive, ties or any other suitable fasteners. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims.