VEHICLE RESTRAINING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The apparatus and method disclosed in this document pertain generally to security. More particularly, the new and useful vehicle restraining system claimed in this document pertains to a device for restraining vehicular entry into a prohibited area. The vehicle restraining system is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for prohibiting vehicular entry without causing either the death of vehicle occupants, or destruction of the vehicle. Background Art

An international need has arisen to block vehicular entry into prohibited areas. At least one subcategory of achieving that goal includes blocking selected vehicular entry without injury either to the occupants or to the vehicle. Vehicular restraining apparatus thus far suggested by others include complicated devices whose sophistication may render such apparatus nonfunctional precisely when needed. For example, restraining devices have been proposed that require propulsion systems for raising structural components, components that may not propel when needed. Similarly, telescoping supports and arms may not telescope when operation is desired. Other vehicle inhibitors call for frangible materials in a variety of components that must be replaced after each use, a limitation in remote areas. Accordingly, need exists in the industry for the new, useful, simple to install, and simple to operate vehicle restraining system disclosed and claimed in this document.

Disclosure of the Invention

While the apparatus disclosed and claimed in U.S. Application No. 10/888,337 filed in the U.S. Patent Office on July 9, 2004, entitled Anti-Vehicle Security System, has proven useful in a variety of situations and installations, additional optimizations shown

and claimed in this document provide a vehicle restraining system that results in more rapid deployment and reconfiguration of the vehicle restraining device for redeployment.

The vehicle restraining system disclosed and claimed in this document includes multiple embodiments of a truss assembly. In at least one embodiment, a container having a hinged door is fixed on the truss assembly. The system also includes two spaced-apart guides that extend from within the container to a portion of the truss assembly that is in ground contact. A gravitationally deployable restraining device, stored in and deployed from the container, includes sleeves, clips and keepers to deploy the restraining device to snare a vehicle.

In other embodiments of a vehicle restraining system that include additional optimizations shown and claimed in this document, a vehicle restraining system results in a variety of configurations for achieving more rapid deployment and reconfiguration of the vehicle restraining device for redeployment. For example, the vehicle restraining system includes a truss assembly that does not include stanchions. A rotateable drum is provided that is repositionable on the truss assembly. In addition, a gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device is removably attachable to the drum and to the truss assembly. In one embodiment, the gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device includes a cable that may be connected to and disengaged from both the drum and the truss assembly. Also included is a plurality of guide rods installed on the truss assembly in opposing spaced-apart pairs. A boom is included that may be repositioned along the opposing pairs of the plurality of guide rods. In the embodiments shown in Figures 6A-7E at least one motor is included. The motor is mountable on the boom to reposition the boom on the plurality of opposing spaced-apart guide rods, and to rotate the drum to enfold the gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device on the drum.

The term "gravitationally deployable restraining device," as used in this document, includes at least non-frangible open-meshed fabrics, nets, barriers, meshed materials, and sheets of material. The term "gravitationally deployable restraining device" also includes at least one cable intertwined with the gravitationally deployable restraining device. In one embodiment of the vehicle restraining system, ends of the cable are connectable to the two opposing spaced- apart guides.

It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the vehicle restraining system claimed in this document will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.

The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The vehicle restraining system claimed in this document is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither

to define the vehicle restraining system claimed in this document, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings The features of the invention, and its technical advantages, can be seen from the following description of the preferred embodiments together with the claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 of the drawing is a side view of the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle restraining system before deployment with a vehicle approaching;

Figure 3 is a side view of the partially deployed vehicle restraining system without a net; Figure 4A is a side view showing a vehicle caught by the net of the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 4B is a perspective view showing a vehicle caught by the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 5 is a top view showing a vehicle caught by the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 6A is a side view showing the vehicle restraining system that includes a motor as well as a hand-crank;

Figure 6B shows the installed vehicle restraining system with a car approaching the system; Figure 6C shows the vehicle restraining device enfolded on the drum;

Figure 6D shows a front view of the vehicle restraining device enfolded on the drum;

Figure 6E shows a vehicle entering the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 6F shows the vehicle restrained by the vehicle restraining system; ^l

Figure 6G shows a top view of the vehicle restrained by the vehicle restraining system; Figure 7A shows one embodiment of the vehicle restraining system and the location of a hand-crank;

Figure 7B shows an alternative embodiment of the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 7C shows yet another alternative embodiment of the vehicle restraining system;

Figure 7D shows another alternative embodiment of the vehicle restraining system using a container to hold the drum; and

Figure 7E shows another alternative embodiment of the vehicle restraining system. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Figures 1-5, a vehicle restraining system, generally designated 10, is provided that in its broadest context includes a truss assembly 12 formed with a plurality of monolithic stanchions 14; a container 16 fixed to truss assembly 12; two spaced- apart guides 18a,b extending from container 16 to a truss assembly member 20; a gravitationally deployable restraining device 22 that is removably insertable into container 16, and that also is connectable to two spaced-apart guides 18a,b; and also includes means 24 for deploying gravitationally deployable restraining device 22. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-5 the vehicle restraining system 10 includes no motor, no hydraulic apparatus, and no devices operable by alternating current.

The term "gravitationally deployable restraining device," as used in this document, includes non-frangible open-meshed fabrics, nets, barriers, meshed materials, and sheets of material, generally

designated 26, and referred to in this document for ease of reference as a "net." The term "gravitationally deployable restraining device" also includes at least one cable 28 intertwined with gravitationally deployable restraining device 22. As shown by cross-reference between Figures 4B and 5, net 26' is non-frangible.

In the embodiments of vehicle restraining system 10, as shown by cross-reference between Figures 4A and 5, opposing ends 30a, b of cable 28 are connectable to two spaced-apart guides 18a,b. As perhaps best shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3, spaced-apart guides 18a,b may be formed from cables 18a ^! and 18b'.

In one embodiment of vehicle restraining system 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 4A, one or more sleeves 32a, b are provided. One or more sleeves 32a, b are connected to opposing ends 30a, b of cable 28 of gravitationally deployable restraining device 22. One or more sleeves 32a, b also are slideably mountable on two spaced-apart guides 18a,b. One or more sleeves 32a, b are weighted sufficiently to employ the force of gravity to remove the deployable restraining device 22 from the container 16 on opening of container 16.

As shown in Figure 1 , means 24 for deploying gravitationally deployable restraining device 22 also includes a plurality of ring clips 34a-n. Ring clips 34a-n are attachably detachable to gravitationally deployable restraining device 22. Ring clips 34a-n also are slideably engageable with the outer surface 34 of two spaced-apart guides 18a,b. As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, ring clips 34a-n may be selected from clips like parachute release clips used for connecting a military parachute to a static line. Ring clips 34a-n may be salvageable or of the break-away type.

In another embodiment of vehicle restraining system 10, as perhaps best shown in Figures 1 , means 24 for deploying gravitationally deployable restraining device 22 also includes a door 38.

Door 38 is rotatably mounted on container 16. Door 38 includes opposing sides 40a, b (40b not shown) and opposing edges 42a, b. In one embodiment of vehicle restraining system 10, opposing edge 42a is rotatably mounted on container 16 using a hinge assembly comparable to a piano hinge (not shown in detail). In another embodiment, door 38 is dimensioned along the longitudinal axis parallel to opposing edges 42a, b to be less than the dimension of container 16 to allow space for spaced-apart guides 18a,b to extend through a space (not shown) between opposing sides 40a, b and container 16. At least one latch 44 is included. Latch 44 may be attached to any number of means 46 for releasing latch 44. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 , means 46 for releasing latch 44 is a lanyard 44' extending from latch 44 to an operator of vehicle restraining system 10. In another embodiment of vehicle restraining system 10, means 46 for releasing latch 44 is a sensor-controlled remote control unit operated by battery (not shown).

As also shown by cross-reference between Figures 1 and 4A, vehicle restraining system 10 includes in one embodiment a keeper 48. Keepers 48a,b are fixed to lower extremities 50a,b of two spaced- apart guides 18a,b. As shown, the term "lower" means in a direction opposite door 38 of container 16. Keepers 48a, b also are fixed to opposing ends 30a, b of cable 28.

As perhaps best shown in Figure 1 , vehicle restraining system 10 includes in one embodiment means 52 for securing the vehicle restraining system at a selected site. As shown, in one embodiment means 52 for securing the vehicle restraining system at a selected site includes footer plates 54a-n. Footer plates 54a-n may be affixed to footings 56a-n as shown in Figure 1. As will be evident to one skilled in the art, footer plates 54a-n may be affixed to footings 56a-n using any of a number of connectors well known in the art,

including nuts and bolts 58a-n.

In operation of the embodiments shown by cross- reference between Figures 1-5, vehicle restraining system, generally designated 10, is secured at the entrance to a site into which vehicular traffic is prohibited. Footings 56a-n are formed from a material such a concrete, cured, and any of a number of connectors 58a-n are used to secure footer plates 54a-n to footings 56a-n, thus installing monolithic stanchions 14a-n of truss assembly 12 at a desired location. Container 16, with its rotatable door 38, has been mounted on truss assembly 12 as shown perhaps best in Figure 1.

Restraining device 22 is attached to clips 34a-n that in turn are slidably mounted on spaced-apart guides 18a,b, as perhaps best shown in Figure 4A. As indicated, restraining device 22 includes cable 28, opposing ends 30a, b of which are attached respectively to sleeves 32a-b and to keepers 48a, b. Much as one would pack a parachute, restraining device 22 may be packed into container 16. Door 38 is closed after restraining device 22 is packed into container 16, and latch 44 is secured.

Means 46, such as lanyard 46', is attached to latch 44. The other end of lanyard 46' is provided to an operator who is monitoring the secure site. When a suspicious vehicle seeks entry into the secure site, the operator may simply pull lanyard 46'. Door 38 swings open, and gravity pulls restraining device 22 from container 16. Gravity acts on sleeves 32a,b and on cable 28. In addition, opposing ends 30a, b of cable 28 are anchored to keepers 48a, b so that, in combination, cable 28 in restraining device 22 wraps around the motor vehicle A to preclude entry. Because none of the components need be frangible, restraining device 22 can be repacked and refolded into container 16 for reuse. In alternative embodiments of a vehicle restraining

system that includes additional optimizations shown and claimed in this document, and shown by cross-reference between Figures 6A-7E, a vehicle restraining system 100 results in a variety of embodiments and configurations for achieving more rapid deployment and reconfiguration of the gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device 102 for redeployment. For example, the vehicle restraining system 100 includes a truss assembly 104 that does not include stanchions 14a-n illustrated in Figures 1-5. A rotateable drum 106 is provided that is repositionable on the truss assembly 104. In addition, the gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device 102 is removably attachable to the drum 106 and to the truss assembly 104. The gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device 102 includes a cable 108, illustrated in Figures 6E-6F, that may be connected to and disengaged from both the drum 106 and the truss assembly 104. Also included is a plurality of guide rods 110 installed on the truss assembly in opposing spaced-apart pairs 110a,b and 110c,d. A boom 112 is included that may be repositioned along the opposing pairs 110a,b and 110 c,d of the plurality of guide rods 110a-d. In the embodiments shown in Figures 6A-7E at least one motor 114 is included. The motor 114 is mountable on the boom 112 to both reposition the boom 112 on the plurality of guide rods 110a-d, and to rotate the drum 106 to enfold the gravitationally deployable vehicle restraining device 102 on the drum 106.

More specifically, as shown by cross-reference between Figures 6A and 6B, vehicle restraining system 100 includes in one embodiment end plates 116a,b. End plates 116a,b may be used both to support extensions of drum 106 and also to add to the strength and appearance of truss assembly 104. As shown perhaps best by cross- reference between Figures 6A-6D, drum 106 includes a shaft 118. Shaft 118 is formed with a first end 120 and a second end 122. As

shown, first end 120 of shaft 118 and second end 122 of shaft 118 are rotatably mountable in end plates 116a,b. Shaft 118 also is engageable with a first sprocket 124 and a second sprocket 126 as perhaps best shown in Figure 6D. As shown, first sprocket 124 and second sprocket 126 are connectable to means 128 for mechanically rotating first sprocket 124 and second sprocket 126. Means 128 for mechanically rotating first sprocket 124 and second sprocket 126 includes, as shown by cross-reference between Figures 6A-6E and 7A- 7B, cords 130a,b mounted in a closed loop on first sprocket 124, second sprocket 126, and pulleys 132a,b. Pulleys 132a,b are operatively connectable to cranks 134a,b. A mechanical advantage of means 128 for mechanically rotating first sprocket 124 and second sprocket 126 arises from the capability of a user of vehicle restraining system 100 to unfurl vehicle restraining device 102 on drum 106 and as a backup apparatus for unfurling vehicle restraining device 102 from drum 106 in event of power failure that precludes use and operation of motor 114.

As also shown perhaps best by cross-reference between Figures 6A-6F, the shaft 118 of drum 106 is engageable with motor 114 that is mountable on boom 112. As indicated, boom 112 also is engageable with the plurality of guide rods 110, more specifically, with opposing spaced-apart pairs 110a,b and 110c,d of guide rods 110a-d. Motor 114 may be selected from a wide variety of AC or DC motors generally available in the industry. For example, motor 114 may be a parallel shaft gearmotor operating with the use of alternative current or direct current, or at a right angle gearmotor also operating with the use of either alternating current or direct current. In general, gearmotors tend to operative as split phase, three phase and inverter duty three phase input motors having gear ratios that span 5:1 to 2,200:1 , and with power ranges from 1/40 horsepower to 1/2 horsepower. As

shown, motor 114 is operatively connectable to a source of power. In operation, motor 114 may provide two different functions. Motor 114 may be used to rotate drum 106 either clockwise or counter-clockwise on shaft 118 to furl and unfurl vehicle restraining device 102 on or from drum 106. In addition, motor 114, because it is mounted on boom 112, may be used to position and re-position boom 112 on guide rods 110a- d, thus increasing the speed with which a deployed vehicle restraining device 102 may be prepared for additional operations.

As also shown by cross-reference between Figures 6A- 6F, at least one cable 108 included in vehicle restraining device 102 is disengageably connectable to drum 106 and to truss assembly 104. One or more circular loops 136a-n are fixed to the surface 138 of drum 106. Cable 108 may be threaded through circular loops 136a-n. Alternatively, shackles well known in the industry (not shown) may be attached to cable 108 and to circular loops 136a-n for disengageably connecting cable 108 to circular loops 136a-n. One or more clip rings 34a-n may be included for break-away attachment of vehicle restraining device 102 to cable 108. In addition, one or more circular loops 136e-n, as shown in Figure 6F, may be mounted on truss assembly 104 for securing cable 108 during deployment and operation of vehicle restraining device 102 from drum 106.

As shown by cross-reference between Figures 7A-7E, a number of different embodiments of the components of vehicle restraining system 100 are possible. For example, as shown in Figure 7A, a crank 134c may be operatively connected to a pulley 132c which is connected by cord 130c to pulleys 132d and 132e to mechanically , lower and raise, and to generally reposition, drum 106 on guide rods 110a-d on truss assembly 104.

In yet another embodiment of vehicle restraining system 100, Figure 7B shows a combination of the components shown in

Figures 6A and 7A, namely crank 134a operatively connectable to pulley 132a and to first sprocket 124 using cord 130a, as well as to crank 134c which is operatively connected to pulley 132c using cord 130c and to pulleys 132d and 132e, a combination of components that allows both rotation of drum 106 around shaft 118, and for repositioning drum 106 on guide rods 110a-b.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figure 7C, opposing spaced-apart guide rods 110a-d are provided with a screw surface 140. Screw surface 140 of guide rods 110a-d is mateably engageable with boom 112. Motor 114, or, in the alternative, a second motor 142, may be used to reposition boom 112 as well as drum 106 along guide rods 110a-d.

As shown in Figures 7D-7E, in addition to the components shown by cross-reference between Figures 7A-7C, a container 16 may be provided to house drum 106 and vehicle restraining device 102 when vehicle restraining device 10 is not deployed. As shown, door 38 of container 16 may be provided with latch 44 to open and close door 38 for furling and unfurling vehicle restraining device 102 from drum 106. The vehicle restraining system claimed in this document shows at least one embodiment in drawing figures 1-7E, but is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Claim elements and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not

only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.