Abstract:
An example of a vehicle barrier system for arresting an impacting vehicle of substantial mass within a selected distance of the fence includes a pair of terminal posts positioned in and secured to the ground in a spaced apart relationship; at least three cables, each cable having opposing terminal ends hingedly connected respectively to each of the terminal posts, the at least three cables held in tension a distance above a grade of the ground and vertically spaced apart from one another in relation to the grade; and a line post secured in the ground and positioned between the pair of terminal posts, the line post holding a portion of each of the cables.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/908,391 filed Mar. 27, 2007. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a barrier to vehicular traffic and more specifically to an above grade, vehicular barrier fence to isolate a specified area from unapproved access by vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Vehicle barrier systems are utilized to guard against access to protected areas. In particular, the systems are provided to stop motor vehicles, such as trucks, from being intentionally driven into certain areas for nefarious purposes. At least one agency of the United States Government has provided standards to certify barriers for use. Heretofore, it has commonly been believed that vehicle systems must be so called mass-to-mass systems, wherein the barrier comprises structures of great mass to counteract the mass and kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An example of a vehicle barrier fence for arresting an impacting vehicle of substantial mass within a selected distance of the fence includes a pair of terminal posts positioned in and secured to the ground in a spaced apart relationship and a cable having opposing terminal ends connected respectively to each of the terminal posts, wherein the cable is held in tension a distance above a grade of the ground between the pair of terminal posts in a manner such that an identified portion of the impacting vehicle is stopped within a selected distance of the cable. 
         [0005]    An example of a vehicle barrier system for arresting an impacting vehicle of substantial mass within a selected distance of the fence includes a pair of terminal posts positioned in and secured to the ground in a spaced apart relationship; at least three cables, each cable having opposing terminal ends hingedly connected respectively to each of the terminal posts, the at least three cables held in tension a distance above a grade of the ground and vertically spaced apart from one another in relation to the grade; and a line post secured in the ground and positioned between the pair of terminal posts, the line post holding a portion of each of the cables. 
         [0006]    An example of a method of arresting a vehicle of substantial mass from penetrating into a protected area includes providing a barrier fence, the fence having a pair of terminal posts positioned in and secured to the ground in a spaced apart relationship and a cable having opposing terminal ends connected respectively to each of the terminal posts, the cable held in tension a distance above a grade of the ground between the pair of terminal posts; impacting a motor vehicle having a substantial mass and moving at a rate of speed into the barrier fence; and stopping penetration of an identified portion of the vehicle from extending a selected distance beyond the cable. 
         [0007]    The foregoing has outlined some of the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present invention will be best understood with reference to the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an example of a vehicle barrier fence of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of an example of the vehicle barrier fence of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an example of a terminal post; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of an example of a portion of a terminal post; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view of a terminal post along the line I-I of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an example of a corner type terminal post; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of an example of a line post; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a portion of the line post of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of an example of a cable spacer mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an example of a vehicle barrier fence of the present invention generally denoted by the numeral  10 .  FIG. 2  is a plan view of barrier fence  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  further illustrates a motor vehicle  6 , illustrated as a truck having a bed  6 , moving in the direction of the arrow toward barrier fence  10 . The hatched line  7  represents a distance L 1  of 36 inches from barrier fence  10 . In the present example, vehicle  5  has a mass of 15,000 pounds. 
         [0020]    The illustrated example is of a longitudinal barrier fence  10 , or a portion of a barrier fence. The illustrated and described examples are for a “K12” rated vehicle barrier. K12 refers to a certification class for the United States Department of State. A K12 rating, or certification, requires that the barrier must prevent the bed of a 15,000 pound (6810 kg) truck, traveling at the speed of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour) from penetrating the barrier more than 36 inches (55 cm) indicated as “L 1 ” in  FIG. 2 . Barrier fence  10  is also adapted for stopping vehicle  5  within the limits of L 1  when traveling 30 miles per hour (48 kph) and 40 mph (65 kph) for obtaining a K4 and a K8 certification respectively. Unexpectedly, a barrier fence corresponding to an example of the present disclosure has been shown to meet the criteria for a K12 certification. Barrier fence  10  is not a mass to mass type barrier that is commonly utilized to achieve the standards necessary for a United States Department of State certification. 
         [0021]    Referring to the examples of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , barrier fence  10  includes cables  12 , terminal posts  14 , and line posts  16 . Barrier fence  10  may further include one or more cable spacing members  18  and/or a security fencing generally denoted by the numeral  20 . In  FIG. 1 , fencing  20  is illustrated as chain link, although other fencing materials including without limitation barb wire, razor wire, wood fencing, and iron. Fencing  10  may be provided to limit or prevent passage of pedestrians, provide an aesthetic covering, or to conceal the vehicle barrier system. 
         [0022]    For purposes of brevity and clarity, barrier fence  10  is described herein with reference to a fence or section of fence extending between opposing terminal posts  14 . “Terminal” is utilized herein in designating posts to which the terminal end of a cable  14  is connected. Terminal posts  14 , as described further below, may be positioned along a longitudinal section or portion of barrier fence  10  or be a corner post. Corner terminal posts are generally utilized for changes of direction in the section of fence. For example, it may be desired to utilize a corner terminal post for a change in direction of cable  12  of greater than about 15 degrees. As will be readily understood, a terminal post  16  may be an “in-line” post wherein the terminal end of a first cable  12  extending a first direction is connected and the terminal end of a second cable  12  that extends a different direction from the first direction (for example 180 degrees) is connected. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , three cables  12  extend between opposing terminal posts  14   a ,  14   b . Cables  12  are vertically spaced apart from one another relative to the grade  22  of ground  24 . For example, in  FIG. 1  each of the cables  12  are spaced approximately 6 inches (9 cm) from one another and the lowest cable  12  is spaced about 20 inches (30.8 cm) from grade  22 . 
         [0024]    Each cable  12  has opposing terminal ends  26   a ,  26   b . Each terminal end  26  is connected to terminal post  14 . As will be further described below, terminal end  26  is hingedly connected to terminal post  14  in the Examples of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the illustrated example, terminal posts  14   a  and  14   b  are spaced apart a distance D 1 . D 1  corresponds to the length of cable  12  when it is pulled taught and in position for arresting an impacting motor vehicle. For example, a wire cable  12 , having tensile strength of approximately 40,000 pounds (88,000 kg) may span distance D 1  when tensioned to about 500 pounds (1,100 kg). In the illustrated example, D 1  is no greater than about 2,000 feet (609 m). 
         [0025]    Terminal posts  14  are secured into ground  24  by securing means  28 . In the illustrated examples, securing means  28  is reinforced concrete. Terminal post  14  may further be secured and stabilized by an anchor mechanism  30 . Anchor mechanism  30  may include a cross-member  32  secured between terminal post  14  and an anchor  34  positioned in ground  24 . In the illustrated example, anchor  34  is spaced approximately eight feet from terminal post  14  and secured in ground  24  by reinforced concrete. Cross-member  32  is a metal tube. 
         [0026]    Positioned between terminal posts  14  are one or more line posts  16 . One or more line posts  16 , described further with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , are positioned between terminal posts  14 . Line posts  16  are positioned and secured in ground  24  by a securing means  24 . Line post  16  is operationally connected to cables  12  in a manner to absorb energy from an impacting vehicle and reduce the force that must be absorbed by terminal posts  14  and the cable to terminal post connections. In the illustrated examples, line posts  16  are spaced from one another no more than about 20 feet (6 m). As will be described further below, cable  12  does not terminate at line posts  16  but is in operational connection to line posts  16 . 
         [0027]    Cable spacing members  18  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  connected to cables  12  and along the span of cables  12 . Spacing members  18  tend to maintain cables  12  in a spaced apart relationship when impacted by a vehicle, and therefore maintain contact with the vehicle. Various mechanisms may be utilized to space cables  12  vertically apart, such as but not limited to the example illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Spacing mechanisms  18  may be independently connected to cables  12  or interconnect cables  12  and a post member. 
         [0028]    For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , spacers  18  may be connected to intermediate posts  36 . Intermediate posts  36  are, in this example, tubular posts that are positioned into ground  24 . Posts  36  are not necessarily secured in ground  24 . In the illustrated examples, posts  36  are provided for erecting fencing  20  and provide an additional structure to cooperate with spacing members  18 . Spacing members  18  and intermediate posts may be evenly spaced from one another, for example, by the distance D 3  which is approximately 10 feet (3 m) in these examples. Cables  12  may be spaced apart, for example, by securing each cable to posts  36  in a spaced apart relationship by a U-bolt or other suitable connector. It is envisioned that a spacing mechanism  18 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , that is solely connected to cables  12  may facilitate the maintenance of the desired spacing during impact by a vehicle. 
         [0029]    Refer now to  FIG. 3 , wherein an example of a terminal post-cable connection, generally denoted by the numeral  38 , is shown. First, terminal post  14  is a tubular member having an internal cavity  40  and a face portion  42 . Face portion  42  is a portion of the wall of tubular post  14  that is facing the direction in which a cable  12  extends, or the portion through which cable  12  extends. In the illustrated examples, post  14  is illustrated as a square or rectangular member, although other geometric shapes may be utilized. For example, terminal post  14  may be circular or triangular as well. 
         [0030]    In the example of  FIG. 3 , a terminal post-cable connector  38  includes a spelter socket  44  and plate  46 . In this example, terminal end  26  is connected within spelter socket  44 , for example with zinc or an epoxy resin, and hingedly connected to plate  46  by pin or shaft  48 . Plate  46  is connected to the body of terminal post  14  with cable  12  extending outward from face portion  42 . In the illustrated example, spelter socket  44  and terminal end  26  are substantially positioned in cavity  40 . 
         [0031]    Refer now to  FIG. 4 , wherein a face portion  42  of a terminal post  24  is illustrated having a slot  56  for passing cable  12 . Slot  56  is a transverse slot that is substantially parallel with the grade and perpendicular to the vertical extension of the post from the ground. Face portion  42  in the illustrated example includes a window  50  formed for each cable  12  and cable to post connector. Window  50  is provided as one manner of positioning connection  38  of  FIG. 3 . An open leg or slot portion  52  is also formed through face portion  42  for positioning a cable  12 . A cover  54  is provided for connecting over a portion of window  50  while providing an open slot  56  that includes leg  52 . Slot  56 , which is formed through face portion  42 , provides for transverse or longitudinal movement of cable  12  during impact by a vehicle thereby limiting or avoiding impact of the cable along the physical body forming the slot. 
         [0032]    Refer now to  FIG. 5  wherein the terminal-post connection  38  is shown along the line I-I of  FIG. 3 . This example illustrates that three cables  12  are spaced vertically apart from one another, relative to the ground, and in this example are interconnected by a shaft  48 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an example of a corner terminal post  14 . In this example, cable  12   a  is extending a direction substantially at a right angle to the direction of cable  12   b . However, cables  12   a  and  12   b  may extend at varying angles from one another. 
         [0034]    Refer now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  wherein an example of a line post  16  and a line post-cable connection are illustrated. Line post  12  is illustrated as a tubular post having an internal cavity  58 . In this example, line post  16  is a rectangular or square member having opposing sidewalls  60   a  and  60   b  and an interconnecting face plate  62 . Face plate  62  includes an interior surface  64  directed into cavity  58 . Positioned on interior surface  64  is a spacer member  66 . Positioned in cavity  58  is a stop  68  that is spaced apart from spacer member  66  to form a trap  70 . Thus, trap  70  is defined between spacer member  66 , stop  68 , and opposing sidewalls  60   a ,  60   b . A slot or track  72  ( FIG. 8 ) is formed through each opposing sidewall  60  for passing a corresponding cable  12 . 
         [0035]    Each cable  12  carries a clamping member  74 . Clamping member  74  is secured to cable  12  and then positioned in trap  70  so as to be substantially held in place with regard to post  16 . It is noted that in this example, face plate  62  is connected between opposing sidewalls  60   a ,  60   b  by a connection means  76  such as welding. Face plate  62  is connected to opposing walls  60   a ,  60   b  after cable  12  and clamps  74  are positioned in cavity  58  and against stop  68 . When face plate  62  is connected, cables  12  are positioned within tracks  72 . Tracks  72 , like terminal post slots  56  ( FIG. 4 ), provide for movement of cable  12  when impacted by a vehicle while mediating damage to cable  12  by contact with the physical structure forming the slots. 
         [0036]    Refer now to  FIG. 9 , wherein an example of a cable spacing mechanism  18  is shown in isolation. In this example, mechanism  18  is an elongated member formed in symmetrical longitudinal sections  18   a  and  18   b . Each half includes a portion of a cable passage  78 . Sections  18   a  and  18   b  are positioned together such that each passage  78  disposes a cable  12 . Sections  18   a  and  18   b  may then be interconnected by welding or the like. 
         [0037]    From the foregoing detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that a system for preventing or limiting the passage of a vehicle into a secured area that is novel has been disclosed. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of describing various features and aspects of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications, including but not limited to those implementation variations which may have been suggested herein, may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims which follow.