Barbed tape and security sensor assembly

Exemplary approaches herein provide a barbed tape and security sensor assembly. In one approach, a barbed tape and security sensor assembly includes a vibration detection system including a sensor wire and a sensor housing, the sensor wire configured to be secured to a barrier for detecting vibration in the barrier. The barbed tape and security sensor assembly further includes a barbed tape directly coupled to the sensor housing or the sensor wire by a bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to security sensor assemblies and, more particularly, to an assembly including a bracket for securing together barbed tape and a security sensor system.

Discussion of Related Art

Security barrier or fence systems that are capable of sensing tamper related activity on a fence or sensor wire are well known in the security industry. A wire fence system is one in which one or more wires are held in tension between two supports. An end support may be any support where the wire of the fence is terminated, such as at a fixed post or another fixed physical structure, e.g., a wall. A wire fence may include a number of intermediate supports, but need not do so.

One method of breaching a security fence is to cut the wires of the fence. This kind of breach may be detected by electrical signals that are interrupted by a cut wire and can then sound an alarm for the particular security zone being breached. Another method by which an intruder can breach a security fence is by climbing the fence. This can result in the fence wires deflecting downwards and connecting together as a short circuit, which can be detected as loss or reduction of electrical signal through a wire. Yet another method of breaching an electric fence is to deflect the wires of the fence, as can occur by a person climbing onto the wire or otherwise pulling the wires apart to enable an intruder or object to pass through the fence. In such instances the wires may not short or open circuit the signal through the fence. In both electric and conventional fences (not electrified) cutting, bending, or spreading the wires changes the tension or causes vibration in the wires, which can be detected by a sensor. Alarms indicating the location of a potential intrusion may then activate at a central location.

Some known intrusion detection barriers based on the use of optical fibers are known in the prior art. In one type of such barriers, a sensor wire comprising optical fibers is stretched horizontally under tension between posts and is connected at one end to an optical transmitter and at the other end to an optical receiver. Any attempt to climb over the fence results in changes of tension and possibly in damage to the sensor wire, and therefore in a change in the intensity of the light transmitted through it, which is sensed by the optical receiver, and activates an alarm.

Security barriers may also include barbed wire or razor foil type protection. Barbed tape typically employs razor-sharp barb clusters that can be more than two inches in length. The barbed tape is designed to injure persons coming into contact with it, and is designed to discourage breach attempts by its appearance as well. Barbed tape barriers also are typically stronger and harder to crush than barbed wire. A number of variations of barbed tape are known. Most variations exhibit the same general features, i.e., sharp barbs connected to a central metal strip that may be curved into a generally helical shape.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One approach according to the disclosure includes an assembly having a vibration detection system including a sensor wire and a sensor housing, and a bracket directly coupling the vibration detection system with a barbed tape.

Another approach according to the disclosure includes a barbed tape and security sensor assembly having a vibration detection system including a sensor wire and a sensor housing, the sensor wire configured to be secured to a barrier for detecting vibration in the barrier. The barbed tape and security sensor assembly further include a barbed tape directly coupled to at least one of the sensor housing and the sensor wire by a bracket.

Yet another approach according to the disclosure includes a bracket assembly having a bracket coupling a barbed tape to at least one of a sensor housing and a sensor wire, the bracket including: a first section affixed to the sensor housing or the sensor wire; and a second section extending from the first section, the second section defining a slot for receiving the barbed tape.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the disclosure. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and therefore is not considered as limiting in scope.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various approaches are shown. It will be appreciated, however, that the disclosed torch handle may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the approaches set forth herein. Rather, these approaches are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “central,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of describing one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms may encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Exemplary approaches herein provide a barbed tape and security sensor assembly. In one approach, a barbed tape and security sensor assembly includes a vibration detection system including a sensor wire and a sensor housing, the sensor wire configured to be secured to a barrier for detecting vibration in the barrier. The barbed tape and security sensor assembly further includes a barbed tape directly coupled to at least one of the sensor housing and the sensor wire by a bracket. Beneficially, a single bracket design can be used for securing the barbed tape to both the sensor housing and the sensor wire.

Turning now toFIGS. 1-2, a barbed tape and security sensor assembly100(hereinafter “assembly”) will be described in greater detail. As shown, the assembly100includes a vibration detection system102(hereinafter “system”) including a sensor wire104and a sensor housing108, wherein the sensor wire104extends through the sensor housing108. The assembly100further includes one or more brackets110directly coupling the vibration detection system102with a length of barbed tape112, which may also be known as razor ribbon. As shown, the bracket110may be directly physically/mechanically coupled to at least one of the sensor housing108and the sensor wire104.

In some embodiments, the system102operates with a barrier structure (not shown) in combination with a monitoring and alert system. In one embodiment, the barrier structure is a fence, such as a chain link fence, which may be formed of a number of interconnected fence sections. In a manner that is known, the fence sections are formed of a series of fence posts, which serve to support fence material. In one exemplary embodiment, the fence material is in the form of chain-link fencing, although it is understood that any other satisfactory fence material or fence construction may be employed.

The system102may include a central security station (not shown), a series of perimeter interface controllers connected to the central security station via one or more switches, and a series of sensors in the form of monitoring and alert modules or nodes114, which are interconnected with the perimeter interface controllers and contained within the sensor housing108. In a representative application, the node114may be secured to a section of the fence, and may be connected to other nodes (not shown) in series via the sensor wire104. The nodes114may be operable to detect movement of fence material and/or vibrations in the sensor wire104, as well as movements within the vicinity of fence. Each node114is operable to convey signals indicating such movements of the sensor wire104to the security station for security purposes.

As shown, each node114generally includes the sensor housing108within which various sensing, monitoring and alert components are contained. The sensor housing108may include a first side120and a second side122generally opposite the first side120, wherein the bracket110may be secured to either the first or second sides120,122. The sensor housing108and/or the sensor wire104may be securely fastened to the fence material so that any movement of the fence material also results in movement of the sensor housing108and/or the sensor wire104. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second sides120,122are configured and adapted to be secured together to form a sealed, weatherproof interior volume within which the sensing, monitoring and alert components of the node114are contained. In one embodiment, the first and second sides120,122are adapted to be connected together by sonic welding, adhesive, etc., so as to provide a sealed, weather-tight interior of the sensor housing108. Alternatively, the first and second sides120,122of the housing108may be secured together using mechanical fasteners such as screws, rivets or nuts and bolts, with appropriate seals or gaskets being located at the interfaces therebetween. The latter construction enables the housing sections to be disassembled and reassembled, such as for service, maintenance or repair.

In exemplary embodiments, the barbed tape112includes a central support section128and a set of barb clusters130extending from the central support section128. As shown, the bracket110is secured about the central support section128. In one non-limiting embodiment, the barbed tape112may include an elongated strip of metal corresponding to the central support section128, which may be bent slightly along its longitudinal axis in such a way that the strip substantially forms a helix. The helical structure is effective for preventing intrusions across the barrier because barbs at the top of the barbed tape extend directly toward a would-be intruder. Structural patterns other than helical are also possible. For example, the structure could be a concertina pattern where adjacent loops of helical coils are attached to one another at specified points on the circumference. As shown, the barb clusters130extend from opposing sides of the central support section128. In some non-limiting embodiments, the barbs are in clusters of four barbs, with a pair of barbs extending from each side of the central support section128. Each pair of barbs includes two barbs extending in each opposing longitudinal direction.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3D, the bracket110of the assembly100will be described in greater detail. In exemplary embodiments, the bracket110may include a first section131affixed to an exterior (e.g., the first or second sides120,122) of the sensor housing108, and a second section132extending from the first section131. As shown, the first section131and the second section132are oriented perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, with respect to one another when crimped/folded. In some embodiments, the first section131includes one or more openings134and a fastener138for securing the bracket110to the sensor housing108. The fastener138may be a threaded fastener (e.g., a bolt) secured by a nut140, wherein the threaded fastener extends through the first side120and the second side122of the sensor housing108. However, it will be appreciated any number or variety of connectors/fasteners may be used of to secure the bracket110to the sensor housing108. For example, in other embodiments, the sensor housing108includes a back cover (not shown) that serves as a clamping mechanism for attachment to a chain link fence. As assembled, the cover attaches to the back of the sensor housing108from the opposite side of the fence, trapping a section of the chain link fence between the cover and the sensor housing108. The cover is attached to the sensor housing108by two barbed fasteners that engage holes in the sensor housing108, not permitting disassembly. The bracket110may utilize these same two holes in the sensor housing108, permitting attachment in a similar manner. In order of assembly, the sensor housing108, the bracket110, and the back cover may all be assembled using the same barbed fasteners.

As further shown, the first section131may include an indentation144, or a pair of slots, formed on opposite sides of the first section131. In one embodiment, the indentation144may be positioned between each of the openings134formed through the first section131. The indentation144is configured to receive a fastener148, which may be a tie, clasp, or clamp extending around the sensor wire104. The indentation144cut into the sides of the first section functions to fix the location of the clamp or tie used to secure the sensor wire104to the bracket110. Once joined together, the first section131is in direct contact with an exterior of the sensor wire104.

As still further shown, the second section132defines a closed end151and a free or open end153, wherein the barbed tape112is secured proximate an interior surface155of the closed end151. The second section132of the bracket110may include a first section or leg154and a second section or leg156arranged in a u-shape and defining a slot160for receiving the barbed tape112therebetween. The first leg154and the second leg156may be oriented parallel, or substantially parallel, to one another, and may be positioned on opposite sides of the barbed tape112once the barbed tape112is positioned within the slot160.

In some embodiments, the second section132of the bracket110includes a second opening150and a second fastener152for securing the bracket110to the barbed tape112. The second fastener152may be a threaded fastener (e.g. a bolt or screw) extending through the first leg154and the second leg156of the second section132of the bracket110. Multiple openings150may be provided through the second section132to accommodate different sizes of barbed tape. As shown, the second fastener152is configured to prevent the barbed tape112from exiting the slot160at the open end153. During assembly, the barbed tape112may be inserted into the slot160, and the fastener152then tightened around the barbed tape112. As further shown, the closed end151of the second section132includes a set of radial notches168formed therein to facilitate the clamping action of the second section132. For similar reasons, an opening170may be provided in the center of the closed end151. Furthermore, a width of the second section132of the bracket is selected to align with a notch (not shown) provided on either side of the barbed tape112to improve an ability of the second section132to remain in the proper location. Still another benefit provided by the second section132is the stand-off provided by the depth of the u-shaped bend at the closed end151, which prevents chaffing of the sensor wire104against the barbed tape112, a common failure point in conventional designs.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described approaches are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. While the disclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described approaches are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.