Arresting systems and methods

Systems and methods for arresting vehicles or other moving objects are detailed. The systems may be bi-directional, so as to arrest vehicles on either side of a barrier. They additionally may be reset for reuse relatively rapidly following deployment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for impeding movement of moving objects and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to bidirectional, reusable systems and methods for arresting travel of ground-based vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,613 to Gelfand, et al. discloses an energy absorbing system forming part of an automobile barrier for placement preferably at a railroad crossing. The system includes a net stored in a pit spanning a roadway and parallel to railroad tracks. The net may be raised as an automobile approaches along the roadway in a particular travel direction; should the automobile not stop timely it will collide with the net, causing the automobile to cease travel prior to reaching the tracks.

The system of the Gelfand patent also contemplates placing a second automobile barrier opposite the railroad tracks from the first barrier. Such a two-barrier system is depicted especially inFIGS. 1A-1Bof the Gelfand patent, with one net impeding automobile travel in a first direction along the roadway and the other net impeding travel in the direction opposite the first direction. In this sense each barrier of the Gelfand patent is only uni-directional, as the structure used to absorb energy functions only when the net is displaced toward the railroad tracks.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,756 to Lopez, owned commonly with this application, describes other systems for arresting aircraft or other vehicles. Designed typically for above-ground installation, these systems include dual arresting tapes provided on spools with brake assemblies positioned within hubs of the spools. The arresting tapes are designed for connection to a cable crossing a runway (or other travel area), with the cable being engaged typically by a tail hook associated with the vehicle to be arrested. For purposes of this application, the entire contents of both the Lopez and Gelfand patents are incorporated herein by this reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides alternate systems and methods for arresting, or otherwise impeding, movement of objects such as vehicles. Systems of the invention may be bi-directional in operation and may be reset for reuse relatively rapidly after having been deployed. Such systems additionally may use some or substantially all of available stopping space when deployed, potentially reducing likelihood of injury to occupants of arrested vehicles.

Present systems preferably use a net as a barrier to travel. They additionally may include brake-in-spool assemblies and arresting tapes similar to those of the commonly-owned Lopez patent. In one version of the invention, retractable stanchions raise and lower the net from a laterally-slotted beam embedded in a roadway (or similar) surface. When undeployed, therefore, the net is typically positioned below grade. However, in another version of the invention the net rests above ground and is lowered from its resting position when deployed. In either version, sheave rollers may be included to permit bi-directional use of the systems.

Thus, at least some embodiments of the invention may comprise a pair of energy absorbers, in the form of brake assemblies, positioned at opposite sides of a roadway, runway, or other to-be-traveled surface. The assemblies may include tape reels, with associated tapes indirectly connected to each end of a net via a tape connector. Cooperating stanchions at each end of the net operate to raise or lower the net as needed, and sheave rollers through which the tapes pass rotate suitably to impede motion of the object engaging the net.

It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of absorbing energy so as to slow a moving object.

It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of impeding movement of a vehicle or other object occupied by humans.

It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems of arresting vehicles, which systems may operate regardless of direction of travel of the vehicles along roadways.

It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems of arresting vehicles, which systems may be reset and reused.

It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of arresting vehicles employing nets that may be either raised or lowered for deployment.

It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide systems and methods of arresting vehicles utilizing friction brakes in connection with the nets.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art with reference to the remaining text and drawings of this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Depicted in FIGS.1and2A-B is exemplary system10of the present invention. System10is denoted “in-ground” because many of its components are below grade (at least prior to deployment). Those skilled in the relevant field will recognize that not all components of system10need necessarily be below grade prior to deployment, so system10may be constructed differently than as shown in FIGS.1and2A-C.

Nevertheless, system10preferably includes module14, which beneficially may be a pre-cast block or beam of concrete. Module14typically will be elongated, with a length greater than the width of the roadway, runway, or other travel surface with which it is deployed. When positioned across such travel surface, therefore, module14will span its width.

Module14additionally is designed to be embedded in the travel surface with its upper surface18flush therewith. Upper surface18itself thus may form part of the travel surface. Accordingly, module10should be of sufficient strength to bear loads consistent with vehicular traffic to which it will be exposed.

Preferably included within module14is a longitudinally-extending slot22that likewise spans the width of the travel surface with which it is deployed. Positioned within slot22may be an arrestor assembly26comprising, among other items, net30. Net30may be made of natural or synthetic fabric (or both) or of any other material capable of withstanding contact with a moving vehicle while tensioned consistent with the invention.

FIG. 4depicts an exemplary configuration of net30, with three spaced, generally-horizontal beams34, a selected number of spaced, generally-vertical beams38as required for the width of the travel surface, and triangular sections42forming ends46and50. Preferred versions of net30are made of synthetic fiber. However, those skilled in the art will understand that net30may be constructed other than as depicted and described herein.

Also included as part of arrestor assembly26may be stanchions54. Each of a pair of stanchions54may be positioned adjacent an end46or50of net30. Stanchions54function to raise net30out of slot22(i.e. above the travel surface) for deployment as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2A. They also serve to lower net30into slot22(i.e. below the travel surface) when not in use—as shown inFIG. 2B.

Preferred versions of stanchions54are electrically operated using motors58. Stanchions54may be operated manually or otherwise as desired, however. In areas subject to low temperatures, heaters may be included as part of arrestor assembly26so as to facilitate operation of motors58and corresponding stanchions54.

FIGS.1and2A-B illustrate additional components of system10. Such components may include brake assemblies62, tape connectors66, and sheave rollers70, all of which preferably are (but need not necessarily be) located above grade. Advantageously one brake assembly62, connector66, and sheave roller70is associated with each end46and50of net30so that two of each component are included within system10. Conceivably, however, more than two of each component may be employed if appropriate to do so.

Incorporated into each brake assembly62may be (at least one) reel74containing (at least one) tape78. Reels74normally are oriented generally horizontally, so that they rotate about generally vertically-oriented axes. Assembly62may be constructed and operate generally as detailed in the Lopez patent: When a vehicle contacts and deforms deployed net30, each tape78may unwind from its reel74while a brake within assembly62exerts force on the reel74. Tapes78thus help absorb energy caused by the vehicle dynamically loading net30. Although tapes78may unspool to any extent necessary to effect the purposes of system10, applicants believe lower-weight passenger automobiles frequently may be stopped within approximately thirty-five feet of run-out of each tape78and heavy passenger vehicles stopped with as little as one hundred feet of run-out of tapes78. Brake assemblies62alternatively may be rotary hydraulic brakes such as those provided by Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation of Aston, Pennsylvania under, e.g., the name “Water Twister.”

Tapes78connect to respective ends46and50of net30via connectors66and sheave rollers70. Threading tape78through sheave rollers70permits it to bear against (and therefore cause to rotate) either roller82A or roller82B, depending on the direction the to-be-arrested vehicle is moving relative to net30. Connections preferably occur at loops84A and84A at respective ends46and50, with cable, rope, or similar material83connecting the loops84A and84B to tape connectors66. Such material83may be separate from beams34or a continuation of one or more of such beams34.

Slot22preferably is approximately two inches wide, while tape78preferably is six inches wide and made of nylon or polyester. Again, however, neither width is critical. Instead, either or both of slot22and tape78may have different measurements if desired, and tape78may be made of other materials.

Optionally included as part of system10may be shear links designed to connect beams34to stanchions54and maintain the beams34under additional tension. These links may release under the stress of vehicle engagement, in which event their replacement would be required before system10is reused. Tapes78further are designed to be rewindable onto reels74post-use, so that system10may be reused without replacement of the tapes78. Finally, a cover may be employed over slot22to reduce foreign objects from entering the slot22, as long as the cover does not impede deployment of net30.

FIGS. 3A-Billustrate an alternative system10′ of the present invention. Components of system10′ are located above grade, so that the system10′ may be denoted an “above-ground” version of the invention. Rather than including slot22in which net30rests between deployments, system10′ includes superstructure or frame86extending above grade. Frame86includes opposed legs90to either side of travel surface T and between which net30extends. Net30normally is retracted at the top94of frame86, well above the travel surface as shown inFIG. 3A. For deployment, net30may travel down legs90so as to be adjacent travel surface T (as illustrated inFIG. 3B). Preferably tapes78do not connect to net30until the net30is positioned as shown inFIG. 3B, likely requiring use of quick-connect/disconnect fasteners as part of system10′.

Sensors associated with the travel surface may provide signals actuating either system10or system10′. Should sensors for system10indicate that a travelling object should be arrested, system10would activate, with motors58causing stanchions54to expand. Such expansion of stanchions54in turn raises net30above the travel surface, thereby placing net30in the path of the to-be-arrested object. In certain embodiments of the invention the act of raising net30requires only two to three seconds, although faster or slower rise times may occur as appropriate. Further, net30need not be fully raised to function as an arrestor, as raising only a portion of net30above grade may be sufficient to arrest some vehicles and other objects.

Activation of system10′ is generally similar. If associated sensors indicate need to arrest an object traveling toward system10′, net30is lowered along legs90into position adjacent travel surface T and connected to tapes78. These actions preferably require only three to five seconds, although again shorter or longer lowering times may occur.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.