Portable security system

A portable security system comprises two security units, located on opposite sides of a roadway or other path for vehicles, each consisting of at least two hollow barrier devices filled with a ballast material such as water, sand, chunks of rubber or the like. Adjacent barrier devices in each security unit are interconnected side-by-side, and a cable spans the two security units which is movable between an open position permitting the passage of vehicular traffic along the roadway and a closed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a security systems, and, more particularly, to a portable security system which is effective to prevent or at least slow the progress of a vehicle engaged in an attempted unauthorized entry into a facility such as a military base, power plant or other restricted access installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Security at restricted access installations such as military bases, nuclear power plants and other facilities is of critical concern, particularly at facilities where personnel are housed on site, sensitive equipment is located or hazardous material is stored. One technique employed by terrorists and other groups which can have devastating results is a suicide mission where a truck or other vehicle filled with explosives is driven into the vicinity of one or more target buildings at an installation and detonated. Standard gates, fences or other obstacles deployed along the roadway leading to the installation are often ineffective to stop this type of attack, unless they are constructed to be permanent structures. In many instances, it is not desirable or feasible to install permanent barriers or other obstacles due to the temporary nature of the installation, space requirements and a variety of other factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The portable security system of this invention includes two security units, located on opposite sides of a roadway or other path for vehicles, which are spanned by an automatic or manually operated gate or cable. Each security unit consists of at least two barrier devices which are generally rectangular-shaped structures formed of rigid plastic or a similar material having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls which collectively form a hollow interior. At least two barriers devices are positioned side-by-side on each side of the roadway, and then they are filled with a ballast material such as water, sand, chunks of rubber or the like. Adjacent barrier devices forming a security unit are interconnected by a connector device which includes first and second beams each extending through respective fork lift openings formed in the barrier devices, and a plate mounted atop and spanning both beams. A gate or cable extends across the roadway between the two security units, and is movable between an open position permitting the passage of vehicular traffic along the roadway and a closed position.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the gate which spans the two security units is formed of metal, fiberglass, plastic or the like, and it has a hollow interior which receives a steel cable. One end of the cable is secured to one of the beams connecting the barrier devices of one security unit, and the other end of the cable is formed with a loop. In the closed position of the gate, the loop end of the cable is secured to a hook, shackle or similar element mounted to one or both of the beams extending between the barrier devices of the other security unit. The gate may also be provided with a tire puncture strip which extends downwardly onto the roadway with the gate in a closed position.

In one alternative embodiment, the gate comprises a length of cable having one end affixed to one or both beams connecting the barrier devices of one security unit and its opposite end releasably mounted to a hook, shackle or the like carried by the beam(s) of other security unit. In a still further embodiment, the cable is secured at both ends to a cable support which comprises a hollow stanchion mounted to the plate spanning the beams, connecting the barrier devices of each security unit, and a T-shaped post which is telescopically received within the stanchion. An adjustment block carries each end of the cable, and one adjustment block is telescopically received within a head section of a T-shaped post associated with each security unit. Both the T-shaped post and the adjustment block are secured in place with pins.

In the event of an attack in which a vehicle attempts to proceed along the roadway toward a base or installation, the steel cable which forms the gate or is affixed to the gate arm is immediately engaged by the vehicle. The force of impact is transferred by the cable to each group of barrier devices within both security units which are effective to prevent or at least resist further forward movement of the vehicle. Essentially any number of barrier devices mounted side-by-side can be employed to form the two security units on either side of the roadway, each filled with a ballast material, thus providing substantial mass which would have to be dragged along by the vehicle in order for it to proceed forward once the cable is engaged. If a tire puncture strip is employed, the progress of the vehicle would be further impeded due to flat tires.

The portable security system of this invention is easily moved from one location to another by simply emptying the ballast material from the barrier devices, disconnecting the beams and removing the gate or cable. All components can then be quickly and easily reassembled at another site as desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, the portable security system of this invention comprises two security units8and9located on opposite sides of a roadway or other path for the transit of vehicles. Each security unit8,9, in turn, consists of two barrier devices10which are mounted side-by-side in a manner described in detail below. The construction of the barrier devices10shown inFIG. 1is identical, and therefore only one is described in detail herein

Each barrier device10comprises a top wall12, a bottom wall14, opposed end walls16,18, and, opposed sidewalls20,22which are interconnected to collectively define a hollow interior. In the presently preferred embodiment, each of the walls12-22are formed of a semi-rigid plastic material chosen from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, acrylonitrile or butadiene styrene, high impact styrene, polycarbonates and the like. These plastic materials are all inherently tough and exhibit good energy absorption characteristics. They will also deform and elongate, but will not fail in a brittle manner at energy inputs which cause other materials to undergo brittle failure. Additionally, materials of this type are unaffected by weather and have excellent basic resistance to weathering, leaching and biodegradation. Additives such as ultraviolet inhibitors can be combined with the plastic materials making it further resistant to the effects of weather. Such plastic materials also retain their mechanical and chemical properties at low ambient temperatures.

The hollow interior of the barrier device10is preferably filled with a “ballast” material such as water or other liquid, or a flowable solid material such as sand, concrete and the like. For this purpose, the walls12-22of barrier device10have a thickness in the range of about one-eighth inch to one inch so as to perform satisfactorily in service. The barrier device10is preferably in the range of about six to eight feet in length, and, at the wall thickness noted above, has a weight when empty of about 80 to 140 lbs. When filled with a liquid such as water, the overall weight of the barrier is in the range of about 1400 to 2200 lbs. Flowable solid material such as sand and the like increases the weight of barrier device10further.

Each sidewall20and22includes a substantially vertically oriented curb reveal26which extends from the bottom wall14to a horizontally extending ledge or step28best shown in FIG.1. Preferably, the curb reveal26has a vertical height of about nine inches, measured from the bottom wall14upwardly. The horizontal extent of the step28is preferably on the order of about 1½ inches measured in the direction from the outer edge of curb reveal26toward the hollow interior24of barrier device10.

Extending upwardly at an acute angle from the step28is an intermediate section30which terminates at a vertically extending upper section32. The upper section32, in turn, extends from the intermediate section30to the top wall12of barrier10which is formed with a pair of fill holes33preferably having a diameter in the range of about 3-4 inches. Additionally, a number of stabilizers34are integrally formed in the intermediate section30, at regularly spaced intervals between the end walls16,18.

In the presently preferred embodiment, a pair of hollow sleeves36are located within the hollow interior of each barrier device10and extend between the sidewalls20,22. For ease of illustration, only one of the sleeves36is shown in the Figs. A portion of each sleeve36is located in the intermediate section30of each sidewall20,22, and extends partially into the upper sections32thereof. The two sleeves36are positioned in the spaces between the three stabilizers34formed in the sidewalls20,22, and provide added internal support to the barrier10so that it retains its shape when filled with a ballast material.

Each of the sleeves36define a pass-through hole or channel adapted to receive the tines of a forklift truck to permit lifting and handling of the barrier devices10. These pass-through holes are also used to support connecting structure for mounting two barrier devices10side-by-side thus forming a barrier unit8or9. With reference toFIG. 2, the connecting structure includes a first beam38and a second beam40each having a reduced diameter section42at opposite ends which is sized to fit within the pass-through holes formed by the sleeves36in the barrier devices10. The beams38,40are preferably made of steel or other rigid material. As best seen inFIG. 1, the reduced diameter sections42protrude beyond the outer surface of the side wall20of one barrier device10and beyond the outer surface of side wall22of the other barrier device10in each of the security units8and9. Each reduced diameter section42is positioned to mount an angle bracket44. The angle bracket44is formed with holes46which align with holes48in each of the sections42to receive bolts50and nuts (not shown). When mounted to the beams38,40, one angle bracket44extends along the upper section32of the side wall20of one barrier device10, and the other angle bracket44extends along the upper section32of the side wall20of the adjacent barrier device10of each security unit8,9. The angle brackets44prevent disengagement of the beams38,40from the sleeves36of the barrier devices10and connect the two beams38and40together. In order to provide additional stability and a platform for mounting other structure, as described below, a steel plate52is secured between the first and second beams38,40. Aligning bores54and56formed in the plate52and beams38,40, respectively, receive bolts50to mount the plate52atop the beams38,40.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the plate52mounts one end of a gate arm60which spans the space between the security units8and9. See FIG.1. The gate arm60is preferably formed of metal, fiberglass or plastic and carries an endless cable62which extends along the length of the gate arm60and forms a loop64at one end. As best shown inFIG. 3, the loop64of cable62is releasably connected to a hook66with the gate arm60in the closed position. The hook66, in turn, is mounted by a U-shaped connector68to the plate52. The opposite end of cable62is looped around the second beam40of the security unit9to secure it in place. See FIG.1. As schematically depicted inFIG. 2, the gate arm60is raised and lowered by operation of a motor70which rotates a shaft72connected to the gate arm60. The gate arm60may also be manually raised and lowered, if desired. Additionally, a strip of sharp objects (not shown) capable of puncturing vehicle tires can be attached to the gate arm60so that it lies on the roadway with the gate arm60in the closed position.

In an alternative embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the gate arm60is replaced by a length of cable74formed with loops76at each end. InFIG. 4, one loop76is releasably mounted to a hook66connected to the plate52of security unit8as described above in connection with a discussion ofFIG. 3, and the loop76at the opposite end of the cable74is connected to a shackle77mounted by a connector68to the plate52of security unit9. Alternatively, one end of the cable74may be mounted to one plate52using a number U-shaped connectors68as depicted inFIG. 5, while the opposite end of cable74is releasably connected to a hook66. With the cable74in an extended position to block the passage of vehicles between the security units8,9, each end of the cable74is secured to a plate52. To permit the passage of vehicles between the security units8,9, one end of the cable74is detached from a hook66and the cable74is allowed to rest on the ground so that the vehicle can drive over it.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-8, a further embodiment of structure employed to mount the cable74to each of the security units8and9is shown. A hollow stanchion80, having a number of radially outwardly projecting fins82, at its base, is fixed by welding or other suitable means to the plate52. The stanchion80is formed with a through bore, one end of which is surrounded by a lock guard84. A T-shaped post86is formed with a head section88perpendicularly connected to a stem section90having a number of longitudinally spaced bores92. The head section88is formed with a pair of spaced through bores, one end each having of which is surrounded by a lock guard84. The loop76of the cable74is received within a bore94in an adjustment block96, which is also formed with spaced positioning bores98.

The stem section90of post86is telescopically received within the stanchion80so that one of the bores92in the stem section90aligns with the through hole in the stanchion. A pin100is then inserted through the aligning bores of the stanchion80and stem section90to secure the post86to the stanchion80. In order to vary the vertical position of the post86relative to the stanchion80, a different bore92in the stem section90can be aligned with the through bore in the stanchion80. The free end of the pin100extends into the lock guard84on the stanchion80, and a lock102is then affixed to such free end to maintain the pin100in place. The lock guard84functions to limit access to the lock102so that it is difficult to disengage from the pin100using a hammer, pry bar or the like.

In order to secure the cable76to a security unit8or9, the adjustment block96is telescopically received within one end of the head section88of the post86so that one of the positioning bores98of the adjustment block96aligns with a through hole in the head section88. If more or less slack is desired in the cable76as it extends between the two security units8,9, the adjustment block96can be telescoped in or out of the head section88to align the appropriate positioning bore98with the through bore in the head section88. Once in place, a pin100is inserted through the aligning bores to secure the adjustment block96to the post86, and a lock102is affixed to the free end of the pin100. The adjustment block96is shown in position at either end of the head section88inFIG. 6to denote that it could be telescoped into both ends of the head section88depending on how the security units8and9are oriented relative to a roadway.

Both ends of the cable76are mounted to the post86located on each of the security units8and9to place it in a “closed” position where access between the units8,9is blocked. In order to allow traffic to pass between the units8,9, one or both ends of the cable76is disconnected from a respective post86by unlocking the lock102, removing the pin100and then pulling the adjustment block96out of the head section88of the post86so that the cable76lays on the roadway in an “open” position.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.

For example, only two barrier devices10are shown in the Figs. as comprising the security units8and9. It should be understood that essentially any number of barrier devices10mounted side-by-side could be employed to form the units8,9if additional mass is desired. Additionally, while reference has been made herein to a “cable” extending between the security units8and9, it is intended that the term “cable” be broadly construed to include a chain, a rope or the like.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.