Abstract:
A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/207,441, filed Feb. 11, 2009; the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle barrier. More particularly, the invention of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle barrier that may be arranged across an area through which a vehicle may pass. When in a raised position, the vehicle barrier may engage and stop an approaching vehicle. When in a lowered position, the vehicle barrier may allow vehicles to pass. It may be desirable to have such a vehicle barrier that may be portable, modular, and easily assembled and disassembled. To achieve those goals, it may be desirable to have a vehicle barrier with a net; one or more raising/lowering posts; and release mechanisms to allow detachable connection of the net to the raising/lowering posts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A barrier for arresting a vehicle. The barrier includes a net spanning an area through which the vehicle may pass, an anchor coupled to the net, a support arm arranged on one side of the area through which the vehicle may pass, a raising/lowering mechanism for raising and lowering the support arm, and a release mechanism arranged on the support arm, the release mechanism having an upper and a lower protrusion forming an interior space to accommodate a member coupled to the net, and the member and the release mechanism become uncoupled upon application to the net of at least a predetermined threshold force. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show perspectives view of the barrier according to an aspect of the present disclosure in a raised position. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a front view of the barrier according to an aspect of the present disclosure in raised and lowered positions. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a base of the barrier according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  show side, perspective, and exploded perspective views of lifting mechanism according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  shows a magnified view of a lifting mechanism according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5B and 5C  show perspective and side views of lever, link bar, intermediate link, and clevis according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  and  7  show views of a release mechanism according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A, and  9 B show views of a second release mechanism according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  shows an electrical control schematic according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show views of a pillar according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  show views of a coupler assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 14A-14C  show views of a third release mechanism according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The barrier of the present disclosure may be described in detail using the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1A  shows friendly vehicles  2 A and  2 B parked atop anchor pads  4  on either side of an area through which a vehicle may pass. Vehicles  2 A and  2 B and/or anchor pads  4  may be coupled to energy absorbers  8  (one energy absorber  8  is visually occluded by friendly vehicle  2 B in  FIG. 1 ). Energy absorbers  8  may be coupled to net  6 , shown here in a raised position. Net  6  may be supported, that is, raised and lowered, by pillar  10 . Ramp  12  may allow vehicles to pass over net  6  when net  6  is in a lowered position. In one aspect, energy absorbers  8  may include a length of synthetic material that is woven together and that absorbs or dissipates energy when pulled apart. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B  and described in more detail below, in one aspect of the system of the present disclosure, when net  6  is in a raised position, vehicle  1  may strike and impart force on net  6 . Upon application of a predetermined threshold force from vehicle  1 , net  6  may uncouple from pillar  10 . As impact by vehicle  1  continues, net  6  may apply force to energy absorbers  8 . Energy absorbers  8  may be coupled to anchors, such as anchor pads  4 . When energy absorbers  8  are woven material, the force from impact by vehicle  1  may rip apart woven material in energy absorber  8 , thereby absorbing or dissipating energy and causing vehicle  1  to decelerate. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a barrier with net  6  in upright and lowered positions, respectively. Net  6  may include horizontal members  200  and vertical members  204  that may be coupled to energy absorber connector  206  and pillar connector  208 . In one aspect, net  6  may be woven multi-ply synthetic material, while energy absorber connector  206  and pillar connector  208  may be woven synthetic material or woven metal cable. 
     In  FIG. 2A , lifting arms  24  of pillars  10  are in a raised, vertical or substantially vertical position. Lifting arms  24  may be metal, such as steel or aluminum, and may be coated or painted to protect from damage. In  FIG. 2B , lifting arms  24  are in a lowered, horizontal or substantially horizontal position. In one aspect, lifting arms  24  may be lowered toward one another in a direction across an area through which a vehicle may pass. Pillars  10  and lifting arms  24  may be arranged such that when lowered, lifting arms  24  do not extend into an area through which a vehicle may pass and may therefore avoid contact with or unnecessary disruption by a passing vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 2B , ramp  12  may accommodate net  6  and allow vehicles to pass over net  6  when in a lowered position. In one aspect, ramp  12  may be durable plastic. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of base  20  of pillar  10 , including rake  30  connected to rake mount bar  32 , which may connect to inner members  34 , which may connect to outer members  36  at point  38 . In one aspect, inner members  34  and outer members  36  may be pivotably connected and point  38  may include a joint (not shown). In one aspect, rake  30  may at least partially penetrate the ground, thereby helping prevent base  20  from moving once the barrier is in place. Spacer bars  40  may couple inner members  34  and outer members  36  and may provide rigidity. Spacer bars  40  may couple base  20  to lifting mechanism  22  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Lateral members  42  may provide stability and may be coupled to inner members  34  via pivots  44 . Mounting braces  46  may accommodate battery  118  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) and counterweight  120  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). Stand  50  may provide additional support. In one aspect, portions of base  20  may disassemble and other portions may be collapsible for increased ease of transport or storage. Some or all of base  20  may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and may be coated or painted to protect from damage. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show lifting mechanism  22  including frame  100  with actuator  102  and spring  104  coupled thereto via support  126 . End portions of actuator  102  and spring  104  may be coupled to lever  106  via clevis  122 . In an aspect of the invention shown in the figures, lifting mechanism  22  is shown having two parallel levers  106  and two parallel springs  104 . Spring  104  may apply downward pressure on lever  106  and assist actuator  102  when raising lifting arm  24 . One end of lever  106  may be pivotably mechanically coupled to frame  100  via axle  128  (shown in  FIG. 4C ). Another end of lever  106  may be pivotably mechanically coupled to link bar  108 , which may be coupled to lifting arm  24  (shown in  FIG. 4C ). Mounting holes  114  may allow frame  100  to couple to base  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , stopper  110  may prevent lifting arm  24  from contacting frame  100  during raising. Spacers  130  may be placed between frames  100  for structural rigidity. 
     Some or all of lifting mechanism  22  may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and may be coated or painted to protect from damage. In one aspect, actuator  102  may be a screw drive or ball screw drive actuator, and spring  104  may be a push-type gas spring. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a magnified view of lifting mechanism  22  in which part of frame  100  and part of lever  106  have been removed from view to better show sensor  116  and intermediate link  124 .  FIGS. 5B and 5C  show perspective and side views of clevis  122  and lever  106  coupled to link bar  108  via intermediate link  124   
     Returning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , control electronics  112  and sensor  116  may control raising and lowering of lifting arm  24 . Control electronics  112  may receive wired or wireless signal instructions to control actuator  102  to raise or lower lifting arm  24 . In one aspect, sensor  116  may be a magnetic sensor and may sense the proximity of one or more magnets (not shown) placed on lever  106 . In other aspects, sensor  116  may be a proximity sensor or an infrared, optical, acoustic, capacitive, inductive, or other type of sensor. Sensor  116  and control electronics  112  may be electrically coupled and may deactivate actuator  102  when lifting arm  24  has reached desired raised or lowered position. Deactivating actuator  102  when lifting arm  24  has reached the desired position may prevent damaging the motor within actuator  102 . In another aspect, sensors  116  may be placed on either side of or between levers  106  and each lever  106  may have a magnet attached thereto. In that aspect, one sensor  116  may act as an “up” sensor, and the other sensor  116  may act as the “down” sensor. Schematics for control electronics  112  and sensor  116  are shown in  FIG. 10  according to one aspect of the system of the present disclosure. In another aspect, control electronics may include a microprocessor, I/O interface, and memory, including volatile and non-volatile memory in which control software may be stored. The system may be activated, controlled, and monitored, for example via a wired or wireless remote control. The system may be battery powered or may be powered via AC. 
       FIG. 11  shows a top view of pillar  10  with lifting arm  24  in an intermediate position.  FIG. 12  shows a partially exploded perspective view of pillar  10  with lifting arm in an intermediate position. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  and  7  show perspective and exploded views of a release mechanism  60  according to an aspect of the invention of the present disclosure. Base  62  may have magnets  64  embedded therein to facilitate connection with handle  70 . Pivot release  66  may be connected to base  62  via pivot shaft  68 . Handle  70  may be attached to pillar connector  208  (not shown) and may couple at least partially between base  62  and pivot release  66 . Upon application of threshold force to net  6 , pillar connector  208  may exert force on handle  70  causing pivot release  66  to rotate on pivot shaft  68  and release handle  70 , thereby decoupling handle  70  from base  62  and lifting arm  24 .  FIG. 7  shows base  62  attached to lifting arm  24  and handle  70  in place. In one aspect, release mechanism  60  may be coupled to and arranged on lifting arm  24  facing a direction of travel of an errant vehicle. Release mechanism  60  may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum. 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A and  9 B show views of release mechanism  78  according to another aspect of the invention of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8A  shows a top view with handle  84  on post  82  and arm  86  in an open position as would be the case when assembling or resetting the release mechanism  78 . Post  82  may be attached to base  80 . Handle  84  may be attached to pillar connector  208  and may slide onto post  82  and may be held in place by arm  86  when in a closed position. Arm  86  may be hingably coupled to extension  88  mounted on base  80  and may be spring-loaded and set at a predetermined tension to move from a closed position to an open position, such as upon application of a threshold force to net  6 , for example, that provided by contact of net  6  by a moving vehicle. Upon application of threshold force to net  6 , pillar connector  208  and handle  84  may move in a direction away from base  80  causing arm  86  to open, thereby permitting handle  84  to move off post  82  and decouple from lifting arm  24 .  FIG. 8B  shows a perspective view of release mechanism  78  mounted on lifting arm  24 , where arm  86  is in an open position and handle  84  is on post  82 . In one aspect, release mechanism  78  may be arranged on lifting arm  24  facing a direction of travel of an errant vehicle. 
       FIG. 9A  shows an exploded perspective view of release mechanism  78  with spring detent pin  90  and pivot pin  92 .  FIG. 9B  shows a perspective view of release mechanism  78  highlighting open and closed positions of arm  86 . 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show perspective and exploded perspective views of a coupler assembly  210  that may couple and allow flexible connection between net  6  and pillar connector  208 . In one aspect, coupler assembly  210  may include one or more flexible or elastic connectors  212 , clips  214 , and spacers  216 . 
       FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  14 C show views of release mechanism  90  according to an aspect of the system of the present disclosure. Release mechanism  90  may include release mechanism base  216  that may be attached to lifting arm  24  (not shown).  FIG. 14A  shows perspective view of pillar connector  208  and pin  212 , where pin  212  is decoupled and apart from release mechanism base  216 .  FIGS. 14B and 14C  show front and side views respectively of release mechanism  90  in which pin  212  is secured to release mechanism base  216  with assistance of plungers  214  located at the top and bottom of release mechanism base  216 . As shown in  FIG. 14C , in one aspect, release mechanism base  216  may be “C”-shaped and may have upper and lower extensions  218  that may include lips that may assist securing pin  212 . Pillar connector  208  is not shown in  FIGS. 14B and 14C  for clarity. 
     In one aspect, plungers  214  may be plunger pins; however, it will be understood that other types of securing mechanisms may be used to assist securing pin  212  to release mechanism base  216 . Plungers  214  may be selected or set at a predetermined tension in order to secure pin  212  in place during raising and lowering of net  6 , and may allow pin  212  to decouple from release mechanism base  216 , for example, upon application of a predetermined threshold force to pin  212  via pillar connector  208  and net  6 . In one example, due to the design and arrangement of release mechanism  90 , pin  212  may decouple from release mechanism base  216  when net  6  is struck by a moving vehicle approaching the barrier in either direction. Pin  212  may also decouple from release mechanism base  216  when plungers  214  are depressed, for example, during manual installation or service. 
     Movement of lifting arms  24  between raised and lowered positions (as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and the weight of net  6  and pillar connector  208  may tend to encourage decoupling of pin  212  and release mechanism  90 . In one aspect, release mechanism  90  and lifting arms  24  may arranged such that release mechanism bases  216  face each other across a roadway. The design and orientation of release mechanism  90 , including plungers  214  and/or upper and lower extensions  218  may assist keeping pin  212  and pillar connector  208  coupled to release mechanism base  216  and lifting arm  24  during raising/lowering of lifting arm  24  and allow pin  212  to decouple when net  6  is struck by a vehicle. 
     Apertures  220  may allow release mechanism  90  to be attached to lifting arm  24  via bolt or other connector. Some or all of release mechanisms may be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, and may be coated or painted to protect from damage. 
     Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in view of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.