Abstract:
A portable and scaleable barrier uses a unique combination of feet, interconnecting members and top portions to provide a vehicle barrier that is capable of, for example, lifting the vehicle of the ground and providing substantial undercarriage damage. The interconnecting nature of the barrier allows the barrier to be configured or adapted based on, for example, a particular environmental condition or application.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/401,034, filed Aug. 6, 2002, entitled “The Bear Claw,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is also a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/634,760, filed Aug. 6, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to barrier devices. In particular, this invention relates to a portable, modular, vehicle barrier.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Vehicle barriers come in a plurality of different sizes, shapes and materials. For example, the “Jersey Wall” is one of the most common and widely used barrier devices. Typically Jersey Walls are made of preformed concrete and are moved with a forklift or dedicated Jersey Wall mover.  
         [0006]     An alternative type of barrier are those seen around military installations and heavily guarded facilities where a hydraulically operated steal plate is embedded in the roadway. To block incoming traffic, the steal plate is raised in a ramp-like configuration to a height suitable for stopping traffic. These types of devices are permanent in nature and are usually installed in a concrete road surface and have an associated control and power facility.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     While existing systems tend to provide a certain level of protection, they are not always portable, scalability can be difficult to achieve and they tend to be more of a permanent type barrier.  
         [0008]     An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed toward a barrier, such as a vehicle barrier. The barrier can be used in, for example, high risk traffic stops, as a barrier around or partially around a protected facility, as a barricade for forward stationed basis, or, for example, by a security team around compounds, facilities and/or homes.  
         [0009]     The exemplary barrier, due to its configuration, not only provides incredible vehicle stopping power but also disables vehicles that breach the barrier by, for example, causing significant damage to the undercarriage, motor components and tires.  
         [0010]     Aspects of the present invention relate to a barrier. In particular, aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle barrier.  
         [0011]     Aspects of the invention further relate to a modular vehicle barrier that is disassembleable.  
         [0012]     Aspects of the invention further relate to a vehicle barrier whose components are scalable.  
         [0013]     Furthermore, aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle barrier that engages with a surface to facilitate stopping of an oncoming vehicle.  
         [0014]     Additional aspects of the invention also relate to a barrier device adapted to support additional security features such as, for example, barbed wire, constantina wire, spikes, or the like.  
         [0015]     These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or apparent from, the following detailed description of the embodiments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The embodiments of the invention will be described in detailed, with reference to the following figures, wherein:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a environmental view of an exemplary barrier according to this invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a plate according to this invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a plate according to this invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a plate according to this invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a plate according to this invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary interconnected barrier system according to this invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a barrier system according to this invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a plate according to this invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of a plate according to this invention; and;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of a plate according to this invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     The exemplary systems of this invention will be described in relation to a barrier. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention, the following description omits well-known structures and devices that may be shown in a summarized form. For the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It should be however appreciated that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific details set forth herein.  
         [0028]     For example, while the present invention will be described in relation to a barrier having, in general, a hat-shaped structure, it is to be appreciated that the barrier can be combined with one or more other barriers using an interlocking mechanism as discussed herein to further expand the protection afforded by the unit. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that while the exemplary embodiment is illustrated as having substantially flat plates, other sizes, shapes and combinations of shaped plates could also be used without affecting the operability of the system. Additionally, while the panels are preferable constructed of a steal, such as AR500 or Birnell steal, it should be appreciated that other types of steals, compositions, composites, and combinations of materials can be used. For example, the plates could be a multi-layered material that could include carbon fiber, Kevlar® or the like.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the barrier  1 . The barrier  1  comprises a plurality of plates  100  interconnected by interconnecting member  5 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , and in accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the plates  100  have a witch-hat shaped design that, when combined with one or more other plates  100  provides a self-standing barrier  1 .  
         [0030]     Thus, in operation, when the barrier  1  is approached by a vehicle generally in direction “A” the barrier is capable of stopping or substantially reducing the speed of the oncoming vehicle by pivoting on the corners opposite the side on which the vehicle engages the barrier.  
         [0031]     While the exemplary barrier  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises nine plates  100  and two interconnecting members  5 , it should be appreciated that any number of plates and interconnecting members can be used without effecting the operation of the invention. For example, to facilitate portability, the barrier  1  could be provided as a kit comprising four plates  100  and two interconnecting members  5 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a exemplary plate  100  according to this invention. In particular, the plate  100  comprises a top portion  10 , feet  20  and  30 , sidewalls  40  and  50  and interconnecting members  5 . In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the plate  100  has an witch-hat shaped configuration where the top portion  10  is substantially parallel to the base comprising the feet  20  and  30 . Similarly, the sidewalls  40  and  50  are provided at an orientation that the distance there between is greater where they intersect the feet than where they intersect the top portion  10 . While this configuration facilitates uprighting of the plate  100  upon contact by a vehicle, it should be appreciated that the exact dimensions and configuration can be varied in size and shape and the feet adjusted without affecting the operation of the invention. For example, the size and shape of the feet  20  can be varied based on the material the barrier is to be placed on. Specifically, and for example, in an asphalt type environment, it may be advantageous to have the feet  20  and  30  in a pointed type configuration. Alternatively, in a sandy environment, it may be advantageous to have the feet  20  and  30  in a flattened or partially-flattened configuration to aid in supporting the barrier  1  on top of the sand. Likewise, it may be advantageous to have foot  20  in a pointed configuration and foot  30  in flattened configuration or any other combination of feet structures as appropriate for the given conditions.  
         [0033]     In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the plate  100  is attached to adjacent plates via two interconnecting members  5  that are, for example, round and pipe-shaped that interconnect the plurality of plates  100 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the second exemplary embodiment of a plate  200 . The plate  200  comprises a rounded top portion  210 , feet  200  and  230 , and interconnecting members  25 . In this particular exemplary embodiment, the interconnecting members  25  are bar-shaped and can be, for example, tubular or a solid member constructed out of any type of material. The rounded top portion  210  provides a less aggressive top portion that, while still maintaining the functionality of the barrier  1 , may be more appropriate around highly populated areas or areas where a large number of personnel may be in close proximity to the barrier  1 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third exemplary plate  300 . The exemplary plate  300  comprises a top spiked portion  310 , feet  320  and  330 , and interconnecting members  35  and  45 . In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the top portion  310  has two or more spike-shaped protrusions that provide a more aggressive barrier  1  and can, for example, provide additional stopping power as the barrier is rotated onto the top portion upon contact by a vehicle. Furthermore, the exemplary plate  300  is interconnected to adjacent plates by a bar  35  and/or T-shaped interconnecting member  45 . Additionally, the feet  320  and  330  are configured such that the plate  300  substantially has an inverted T-shaped configuration.  
         [0036]     While the exemplary embodiments of the plates  100 ,  200  and  300  in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  show various combinations of feet, interconnecting members and top portions, it should be appreciated that these various features can be swapped and interchanged in any combination as appropriate. Also, the top portions and feet can also be different shapes such as semi-hexagonal, semi-octagonal, jagged, or the like. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the interconnecting members can be in any number, size, shape or configuration, fixed or removable, provided they are capable of supporting a plurality of plates  100  in a substantially upright configuration.  
         [0037]     In addition, it should be appreciated that the plates  100 ,  200  and  300  can be fitted with, for example, reflective tape to facilitate visibility, painted in any color, provided with a facade to help facilitate, for example, blending into a particular environment, or provided with supports to carry additional barrier devices that are commonly seen around compounds, facilities and homes such as barbed wire, razor wire, electric fence, signs, a continuous or pseudo-continuous board above the top portion and substantially parallel to the uppermost interconnecting member, or the like.  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the plate  100  in an overturned position after, for example, contact by a vehicle. Thus, in operation, as a vehicle approaches from direction “A” as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and comes into contact with the barrier  1 , the barrier  1  overturns with foot  30  acting as a fulcrum forcing foot  20  into the undercarriage of the vehicle with the top portion  10  engaging the ground surface  3  to facilitate stopping of the vehicle. Given the symmetric nature of the plate  100 , regardless of the direction of impact, the barrier  1  is capable providing the same type of stopping and undercarriage damaging characteristics. In addition to foot  20  causing undercarriage damage to the vehicle, the foot  20  is also capable of lifting the vehicle that struck the barrier  1  off the ground to further facilitate stopping.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a plurality of interconnected barriers  1 . In particular, the barriers  1  are set up in a substantially parallel but offset pattern and interconnected by fastener  25 . Using this toe-to-toe configuration, the plurality of barriers can be established in a stair-shaped pattern, a zig-zag pattern, or any other pattern as appropriate. For example, while in the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 6  the two barriers  1  are connected by fastener  25 , it should be appreciated that the barriers need not be interconnected by fasteners but could also be placed end-to-end or substantially end-to-end as appropriate.  
         [0040]     Specifically,  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment where two barriers  1  are interconnected end-to-end with fasteners  75 . The fasteners  75 , as with the fastener  25 , can be any known or later developed fastener such as a nut and bolt, pin and cotter key, or any other known or later developed fastener. Likewise, while the illustrated embodiments in  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the particular orientations of the barrier sections in relation to one another, it should be appreciated that the barriers can be arranged in any configuration and interconnected in any matter as appropriate.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of plate  100 . In this exemplary embodiment, the interconnecting members  5  pass through the plate  100  and the plate  100  is secured between two fasteners  15 . In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the fasteners  15  are keys however it should be appreciated that any type of fastener can be used in conjunction with the barrier systems and plates discussed herein. Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  shows the interconnecting members  5  being removable from and slideable through the plate  100 , it should be appreciated that the interconnecting members  5  could also be securely fastened to the plate  100  for example, by welding, or the like. In addition, it should be appreciated that the interconnecting members  5  could extend beyond an end plate and be adapted to be interconnect with an adjoining barrier. For example, the interconnecting members could have a male-female relationship where adjoining interconnecting members of the barriers would slide together thereby providing a substantially uniform interconnecting member between the plurality of barriers. In addition, it should be appreciated that the spacing between the plates  100  can be varied for example, by placing a plurality of holes  17  in the interconnecting member  5  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . This could provide, for example, additional rigidity by allowing an increased number of plates in the barrier  1  which may be appropriate for a particular application.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of a plate  100  in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of this invention. In particular, in this embodiment, the interconnecting member  5  comprises a threaded male portion  21  and a threaded female portion  23 . The interconnecting member  5  has a greater diameter than the threaded male portion  21  and the threaded female portion  23  thereby securing the plate  100  there between.  
         [0043]     It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a barrier system. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.