Abstract:
A barrier including a number of coils, and an inter-coil connector connecting two of the coils. Each of the coils is axially extensible, the coils are in substantially mutually parallel alignment, and each of the coils is in substantial direct contact with another one of the coils.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to barriers and, in particular, it concerns barriers that are easily and quickly erected and offer high security features. 
     Of most relevance to the present invention is a barrier described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,708 to Cochraine, wherein the barrier is extensibly deployed from a vehicle, and which includes at least three coils of barbed tape supported and spaced from one another with an upper coil located above two lower coils. The coils are spaced apart parallel to one another, and are supported by transverse rods located along the respective lengths of the coils. 
     A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the barrier structure being connected and supported using transverse rods. This makes the structure relatively expensive and time consuming to produce. The weight of the rods also adds additional compressional stress to the structure that may limit the height of the structure. In addition, the rods may limit transportability due to their weight as well as reducing compressibility of the coils due to their bulk. 
     A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the barrier is essentially supported along the axis of the coils by the tension of the coils themselves. This can lead to a weakening of the entire structure. 
     Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the barrier is not anchored to the ground. Although this means that the barrier can be removed quickly by the installers, it also means that security is compromised when the barrier is in use. 
     A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is the non-inclusion of additional security detection features. 
     There is therefore a need for a barrier, which is easy and cheap to construct easy to deploy, robust and provides high security features such as anchoring and security detection. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a barrier construction and method of deployment thereof. 
     According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a barrier comprising: (a) a plurality of coils; each of the coils being axially extensible; the coils being in substantially mutually parallel alignment; and each of the coils being in substantial direct contact with another of the coils; and (b) an inter-coil connector connecting two of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the coils form a multi-layered structure, where the coils comprising a first coil disposed in a lower layer of the structure, and a second coil disposed in an upper layer thereof, the first coil at least partially supporting the second coil. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the multi-layered structure comprises three layers, wherein: (a) a bottom layer comprising three of the coils; (b) a middle layer comprising two of the coils where each of the therein rests on two of the coils of the bottom layer; and (c) a top layer comprising one of the coils where the one coil of the top layer rests upon the two coils of the middle layer. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention a portion of the coils comprises barbs. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a winding connector that connects adjacent loops of one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the inter-coil connector attaches to adjacent loops of one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a restraining element that is affixed to one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the restraining element is affixed to the one coil at a plurality of locations thereon. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a restraining connector, wherein the restraining connector connects the restraining element to adjacent loops of the one coil. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a restraining element wherein the winding connector connects the restraining element to the adjacent loops of the one coil. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a restraining element wherein the inter-coil connector connects the restraining element to adjacent loops of one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a first restraining peg connected to a first end of the restraining element, and a second restraining peg connected to a second end thereof. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the restraining element is a cable. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the restraining element comprises a first restraining element and a second restraining element, the first restraining element and the second restraining element being affixed to the coils on opposing outer sides of a bottom layer of the barrier. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided an anchoring member that passes through one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the anchoring member passes through the one coil and the one coil is disposed in a bottom layer of the barrier. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the anchoring member is a cable. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a first anchoring peg connected to a first end of the anchoring member, and a second anchoring peg connected to a second end thereof. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a security detection element that is aligned substantially parallel to windings of one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is flexible. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is an optical communications element. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is an insulated electrical conductor. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided an outer core that surrounds the security detection element. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the outer core forms a body of the windings of the one coil. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the outer core is formed from twisted wires. 
     There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention a method for constructing a barrier comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a plurality of coils in a substantially mutually parallel alignment in proximity to one another; (b) inter-connecting two of the coils; (e) axially extending the coils to form an extended barrier; and (d) securing the extended barrier to a substrate. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of disposing the coils is performed by: (a) arranging the coils in a multi-layered structure, where the coils comprise a first coil disposed in a lower layer of the structure, and a second coil disposed in an upper layer thereof; and (b) supporting the second coil by the first coil. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of arranging the coils in the multi-layered structure is performed by: (a) arranging three of the coils in a bottom layer; (b) arranging two of the coils in a middle layer (c) resting each of the two coils on to of the three coils; and (d) resting one of the coils upon the two coils to define a top layer. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided the step of: after performing the step of interconnecting two of the coils attaching a restraining element to one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided the step of: prior to performing the step of axially extending the coils, securing the restraining element with a restraining peg to the substrate. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided the step of: after performing the step of inter-connecting two of the coils, passing an anchoring member through one of the coils. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided the step of: prior to performing the step of axially extending the coils, securing the anchoring member with an anchoring peg to the substrate. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of axially extending the coils is performed by a mode of conveyance. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of axially extending the coils further comprises the step of supporting one of the coils on an elongated support. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of securing the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securing the restraining element with a restraining peg to the substrate. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of securing the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securing the anchoring member with an anchoring peg to the substrate. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the step of securing the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securing the anchoring member with an anchoring peg to the substrate at a plurality of locations. 
     There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention a wire for use in constricting barriers comprising: (a) a security detection element; (b) an outer core, wherein the security detection element is surrounded by the outer core; and (c) a plurality of barbs, wherein at least a portion of the outer core has the barbs attached thereon. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is flexible. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is an optical communications element. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the security detection element is an insulated electrical conductor. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention the outer core is formed from twisted wires. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a barrier that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a barbed cable used in the barrier of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of an expanded coil that is used in the barrier of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrier shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a cable used in the barrier of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the region indicated by the letter A in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a security detection element installed within a cable for use in the barrier of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the barrier during deployment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a barrier secured to a substrate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a barrier construction and method of deployment thereof. 
     The principles and operation of the barrier according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a transverse sectional view of the barrier  10  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The barrier  10  is composed of six coils  20  that are each axially extensible. The preferred diameter of the coils is within the range 45 cm to 150 cm. The coils  20  are disposed so that they are in substantially mutually parallel alignment and each coil  20  is in substantially direct contact with adjacent coils  20 . The coils  20  are disposed to form a multi-layered structure  30  composed of three layers  40 ,  50 ,  60 ; a bottom layer  40  composed of three coils  20  and a middle layer  50  composed of two coils  20  and a top layer  60  composed of one coil  20 . The coil  20  of the top layer  60  is supported by the two coils  20  of the middle layer  50  and the two coils  20  of the middle layer  50  are each supported by two coils  20  of the bottom layer  40 . Inter-coil connectors  70  connect adjacent coils  20  at a plurality of points along the coils  20  where the coils meet tangentially. The inter-coil connectors  70  preferably connect adjacent coils  20  at every winding (not shown) of the coils  20  where the coils  20  meet tangentially. The inter-coil connectors  70  are typically metal clips or steel wire. 
     The term substantially direct contact stated above is defined as meaning that there is no significant spacing between the coils  20  due to the introduction of the inter-coil connectors  70 . Contact between the coils  20  is not in itself essential, but substantially direct contact enables the use of more cost-effective inter-coil connectors  70 , cheaper and quicker construction and provides a more secure structure for the barrier  10 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a longitudinal sectional view of a barbed wire  80  used in the barrier  10  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Galvanized barbs  85  are clipped around a wire  90  before the barbed wire  80  is formed into the coil  20 . The preferred width of the barbed wire  80  is within the range 10 mm to 30 mm. The preferred distance between the center of each barb is 25.4 mm, according to industry standards. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged partial view  100  of an expanded coil  20  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Adjacent loops  120  of the coils  20  are connected using winding connectors  110 . Typically five winding connectors  110  are used in one loop  120  of the coil  20 . The winding connectors  110  are typically metal clips with a preferred thickness within the range 1 mm to 2 mm. The use of the winding connectors  110  results in an expanded coil  20 , which displays a lattice, effect as shown in FIG.  3 . The lattice effect results in a denser barrier that can enhance security. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a perspective view of the barrier  10  that is constricted and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. A restraining element  130  is composed of a first restraining element  135  and a second restraining element  140 . The securing of the restraining element  130  and its purpose within the barrier  10  construction is explained in farther detail in reference to FIG.  9 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a transverse sectional view of a cable  141  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each restraining element  130  is typically formed of the cable  141 . The cable  141  is composed of six twisted strands  142 . The six twisted strands  142  are typically made of tensile steel. The preferred diameter of the cable  141  is within the range 4 mm to 8 mm. 
     Reference is again made to FIG.  4 . The first restraining element  135  and the second restraining element  140  are each affixed to the coils  20  on opposing outer sides of the bottom layer  40  of the barrier  10 . The preferred positioning of the restraining element  130  is approximately at a height from a base  143  of the barrier  10  equal to between 30% and 50% of the diameter of one coil  20 . A reason for the preferred positioning of the restraining element  130  is to prevent the restraining element  130  from damaging the barrier  10  when the barrier  10  is attached to a substrate  150 . The restraining element  130  is affixed to alternate loops  120  of the coil  20  using restraining clips  145 . The restraining clips  145  are typically wire rope clips or steel staples. A pneumatic staple gun (not shown) typically dispenses the steel staples. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an enlarged view of the region indicated by a letter A in FIG. 4 showing the attachment of the restraining element  130  to the coil  20 . The restraining element  130  is affixed to alternate loops  120  using restraining clips  145  at a position on the loops  120  adjacent to winding connectors  110 . Each restraining clip  145  thereby affixes the restraining element  130  to two loops  120 . The length of the restraining element  130  between two of the restraining clips  145  is dimensioned to prevent the expanded coil  20  from being over-stretched and to ensure that the expanded coil  20  is expanded to the optimal expansion required. The restraining element  130  extends from each end of the coil  20  to facilitate attachment of an end of the restraining element  130  to the substrate  150 . The substrate is typically a base or the ground. Typically, the restraining element  130  is positioned to prevent the expanded coil  20  from attaining more than between 50% and 90% (most preferred two thirds) of its fully expanded length. The fully expanded length is defined as the maximum extension of the barrier  10  without risking damage to the barrier  10 . 
     Reference is again made to FIG.  1 . An anchoring member  160  passes through a middle coil  20  of the bottom layer  40  of the barrier  10 . The securing of the anchoring member  160  and its purpose within the barrier  10  construction is explained in further detail in reference to FIG.  9 . The anchoring member  160  is typically formed of twisted metal cable with a preferred diameter within the range 6 mm to 12 mm. The anchoring member  160  extends from each end of the coil  20  to facilitate attachment of an end of the anchoring member  160  to the substrate  150 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a transverse sectional view of a security detection element  165  installed within a cable  167  for use in the barrier  10  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The security detection element  165  can be installed in one or more of the coils  20  to detection intrusion when the security detection clement  165  is severed. Typically it is sufficient to install the security detection element  165  in one of the coils  20 . According to a most preferred embodiment of the invention the security element  165  is installed in the coil  20  of the top layer  60  of the barrier  10  (FIG.  1 ). The cable  167  forms the body of the windings  120  of the coils  20 . The cable  167  is typically composed of six twisted wires  168 . The security detection element  165  can be an electrical conductor  170  surrounded by an insulating sheath  175 . The security detection element  165  can also be realized as an optical communications element (not shown). 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a perspective view of the barrier  10  during deployment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Prior to deployment, the barrier  10  is compressed longitudinally to form a compressed barrier  180 . The compressed barrier  180  is placed on a vehicle  200  with the axis of the coils  20  being substantially parallel to the sides  210  of the vehicle  200 . The compressed barrier  180  is supported on the vehicle  200  using a support element (not shown). A suitable vehicle and support element for the vehicle  200  and the support element (not shown) are disclosed in the above-noted U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,708. A portion of the compressed barrier  130  is removed from the back of the vehicle  200  and it is extended to form an extended barrier  190 . The ends of the restraining elements  135 ,  140  that extend from the end of the extended barrier  190 , are secured to the substrate  150  using pegs  220 . The end of the anchoring member  160  that extends from the end of the extended barrier  190 , is secured to the substrate  150  using one of the pegs  220 . The remaining portion of the compressed barrier  180  is extended by driving the vehicle  200  in a direction away from the extended barrier  190 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a perspective view of a barrier secured to a substrate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The unsecured end  230  of the extended barrier  190  is partly secured by pulling taut the restraining element  135 ,  140  in an opposing direction substantially parallel to the extended barrier  190 . The taut restraining element  135 ,  140  is secured to the substrate  150  using the peg  220 . The secured restraining element  135 ,  140  supports the extended barrier  190  ensuring that the tensile stress of the barrier  10  is mainly borne by the restraining element  135 ,  140 . If the extended barrier  190  becomes dislodged from its position or disfigured, the restraining element  135 ,  140  can also be used to reposition or reinstate the extended barrier  190 . The unsecured end  230  of the extended barrier  190  is further secured by pulling taut the anchoring member  160  in an opposing direction substantially parallel to the extended barrier  190 . The taut anchoring member  160  is secured to the substrate  150  using one of the pegs  220 . The secured anchoring member  160  helps prevent vertical and transverse movement of the extended barrier  190 . 
     In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member  160  can be further secured to the substrate  150  it one or more locations along the length of the anchoring member  160  using one of the pegs  220 . Most preferably, the pegs  220  are spaced apart within the range 3 to 7 meters, although the spacing may be significantly greater than this depending upon the terrain and the level of security required. This further securing of the anchoring member  160  further prevents vertical and transverse movement of the extended barrier  190 . 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.