Patent Publication Number: US-2022228330-A1

Title: Portable barricade and portable barricade system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/201,655, filed Nov. 27, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to portable barricades and portable barricade systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Barricades are commonly deployed to protect individuals and/or property against attack by a vehicle, such as a truck bomb attack. However, conventional barricades such as walls, fences, and concrete highway barriers (e.g., so-called “Jersey barriers”) are unsuitable for preventing an attacking vehicle in a 90-degree impact. Some conventional barricades suitable for stopping an attacking vehicle must be cast in place with a deep foundation or secured to a roadway surface. However, excavation or attachment to the roadway surface is both costly and time-consuming, which inhibits rapid deployment of the barricade. Additionally, conventional barricades commonly rely upon the mass of the barricade to stop an attacking vehicle, and thus conventional barricades must be very heavy to stop larger vehicles, such as trucks, which increases the cost of these conventional barricades and limits their portability. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a portable barricade. In one embodiment, the portable barricade includes a road plate, a first support post extending upward from a first end portion of the road plate, a second support post extending upward from a second end portion of the road plate opposite the first end portion, and a barricade arm extending between the first and second support posts. The barricade arm has a first end portion slidably coupled to the first support post and a second end portion slidably coupled to the second support post. The portable barricade also includes a lift coupled one of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm and a corresponding one of the first and second support posts. Actuation of the lift is configured to slide the barricade arm relative to the first and second support posts between a retracted position proximate to the road plate and a deployed position distal from the road plate. 
     A center of gravity of each of the first and second support posts may be above a midpoint of the first and second posts and/or rearward of a fore and aft centerline of the first and second posts. 
     The barricade arm may be a beam, a rod, and/or a cable. 
     The portable barricade may include a trailer hitch receiver coupled to one of the first and second support posts. 
     The lift mechanism may include a rail, a carriage coupled to the one of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm and configured to slide along the rail, and an actuator coupled to the carriage. The actuator is configured to slide the carriage along the rail and move the barricade arm between the retracted and deployed positions. 
     The actuator may be a cylinder, such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical cylinder. 
     The lift mechanism may include a roller coupled to an end of the cylinder and a tensile member having a first end coupled to the carriage, a second end coupled to the corresponding one of the first and second support posts, and intermediate portion extending over the roller. 
     The roller may include a pair of sprockets and the tensile members my include a pair of chains. 
     The portable barricade may include a counter-weight assembly coupled to the other of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm. 
     The counter-weight assembly may include at least one pulley coupled to the other of the first and second support posts, a guide defining a channel, a counter-weight slidably received in the channel, and a tensile member having a first end coupled to the other of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm, a second end coupled to the counter-weight, and an intermediate portion extending over the at least one pulley. 
     The barricade arm may be substantially parallel to the road plate. 
     The barricade arm may be longitudinally offset from a center of each of the first and second support posts. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to various embodiments of a portable barricade system including a portable barricade and a trailer configured to be coupled to the portable barricade. The portable barricade includes a road plate, a first support post extending upward from a first end portion of the road plate, a second support post extending upward from a second end portion of the road plate opposite the first end portion, and a barricade arm extending between the first and second support posts. The barricade arm has a first end portion slidably coupled to the first support post and a second end portion slidably coupled to the second support post. The portable barricade also includes a lift coupled one of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm and a corresponding one of the first and second support posts. 
     The trailer may include a frame, a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a hoist assembly coupled to the frame. The hoist assembly is configured to raise the portable barricade off of the ground. 
     The hoist assembly may include at least one support member coupled to the frame, a swing arm rotatably coupled to the at least one support member, and an actuator coupled to the swing arm. 
     The road plate of the portable barricade may include a series of trailer attachment brackets and a hoist point. 
     The portable barricade may include a trailer hitch receiver coupled to one of the first and second support posts. 
     A portable barricade according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a road plate, a first support post extending upward from a first end portion of the road plate, a second support post extending upward from a second end portion of the road plate opposite the first end portion, and a barricade arm extending between the first and second support posts. The barricade arm has a first end portion slidably coupled to the first support post and a second end portion slidably coupled to the second support post. The portable barricade also includes a lift coupled one of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm and a corresponding one of the first and second support posts, and a counter-weight assembly coupled to the other of the first and second end portions of the barricade arm. Actuation of the lift is configured to slide the barricade arm relative to the first and second support posts between a retracted position proximate to the road plate and a deployed position distal from the road plate, and the counter-weight assembly is configured to aid in lifting the other of the first and second end portion of the barricade arm when the lift is actuated. 
     The counter-weight assembly may include at least one pulley, at least one counter-weight, and a tensile member having a first end coupled to the barricade arm, a second end coupled to the counter-weight, and an intermediate portion extending over the at least one pulley. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to various embodiments of a method of arresting a forward motion of a vehicle travelling on a surface. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting an undercarriage of the vehicle during the forward motion of the vehicle, which lifts at least a forward end of the vehicle off of the surface. 
     The method may also include severing a drive shaft of the vehicle during the forward motion of the vehicle. 
     The contacting of the undercarriage of the vehicle may include contacting the undercarriage with a road plate of a portable barricade. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. One or more of the described features may be combined with one or more other described features to provide a workable device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  are a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of a portable barricade according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a road plate, first and second support posts coupled to opposite ends of the road plate, and a barricade arm extending between the first and second support posts; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views of the embodiment of the first support post illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , showing a lift or lifting mechanism in a retracted position and a deployed position, respectively; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views of the embodiment of the second support post illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , showing a counter-weight assembly in a retracted position and a deployed position, respectively; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the barricade arm illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D ; and 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  are a side view and a top view, respectively, a trailer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure coupled to the embodiment of the portable barricade illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a portable barricade. The portable barricades according to various embodiments of the present disclosure include a barricade arm, which is connected at opposite ends to a pair of support posts, that may be rapidly deployed (e.g., in under 2 seconds) into a raised position. The portable barricades of the present disclosure are configured to arrest the forward motion of a vehicle (e.g., an automobile or a truck) to protect individuals and/or property against attack by a truck bomb, for instance. The portable barricade of the present disclosure are lightweight and may be rapidly deployed along streets, entrances, or any other wide expanse in which it is desired to protect individuals and/or property against the threat of a vehicle attack. The portable barricades according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to arrest the forward motion of a vehicle by rotating over (e.g., tipping over) when the raised barricade arm of the portable barricade is contacted by the vehicle. Rotation of the portable barricade caused by contact between the vehicle and the raised barricade arm causes a road plate, over which the vehicle passes, to rotate and contact undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact between the road plate and the undercarriage of the vehicle is configured to lift a front end of the vehicle off of the ground and/or disable or at least damage the vehicle (e.g., depending on the type of vehicle and the approach speed of the vehicle, the rotation of the portable barricade may cause the road plate to sever the drive shaft of the vehicle). The present disclosure is also directed to various embodiments of a portable barricade system including a trailer for transporting the portable barricade. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1A-1D , a portable barricade  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a road plate  101  configured to be supported on the ground (e.g., a concrete, asphalt, or compressed soil roadway), a first support post  102  coupled to a first end portion  103  of the road plate  101 , a second support post  104  coupled to a second end portion  105  of the road plate  101  opposite the first end portion  103 , and a barricade arm  106  extending between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 . The barricade arm  106  includes a first end portion  107  slidably (arrow  108 ) coupled to the first support post  102  and a second end portion  109  opposite the first end portion  107  slidably coupled to the second support post  104 . The barricade arm  106  is configured to slide relative to the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  between a retracted (e.g., stowed) position proximate to the road plate  101  (e.g., on the road plate  101  or spaced close to the road plate  101 ) and a deployed (e.g., raised) position (shown in dashed lines in  FIGS. 1A-1B  and solid lines in  FIG. 1C ) distal from the road plate  101 . When the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted position, the portable barricade  100  is configured to permit a vehicle to pass between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and over the road plate  101 . When the barricade arm  106  is in the deployed position, the portable barricade  100  is configured to arrest the forward motion of a vehicle attempting to pass between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end portions  107 ,  109  of the barricade arm  106  remain connected to the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  as the barricade arm  106  moves between the retracted and deployed positions, and therefore the portable barricade  100  of the present disclosure is more secure than a conventional swing type barricade in which the barricade arm is unlatched as the barricade arm rotates from the open position to the closed position (i.e., the barricade arm in a conventional swing type barricade is unlatched throughout most of its cycle and remains unlatched until the barricade arm is in the fully deployed position). 
     In one or more embodiments, the first support post  102  and/or the second support post  104  may include one or more visual indicia indicating whether the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted (e.g., stowed) position or the deployed (e.g., raised) position. In the illustrated embodiment, a front face  110 ,  111  of each of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 , respectively, includes a first light  112 ,  113  (e.g., a red light) configured to illuminate when the barricade arm  106  is in the deployed (e.g., raised) position and deactivate when the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted (e.g., stowed) position. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the front face  110 ,  111  of each of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 , respectively, includes a second light  114 ,  115  (e.g., a green light) configured to illuminate when the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted (e.g., stowed) position and deactivate when the barricade arm  106  is in the deployed (e.g., raised) position. Accordingly, the lights  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  are configured to indicate when a vehicle is permitted to pass between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and over the road plate  101 , and to indicated when a vehicle is prohibited from passing between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and over the road plate  101 . In one or more embodiments, the lights may be provided only on the first support post  102  or the second support post  104 , or in one or more embodiments, each of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  may include only one light (e.g., a red light on one of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and a green light on the other of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 ). In one or more embodiments, the lights  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  may be powered by any suitable power source, such as, for instance, one or more battery cells housed inside the first support post  102  and/or the second support post  104 , and/or one or more solar panels on the first support post  102  and/or the second support post  104 . Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the front face  110 ,  111  of each of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  includes one or more reflectors  116 ,  117 , respectively, configured to increase the visibility of the portable barricade  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  includes an upwardly angled ramp  118  (e.g., at least one upwardly angled plate) and a downwardly angled ramp  119  (e.g., at least one downwardly angled plate) (shown in  FIG. 1B ) coupled to an upper surface  120  of the road plate  101  over which vehicles are configured to pass. The barricade arm  106  is accommodated or housed in a gap between the upwardly angled ramp  118  and the downwardly angled ramp  119  when the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted position. The upwardly and downwardly angled ramps  118 ,  119  are configured to enable a vehicle to smoothly pass over the barricade arm  106  when the barricade arm  106  is in the retracted position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the barricade arm  106  is longitudinally offset rearward of a fore and aft center line of the first and second posts  102 ,  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the barricade arm  106  is closer to rear faces  121 ,  122 , respectively, of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  than to the front faces  110 ,  111 , respectively, of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  (e.g., the barricade arm  106  is proximate to the rear faces,  121 ,  122  respectively, of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and distal to the front faces  110 ,  111 , respectively, of the first and second support posts  102 ,  104 ). In one or more embodiments, the barricade arm  106  is spaced apart from the rear faces  121 ,  122  of the support posts  102 ,  104  by a distance less than half the distance between the rear faces  121 ,  122  and the front faces  110 ,  111  of the support posts  102 ,  104 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the barricade arm  106  is longitudinally offset rearward of a fore and aft center line of the road plate  101 . In the illustrated embodiment, the barricade arm  106  is closer to a rear edge  123  of the road plate  101  than to a front edge  124  of the road plate  101  (e.g., the barricade arm  106  is proximate to the rear edge  123  of the road plate  101  and distal to the front edge  124  of the road plate  101 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the barricade arm  106  is offset in a direction in which a vehicle passes between the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  and over the road plate  101 . As described in more detail below, the longitudinally rearward offset of the barricade arm  106  is configured to aid in rotating over (e.g., tipping over) the portable barricade  100 , when contacted by a vehicle, to arrest the forward motion of the vehicle. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the first support post  102  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cap wall (e.g., a top plate)  125  spaced apart from the road plate  101 , and at least one sidewall  126  extending between the road plate  101  and the cap wall  125 . Together, the cap wall  125 , the at least one sidewall  126 , and the first end portion  103  of the road plate  101  define an interior cavity or chamber  127 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sidewall  126  includes four walls (e.g., a front wall  126 ( i ), a rear wall  126 ( ii ) spaced apart and parallel to the front wall  126 ( i ), an inwardly-facing wall  126 ( iii ) facing toward the second support post  104 , and an outwardly-facing wall  126 ( iv ) spaced apart and parallel to the inwardly-facing wall  126 ( iii ) and facing away from the second support post  104 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall  126 ( i ) defines the front face  110  (see  FIG. 1A ) and the rear wall  126 ( ii ) defines the rear face  121  (see  FIG. 1B ) of the first support post  102 . In  FIGS. 2A-2B , the front wall  126 ( i ) is omitted to reveal the interior cavity  127  and the components housed therein. Although in the illustrated embodiment the at least one sidewall  126  includes four sidewalls arranged in a rectangular configuration, in one or more embodiments, the first support post  102  may include any other suitable number of sidewalls and the sidewalls may be arranged in any other suitable configuration. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the first support post  102  may include a single cylindrical sidewall. In one or more embodiments, the first support post  102  may include sidewalls arranged in any other suitable prismatic shape. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the inwardly-facing wall  126 ( iii ) of the first support post  102  includes an opening  128  configured to accommodate the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106 . The opening  128  is configured to permit the barricade arm  106  to slide (arrow  108 ) relative to the first support post  102  between the retracted position and the deployed (e.g., raised) position. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  128  extends upward from a lower edge  129  of the inwardly-facing wall  126 ( iii ) proximate to the road plate  101  toward an upper edge  130  of the inwardly-facing wall  126 ( iii ) proximate to the cap wall  125  (e.g., the opening  128  is a slot extending in a lengthwise direction of the first support post  102  from the lower edge  129  of the inwardly-facing sidewall  126 ( iii )). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  also includes a lift or a lifting mechanism  131  housed in the interior cavity  127  of the first support post  102 . The lifting mechanism  131  is configured to move the barricade arm  106  between the retracted position and the deployed position (e.g., the lifting mechanism  131  is configured to raise the barricade arm  106  from the retracted position to the deployed position and lower the barricade arm  106  from the deployed position to the retracted position). In one or more embodiments, the lifting mechanism  131  may be housed in the second support post  104 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting mechanism  131  includes a rail  132 , a carriage  133  configured to slide up and down (arrow  134 ) along the rail  132 , and an actuator  135  coupled to the carriage  133 . In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage  133  is coupled to the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106 , which extends into the interior cavity  127  through the opening  128  in the inwardly-facing sidewall  126  of the first support post  102 . The carriage  133  may be coupled to the barricade arm  106  in any suitable manner, such as by a bracket and/or one or more fasteners. Actuation of the actuator  135  is configured to slide (arrow  134 ) the carriage  133  up along the rail  132  and thereby move the barricade arm  106  into the deployed (e.g., raised) position, and slide (arrow  134 ) the carriage  133  down along the rail  132  and thereby move the barricade arm  106  into the retracted (e.g., stowed) position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  135  is a cylinder (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical cylinder). The cylinder may be powered by any suitable type or kind of power supply depending on the type or kind of cylinder. For instance, in one or more embodiments in which the actuator  135  is an electromechanical cylinder, the actuator  135  may be powered by one or more battery cells housed in the same support post  102 ,  104  as the actuator  135 . In one or more embodiments in which the actuator  135  is a pneumatic cylinder, the actuator  135  may be powered by an accumulator or a compressor housed in the same support post  102 ,  104  as the actuator  135 . In one or more embodiments in which the actuator  135  is a hydraulic cylinder, the actuator  135  may be powered by a motor, a hydraulic pump (e.g., a battery operated hydraulic pump), and a hydraulic reservoir housed in the same support post  102 ,  104  as the actuator  135 . In the illustrated embodiment, a lower end  136  of the cylinder  135  is fixedly coupled to the road plate  101  (e.g., fixedly coupled to a bracket  137  on the road plate  101  with a cylinder connecting pin  138 ). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder  135  extends upward in a lengthwise direction of the first support portion  102  toward the cap wall  125  (e.g., the cylinder  135  is oriented upright). In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting mechanism  131  also includes a collar  139  extending around a portion of the cylinder  135  and configured to support the cylinder  135  in the upright position. In one or more embodiments, the actuator  135  may be any device suitable for raising and lowering the barricade arm  106 , such as, for instance, an electromechanical device. 
     Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting mechanism  131  includes a roller  140  coupled to an upper end  141  of the cylinder  135 , and a tensile member  142  having a first end  143  coupled to the carriage  133 , a second end  144  opposite the first end  143  fixedly coupled to the road plate  101  (e.g., coupled to the first end portion  103  of the road plate  101  with a bracket  145 ), and an intermediate portion  146  extending over the roller  140 . The tensile member  142  may be any suitable type or kind of flexible member configured to carry tensile loads, such as a cable, a chain, or a braided wire. The roller  140  may be any suitable type or kind of roller depending on the type or kind of tensile member  142  utilized. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment in which the tensile member  142  includes a pair of chains, the roller  140  includes a pair of spaced apart sprockets  147 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting mechanism  131  includes a chain guide  148  coupled to the upper end  141  of the cylinder  135  and configured to retain the chains  142  on the sprockets  147 . 
     Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the rail  132  is square bar (e.g., a bar having a square cross-sectional shape). In one or more embodiments, the rail  132  may have any other suitable shape (e.g., the rail  132  may have any suitable polygonal cross-sectional shape). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the carriage  133  includes four rollers  149  (e.g., wheels) arranged in a square configuration and housed between a pair of faceplates  150 ,  151  coupled together (e.g., with fasteners). In the illustrated embodiment, one pair of wheels  149  is configured to roll along one edge  152  of the rail  132  and the other pair of wheels  149  is configured to roll along an opposite edge  153  of the rail  132 . The carriage  133  may have any other suitable configuration depending, for instance, on the configuration of the rail  132 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a center of gravity of the first support post  102  is above a vertical midpoint of the first support post  102  (e.g., the center of gravity of the first support post  102  is spaced greater than half the distance D 1  from the cap wall  125  to the road plate  101  above the road plate  101 ). In one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the first support post  102  may be longitudinally offset rearward of the fore and aft centerline of the first support post  102 . That is, in one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the first support post  102  may be offset toward the rear wall  126 ( ii ) of the first support post  102  (e.g., the center of gravity of the first support post  102  is spaced less than half the distance D 2  between the front wall and the rear wall in front of the rear wall). In one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the first support post  102  may be both above a vertical midpoint of the first support post  102  and aft of the fore and after centerline of the first support post  102 . The center of gravity of the first support post  102  is configured to promote tipping over of the first support post  102  when the barricade arm  106  is struck by a vehicle which, as described in detail below, is configured to arrest the forward motion of the vehicle. 
     In one or more embodiments, locating the center of gravity of the second support post  102  above the vertical midpoint and/or forward of the fore and aft centerline of the first support post  102  may be achieved by attaching one or more weights proximate to the cap wall  125  and/or proximate to the rear wall  126 ( ii ), selecting different materials for the cap wall  125  and the road plate  101  (e.g., selecting a heavier material for the cap wall  125  than the road plate  101 ), selecting different materials for the rear wall  126 ( ii ) and the front wall  126 ( i ) (e.g., selecting a heavier material for the rear wall  126 ( ii ) than the front wall  126 ( i )), selecting different sizes for the cap wall  125  and the road plate  101  (e.g., selecting a thicker metal sheet for the cap wall  125  than the road plate  101 ), selecting different sizes for the rear wall  126 ( ii ) and the front wall  126 ( i ) (e.g., selecting a thicker metal sheet for the rear wall  126 ( ii ) than the front wall  126 ( i )), or any suitable combination thereof, and/or any other suitable method. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first support post  102  includes one or more plates  154  (e.g., one or more steel plates having a thickness of approximately 1.25 inch) configured to elevate the center of gravity of the first support post  102  above the midpoint of the first support post  102  and/or to shift the center of gravity of the first support post  102  aft of the fore and aft centerline of the first support post  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first support post  102  includes a pair of steel plates  154  housed in the interior cavity  127  and proximate to the rear wall  126 ( ii ). In one or more embodiments, the one or more plates  154  may be located in any other suitable location (e.g., proximate to the cap wall  125 ) depending on the desired location of the center of gravity of the first support post  102 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , the second support post  104  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cap wall (e.g., a top plate)  155  spaced apart from the road plate  101 , and at least one sidewall  156  extending between the road plate  101  and the cap wall  155 . Together, the cap wall  155 , the at least one sidewall  156 , and the second end portion  105  of the road plate  101  define an interior cavity or chamber  157 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sidewall  156  includes four walls (e.g., a front wall  156 ( i ), a rear wall  156 ( ii ) spaced apart and parallel to the front wall  156 ( i ), an inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) facing toward the first support post  102 , and an outwardly-facing wall  156 ( iv ) (shown in  FIG. 1A ) spaced apart and parallel to the inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) and facing away from the first support post  102 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall  156 ( i ) defines the front face  111  (see  FIG. 1A ) and the rear wall  156 ( ii ) defines the rear face  122  (see  FIG. 1A ) of the second support post  104 . In  FIGS. 3A-3B , the outwardly-facing wall  156 ( iv ) is omitted to reveal the interior cavity  157  and the components housed therein. Although in the illustrated embodiment the at least one sidewall  156  includes four sidewalls arranged in a rectangular configuration, in one or more embodiments, the second support post  104  may include any other suitable number of sidewalls and the sidewalls may be arranged in any other suitable configuration. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the second support post  104  may include a single cylindrical sidewall. In one or more embodiments, the second support post  104  may include sidewalls arranged in any other suitable prismatic shape. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) of the second support post  104  includes an opening  158  configured to accommodate the second end portion  109  of the barricade arm  106 . The opening  158  is configured to permit the barricade arm  106  to slide (arrow  108 ) relative to the second support post  104  between the retracted position and the deployed (e.g., raised) position. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  158  extends upward from a lower edge  159  of the inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) proximate to the road plate  101  toward an upper edge  160  of the inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) proximate to the cap wall  155  (e.g., the opening  158  is a slot extending in a lengthwise direction of the second support post  104  from the lower edge  159  of the inwardly-facing sidewall  156 ( iii )). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  also includes a counter-weight assembly  161  housed in the interior cavity  157  of the second support post  104 . The counter-weight assembly  161  is configured to aid in lifting (arrow  108 ) the second end portion  109  of the barricade arm  106  as the lifting mechanism  131  is actuated to lift the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106 . In this manner, the counter-weight assembly  161  is configured to stabilize the barricade arm  106  as the lifting mechanism  131  is actuated to move the barricade arm  106  between the retracted position and the deployed position. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the counter-weight assembly  161  is configured to maintain the barricade arm  106  level or substantially level (e.g., horizontal or substantially horizontal) as the lifting mechanism  131  is actuated to raise the barricade arm  106  from the retracted position to the deployed position and to lower the barricade arm  106  from the deployed position to the retracted position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the counter-weight assembly  161  includes a counter-weight  162  (e.g., a stack of two or more counter-weights), a pair of pulleys  163 ,  164  coupled to the second support post  104  (e.g., the inwardly-facing wall  156 ( iii ) of the second support post  104 ), and a tensile member  165  coupling the counter-weight  162  to the second end portion  109  of the barricade arm  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tensile member  165  has a first end portion  166  coupled to the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106  (e.g., an eyelet  167  at the first end portion  166  of the tensile member  165  is coupled to a bracket  168  at the first end portion of the barricade arm  106  with a pin shackle  169 ), a second end portion  170  coupled to the counter weight  162  (e.g., an eyelet  171  at the second end portion  170  of the tensile member  165  is coupled to a bracket  172  of the counter weight  162  with a pin shackle  173 , and an intermediate portion  174  passing over the pulleys  163 ,  164 . The tensile member  165  may be any suitable type or kind of tensile member, such as, for instance, a chain, a cable, or a wire (e.g., braided wire). 
     Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the counter-weight assembly  161  includes a guide  175  defining a channel  176 . The channel  176  is configured to accommodate the counter-weight  162  and the guide  175  is configured to guide the counter-weight  162  up and down (arrow  177 ) within the channel  176  as the barricade arm  106  moves (arrow  108 ) between the retracted position and the deployed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide  175  includes a pair of L-shaped angles  178 ,  179  facing toward each other, although in one or more embodiments the guide  175  may have any other suitable configuration depending, for instance, on the configuration of the counter-weight  162 . In the illustrated embodiment, the L-shaped angles  178 ,  179  are coupled to the road plate  101  and extend upward toward the cap wall  155  of the second support post  104 . Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the shape of the guide  175  is configured to conform to at least a portion of the shape of the counter-weight  162 . 
     Although in the illustrated embodiment the lifting mechanism  131  is housed in the first support post  102  and the counter-weight assembly  161  is housed in the second support post  104 , in one or more embodiments, the lifting mechanism  131  may be housed in the second support post  104  and the counter-weight assembly  161  may be housed in the first support post  102 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a center of gravity of the second support post  104  is above a vertical midpoint of the second support post  104  (e.g., the center of gravity of second support post  104  is spaced greater than half the distance D 1  from the cap wall  155  to the road plate  101  above the road plate  101 ). In one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the second support post  104  may be longitudinally offset rearward of the fore and aft centerline of the second support post  104 . That is, in one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the second support post  104  may be offset toward the rear wall  156 ( ii ) of the second support post  104  (e.g., the center of gravity of the second support post  104  is spaced less than half the distance D 2  between the front wall  156 ( i ) and the rear wall  156 ( ii ) in front of the rear wall  156 ( ii )). In one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the second support post  104  may be both above a vertical midpoint of the second support post  104  and aft of the fore and after centerline of the second support post  104 . The center of gravity of the second support post  104  is configured to promote tipping over of the second support post  104  when the barricade arm  106  is struck by a vehicle which, as described in detail below, is configured to arrest the forward motion of the vehicle. 
     In one or more embodiments, locating the center of gravity of the second support post  104  above the vertical midpoint and/or rearward of the fore and aft centerline of the second support post  104  may be achieved by attaching one or more weights proximate to the cap wall  155  and/or proximate to the rear wall  156 ( ii ), selecting different materials for the cap wall  155  and the road plate  101  (e.g., selecting a heavier material for the cap wall  155  than the road plate  101 ), selecting different materials for the rear wall  156 ( ii ) and the front wall  156 ( i ) (e.g., selecting a heavier material for the rear wall  156 ( ii ) than the front wall  156 ( i )), selecting different sizes for the cap wall  155  and the road plate  101  (e.g., selecting a thicker metal sheet for the cap wall  155  than the road plate  101 ), selecting different sizes for the rear wall  156 ( ii ) and the front wall  156 ( i ) (e.g., selecting a thicker metal sheet for the rear wall  156 ( ii ) than the front wall  156 ( i )), or any suitable combination thereof, and/or any other suitable method. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second support post  104  includes one or more plates  180  (e.g., one or more steel plates having a thickness of approximately 1.25 inch) configured to elevate the center of gravity of the second support post  104  above the midpoint of the second support post  104  and/or to shift the center of gravity of the second support post  104  aft of the fore and aft centerline of the second support post  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second support post  104  includes a pair of steel plates  180  housed in the interior cavity  157  and proximate to the rear wall  156 ( ii ). In one or more embodiments, the one or more plates  180  may be located in any other suitable location (e.g., proximate to the cap wall  155 ) depending on the desired location of the center of gravity of the second support post  104 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , the barricade arm  106  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a beam  181  (e.g., a tube) and a cable  182  (e.g., a 0.25 inch diameter steel cable) extending through the beam  181  and coupled to opposite ends of the beam  181 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the cable  182  include eyelets  183  and the cable  182  is coupled to the beam  181  with fasteners  184  extending through the eyelets  183  and corresponding openings  185  in the beam  181 . Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment the beam  181  is rectangular, in one or more embodiments the beam  181  may have any other suitable configuration (e.g., the beam  181  may cylindrical or may have any other suitable prismatic shape). In one or more embodiments, the barricade arm  106  may include only the beam  181  or only the cable  182 . In one or more embodiments, the barricade arm  106  may include a rod. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  depict a trailer  200  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure coupled to the portable barricade  100  to enable the portable barricade  100  to be towed by a tow vehicle. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the trailer  200  includes a frame  201 , a pair of rear attachment brackets  202 ,  203  rotatably coupled to a rear of the frame  201 , and a pair of front attachment brackets  204 ,  205  coupled to a front of the frame  201 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the trailer  200  includes an axle  206  rotatably coupled to the frame  201  and a pair of wheels and tires  207 ,  208  coupled to opposite ends of the axle  206 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the trailer  200  also includes a hoist mechanism  209  coupled to the frame  201 . As described in detail below, the hoist mechanism  209  is configured to lift the portable barricade  100  off of the ground to enable the portable barricade  100  to be coupled to the frame of the trailer  200  and then towed by a tow vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoist mechanism  209  includes at least one support member  210  (e.g., a brace), a swing arm  211  pivotally coupled to the support member  210 , and an actuator  212  (e.g., a cylinder, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromechanical cylinder) having a first end (e.g., a lower end) coupled to the frame  201  and a second end (e.g., an upper end) coupled to the swing arm  211 . Actuation of the actuator  212  is configured to cause the swing arm  211  to rotate (arrow  213 ) relative to the at least one support member  210  (e.g., actuation of the actuator  212  is configured to raise and lower the swing arm  211 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  also includes trailer attachment brackets configured to enable attachment of the trailer  200  to the portable barricade  100 . In one or more embodiments, the trailer attachment brackets include a first pair of trailer attachment brackets  186 ,  187  coupled to the road plate  101  proximate to the first support post  102  and a second pair of trailer attachment brackets  188 ,  189  coupled to the road plate  101  proximate to the second support post  104 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  also includes a hoist point  190  configured to enable lifting the portable barricade  100  off of the ground with the hoist mechanism  209  and attaching the portable barricade  100  to the trailer  200 . In one or more embodiments, the hoist point  190  may be a threaded opening or insert in the road plate  101 . 
     The portable barricade  100  may deployed in the desired location by first coupling the trailer  200  to the portable barricade  100 . To couple the trailer  200  to the portable barricade  100  when the portable barricade  100  is supported on the ground, the rear of the frame  201  may be rotated downward about the axle  206  and then the pair of rear attachment brackets  202 ,  203  on the trailer  200  may be coupled (e.g., with fasteners) to the pair of trailer attachment brackets  186 ,  187  on the portable barricade  100 . The pair of rear attachment brackets  202 ,  203  of the trailer  200  are configured to rotate relative to the frame  201  such that the pair of rear attachment brackets  202 ,  203  are aligned (e.g., parallel) with the road plate  101  of the portable barricade  100  when the rear of the frame  201  is tilted downward. Additionally, the swing arm  211  of the of the hoist mechanism  209  may be coupled to the hoist point  190  of the portable barricade  100 , such as with a chain  214  connected to an eye bolt  215  threaded into the hoist point  190 . The actuator  212  of the hoist mechanism  209  may then be actuated. As the actuator  212  is actuated, the swing arm  211  rotates (arrow  213 ) away from the support member  210  and lifts the portable barricade  100  off of the ground. Once the portable barricade  100  has been sufficiently lifted off of the ground such that the pair of front attachment brackets  204 ,  205  of the trailer  200  are aligned with the pair of attachment brackets  188 ,  189  on the portable barricade  100 , the pair of front attachment brackets  204 ,  205  of the trailer  200  may then be coupled (e.g., with fasteners) to the pair of trailer attachment brackets  188 ,  189  on the portable barricade  100 . When the portable barricade  100  is coupled to the trailer  200 , the road plate  101  of the portable barricade  100  is supported off of the ground by the wheels  207 ,  208  of the trailer  200 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the portable barricade  100  also includes a trailer hitch receiver  191  configured to be coupled to the trailer hitch of a tow vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the trailer hitch receiver  191  is coupled to the second support post  104 , although in one or more embodiments, the trailer hitch receiver  191  may be coupled to the first support post  102 . Accordingly, once the trailer  200  has been coupled to the portable barricade  100  (e.g., as described above), the hitch of the tow vehicle may be coupled to the hitch receiver  191  of the portable barricade  100  and then the portable barricade  100  may be towed to the desired location with the tow vehicle. Additionally, once the portable barricade  100  has been towed to the desired location, the trailer  200  may be detached from the portable barricade  100  (e.g., by rotating the rear end of the frame  201  downward, disconnecting the rear attachment brackets  202 ,  203  from the trailer attachment brackets  186 ,  187 , disconnecting the front attachment brackets  204 ,  205  from the trailer attachment brackets  188 ,  189 , actuating the actuator  212  of the hoist mechanism  209  to lower the swing arm  211  and rotate the front end of the frame  201  downward, and then disconnecting the swing arm  211  from the hoist point  190  of the portable barricade  100 ). 
     Once the portable barricade  100  has been transported with the trailer  200  to the desired location, the portable barricade  100  may be operated to prevent vehicles from passing through an area (e.g., a roadway or an entryway to a building). In operation, the actuator (e.g., the cylinder)  135  of the lifting mechanism  131  may be actuated to move the barricade arm  106  into the deployed (e.g., raised) position spaced apart from the road plate  101  to prevent vehicles from passing between the support posts  102 ,  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, as the cylinder  135  is extended into the deployed position, the pair of sprockets  147  move upward toward the cap wall  125 , which causes the sprockets  147  to rotate and move along the chains  142  toward the first ends of the chains  142  coupled to the carriage  133 . The actuation of the cylinder  135  and the movement of the sprockets  147  toward the cap wall  125 , pulls on the first ends of the chains  142  coupled to the carriage  133 , which lifts the carriage  133  up along the rail  132  toward the cap wall  125 . The movement of the carriage  133  up along the rail  132  causes the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106  to slid up (arrow  108 ) within the opening  128  in the first support post  102  away from the road plate  101 . Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, as the actuator  135  of the lifting mechanism  131  is actuated to lift the first end portion  107  of the barricade arm  106 , the counter-weight assembly  161  is configured to raise the second end portion  109  of barricade arm  106  such that the barricade arm  106  remains level or substantially level (e.g., horizontal or substantially horizontal) as the barricade arm  106  is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position. In one embodiment, the first lights  112 ,  113  (e.g., the red lights) on the first and second support posts  102 ,  104  may be illuminated when the barricade arm  106  is in the deployed position. 
     The Appendix attached to the present disclosure includes screenshots from a video showing operation the portable barricade  100  in arresting the motion of a truck. When the barricade arm  106  is in the deployed (e.g., raised) position and is struck by a vehicle (e.g., an attacking vehicle), the barricade arm  106  is configured to deform in a direction of travel of the vehicle. Additionally, when the barricade arm  106  is struck by the approaching vehicle, the portable barricade  100  is configured to rotate over (e.g., tip over). In one or more embodiments, the center of gravity of the support posts  102 ,  104  is above the vertical midpoints of the support posts  102 ,  104  and/or the center of gravity of the support posts  102 ,  104  is rearward of the fore and after centerlines of the support posts  102 ,  104 , which is configured to aid in rotating the portable barricade  100  when the barricade arm  106  is contacted by the vehicle. As the portable barricade  100  rotates over, the road plate  101  rotates under the undercarriage of the vehicle and becomes lodged or trapped under the front end of the vehicle, which tends to lift the front end of the vehicle off the ground if the vehicle is traveling at a sufficiently high speed. Lifting the front end of the vehicle off of the ground redirects the momentum of the vehicle upward and thereby arrests the forward motion of the vehicle. Additionally, as the portable barricade  100  rotates over, the front edge  124  of the road plate  101  contacts various components or systems exposed along the undercarriage of the vehicle, such as the steering system, the suspension system, and/or the drivetrain system of the vehicle. The contact between the road plate  101  and the undercarriage of the vehicle is configured to disable or at least damage the vehicle, which arrests the forward motion of the vehicle. If the vehicle is sufficiently heavy and/or traveling at a sufficiently high speed, the rotation of the road plate  101  under the undercarriage of the vehicle may cause the front edge  124  of the road plate  101  to sever the drive shaft of the vehicle. The portable barricade  100  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to achieve certification of M30, P3 per ASTM F2656-18A testing methodology. 
     Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the barricade arm  106  is longitudinally offset toward the rear faces  121 ,  122  of the support posts  102 ,  104  and the rear edge  123  of the road plate  101 , which allows the front wheels of the vehicle to pass over the road plate  101 , or at least pass onto a rearward portion of the road plate  101 , before the road plate  101  rotates over due to the contact between the vehicle and the barricade arm  106  and the weight distribution of the support posts  102 ,  104 . Allowing the front wheels of the vehicle to pass over the road plate  101  or at least onto the rearward portion of the road plate  101  before rotating over is configured to ensure that the road plate  101  rotates under the undercarriage of the vehicle to lift and/or damage the vehicle and thereby arrest the forward motion of the vehicle. In one or more embodiments, the position of the barricade arm  106 , coupled with the deformation of the barricade arm  106  due to contact with the vehicle, allows the front wheels of the vehicle to pass over the road plate  101 , or at least pass onto a rearward portion of the road plate  101 , before the road plate  101  rotates over. Positioning the barricade arm  106  longitudinally offset toward the rear faces  121 ,  122  of the support posts  102 ,  104  and the rear edge  123  of the road plate  101  also aids in rotating over the portable barricade  100  when the barricade arm  106  is contacted by the vehicle. 
     The width of the road plate  101  (i.e., the distance from the rear edge  123  to the front edge  124  of the road plate  101 ) may be selected to be greater than the ground clearance of the vehicles the portable barricade  100  is intended to stop. 
     Because the portable barricades  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to rotate under the vehicle to arrest the forward motion of the vehicle, the portable barricades  100  of the present disclosure are lighter than conventional barricades that rely or depend on the mass of the barricade to arrest the forward motion of the vehicle. Accordingly, the portable barricade  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be towed by a small vehicle, such as a light duty truck. 
     While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to exemplary embodiments thereof, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention, as set forth in the following claims. Although relative terms such as “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “lower,” “below,” “above,” and similar terms have been used herein to describe a spatial relationship of one element to another, it is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the various elements and components of the invention in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, as used herein, when a component is referred to as being “on” another component, it can be directly on the other component or components may also be present therebetween. Moreover, when a component is component is referred to as being “coupled” to another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or intervening components may be present therebetween. Additionally, as used herein, the term “mechanism” is not intended to invoke means-plus-function claiming under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).