Patent Publication Number: US-7909309-B2

Title: Antipersonnel barrier system

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/665,782 filed Mar. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a transportable barrier which can be rapidly deployed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a transportable barrier which includes support structure to facilitate rapid stable deployment. 
     2. Background of Relate Art 
     Transportable barriers for defining a confined or protected area which can be rapidly deployed are well known. Typically, such barriers include one or more concertina coils which are stored in a compressed fashion and axially extended to deploy. The concertina coils may be constructed from a variety of diameters and include a variety of barbed configurations. 
     One problem associated with known rapidly deployable barriers is that during and/or after deployment, the barrier becomes misaligned and does not attain or retain a desired deployed configuration. For example, during and/or after deployment, the barrier may be overextended or underextended and/or the concertina coils may sag or become misaligned. As a result of such misalignment, the effectiveness of the barrier is reduced. 
     Accordingly, a rapidly deployable barrier which has improved stability and retains a desired orientation during and after deployment is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, an antipersonnel barrier system is provided which includes at least one concertina coil and a plurality of support members. Each of the support members is secured to the at least one concertina coil to provide horizontal and vertical stability to the coils. 
     In one embodiment, the antipersonnel barrier system includes three coils including two base coils and one top coil. It is envisioned that greater or fewer coils may be provided. The support members each include a base section and a vertical section. The vertical section extends to at least substantially the height of the top coil and is attached thereto to provide vertical stability to the barrier system. The base section of the support member can be attached to the base coils at two locations to provide horizontal stability to the barrier system. 
     In one embodiment, each of the support members is attached to adjacent support members by a cable which prevents separation of adjacent support members beyond a predetermined distance, e.g., 9 feet. The cable prevents over extension of the barrier system. 
     Each of the base coils can be secured to the top coil to provide added stability to the barrier system. Anchoring structure including stakes, hooks or the like can be provided to secure or anchor the support members and/or coils to a support surface, e.g., ground. 
     A deployment carriage can be provided for supporting and transporting a non-deployed barrier system and for assisting in deployment of the barrier system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a central portion of one embodiment of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system illustrating a pair of spaced support members and the concertina coils; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a support member of the antipersonnel barrier system shown in  FIG. 1  with the concertina coils attached thereto; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the support member of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system with the concertina coils attached thereto; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cutaway view of a guide sleeve of the support member shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate embodiment of structure for securing the length limiting cable to the support members; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of another embodiment of a support member of the presently disclosed antipersonnel system barrier shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a fastening member of the anchoring structure of the antipersonnel barrier system shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a base section of the support member shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a portion of the antipersonnel barrier system shown in  FIG. 1  prior to deployment; 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a leading end of the antipersonnel barrier system shown in  FIG. 1  in a partially deployed state; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of a storage and deployment carriage for the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system and its method of deployment will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. 
     As used herein, the term concertina coils means any wire or coil for resisting passage including barbed wire, razor wire, electrified wire, barbed tape and any other coil with or without structure for inflicting bodily harm. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system shown generally as  10 . Antipersonnel barrier system  10  includes at least one concertina coil and a plurality spaced support members  12 . In this embodiment, three concertina coils  14 ,  16  and  18  are provided. It is envisioned that barrier  10  may include one or more coils, e.g.,  5 ,  6 ,  7  etc. Coils  14  and  16  are positioned in axial alignment to define a base of barrier  10 . Coil  18  is positioned on top of coils  14  and  16  and is secured to coils  14  and  16  at multiple locations along its length by clips  28  ( FIG. 2 ) to provide added stability to barrier system  10 . Alternately, coil  18  may be secured to coils  14  and  16  using welds, rings, ties or the like. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 2 , each support member  12  includes a vertical section  20  and a base section  22 . In one embodiment, base section  22  includes a pair of sleeves  24  ( FIG. 3 ) dimensioned to receive anchoring structure, e.g., stakes  26  ( FIG. 2 ) for securing support member  12  to a support surface, e.g., the ground. In one embodiment, support member  12  is formed from ¼″ or ⅜″ diameter hot or cold rolled steel rod, e.g., AISI 1010 steel. It is contemplated that support member  12  may be formed from rods having a variety of different diameters and/or having a variety of different configurations and that the support members  12  can be formed from a variety of different materials, e.g., plastics. Vertical section  20  and base section  22  each include an outer frame  20   a  and  22   a , respectively, and a plurality of inner angled support members  20   b  and  22   b , respectively. Vertical section  20  includes a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs  22   c  and a semi-circular upper portion  22   d . Inner support members  20   b  and  22   b  provide added strength to outer frames  20   a  and  22   a , respectively to facilitate the use of smaller diameter rods to construct support member  12 . The use of smaller diameter rods is especially important since prior to deployment, antipersonnel barrier  10  is maintained as a compact unit which is transportable. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presently disclosed antipersonnel barrier system shown generally as  200 . Antipersonnel barrier system  200  is substantially identical to antipersonnel barrier system  10  except that support member  212  includes a vertical section  220  which includes diverging legs  222   c  interconnected by a semi-circular upper portion  222   d . By providing a vertical section  220  having diverging legs  222   c , the spacing between each of upper end of legs  222   c  is increased such that the barrier system can be more easily loaded and unloaded onto a deployment carriage  100 . See  FIG. 11 . 
     Support member  12  can include a protective finish such as a polymer coating, zinc deposit, paint, etc. Selection of an appropriate finish should coincide with the selection of the particular application intended for barrier  10 . Support member  12  stabilizes concertina coils  14 ,  16  and  18  and aids in the rapid and stable deployment of barrier  10 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 4 , each of concertina coils  14 ,  16  and  18  is fastened to support member  12  in at least one location. In one embodiment, heavy gauge rings  30  ( FIG. 4 ) are used to slidably attach coils  14 ,  16  and  18  to support member  12 . Rings  30  allow for relative movement between the coils and support member  12  to facilitate coil diameter reduction during deployment of barrier  10  and for coil diameter enlargement during recovery of barrier  10 . It is envisioned that other fastening techniques can be used to secure coils  14 ,  16  and  18  to support member  12  including both sliding and non-sliding techniques, e.g., ties, welds, etc. Preferably, vertical section  20  of support member  12  extends to at least a height substantially equal to the desired height of the top concertina coil. The top concertina coil is secured to vertical section  20  to provide vertical stability to the coil. Preferably, coils  14  and  16  are secured to base section  22  of support member  12  at two laterally spaced locations to provide horizontal stability to barrier  10 . 
     Concertina coils  14 ,  16  and  18  can be formed from barbed tape as is known in the art. The barbed tape can be either wire reinforced tape or non-reinforced barbed tape. Concertina coil formed of combinations of wire reinforced and non-reinforced tape may also be used. Wire reinforced tape is available in short, medium or long barb and can be fabricated from galvanized steel, stainless steel or the like. Although only single helical concertina coils are shown, double concertina coils are also available. The barbed tape may be formed by dynamic rolling to provide for barb stiffening. 
     In one embodiment, each of coils  14 ,  16  and  18  of antipersonnel barrier  10  has an assembled length of about four hundred fifty feet, although shorter or longer assembled lengths may be desirable for particular applications. In the illustrated embodiments, concertina coils  14  and  16  which define the base of antipersonnel barrier  10  have a diameter of about twenty-four inches in their deployed configuration and concertina coil  18  which defines the top of barrier system  10  has a diameter of about fifty-eight inches in its deployed configuration. It is envisioned that the deployed diameter of any one or all of the concertina coils may be increased or decreased to meet a particular need. Further, as discussed above, the number of coils and/or the orientation of the coils may be varied to meet a particular need. For example, five coils of any diameter may be provided, where three of the coils define the base of the barrier and two of the coils define the top side of the barrier. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , a length limiting cable  32  can be secured between each of support members  12 . Cable  32  prevents separation of support members  12  beyond a predetermined limit, e.g, nine feet. By limiting the separation of support members  12 , over extension of coils  14 ,  16  and  18  is prevented. In one embodiment, cable  32  is formed from ⅛ inch diameter stranded steel cable and is secured to an inner support member  20   b  of vertical section  20  of support member  12  with a clip (not shown). It is envisioned that cable  32  may be formed from other materials including wires, bands or the like. The clip should be of the type to withstand substantial forces, e.g., 200 lbs., without separating from the support member. In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , cable  32  is secured to a circular collar or washer  34 , such as by swaging. Washer  34  is slidably positioned about outer frame  20   a  of vertical section  20  of support member  12 . 
     In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , a C-clip  250  or the like is secured to an upper portion of each support member  12  such as by welding. C-clip  250  defines a recess  252 . Length limiting cable  232  is secured to each support member  12  by wrapping cable  232  in a loop  234  about C-clip  250  and support member  12  such that cable  232  is positioned within recess  252 . C-clip  250  prevents cable  232  from sliding down support member  12 . A material  236 , e.g., aluminum, can be formed about, e.g., swaged, a portion of cable loop  234  to ensure that loop  234  does not become disengaged from C-clip  250 . By providing the C-clip/swaging to connect cable  232  to support members  12 , the forces required to separate cable  232  from support members  12  are greatly increased. 
     As discussed above, stakes  26  ( FIG. 2 ) may be driven through sleeves  24  of support member  12  to secure base section  22  to a support surface, e.g., the ground. In one embodiment, stakes  26  are between about 18 inches and 24 inches in length. Alternately, stakes of other lengths may be desirable. Sleeves  24  can be positioned at angle to a vertical axis or parallel thereto. In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , base section  22  can include anchoring structure formed integrally therewith. In one embodiment, the anchoring structure includes stakes  40  which extend downwardly from outer frame  22   b  of base section  22  of support member  12 . In one embodiment, stakes  40  are about three inches in length. Alternately, other lengths may be desirable to provide more secure anchoring of barrier system  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other anchoring structures may be provided to secure antipersonnel barrier system  10  at a fixed deployed position. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a hooking device  50  having a hook portion  50   a  and a ground penetrating portion  50   b  may be provided to anchor support members  12 . Hook portion  50   a  is configured to engage base section  22  of support member  12  to anchor support member  12 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a large stake  60  having clips  62  ( FIG. 7 ) includes a pointed end. Stake  60  can be driven into the ground adjacent coils  14 ,  16  and  18  and/or support member  12  such that clips  62  receive or engage a portion of one or more of the coils and/or the support member to anchor the barrier system  10  in place. It is noted that any or all of the anchoring structures disclosed herein may be used in combination with any or all of the other anchoring structures. Moreover, the stakes may be constructed from rebar, steel rods or any material meeting the requisite strength requirements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a deployment carriage  100  includes a base portion  102  and a hangar portion  104 . Hangar portion  104  includes a cantilevered arm  104   a  for supporting antipersonnel barrier system  10  in its undeployed state. A retainer bar  106  is removably supported between a distal end of arm  104   a  and base portion  102  to secure antipersonnel barrier system  10  on hangar portion  104 . Deployment carriage  100  is preferably dimensioned to be supported on the bed of a motor vehicle, e.g., truck, although other deployment devices may also be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in its undeployed state, coils  14 ,  16  and  18  of antipersonnel barrier system  10  are compressed and support members  12  are positioned in close alignment. (It is noted that in its actual non-deployed state, barrier system  10  is substantially more compact than as illustrated). As such, cable  32  is slackened. During installation or deployment, the leading end support member  12 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) is secured or anchored to a support surface using a stake  110  or the like and a mounting cable  112 . Thereafter, deployment carriage  100  is moved in the direction of deployment to allow for axial extension of the coils and spacing of support members  12 . A person or persons deploying the device should ensure maximum extension of cable  32  to provide proper spacing between support members  12 . It is recommended that three people deploy the barrier system including one driver and two assistants. The two assistants should ensure proper placement of the support members and see that no tangles occur in the concertina coils during deployment. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the particular configuration of the support members may be modified so long as the support members provide vertical and horizontal stability to the barrier system. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.