Patent Abstract:
A vehicle destabilizing device that provides for the selective, remotely-deployed deflection and/or overturning of a targeted vehicle regardless of wheel or undercarriage configuration. The device is comprised of a combination of a remote arm/safe mechanism, a remote deployment switch, one or more lifting devices, a housing, and one or more structural members contiguously engaging the vehicle. The housing can be at least partially submerged in a road surface or protrude from the road surface so as to be driven over until deployed. A sensor can provide independent deployment once the device is armed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/110,882, filed on Nov. 3, 2008, entitled “Vehicle Destabilization Devices and Methods for Arresting Forward Motion.” That application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for affecting the forward motion of a land vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for destabilizing a moving land vehicle and causing the vehicle to overturn or deflect so as to affect the forward motion of the vehicle. The present disclosure also relates to systems and methods for damaging the chassis of a moving vehicle so as to affect the ability of the vehicle to continue moving. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic side view illustrating a stowed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic front view illustrating the stowed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view illustrating a system for destabilizing a vehicle in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic side view illustrating a deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic front view illustrating the deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic side view illustrating a deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic front view illustrating the deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic side view illustrating a deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic front view illustrating the deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a stowed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view illustrating the stowed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7B  is a side view illustrating the stowed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9A  is a side view illustrating the deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9B  is a back view illustrating the deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a deployment limiter for the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view illustrating a detail of the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an air spring for the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11C  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a cold gas supply for the vehicle destabilizing device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
       [0022]    The following describes embodiments of vehicle destabilizing devices and methods of destabilizing vehicles in accordance with the present disclosure. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are set forth in the following text to provide a thorough understanding and enabling description of a number of particular embodiments. Numerous specific details of various embodiments are described below with reference to destabilization devices for vehicles having wheels engaging a paved surface, but embodiments can be used with other types of terrain (e.g., dirt, gravel, and other non-paved surfaces). In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown, or are not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the inventive subject matter associated with the accompanying disclosure. A person skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may have additional embodiments, or that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details of the embodiments as shown and described. 
         [0023]    According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for destabilizing a moving vehicle causes the vehicle to overturn or deflect so as to affect its forward motion. Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure are directed to overturning, deflecting and/or damaging forward moving vehicles weighing up to 75,000 pounds and moving up to 75 miles per hour. 
         [0024]    Certain embodiments of a system for affecting the forward movement of a vehicle may include two actuators by which first and second wheels on the same side of the vehicle are lifted. Certain other embodiments according to the present disclosure may include a single actuator for engaging only one of the wheels on one side of the vehicle. In still other embodiments, a single actuator can be configured to lift all of the wheels on one side of the vehicle. In yet other embodiments more than two actuators can be used, e.g., on target vehicles having more than two axles. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, a system for affecting the forward movement of a vehicle on a surface may lift the wheels and/or chassis of a targeted moving vehicle to destabilize, deflect and/or overturn the vehicle as it travels along a path. An aspect of a system for affecting the forward movement of a vehicle includes a housing that has been installed or otherwise placed in the ground or on a road surface in the path of a targeted vehicle. As the vehicle is driven over the housing, a lifting force is applied to one side of the vehicle, one wheel of the vehicle, a plurality of wheels on one side of the vehicle, the chassis on one side of the vehicle, etc. The lifting force destabilizes the vehicle by shifting the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity and thereby causes the vehicle to tip-over and/or deflect the forward motion of the vehicle. 
         [0026]    Another aspect of certain embodiments of a system for affecting the forward movement of a vehicle may include being selectively armed and/or disarmed. When disarmed or safe, the system is placed into a “sleep” or “deactivated” mode in which vehicles may drive over the housing without consequence, much like a conventional speed bump. When the system is armed, however, the system will destabilize, deflect and/or overturn the next vehicle that drives across the housing. As hereinafter described, the system can be selectively armed and disarmed remotely via wired or wireless communication from a vehicle sensor and/or an operator controlled device. 
         [0027]    Still another aspect of certain embodiments of a system for affecting the forward movement of a vehicle may include one or more actuators, which may include pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, energetic actuators, and/or any suitably actuator that can be positioned between the housing and a ramp. When the system is armed and a target vehicle is detected, one or more actuators are actuated to rapidly lift the ramp on one side of the vehicle. Accordingly, a center of gravity of the vehicle is rapidly shifted as one side of the vehicle climbs the ramp. This introduces a vehicle tipping moment that can destabilize, deflect, overturn and/or otherwise affect the forward movement of the vehicle. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, an apparatus may shift a center of gravity of a moving vehicle to affect forward movement of the vehicle on a surface. The vehicle includes a wheel and a chassis. An aspect of such an apparatus may include a housing configured to be positioned in a path of the vehicle, a destabilizing member that is deployed from the housing, and a lifting device configured to lift the destabilizing member with respect to the housing. The destabilizing member is configured to lift one side of the vehicle. 
         [0029]    In some other embodiments, a system may provide selective, remotely deployed destabilization of a moving vehicle. An aspect of such a system may include a housing configured to rest on a surface, a structural member configured to contiguously engage the moving vehicle, a lifting device configured to lift the structural member with respect to the housing, a safe/arm device, and a remote deployment device configured to actuate the lifting device to lift the structural member with respect to the housing. The safe/arm device has (a) a safe arrangement configured to prevent the lifting device from lifting the structural member with respect to the housing; and (b) an armed arrangement configured to permit the lifting device to lift the structural member with respect to the housing. 
         [0030]    In still other embodiments, a method may affect forward movement of a vehicle on a surface. The vehicle includes a wheel. An aspect of such a method may include raising a ramp to an inclined arrangement with respect to a housing, locking the ramp in the inclined arrangement with respect to the housing, and shifting a center of gravity of the vehicle. Shifting the center of gravity of the vehicle includes (a) launching the wheel of the vehicle up the ramp locked in the inclined arrangement with respect to the housing; and (b) lifting one side of the vehicle. The one side of the vehicle has the wheel. 
       Apparatuses, Systems and Methods for Affecting Forward Motion of a Vehicle 
       [0031]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic side and front views, respectively, illustrating a first or stowed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device  10  in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure. In the stowed configuration shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the device  10  can be packaged in a housing  20 . The housing  20 , which can possibly be reused, repackaged, or be recharged, is positioned in the path of an oncoming target vehicle V. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the housing  20  is configured as a road protuberance that at least partially protrudes above a road surface R. Such protuberances are typically referred to as a “speed bump” (also referred to as a “speed hump,” “road hump” or “sleeping policeman”). In other embodiments, the housing  20  may be laid on top of the road surface R. In still other embodiments, the housing  20  may be configured to be installed in a cut-away so as to be flush with the road surface R. In any event, the housing  20  may be configured such that its capability for vehicle destabilization is concealed from a driver of an oncoming target vehicle. 
         [0033]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  is deployed under the vehicle V. In certain embodiments, the device  10  can be permanently coupled in or on the road surface R in a regular path way of traffic, or the device can be deployed from the side of the road surface R. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view illustrating a system, including the vehicle destabilizing device  10 , for arresting the forward motion of the vehicle V in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure. A sensor  50  is shown disposed in front of the device  10 , e.g., between the oncoming vehicle V and the device  10 . 
         [0035]    The sensor  50  can be used to determine the presence of the vehicle V. For example, the sensor  50  can determine the presence of one or more characteristics of a vehicle including mass, heat, sound, electromagnetic field, vibration, motion, or another suitable property. The device  10  can be remotely armed and the sensor  50  can detect the proximity of an oncoming vehicle to initiate the deployment sequence. 
         [0036]    According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, individual sensors can be disposed on or inside the housing  20 . For example, a proximity sensor can send an electrical signal to a pyrotechnical actuator, or another suitable sensor can signal a corresponding suitable actuator. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one upsetting bump  70 , e.g., a speed bump or a speed dot can be positioned in front of the sensor  50 . The upsetting bumps  70 , three are shown in  FIG. 2 , can be placed prior to the device  10  to aid in disrupting the forward motion of the vehicle V, e.g., by upsetting the vehicle V as it approaches the destabilizing device  10 . In other embodiments, the upsetting bump(s)  70  can be omitted. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic side and front views, respectively, illustrating a second or deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device  100  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle destabilizing device  100  includes a lift device  130  and a ramp  140 . 
         [0039]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a lift device  130  raises a trailing end  140   a  of the ramp  140 , which acts on one wheel W to create lift on one side of the vehicle V. The lift device  130  can include a piston actuator, an inflatable actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an energetic actuator (e.g., a pyrotechnical device), or any actuator suitable for raising the ramp  140  up from the road surface R. The ramp  140  can include any suitable structural member and can have a leading end  140   b  pivotally coupled to the housing  20 . Alternatively, the leading end  140   b  can be freely disposed relative to the housing  20 . 
         [0040]    The device  100  is positioned on one side of the road surface R to lift the wheel W on one side of the vehicle V. Lifting one side of a vehicle in motion deflects and/or destabilizes the center of gravity of the moving vehicle, thereby causing the vehicle&#39;s forward momentum to be deflected and causing the vehicle to tip over or overturn. In certain embodiments, two or more actuators can lift the trailing ends of corresponding ramps so as to lift individual wheels on the same side of a vehicle. 
         [0041]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lift device  130  can include a pneumatically actuated air bag. The air bag expands in approximately 30 milliseconds and exerts up to approximately 100,000 pounds of force in raising the trailing end  140   b  approximately 30 inches above the road surface R. Such an arrangement can overturn and/or deflect the forward motion of a vehicle weighing up to approximately 30 tons that is moving up to approximately 50 to 60 miles-per-hour. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic side and front views, respectively, illustrating the second or deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device  200  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle destabilizing device  200  includes one or more lift devices  230  (individual lift devices  230   a  and  230   b  are shown in  FIG. 4A ) and corresponding lift surfaces  240  (individual lift surfaces  240   a  and  240   b  are shown in  FIG. 4A ). 
         [0043]    As compared to the vehicle destabilizing device  100  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the lift surfaces  240  of the vehicle destabilizing device  200  are not pivoted. Instead, the lift devices  230  elevate the lift surfaces  240  out of the housing  20 . Otherwise, the lift devices  230  and lift surfaces  240  are generally similar to the lift device  130  and the ramp  140 , respectively, of the vehicle destabilizing device  100 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematic side and front views, respectively, illustrating the second or deployed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device  300  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle destabilizing device  300  includes a lift device  330  and a ramp  340 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a lift device  330  raises a leading end  340   b  of the ramp  340 , which engages the chassis C of a vehicle V after at least one wheel W has passed over the vehicle destabilizing device  300 . 
         [0046]    Lift on one side of the vehicle V is created by the forward momentum of the vehicle V in a manner similar to that used during an Olympic pole vault. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the trailing end  340   a  of the ramp  340  is pivotally coupled to the housing  20 . Alternatively, the trailing end  340   b  can be freely disposed relative to the housing  20  and ramp  340  can leverage off of the preceding wheel W of the vehicle V to create a fulcrum point. The leading end  340   b,  having been raised by the lift device  330 , catches on or otherwise engages the underside, e.g., the chassis C, of the vehicle V. The vaulting action of the ramp  340  lifts one side of the vehicle V and deflects and/or destabilizes the center of gravity of the vehicle V. As with the vehicle destabilizing devices  100  and  200 , the vehicle destabilizing device  300  causes the vehicle&#39;s forward momentum to be deflected and/or causes the vehicle to tip over or overturn. Otherwise, the lift devices  330  and ramp  340  are generally similar to the lift device  130  and the ramp  140 , respectively, of the vehicle destabilizing device  100 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6 ,  7 A and  7 B illustrate a stowed configuration of a vehicle destabilizing device  400  in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The device includes a base or housing  410  that rests on or is otherwise fixed to a road surface R that is in the pathway of a target vehicle (not shown). The housing  410  includes a leading ramp  412   a  and a trailing ramp  412   b  with respect to a direction of vehicle travel indicated with the arrows A 1  and A 2 . The destabilizing device  400  in the stowed configuration as shown in  FIG. 6  presents the appearance of a conventional speed bump or speed table to an approaching driver. Accordingly, a non-target vehicle approaching the stowed destabilizing device  400 , e.g., arrow A 1 , initially encounters the leading ramp  412   a,  which leads onto a destabilizing member  420 , and then exits off the destabilizing device  400 , e.g., arrow A 2 , via the trailing ramp  412   b . Accordingly, the destabilizing member  420  may include a ramp that extends between a leading edge  420   a  that is proximate to the leading ramp  412   a  and a trailing edge  420   b  that is proximate to the trailing ramp  412   b.    
         [0048]    Referring additionally to  FIG. 7A , the destabilizing member  420  may include a plurality of notches  422  (individual notches  422   a - d  are shown in  FIG. 7A ) in the leading edge  420   a.    FIG. 7A  also shows that the trailing ramp  412   a  may include a plurality of notch pairs  414  (individual notch pairs  414   a - d  are shown in  FIG. 7A ). As will be further described below, the notches  422  and the notch pairs  414  receive various links in the deployed configuration of the destabilizing device  400 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7B , the destabilizing member  420  may include a convex surface  424 . The surface  424  may provide a smooth transition from the leading ramp  412   a  to the trailing ramp  412   b  when a wheel of a non-target vehicle rolls over the destabilizing device  400 . In other embodiments, the surface  424  may be flat, a combination of convex and flat contours, or any contour that is suitable for leading from the leading ramp  412   a  to the trailing ramp  412   b  in the stowed configuration of the destabilizing device  400 . The surface  424  may be protected with a coating, e.g., paint or plastic, to protect the surface  424   
         [0050]    A plurality of webs  430  (only one web  430   a  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7B ) may reinforce the contour of the surface  424 . Each web  430  may extend between a leading end  430   a  that is proximate to the leading ramp  412   a  and a trailing end  430   b  that is proximate to the trailing ramp  412   b.  The leading end  430   a  may be pivotally disposed with respect to the housing  410 . For example, one or more pivot pins  432  may pivotally couple the webs  430  to the housing  410  as will be further described below. Individual webs  430  may also include a slot  434  extending from approximately a midpoint of the web  430  toward the trailing end  430   b.  As will be further described below, each slot  434  receives a sliding pin  436  of a cooperating linkage. Each web  430  may also include one or more additional openings  438  (individual openings  438   ba - c  are shown in  FIG. 7B ) to reduce the weight without adversely affecting the strength of the web  430 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 A and  9 B illustrate a deployed configuration of the vehicle destabilizing device  400 . A lifting device  440  as further described below elevates the destabilizing member  420  to an inclined arrangement. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9A , the pins  432  pivotally couple the webs  430  to flanges  416 , which are coupled to the housing  410 . The flanges  416  extend between and support the leading and trailing ramps  412   a  and  412   b.  Each flange  416  includes an “L” shaped lock slot  418   a  and a cutout  418   b  as will be further described below. The flanges  416  are received in the notches  422  in the inclined arrangement of the destabilizing member  420 . 
         [0052]    A locking device  450  includes pairs of support links  452  (individual pairs of support links  452   a - d  are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9B ) and pairs of lock links  454  (four pairs of lock links  454  are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9B ). Each pair of support links  452  is pivotally coupled to a corresponding flange  416  proximate to the trailing ramp  412   b  and is slidingly coupled to a corresponding web  430 . The pairs of support links  452  are slidingly coupled to the webs  430  via the sliding pins  436  and the slots  434 . The pairs of support links  452  may be received in the notch pairs  414  of the trailing ramp  412   b  when the pairs of support links  452  are in an erected arrangement. 
         [0053]    Each pair of lock links  454  extends between a first end  454   a  and a second end  454   b.  The first ends  454   a  are pivotally coupled by link pins  456  (only one link pin is indicated in  FIG. 8 ) at approximately a midpoint along a corresponding pair of support links  452 . The second ends  454   b  are slidingly coupled to a corresponding flange  416  via lock pins  458  (only one lock pin  458  is indicated in  FIGS. 8 and 9A ), which extend through a correspond lock slots  418   a.    
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-9B , the destabilizing device  400  in the stowed configuration includes: (a) the destabilizing member  420  is pivotally supported with respect to the housing  410  by the pins  432  such that the trailing edge  420   b  and the trailing end  430   b  of the webs  430  are proximate to the trailing ramp  412   b;  (b) the sliding pins  436  are in the slots  434  generally proximate to the midpoints of the webs  430  and the link pins  456  are received in the cutouts  418   a  in the flanges  416 ; and (c) the lock pins  458  are near or at ends of the longer branches of the lock slots  418   a.  The destabilizing device  400  in the deployed configuration includes: (a) the destabilizing member  420  inclined with respect to the housing  410  such that the trailing edge  420   b  and the trailing end  430   b  of the webs  430  are pivoted away from the trailing ramp  412   b ; (b) the sliding pins  436  have moved in the slots  434  to generally proximate to the trailing end  430   b  of the webs  430 ; and (c) the lock pins  458  are in the shorter branches of the lock slots  418   a.  Thus, the lifting device  440  raises the destabilizing member  420  from an approximately horizontal position to the inclined arrangement and also erects the pairs of support links  452  from an approximately horizontal position. This lifting and erecting may occur in less than 250 milliseconds, e.g., in approximately 100 milliseconds or less. As the pairs of support links  452  are erected, the pairs of lock links  454  draw the lock pins  458  along the length of the longer branches of the lock slots  418   a  until the lock pins  458  drop into the shorter branches of the lock slots  418   a . Accordingly, dropping the lock pins  458  in the shorter branches of the lock slots  418   a  secure the pairs of support links  452  in an erected arrangement, which secures the destabilizing member  420  in the inclined arrangement. 
         [0055]    As best seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , erecting the pairs of support links  452  may also cause pairs of spikes  460  (individual pairs of spikes  460   a - d  are shown in  FIG. 9B ) to project downward from the housing  410 . These pairs of spikes  460  may embed in the road surface R to avoid or prevent movement of the destabilizing device  400  with respect to the road surface R when a target vehicle engages the destabilizing device  400  in the deployed configuration. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , corresponding flanges  416 , pairs of lock links  454 , pairs of support links  452 , and pairs of webs  430  are nested together in a group. Four of these groups are shown distributed between the housing  410  and the destabilizing member  420 ; however, it is envisioned that the destabilizing device  400  may include more or less groups that can be regularly, symmetrically, or asymmetrically distributed. Although pairs of lock links, support links, and webs are described for each group, it is also envisioned that each group could have single, triple, quadruple, etc. lock links, support links, and webs. Further, each group may include more than one flange. In the stowed configuration shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 A and  7 B, each group consists of a single flange  416  horizontally nested within a pair of lock links  454 , which are horizontally nested within a pair of support links  452 , which are horizontally nested within a pair of webs  430 . Nesting horizontally, or at least approximately horizontally, may reduce the overall height of the destabilizing device  400  in the stowed configuration. 
         [0057]    Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure can control the deployment movement of the destabilizing device  400 , e.g., control the speed at which the destabilizing member  420  moves between the stowed and deployed configurations. For example, it may be desirable to slow the speed that the destabilizing member  420  moves as it is approaches the deployed configuration, thus reducing the momentum of the destabilizing member  420  and reducing a counter force for positioning the destabilizing device  400  with respect to the road surface R. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the number and/or size of stakes fixing the housing  410  to the road surface R. The shape, position, and/or angular orientation of the slots  434  in the webs  430  may control the deployment of the destabilizing device  400 . For example, the force required to erect the pairs of support links  452  may increase as the destabilizing member  420  approaches the inclined arrangement. This may be caused by varying the relative angle between the slots  434  and the arcuate paths of the sliding pins  436  as set by the length of the pairs of support links  452 . Additionally or alternatively, the width of the slot  434  may taper so as to increasing the relative friction between the slots  434  and the sliding pins  436  as the pairs of support links  452  approach the erected arrangement. 
         [0058]    Certain other embodiments according to the present disclosure may have different devices and/or mechanisms for locking the destabilizing member  420  in the inclined arrangement or for controlling the movement of the destabilizing member  420 . For example, a telescopically nested group of posts may be pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the destabilizing member  420  and the housing  410 . The extent to which the group of posts can be telescopically expanded may of set, e.g., by spring biased locking members, to fix one post to a telescopically adjacent post. Friction members placed between telescopically adjacent posts can be deformed or cause the posts to be deformed for controlling the movement of the destabilizing member  420 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  shows a strap  470  coupled to the destabilizing member  420  and the housing  410 . The strap  470  may limit a distance that the destabilizing member  420  can travel with respect to the housing  410 . Further, the elastic properties of the strap  470  can be selected to control the movement of the destabilizing member  420  at the limit of its travel with respect to the housing  410 . Additionally or alternatively, folds of the strap  470  can be sewn together with rip stitches to control the movement of the destabilizing member  420  with respect to the housing  410 . Varying the size of the folds and/or the force required to burst the rip stitches can vary the control along the travel of the destabilizing member  420  with respect to the housing  410 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate details of the lifting device  440  for the vehicle destabilizing device  400 . The lifting device  440  shown in  FIG. 11A and 11B  includes a gas spring  442  coupled to a gas supply  446 . Referring additionally to  FIG. 11C , the gas spring  442  can include a bladder  442   a  fixed between a top plate  442   b  and a bottom plate  442   c.  One example of a suitable bladder  442   a  is a triple convoluted bladder (part number YI-FT 960-34-761) manufactured by Enidine USA of Orchard Park, N.Y. The top plate  442   b  may include a fixture  444  to contact or to be coupled with the destabilizing member  420 . The bottom plate  442   c  may provide a fluid coupling between the inside of the bladder  442   a  and the gas supply  446 . The gas supply  446  can include a cold gas supply, e.g., a pressurized air tank, coupled for fluid communication with the bottom plate  442   c  via a conduit  448   a  and a valve  448   b.  The valve  448   b  can include a normally closed, pyrotechnically opened valve for rapidly inflating the gas spring  442 . The bladder  442   a  can also include a pressure relief valve (not shown) that may vent pressure from the bladder  442   a  at such time as the lifting device  440  has completing deployment, e.g., the destabilizing member  420  is locked in the inclined arrangement by the locking device  450 . 
         [0061]    Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure can lift the destabilizing member  420  with devices that use one or more bladders, bladders having different arrangements, shapes or sizes, and/or one or more gas supplies including different fluids or a gas generator. Additionally, pyrotechnical, hydraulic, electrical or mechanical devices can be used together with and/or in lieu of the lifting device  440 . 
         [0062]    A method according to embodiments of the present disclosure for implementing a vehicle destabilizing device will now be described. A vehicle destabilizing device  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  can be positioned in a “decision zone” that can be positioned prior to a “stop zone” at a checkpoint, an entry gate, or any other location at which it is desirable to screen vehicle traffic. A vehicle approaching the location would typically slow to allow security personnel manning the location to have an opportunity to investigate the vehicle as it comes to a stop in the decision zone. A friendly vehicle is typically allowed to pass through the decision zone and bypass the stop zone. In the event that a vehicle does not halt for investigation in the decision zone, the security personnel can selectively arm the vehicle destabilizing device  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400  such that prior to the vehicle rolling over the vehicle destabilizing device  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400 , the sensor  50  will initiate deploying the vehicle destabilizing device  100 ,  200 ,  300  or  400 . As the target vehicle approaches the vehicle destabilizing devices  100 , or the target vehicle rolls over the vehicle destabilizing devices  200  or  300 , the lifting devices  130 ,  230  or  330  are actuated such that the ramp  140  raises a wheel W, the lift surface  240  elevates a wheel W, or the ramp  340  vaults the chassis C. Similarly, as a target vehicle approaches the vehicle destabilizing device  400 , the lifting device  440  lifts and then the locking device  450  locks the destabilizing member  420  in the inclined arrangement for launching a wheel W. The inclined arrangement may include an angle of inclination with respect to the road surface R of between approximately 25 degrees and approximately 45 degrees, e.g., approximately 36.5 degrees. Upward motion acting on the chassis and/or one or more wheels on one side of the vehicle throws off the center of gravity of the vehicle, and the vehicle&#39;s forward motion is deflected and/or the vehicle is overturned. Moreover, the upward motion and/or subsequent return of a target vehicle to the road surface may be likely to damage the vehicle, e.g., bend or break the suspension, such that the vehicle is not serviceable to continue moving. 
         [0063]    According to the present disclosure, several embodiments can include a vehicle destabilizing device that is packaged in the form of or housed in a portable speed-bump that is meant to be positioned in the path of traffic at a selective location or pathway of traffic. The speed bump can be used to slow down traffic and, unbeknownst to an operator of a target vehicle, the vehicle destabilizing device can arrest the forward movement of the target vehicle. The vehicle destabilizing device can include one or more sections, e.g., each four feet wide, position side-to-side for extending partially or entirely across a road surface of any width. 
         [0064]    According to the present disclosure, several embodiments of a vehicle destabilizing device can be remotely armed in anticipation of a target vehicle. As the target vehicle approaches the vehicle destabilizing device, the lifting device can be deployed to initiate a series of destabilizing events. Else, the vehicle destabilizing device can also be remotely disarmed prior to a non-target vehicle reaching the vehicle destabilizing device. Once disarmed, the vehicle destabilizing device can serve back as a conventional speed-bump for merely slowing traffic. 
         [0065]    According to the present disclosure, several embodiments of the vehicle destabilizing device can also be permanently or semi-permanently housed at or below the road surface on a drive way or pathway and remotely or directly activated in according to an aforementioned manner. Multiple vehicle destabilizing devices can be placed in sequence to overturn large vehicles. 
         [0066]    Vehicle destabilizing devices in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with preceding speed bumps or speed dots that aid in disrupting forward motion of a vehicle by upsetting the vehicle before it reaches the destabilizing device. 
         [0067]    Additional embodiments according to the present disclosure can include batteries or solar cells to provide electrical power for the vehicle destabilizing device, indicators for the state of the battery charge and whether the vehicle destabilizing device has been armed, self diagnostics to evaluate the operability of the vehicle destabilizing device, and wireless or wired controllers for remotely arming of the vehicle destabilizing device from a suitable distance. Moreover, embodiments according to the present disclosure can include reinforcements to withstand heavy vehicles passing over the vehicle destabilizing device or can include features for protecting the vehicle destabilizing device from exposure to various environments such as water or sand. 
         [0068]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4