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(11) | EP 1 728 925 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Vehicle blocking device |
| (57) A device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles
along a pathway, the device comprising: a frame (11) for, in use, insertion into the
pathway; a blocking element (21) connected to and movable relative to the frame between
a first position in which, in use, the blocking element allows passage along the pathway
and a second position in which, in use, the blocking element projects from the frame
so as to prevent passage along the pathway; and a latch element (24) on the blocking
element for engaging with the frame when the blocking element is in the second position.
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[0001] This invention relates to a device for selectively allowing and preventing passage of one or more vehicles along a pathway and, in particular, to such a device which is located substantially within the pathway along which it is intended to control passage.
[0002] Various types of device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles along a pathway are known. In the simplest construction, one or more poles are pivotally connected to a surface such that they can be moved between a substantially horizontal position in which passage is allowed along a pathway and a substantially vertical position, into which they can be locked, thereby preventing passage along the pathway on which they are located. Such devices are extremely simple to manufacture and therefore are relatively cheap, but do not provide a significant deterent to a large or fast moving vehicle which is able to break the pole(s) and/or the locking means without difficulty. The pole(s) may or may not be housed in the substantially horizontal position within the pathway itself. However, the drawback that they are relatively unsubstantial and cannot withstand a vehicle colliding with them, in a determined effort to pass along the pathway which they block, means that they are not suitable for high security locations.
[0003] Other devices comprise one or more barrier elements which can be raised into position to prevent the passage along a pathway, many of which are hydraulically operated and are significantly more sturdy that the simple pole arrangement described above.
[0004] For example, it is well known to construct, typically from steel or other suitably strong material, a framework which is located substantially within the pathway, typically within a concrete casing within the ground. The framework supports, typically in a pivotal arrangement, a blocking element which can be raised from a first position in which its uppermost surface is substantially level with or below the surface of the ground and a second position in which at least a portion of the blocking element projects above the surface of the pathway to prevent passage along that pathway.
[0005] In order to present a significant barrier to vehicles and, in particular, to larger vehicles such as jeeps, lorries and coaches, such blocking elements typically project, in the second position, approximately one metre above the surface of the pathway which they are blocking.
[0006] In a collision between a vehicle and the blocking element, the majority of the force transmitted from the vehicle to the blocking element travels down the blocking element into the framework within the ground, typically through the connections between the blocking element and the frame, such that a significant proportion of the force of the impact is absorbed on the frame within the ground and its support structure.
[0007] However, the blocking elements of such devices tend to crumple if collisions with larger vehicles, for example over 5 tonnes in weight, or at higher speeds are encountered, for example, a vehicle travelling at 50 mph.
[0008] The present invention aims to provide a device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles along a pathway which provides increased strength in order to prevent passage of larger and/or faster vehicles.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles along a pathway, the device comprising:
a frame for, in use, insertion into the pathway;
a blocking element connected to and moveable relative to the frame between a first position in which, in use, the blocking element allows passage along the pathway and a second position in which, in use, the blocking element projects from the frame so as to prevent passage along the pathway; and
a latch element on the blocking element for engaging with the frame when the blocking element is in the second position.
[0010] Blocking devices of the type described in the present invention are particularly useful on the entry roads in to secure locations such as embassies, military bases, government buildings and the like and are intended to provide a significant deterrent to vehicles attempting to gain entry to those secure locations. As such, the strength and stopping ability of the blocking devices is paramount.
[0011] The provision of the latch element between the blocking element and the frame ensures that a greater proportion of the strength of the frame can be utilised in absorbing an impact on the blocking element.
[0012] A plurality of latch elements may be provided at different positions on the blocking element. In particular, it is preferable that each latch element engages with the frame on the opposite side of the frame to the connection of the frame and the blocking element. Although the blocking element may be moved into the second position in any suitable manner, it is preferable that the blocking element is pivotally connected to the frame such that, when the blocking element is in the second position, the pivot is on the opposite side of the blocking element from the intended direction from which a collision would occur. By providing the latch on the portion of the blocking element facing the intended direction of the collision, the latch can engage with the front of the frame and utilise the strength of this portion of the frame to absorb an impact. The force of the impact is distributed over a greater proportion of the frame and therefore the device can more readily withstand either impacts from heavier vehicles or impacts at greater speed.
[0013] The device of the present invention preferably further comprises an actuator for moving the blocking element between the first and second positions and the actuator is preferably hydraulically operated, although it may be driven by electric motors or the like.
[0014] The actuator is preferably arranged such that it has a fail safe mode so that, if power to the actuator is lost, the blocking element is biassed towards, or retained within, the second position, thereby ensuring that the blocking element remains in a blocking position.
[0015] The device may include one or more locking mechanisms for retaining the blocking element in the second position. Additionally and/or alternatively, the hydraulic actuator may provide part or all of that function.
[0016] The blocking element preferably includes a blocking face, the blocking face having at least one elongate support element which extends across substantially the whole of the width of the blocking element. In this arrangement, an impact on one end of the blocking face of the blocking element is distributed across the whole of the blocking element, thereby improving the overall strength of the device.
[0017] The blocking face may be frangible, such that an input with a vehicle, a serrated edge or other suitable piercing device is revealed for engaging the tyre(s) of the colliding vehicle to prevent it driving over the blocking device.
[0018] One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a view from the front, above and one side of a blocking device of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the device of Figure 1 in the raised position;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the blocking element only, when in the lowered orientation; and
Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the blocking element of Figure 3.
[0019] Figure 1 shows a device 10 for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles along a pathway, the device comprising a framework 11 which, as can be seen in Figure 2, is located within the ground 12 in use. The framework 11 comprises an upper 13 and a lower 14 support channel spaced apart by a plurality of substantially vertical props 15, typically in the form of an I-beam. A similar construction is used on the rear of the device and has upper 16 and lower 17 support channels spaced apart by props 15. Additional props 18, again in the form of I-beams, are provided between upper 19 and lower 19a side channels. Thus, the frame 11 defines a substantially box-like enclosure 20. A blocking element 21 is pivotally connected to the frame 11 at the rear upper channel 16. In Figures 1 and 2, the blocking element 21 is shown in the raised position in which it projects above the level of the pathway 22. In Figures 1 and 2, a blocking face 23 faces the intended direction of impact and takes the form of an arcuate surface.
[0020] The blocking face 23 is formed by a plurality of sheets of steel or other suitable material which are riveted to the framework of the blocking element 21 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Alternatively they may be fixed by welding or other means.
[0021] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the blocking element 21 is provided with a plurality of latch elements 24 which have an engagement portion 25 which engages with the upper front channel section 13 when the blocking element 21 is in the second raised position. By engaging with the upper front channel 13, any impact on the blocking face 23 of the blocking element 21 is not only absorbed in the blocking element itself and by the pivotal connection between the blocking element 21 and the frame 11, but is also transmitted through the latching of the blocking element 21 to the upper front channel 13 of the frame. The impact is thus dissappated throughout the whole of the frame 11, thereby greatly enhancing the strength of the overall device.
[0022] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the blocking element 21 takes the form of a cylinder having a cross section which is a segment. The blocking element 21 is formed from a plurality of structural members 26 radiating from the apex of the segment and which, at their other end, are bound by the blocking face 23. A curved support member 27 also joins the distal ends of the support members 26. Adjacent curved elements are joined, along the direction of the phase 23, by a plurality of elongate support tubes 28 which help to dissapate an impact on the blocking face 23 across the entire width of the element 21.
1. A device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more vehicles
along a pathway, the device comprising:
a frame for, in use, insertion into the pathway;
a blocking element connected to and movable relative to the frame between a first position in which, in use, the blocking element allows passage along the pathway and a second position in which, in use, the blocking element projects from the frame so as to prevent passage along the pathway; and
a latch element on the blocking element for engaging with the frame when the blocking element is in the second position.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the latch element engages with the frame on
the opposite side of the frame to the connection of the frame and the blocking element.
3. A device according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the blocking element is pivotally
connected to the frame.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuator
for moving the blocking element between the first and second positions.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is hydraulically operated.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is arranged so as to move the
blocking element to, or retain the blocking element in, the second position if hydraulic
pressure is lost.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mechanism
for locking the blocking element in the second position.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking element
includes a blocking face, the blocking face having at least one elongate support element
which extends across substantially the whole of the width of the blocking element.