AU2006101002A4 - A Land Vehicle Barrier - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA, PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT TITLE: A LAND VEHICLE BARRIER APPLICANT: LEDA TRADING PTY LTD ACN 003328845 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING IT KNOWN TO ME:

TITLE

A land vehicle barrier C) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is in the field of land vehicle barriers.

PRIOR ART It has been known to provide fixed and retractable bollards for controlling or obstructing the pathway of ground travelling vehicles in physical perimeter security and or vehicle control applications, however this solution while effective can be aesthetically undesirable particularly in open spaces that need to be secured.

Furthermore the installation procedure generally requires structural reinforcement below the ground level to provide an effective anchor for such barriers which can involve expensive design and or installation issues which is complicated even more in retrospective installations where the ground is already formed of a concrete type base. The structural performance of these types of barriers is contingent on the size, material and integrity of the foundations of the bollards.

It also has been known to provide other physically bulky and heavy barriers for controlling or obstructing the pathway of ground travelling vehicles in physical perimeter security and or vehicle control applications that sit on the ground, however this solution relies on the physical weight of the barrier to resist impact from a land vehicle that pushes or rams the barrier. One solution for increasing the resistance to impact for these types of barriers is to increase the overall weight of the barrier which generally increases the overall size and or bulk of the barrier while effective can be aesthetically undesirable in some circumstances, and generally increases the difficulty with which these barriers are handled during manufacture, installation and or maintenance operations.

For clarification purposes disclosures herein of what is known or is prior art is not an admission that it is common general knowledge in the relevant art in any sense whatsoever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome at least some of the problems or limitations of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

In one aspect the invention provides a barrier for obstructing the pathway of a ground travelling vehicle that includes an underside and at least one recess in the underside that extends in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation from the underside when the barrier is on the ground wherein the at least one recess engages at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation and in cooperation with the corresponding longitudinal member resists substantially horizontal movement of the barrier relative to the ground surface but not movement in a vertical or substantially vertical direction relative to the ground surface.

Preferably the barrier is made of precast reinforced concrete.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the barrier is a planter box for receiving soil and plant matter, and the at least one recess is a cylindrical shaped recess, and the corresponding longitudinal member protruding M from the ground surface is a metal bollard, pipe, rod or bar.

SPreferably the planter box is cylindrical in shape or may alternatively be triangular, rectangular, or other polygon shaped.

SPreferably the longitudinal member is a metal bollard, pipe, tube, rod, angle, T bar or H bar.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the barrier includes a seating platform for pedestrian traffic, and the at least one recess is a cylindrical shaped recess, and the corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface is a metal bollard, pipe, rod or bar.

Preferably the barrier is in the shape of a solid cylinder or a solid triangular, rectangular or other polygon shaped prism having at least one pair of parallel polygon sides.

Preferably the longitudinal member is a metal bollard, pipe, tube, rod, angle, T bar or H bar.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of constructing a barrier for obstructing the pathway of a ground travelling vehicle including the steps of: a) casting a barrier with reinforced concrete that includes an underside having at least one substantially cylindrical recess in the underside that extends from the underside in an vertical or substantially vertical orientation for receiving at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal structural shear member when the barrier is on the ground; b) forming a substantially cylindrical recess in the ground for each recess in the underside of the barrier for receiving at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal structural shear member in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation so that each recess in the ground will be in substantial registration with a corresponding recess in the underside of the barrier when the barrier is located in situ; c) locating a portion of a longitudinal structural shear member in each recess in the ground so that a portion of each shear member protrudes in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation above the ground surface; d) locating the barrier in situ by lifting and positioning the barrier until each recess in the underside of the barrier is in substantial registration with the corresponding portion of the shear member protruding above the ground surface and lowering the barrier until the barrier rests on the ground.

Preferably the longitudinal structural shear member is a metal bollard, pipe, tube, rod, angle, T bar or H bar.

In another aspect the invention provides a barrier for obstructing the pathway of a ground travelling vehicle that includes, an underside that rests on the ground surface, and at least one recess in the underside that extends in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation from the underside when the barrier is resting on the 0 ground wherein the at least one recess covers or engages at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation, and in M cooperation with the corresponding longitudinal member resists shear or substantially horizontal movement of the barrier relative to the ground surface but not movement in a vertical or substantially vertical direction Srelative to the ground surface.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of constructing a barrier for obstructing the pathway of a 0 ground travelling vehicle including the steps of: a) precasting a barrier with reinforced concrete that includes an underside that can rest on the ground Csurface; b) casting at least one recess in the underside of the barrier that extends from the underside in an vertical or substantially vertical orientation for receiving at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal structural shear member; c) core drilling a corresponding cylindrical recess in the ground in substantial registration with the recess in the underside of the barrier for receiving at least a portion of the corresponding longitudinal structural shear member in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation; d) locating a portion of the corresponding longitudinal structural shear member in the corresponding cylindrical recess in the ground so that a portion of the shear member protrudes in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation above the ground surface; e) locating the barrier in situ by lifting and positioning the barrier until the at least one recess in the underside of the barrier is in substantial registration with the corresponding portion of the shear member protruding above the ground surface and lowering the barrier until the underside rests on the ground.

Preferably the shear member is a metal bollard, pipe, tube, rod, angle, T bar or H bar.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1: illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: illustrates an elevation view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3: illustrates in an exploded view a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 2 through the plane D-D in relation to the ground that is also shown in cross section; Figure 4: illustrates a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 2 through the plane D-D in relation to the ground that is also shown in cross section when the preferred

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embodiment is located in situ; 0 Z Figure 5: illustrates a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 6: illustrates an elevation view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure Figure 7: illustrates in an exploded view a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 6 through the plane A-A in relation to the ground that is also shown in cross section; Figure 8: illustrates a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 6 through the plane A-A in relation to the ground that is also shown in cross section when the preferred

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embodiment is located in situ; Figure 9: illustrates perspective views of several alternative preferred embodiments of the invention; Figure 10: illustrates examples of preferred embodiments of the invention in application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION It is to be noted where possible features common to the various embodiments illustrated in the drawings are referred to in each drawing by a respective common feature number.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated with general reference to figures 1 to 4 in which barrier 1 is made of reinforced concrete (reinforcement is not shown) and is cast in the shape of cylindrical planter box 2 with a flat underside 3 that rests on ground 4, and includes keyway recess 5 in underside 3 that extends in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation from underside 3 when planter box 2 is located in situ on ground 4.

Recess 5 is cylindrical in shape and is cast during the casting process of planter box 2 and protrudes into planter box 2 from underside 3 and is dimensioned and orientated to cooperatively receive a portion of a corresponding key 9 such as steel pin 6 that protrudes from ground 4 in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation when planter box 2 is located in situ on ground 4.

Advantageously recess 5 is also formed of reinforced concrete (not shown) with the remainder of planter box 2 during the casting process.

While the internal longitudinal length of recess 5 can be greater than the length of the portion of pin 6 that O protrudes from ground 4, it must not be less otherwise planter box 4 will be prevented from resting on underside 3 when in situ on ground 4. Preferably the internal longitudinal length of recess 5 is marginally O greater than the length of the portion of corresponding pin 6 that protrudes from ground 4 to maximise keyed engagement between pin 6 and recess Alternatively cylindrical planter box 2 illustrated in figures 1 to 4 generally may be made in any shape as required and an example of a triangular planter box 91 and hexagonal planter box 92 is illustrated in figure 9.

0 0 S Advantageously the planter box 2 can receive soil and plant matter which aesthetically distracts the function 0 of the planter box as a vehicle barrier as illustrated in figure 0 Another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated with general reference to figures 5 to 8 in which

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barrier 1 is made of reinforced concrete (reinforcement is not shown) and cast in the shape of a solid rectangular prismatic block 52 with a flat underside 53 that rests on ground 54, and a flat topside 59 that provides a seating platform for pedestrian traffic (not shown).

Underside 53 includes two keyway recesses 55a and 55b where each recess 55a and 55b extends in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation from underside 53 when block 52 is located in situ on ground 54.

Recess 55a and 55b each are cylindrical in shape and cast during the casting process of block 52 and each protrude into block 52 from underside 53 and dimensioned and orientated to cooperatively receive a portion of a corresponding key 60 such as steel pin 56a and 56b that protrudes from ground 54 in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation when block 52 is located in situ on ground 54.

Advantageously each of recess 55a and 55b is formed of reinforced concrete (not shown) with the remainder of block 52 during the casting process.

While the internal longitudinal length of each recess 55a and 55b can be greater than the length of the portion of corresponding pin 56a and 56b that protrudes from ground 54, it must not be less otherwise block 54 will be prevented from resting on underside 53 when in situ on ground 54. Preferably the internal longitudinal length of each recess 55a and 55b is marginally greater than the length of the portion of corresponding pin 56a and 56b that protrudes from ground 54 to maximise keyed engagement between pin 56a and 56b and corresponding recess 55 and Alternatively block 52 illustrated in figures 5 to 8 generally may be made in any solid prismatic block shape as required for example it may be alternatively shaped (alternative shapes are not shown) as a solid cylindrical block, a solid cube, a solid polygon shaped block, or other freeform solid shaped block having a flat underside for resting on ground 4 and a flat topside that provides a seating platform for pedestrian traffic (not shown).

0 Advantageously the flat topside of the block aesthetically distracts the function of the block as a vehicle

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barrier.

With general reference to figures 1 to 8, in one preferred barrier 1 installation method, pin 6, 56 is inserted into cylindrical keyway recess 8, 58 in ground 4, 54 where the depth and diameter of recess 8, 58 is selectively dimensioned to cooperatively receive a portion of pin 6, 56 while allowing the remaining portion of pin 6, 56 to protrude in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation out of ground 4, 54.

Barrier 1 is then positioned over the portion of pin 6, 56 protruding out of ground 4, 54 so that recess 5, 55 in barrier 1 is in keyed registration with the portion of pin 6, 56 protruding out of ground 4, 54 and then barrier 1 is lowered on to ground 4, 54 causing recess 5, 55 to engage the portion of pin 6, 56 protruding out of O ground 4, 54 in a keyed engagement.

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Recess 8, 58 is formed by core drilling ground 4, 54 in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation to the requisite depth and diameter, in this way recess 8, 58 advantageously can be formed after ground 4, 54 is formed and finished. For example in the case of ground 4, 54 being a finished concrete base or slab with or without a further decorative surface finish such tiling, paving or pebble-crete, ground 4, 54 can be core drilled at the required location to form recess 8, 58 to receive pin 6, 56.

In an alternative (not illustrated) where ground 4, 54 may require structural reinforcement to receive recess 8, 58, a concrete footing may be first formed into ground 4, 54 and recess 8, 58 is formed in the concrete footing which provides structural reinforcement that would not have otherwisebeen available in ground 4, 54 alone.

Alternatively recess 8, 58 may be formed at the same time when ground 4, 54 is being formed for example in the case of ground 4, 54 being a concrete base or slab the formwork for the concrete base or slab can include formwork for recess 8, 58 prior to the concrete which forms the base or slab being poured, consequently when the concrete is poured recess 8, 58 is formed when the concrete cures.

In another alternative (not illustrated) pin 6, 56 is not inserted into cylindrical keyway recess 8, 58 in ground 4, 54 but rather it is formed into ground 4, 54 for example in the case of ground 4, 54 being a concrete base or slab before the concrete is poured to form the base or slab pin 6, 56 is fixedly located and orientated in the formwork in the required location and disposition so when the concrete is poured and cured it holds captive pin 6, 56 in the required location and disposition.

Advantageously when planter box 2 is on ground 4 and in keyed engagement with ground 4 via pin 6 as shown in figure 4, pin 6 resists shear or horizontal movement of planter box 2 relative to the ground surface 7 but not movement in a vertical or substantially vertical direction relative to the ground 4. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

Furthermore planter box 2 not only provides a barrier 1 to ground travelling vehicles (not shown) for example in physical perimeter security applications but it also increases the impact resistance barrier 1 presents to 0 ground travelling vehicles that ram barrier 1 than otherwise would be presented by the same barrier 1 that is not in a keyed engagement with the ground 4 via pin 6 as shown in figure 4. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

Furthermore the presence of pin 6 and the keyed engagement between planter box 2 and ground 4 as shown in figure 4 is not visually evident or ascertainable by a casual inspection of the planter box 2 when it is S in situ on ground 4 therefore the prospects that the likely impact resistance will be underestimated by a -4 ground travelling vehicle that rams the planter box are increased correspondingly increasing the effectiveness of the planter box 2 as a barrier to ground travelling vehicle for example in physical perimeter C security applications. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

As barrier 1 is in the form of a planter box 2 it provides an aesthetically acceptable solution to required physical perimeter security requirements as illustrated in Figure 10 which shows examples of different arrays of planter boxes that may be adopted to provide physical perimeter security. Similarly the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8 also provides an aesthetically acceptable solution to required physical perimeter security requirements as topside 59 on block 52 also acts a seat for pedestrian traffic (not shown).

Furthermore the keyed engagement of planter box 2 with the ground 4 via pin 6 as shown in figure 4 provides for the ready removal of the planter box 2 and pin 6 in maintenance operations by vertically lifting planter box 2 off pin 6, leaving the finish on ground 4 undisturbed other than for the recess 8 which can be readily plugged for pedestrian safety considerations as required. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

Additionally if a change in installed planter box 2 array configurations is later required then the keyed engagement of planter box 2 with the ground 4 via pin 6 as shown in figure 4 provides for the ready removal of the planter box 2 and pin 6 leaving the finish on ground 4 undisturbed other than for the corresponding recess 8 which can be readily plugged and or sealed as required, and new corresponding recess 8 can be core drilled in the newly required location and configurations to receive corresponding planter boxes 2. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

Advantageously planter box 2 maybe pre cast off the installation site and transported to site for in situ installation. Similarly the same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

As pin 6 is not fixedly integrated with planter box 2 it provides for easier, storage, handling and transport of planter box 2 both off site and on site as required. The same advantage exists in the block 52 barrier installation illustrated in figure 8.

8 The invention has been described by way of example only with reference to preferred embodiments which is not intended to introduce limitations on the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that alternative embodiments exist even though they may not have been described herein which 0 remain within the scope and spirit of the invention as broadly described herein.

z f) For example key 9 in figure 3 or key 60 in figure 5 maybe a metal bollard, pipe, tube, rod, angle, T bar or H bar or triangular in cross sectional profile (all not shown) instead of a steel pin 6 and 56 respectively which will engage the corresponding recess 5 or 55 in planter box 2 and block 52 respectively and recess 8 in O ground 4, and recess 58 in ground 54 respectively while providing the same function as pin 6, 56.

-4 In another alternative example barrier 1 may rest on ground 4, 54 by way of feet, pads or packing (not C shown) so that underside 3 is kept off the ground even when in situ facilitating lifting of barrier 1 during O handling for example by fork lift. The feet or pads may be formed with barrier 1 or may be added later.

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Claims (4)

1. A barrier for obstructing the pathway of a ground travelling vehicle that includes: an underside; and at least one recess in the underside that extends in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation from (the underside when the barrier is on the ground wherein the at least one recess engages at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation and in cooperation with the corresponding longitudinal member resists substantially horizontal movement of the barrier relative to the ground surface but not movement in a vertical or substantially vertical direction relative to the ground surface. 'I

2. A barrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein the barrier is made of pre-cast reinforced concrete.

3. A barrier in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein: the barrier is a planter box for receiving soil and plant matter; and the at least one recess is a cylindrical shaped recess; and the corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface is a metal bollard, pipe, rod or bar.

4. A barrier in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein: the barrier includes a seating platform for pedestrian traffic; and a the at least one recess is a cylindrical shaped recess; and the corresponding longitudinal member protruding from the ground surface is a metal bollard, pipe, rod or bar. A method of constructing a barrier for obstructing the pathway of a ground travelling vehicle including the steps of: a) casting a barrier with reinforced concrete that includes an underside having at least one substantially cylindrical recess in the underside that extends from the underside in an vertical or substantially vertical orientation for receiving at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal structural shear member when the barrier is on the ground; b) forming a substantially cylindrical recess in the ground for each recess in the underside of the barrier for receiving at least a portion of a corresponding longitudinal structural shear member in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation so that each recess in the ground will be in substantial registration with a corresponding recess in the underside of the barrier when the barrier is located in situ; c) locating a portion of a longitudinal structural shear member in each recess in the ground so that a portion of each shear member protrudes in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation above the ground surface; d) locating the barrier in situ by lifting and positioning the barrier until each recess in the underside of the barrier is in substantial registration with the corresponding portion of the shear member protruding above the ground surface and lowering the barrier until the barrier rests on the ground. By the applicant's patent attorneys sam &co 30 November 2006 0 0 t" O- 09 ^0