CA2616566A1 - Combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier - Google Patents
Combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2616566A1 CA2616566A1 CA002616566A CA2616566A CA2616566A1 CA 2616566 A1 CA2616566 A1 CA 2616566A1 CA 002616566 A CA002616566 A CA 002616566A CA 2616566 A CA2616566 A CA 2616566A CA 2616566 A1 CA2616566 A1 CA 2616566A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- blast protection
- protection structure
- arrangement
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- F41H11/00—Defence installations; Defence devices
- F41H11/08—Barbed-wire obstacles; Barricades; Stanchions; Tank traps; Vehicle-impeding devices; Caltrops
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42D—BLASTING
- F42D5/00—Safety arrangements
- F42D5/04—Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless
- F42D5/045—Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
An inflatable blast protection structure comprises a base 14 and at least one pair of side elements 12, said base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container for fluid, the container(2) forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that when inflated with fluid said side elements each form a rigid wall section, characterised in that, when inflated the base (14) and sides (12) frm an approximately triangular shape in cross section wherein the base is wider than a top of the structure.
Description
Title: CONBINED BLAST PROTECTION STRUCTURE AND VEHICLE
BARRIER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority date of Great Britain Application No. GB0625395.9 as filed on December 20, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier, particularly but not exclusively for inhibiting or stopping potential driven car bombs.
Large masses of concrete and the like have been used to prevent access of cars, but they are not suitable for rapid deployment or even blast protection. When an explosion occurs in their vicinity, pieces of concrete have a tendency to break off and become missiles.
A classic temporary blast protection wall is made of sandbags. Although sandbags are of proven value, they do have drawbacks. They are time consuming to erect and not that easy to fill. They generally have to be filled at least a short distance away from where the wall is to be built, and hence have to be carried there after filling.
Further, a suitable filling material is not always readily available, and once the need for the wall is over, emptying the bags and disposing of the filling material can be as problematic as filling them and building the wall in the first place. Additionally, they are unattractive to look at and may raise concern to the public when deployed in public places.
An alternative that has been in more recent use, comprises tanks of water, built up like bricks. The tanks are generally of black or at least dark plastics material and are substantially rigid. They are fairly light when empty, and so courses of tanks can easily be placed one adjacent another to form a wall, and then filled in situ from a hose, using either a local water supply or from a tanker. But they are bulky items to store and transport, and they cannot readily be formed into a blast protection structure. Also, being opaque, they cannot be checked at a glance to see whether they are full or empty.
EP 276918 shows a blast protection structure in the form of a flexible container filled with liquid. WO
95/08749 shows a screening device having a liquid filled rupturable polyethylene tube. DE 3112729 shows hoses filled with water which may be wrapped around a support.
One problem not addressed by the prior art immediately above, is the stopping of moving cars and providing protection against a subsequent blast if the car contains a bomb. A structure which can be quickly deployed and is usable for this purpose is shown in the embodiment herein.
In particular the use of a triangular shaped barrier formed as detailed below allows blast protection and vehicle stopping capabilities.
According to a first aspect the present invention, there is provided an inflatable blast protection structure comprising: a base and at least one pair of side elements, said base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container for fluid, the container(s) forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that when inflated with fluid said side elements each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that, when inflated the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section wherein the base is wider than the top of the structure.
According to a second embodiment the invention provides an elongate inflated blast protection structure comprising: a base and at least one pair of side elements, the base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container filled with fluid, the container(s) forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that they each form a ri_gid wall section, characterized in that the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section having a base which is wider than a top of the structure.
A plurality of such inflatable blast protection structures may be secured end to end to form an elongate triangular shape to form an elongate vehicle barrier and to afford an elongate blast protection structure.
The base may contain the internal reinforcement also.
Preferably said rigid walls have inner and outer surfaces which are substantially planar and parallel.
Preferably the internal reinforcement is formed from drop stitch material or other multiple flexible internal members joining the inner and outer surfaces. The drop stitch material, may comprise two parallel skins interconnected by a dense uniform "forest" of equal length filaments so that if the skins are urged apart (as when they form opposite sides of a container are filled with fluid) they remain flat and parallel rather than bulging.
This provides a degree of uniformity at opposed faces and produces a rigid structure that is not easy to dislodge using a vehicle.
Conveniently the base and walls are formed from a single folded container, joined at the top of the structure.
BARRIER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the priority date of Great Britain Application No. GB0625395.9 as filed on December 20, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier, particularly but not exclusively for inhibiting or stopping potential driven car bombs.
Large masses of concrete and the like have been used to prevent access of cars, but they are not suitable for rapid deployment or even blast protection. When an explosion occurs in their vicinity, pieces of concrete have a tendency to break off and become missiles.
A classic temporary blast protection wall is made of sandbags. Although sandbags are of proven value, they do have drawbacks. They are time consuming to erect and not that easy to fill. They generally have to be filled at least a short distance away from where the wall is to be built, and hence have to be carried there after filling.
Further, a suitable filling material is not always readily available, and once the need for the wall is over, emptying the bags and disposing of the filling material can be as problematic as filling them and building the wall in the first place. Additionally, they are unattractive to look at and may raise concern to the public when deployed in public places.
An alternative that has been in more recent use, comprises tanks of water, built up like bricks. The tanks are generally of black or at least dark plastics material and are substantially rigid. They are fairly light when empty, and so courses of tanks can easily be placed one adjacent another to form a wall, and then filled in situ from a hose, using either a local water supply or from a tanker. But they are bulky items to store and transport, and they cannot readily be formed into a blast protection structure. Also, being opaque, they cannot be checked at a glance to see whether they are full or empty.
EP 276918 shows a blast protection structure in the form of a flexible container filled with liquid. WO
95/08749 shows a screening device having a liquid filled rupturable polyethylene tube. DE 3112729 shows hoses filled with water which may be wrapped around a support.
One problem not addressed by the prior art immediately above, is the stopping of moving cars and providing protection against a subsequent blast if the car contains a bomb. A structure which can be quickly deployed and is usable for this purpose is shown in the embodiment herein.
In particular the use of a triangular shaped barrier formed as detailed below allows blast protection and vehicle stopping capabilities.
According to a first aspect the present invention, there is provided an inflatable blast protection structure comprising: a base and at least one pair of side elements, said base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container for fluid, the container(s) forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that when inflated with fluid said side elements each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that, when inflated the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section wherein the base is wider than the top of the structure.
According to a second embodiment the invention provides an elongate inflated blast protection structure comprising: a base and at least one pair of side elements, the base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container filled with fluid, the container(s) forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that they each form a ri_gid wall section, characterized in that the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section having a base which is wider than a top of the structure.
A plurality of such inflatable blast protection structures may be secured end to end to form an elongate triangular shape to form an elongate vehicle barrier and to afford an elongate blast protection structure.
The base may contain the internal reinforcement also.
Preferably said rigid walls have inner and outer surfaces which are substantially planar and parallel.
Preferably the internal reinforcement is formed from drop stitch material or other multiple flexible internal members joining the inner and outer surfaces. The drop stitch material, may comprise two parallel skins interconnected by a dense uniform "forest" of equal length filaments so that if the skins are urged apart (as when they form opposite sides of a container are filled with fluid) they remain flat and parallel rather than bulging.
This provides a degree of uniformity at opposed faces and produces a rigid structure that is not easy to dislodge using a vehicle.
Conveniently the base and walls are formed from a single folded container, joined at the top of the structure.
The fluid may be liquid e.g. water. It is envisaged, that the fluid may be a combination of water and air, introduced sequentially into the container. It is preferred that the container(s) should be completely water filled, since if there is an explosion, the water will be a far more effective suppressant than air. However there may be occasions when water is insufficient in quantity or is even not available, but there is a compressor available.
Preferably the inflatable blast protection structure is fillable by means of an aperture and has means for indicating when each container is full of fluid.
Conveniently the top of the structure is about 1 to 2m in height, the width of the base is about 0.5 to 1.5 m and the length of the base of each structure is about 1 to 3m.
When no longer needed each container can be emptied simply by pulling a plug or pumping away fluid within the container, and once emptied the container(s) can be rolled or folded into compact form for transport and storage.
Apart from filler caps and drain plugs, there need be no rigid parts so that, in the event of a blast, there is initially no hazard from flying shards of metal or substantially rigid plastics material.
Should any container be punctured and leak, this will be soon, if not immediately, apparent from a sag in the wall and a visible trickle or spurt of water, and remedial action can be taken.
Faces of the structure may be formed from a plastics coated woven fabric having internal reinforcement in the form a fibres joined to opposing faces of the structure.
For example PVC coated polyester may be used and the fibres may be nylon strands.
Side elements of the structure may be provided with decoration or indicia (such as advertising), which will reduce the visual impact of the structure and thereby make it less obtrusive to members of the public or other bystanders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blast protection and vehicle barrier according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through pane II-II shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a plurality of the blast protection structures shown in figure 1, connected end to end to provide a blast protection wall.
Preferably the inflatable blast protection structure is fillable by means of an aperture and has means for indicating when each container is full of fluid.
Conveniently the top of the structure is about 1 to 2m in height, the width of the base is about 0.5 to 1.5 m and the length of the base of each structure is about 1 to 3m.
When no longer needed each container can be emptied simply by pulling a plug or pumping away fluid within the container, and once emptied the container(s) can be rolled or folded into compact form for transport and storage.
Apart from filler caps and drain plugs, there need be no rigid parts so that, in the event of a blast, there is initially no hazard from flying shards of metal or substantially rigid plastics material.
Should any container be punctured and leak, this will be soon, if not immediately, apparent from a sag in the wall and a visible trickle or spurt of water, and remedial action can be taken.
Faces of the structure may be formed from a plastics coated woven fabric having internal reinforcement in the form a fibres joined to opposing faces of the structure.
For example PVC coated polyester may be used and the fibres may be nylon strands.
Side elements of the structure may be provided with decoration or indicia (such as advertising), which will reduce the visual impact of the structure and thereby make it less obtrusive to members of the public or other bystanders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a blast protection and vehicle barrier according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through pane II-II shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a plurality of the blast protection structures shown in figure 1, connected end to end to provide a blast protection wall.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a blast protection structure 10 having a generally triangular cross section. The structure 10 comprises two side wall elements 12 and a base 14. The base and sides are formed from one container made from drop stitch material. The container is folded at corners 15 and joined at the top of the structure 17. Joining straps 18 at the top of the structure hold the two ends of the container together to form a generally triangular shape.
The container of the structure 10 is formed from a mattress-like formation of drop stitch material. In this instance faces of the mattress are formed from woven polyester coated with PVC. Opposing faces (e.g. 23 and 26 fig 2) are joined with a multiplicity of nylon strands (e.g. 25) joined to the inner side of the opposing faces.
The structure is given further rigidity by means of triangular infill panels 16 positioned within the folded mattress to provide support and to hold the mattress in the generally triangular shape. The infill panels 16 are held in place by means of further straps 18 at the ends of the mattress.
When the structure is deflated it does not occupy a large volume. To inflate the structure air is forced into filling aperture(s) 20 until the structure is substantially inflated. The same procedure can be carried out for the infill panels 16, by utilising filler aperture 19.
Alternatively, infill panel 16 can be inflated by providing fluid communication between the mattress and the infill panels.
When inflated with air the structure may be filled with liquid (e.g. water) to form a vehicle obstruction which has blast mitigation properties.
Figure 3 shows a multiplicity of structures 10 joined end to end using straps. One fluid filling aperture 20 is used and the remaining structures are in fluid communication with the filling aperture 20 via connecting pipes 24 such that the multiplicity of structures are filled in series from one supply 21. Multiple supplies are possible.
In this instance an air and fluid pump 30 is provided which is reversible so that the structures can be quickly inflated and deflated within air and/or water for rapid deployment and removal.
It is possible, but not necessary, for the structures to be anchored to the ground. Advertising or decoration 32 can be provided on one or both sides 12, to make the structure 10 look less like a barrier, thus reducing alarm to the public.
The container of the structure 10 is formed from a mattress-like formation of drop stitch material. In this instance faces of the mattress are formed from woven polyester coated with PVC. Opposing faces (e.g. 23 and 26 fig 2) are joined with a multiplicity of nylon strands (e.g. 25) joined to the inner side of the opposing faces.
The structure is given further rigidity by means of triangular infill panels 16 positioned within the folded mattress to provide support and to hold the mattress in the generally triangular shape. The infill panels 16 are held in place by means of further straps 18 at the ends of the mattress.
When the structure is deflated it does not occupy a large volume. To inflate the structure air is forced into filling aperture(s) 20 until the structure is substantially inflated. The same procedure can be carried out for the infill panels 16, by utilising filler aperture 19.
Alternatively, infill panel 16 can be inflated by providing fluid communication between the mattress and the infill panels.
When inflated with air the structure may be filled with liquid (e.g. water) to form a vehicle obstruction which has blast mitigation properties.
Figure 3 shows a multiplicity of structures 10 joined end to end using straps. One fluid filling aperture 20 is used and the remaining structures are in fluid communication with the filling aperture 20 via connecting pipes 24 such that the multiplicity of structures are filled in series from one supply 21. Multiple supplies are possible.
In this instance an air and fluid pump 30 is provided which is reversible so that the structures can be quickly inflated and deflated within air and/or water for rapid deployment and removal.
It is possible, but not necessary, for the structures to be anchored to the ground. Advertising or decoration 32 can be provided on one or both sides 12, to make the structure 10 look less like a barrier, thus reducing alarm to the public.
The embodiment shown has a large mass when filled (or mostly filled) with liquid and this mass is sufficient to stop moving cars and other vehicles. If a bomb is detonated next to the structure, the mass of the liquid is sufficient to suppress the blast from the bomb and reduce significantly the risk of harm to persons and property on the opposite side of the structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment only of the invention has been described and illustrated but it will be apparent to the skilled addressee that many modifications and variants are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the use of drop stitch material has been described, although, any inflatable structure which has internal reinforcement linking inner and outer faces of an inflatable container would be satisfactory. The use of air and water has been described although other gases and liquids may be utilised for example compressed gas in the form of carbon dioxide and liquids such as oils for example vegetable oils. The structure illustrated has a height and width of approximately 1.5 metres, and a length of approximately 2 metres. However, other sizes are envisaged. A height and/or width of 1 to 2 metres, and a length of about 1 to 3 metres are completely feasible, although larger sizes become increasingly difficult to handle in a defalted state unless some means of manoeuvring the structure is employed- e.g. a wheeled trolley.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment only of the invention has been described and illustrated but it will be apparent to the skilled addressee that many modifications and variants are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the use of drop stitch material has been described, although, any inflatable structure which has internal reinforcement linking inner and outer faces of an inflatable container would be satisfactory. The use of air and water has been described although other gases and liquids may be utilised for example compressed gas in the form of carbon dioxide and liquids such as oils for example vegetable oils. The structure illustrated has a height and width of approximately 1.5 metres, and a length of approximately 2 metres. However, other sizes are envisaged. A height and/or width of 1 to 2 metres, and a length of about 1 to 3 metres are completely feasible, although larger sizes become increasingly difficult to handle in a defalted state unless some means of manoeuvring the structure is employed- e.g. a wheeled trolley.
Claims (10)
1. An inflatable blast protection structure comprising:
a base and at least one pair of side elements, said base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container for fluid, the containers forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that when inflated with fluid said side elements each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that, when inflated the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section wherein the base is wider than the top of the structure.
a base and at least one pair of side elements, said base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container for fluid, the containers forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that when inflated with fluid said side elements each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that, when inflated the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section wherein the base is wider than the top of the structure.
2. An elongate inflated blast protection structure comprising:
a base and at least one pair of side elements, the base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container filled with fluid, the containers forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that they each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section having a base which is wider than the top of the structure.
a base and at least one pair of side elements, the base and sides being formed from at least one rupturable container filled with fluid, the containers forming the side elements having internal reinforcement such that they each form a rigid wall section, characterized in that the base and sides form an approximately triangular shape in cross section having a base which is wider than the top of the structure.
3. An elongate blast protection arrangement formed from a plurality of inflatable blast protection structures as claimed in claim 2, secured end to end to form an elongate triangular shape.
4. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein said rigid walls have inner and outer surfaces which are substantially planar and parallel.
5. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the internal reinforcement is formed from drop stitch material or other multiple flexible internal members joining the inner and outer surfaces.
6. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base and walls are formed from a single container, joined at the top of the structure.
7. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the fluid is liquid e.g. water.
8. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the fluid is a combination of air and water, introduced sequentially into the bag.
9. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in one preceding claim fillable by means of an aperture and having means for indicating when each container is full of water.
10. A blast protection structure or arrangement as claimed in one preceding claim wherein the top of the structure is about 1 to 2m in height, the width of the base is about 0.5 to 1.5 m and the length of the base of each structure is about 1m to 3m.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0625395.9 | 2006-12-20 | ||
| GB0625395A GB0625395D0 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2006-12-20 | Combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2616566A1 true CA2616566A1 (en) | 2008-06-20 |
Family
ID=37758887
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002616566A Abandoned CA2616566A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-12-19 | Combined blast protection structure and vehicle barrier |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2008157612A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2616566A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB0625395D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR3084680A1 (en) * | 2018-08-06 | 2020-02-07 | Garelli Technologies | FLEXIBLE ANTI-INTRUSION BARRIER FILLED WITH LIQUID TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN AN BELIER VEHICLE |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP7117589B2 (en) * | 2016-10-31 | 2022-08-15 | バルーガ ホールディングズ プロプライエタリー リミテッド | Lifting system comprising a lifting device and a cantilevered support |
-
2006
- 2006-12-20 GB GB0625395A patent/GB0625395D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2007
- 2007-12-18 JP JP2007325534A patent/JP2008157612A/en active Pending
- 2007-12-19 CA CA002616566A patent/CA2616566A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR3084680A1 (en) * | 2018-08-06 | 2020-02-07 | Garelli Technologies | FLEXIBLE ANTI-INTRUSION BARRIER FILLED WITH LIQUID TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN AN BELIER VEHICLE |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2008157612A (en) | 2008-07-10 |
| GB0625395D0 (en) | 2007-02-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20131219 |