GB2183702A

GB2183702A - Automatically rapidly deployed road block

Info

Publication number: GB2183702A
Application number: GB08629524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Thomas
Original assignee: TECHNICAL RES PROD Ltd
Current assignee: TECHNICAL RES PROD Ltd
Priority date: 1985-12-10
Filing date: 1986-12-10
Publication date: 1987-06-10
Also published as: GB8530347D0; GB8629524D0

Abstract

A portable road block comprises an array 2 of vehicle disabling elements 5, for example tyre piercing spikes (explosive or otherwise) or explosive devices, wherein there is provided means for rapidly deploying the array across a road automatically. The array, in the form of a lazy tongs lattice 2, is fixed at one end by an anchor 4 and is attached at the other end to a trolley 3 adapted to be propelled across the road, while the array 2 is paid out from the back of the trolley 3 as it crosses the road. The trolley 3 may be propelled by a compressed air supply, or electrically actuated explosive gas cartridge in a propulsion unit 1. The trolley 3 can be arranged to be activated from a remote position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Road block This invention relates to road blocks. In particular it relates to portable road blocks ofthetypewhich may be rapidly deployed across a road in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Such road blocks normally comprise an array of hollow spikes which are detachably affixed to a strip laid across the road. When a vehicle is driven over the strip, one or more ofthe spikes penetrate a vehicle tyre, being carried off by the tyre, and lead to controlled deflation of the tyre, bringing the vehicle to a stop without its going completely out of control .

One known version of such a road block provides a lazy tongs lattice carrying the spikes. The lattice is fedfrom a containeranchored atonesideofthe road. A police officer holds a rope attached to an end ofthe lattice and, when faced with an oncoming vehicle which may refuse to stop, is supposed to run to the opposite side of the road, deploying the lattice work across the road. This does not work well in practice as the officer may need to go in the other direction for safety, orthe rope may be dropped.

A first aspect of the invention provides a portable road block comprising an array of vehicle disabling elements, for example, tyre piercing spikes, wherein there is provided means for rapidly deploying the array across a road automatically.

Preferably, the array is carried on a trolley. The array isfixed at one end and the trolley propelled across the road. The array is paid out from the back ofthe trolley as it crosses the road. This arrangement has the advantage that the weight of the trolley decreases as it crosses the road,thus helping to sustain the speed ofthetrolley.

The trolley may be propelled by a compressed air supply, or by an electrically actuated explosive gas cartridge. The trolley can be arranged to be activated from a remote position.

Known portable road blocks suffer from the drawbackthatthey do not stop lorries or other heavy tyred vehicles. The spikes will not penetrate the tyre tread sufficiently to cause rapid deflation.

Another aspect of the invention provides a road block comprising an array of vehicle disabling elements each comprising an electrically actuated explosive safety cartridge, which elements are arranged to be fired individually as a vehicle tyre or the like presses on the element.

In some circumstances the explosion ofthe safety cartridge alone may be sufficient to disable a vehicle.

Another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle disabling elementfora road block comprising a hollow spike which is mounted to be fired into a tyre as it is driven onto the spike.

Preferably the spike is fired by an electrically activated explosive safety cartridge.

In either case, the cartridge may be held in a sleeve making electrical contact with an outer cartridge terminal and held spaced from a second electrical contact by a frangible non-conducting seal. As the element takes the weight ofthe tyre, it moves and breaks the seal so that the second contact is made, firing the cartridge to drive the spike into the tyre, or simply explode onto the tyre.

The elements may be deployed individually across a road, each being wired independently to a voltage source or each carrying a voltage supply such as a small cell to fire the cartridge.

Advantageously the spikes or vehicle disabling elements are incorporated in the road blockofthe first aspect of the invention.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a road block according to the invention; and Figure2 illustrates schematically a spike and its mounting according to the invention.

In Figure 1 an array in the form of a lazytongs lattice 2, preferably made from a light metal material is shown being deployed from atrolley3which is propelled in the direction of arrow A. The lattice 2 is made up of two sets of generally parallel arms 2a, 2b.

Trolley3isshown as on wheels, but mayfor example simply skid across the road.

The lattice 2 is anchored at one end by an anchoringspike4and onesetofthegenerally parallel arms 2a carries vehicle disabling elements in the form of detachable hollow spikes or explosive devices 5. Several spikes 5 are attached to each arm 2a, at intervals to ensure that a vehicle tyre will not pass between the spikes when the array is deployed.

The spikes 5 may include pressure activated explosive charges (Figure 2) or detachable hollow barbed spikes which become embedded in a cartyre, causing level deflation ofthetyre.

A propulsion unit 1 is positioned on the ground behindthetrolley3 and the anchor4which anchors the near end ofthe lattice 2. The propulsion unit provides a force sufficient to push the trolley across the road,the lattice 2 being paid out behind the trolley, thus reducing the weight of the trolley as it crosses the road, helping to maintain the speed of the trolley as it loses momentum.

The propulsion unit 1 may be a long stroke, sealed, compressed air driven piston unit or it may utilise an explosive propellant cartridge.

When using non-explosive spikes it is important thattheorientation of the spikes in their supporting cups be maintained to ensure uniform penetration into the tyre, hence it is preferred to use a uniform acccelerating device for the trolley 3, such as the long stroke, compressed airdriven propulsion unit, rather than an explosive propulsion unit.

The propulsion unit 1 may be attached to the trolley 3, but preferably is left behind as shown in the example. The unit 1 may be actuated electrically from a remote position or mechanically from alongside.

In Figure 2, a hollowspike 5 is mounted on top of an explosive cartridge 7 which is mounted in an electrically conducting cylinder 6 which makes electrical contact with the outer wall of the cartridge to provide a first firing terminal. The cylinder 6 is mounted on a non-conducting base 8 on an arm 2a for deployment across a road. Arm 2a is electrically conducting and has an upwardly projecting conducting contact spike 9. Cartridge 7 is spaced from the contact spike 9 by a frangible plastics membrane 10 which slides in the cylinder 6.Pressure by a tyre on the top ofthe spike 5 drives the cartridge 7 and membrane 10 onto the contact spike 9,the membrane 10 then breaking to complete the electrical connection to a terminal 11 on the base of the cartridge 7 and so fire it, propelling the spike 5 upwardly into the tyre to cause deflation.

The spike 5 need not itself damage the tyre, the explosive charge being sufficient in many circumstances to rupture a tyre or severely disrupt the vehicle tracking or suspension.

The arms 2a and 2b are part of a trellis, as seen on Figure 1, ailowing forcompact storage ofthe lattice 2, and maximum extended length ofthe lattice 2 across a road.

The cylinders 6 are electrically connected to a terminal of a voltage source by a wires running along the lattice 2.

The arms 2a ofthe lattice 2 are connected to a voltage source by a sliding rotating switch which may be mounted inside the trolley 3. Alternatively a sliding rotating switch may be mounted on each pivot point 12 between the two sets of arms 2a, 2b.

The switches are designed to connectthe voltage source to the arms 2a, 2b when the lattice 2 has extended to 75 per cent of its normal working length.

Hence, the cartridges 7 are not powered (primed) until the lattice 2 is deployed, ensuring the safety of an operative. Afurther control switch can be provided at one or both ends of the lattice 2to deactivate the cartridges 7 prior to gathering up the lattice 2 after use.

By using electrical safety cartridges the road block is quite safe to handle,the cartridges not being fired until there is sufficient pressure to breakthe membrane 8 to complete the electrical circuit.

In anotherform the electrical circuitto the cartridge may be made simply by a normally open switch, which is closed by tyre pressure or according to some other control, to fire the cartridge.

Various modifications may be made within the scope ofthe invention.

Claims

1. A portable road block comprising an array of vehicle disabling elements, wherein there is provided means for rapidly deploying the array across a road automatically.

2. A road block as claimed in claim 1, in which the disabling elements are tyre piercing spikes.

3. A road block as claimed in claim 1 or2, in which the array is carried on a trolley.

4. A road block as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the array is fixed at one end and the trolley is propelled across the road.

5. A road block as claimed in claim 4, in which the trolley is propelled by a compressed airsupply.

6. A road block as claimed in claim 4, in which the trolley is propel led byanelectricallyactuated explosive gas cartridge.

7. A road block as claimed in claims 5 or 6, in which the trolley is activated from a remote position.

8. A road block as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the array is paid out from the back of the trolley as the trolley crosses the road.

9. A road block as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, in which the vehicle disabling elements each comprise an electrically actuated explosive safety cartridge, which elements are arranged to be fired individually as a vehicle tyre orthe like presses on the element.

10. A road block as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in whichthevehicledisabling elements each comprise a hollow spike which is mounted to befired into a tyre as the tyre is driven onto the spike.

11. A road block comprising an arrayofvehicle disabling elements each comprising an electrically actuated explosive safety cartridge, which elements are arranged to be fired individually as a vehicletyre or the like presses on the element.

12. A road block as claimed in claim 11, in which the explosion ofthe safety cartridge alone disables a vehicle.

13. Avehicledisabling elementasclaimed in claim 12, in which the cartridge is held in a sleeve making electrical contact with an outer cartridge terminal.

14. Avehicledisabling element as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in which the cartridge is held spaced from a second electrical contact by afrangible non-conducting seal.

15. Avehicle disabling element for a road block comprising a hollow spike which is mounted to be fired into a tyre as the tyre is driven onto the spike.

16. Avehicledisabling element as claimed in claim 15, in which the spike is fired by an electrically activated explosive safety cartridge.

17. Avehicledisabling elementasclaimed in claim 16, in which the cartridge is held in a sleeve making electrical contactwith an outer cartridge terminal.

18. Avehicledisabling elementas claimed in claim 16 or 17, in which the cartridge is held spaced from a second electrical contact by a frangible non-conducting seal.

19. Avehicle disabling element as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, in which the element is arranged to move underthe presure exerted by a tyre to make the second contact, which in turn fires the cartridge to drive the spike into the tyre.

20. A road block substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Avehicle disabling elementsubstantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.