GB2300660A - Road vehicle halting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A road vehicle halting device (10) comprises a support member (11, 12), a plurality of support elements (28), means mounting the support elements (28) on the support member (11, 12), each support element (28) supporting a generally upwardly extending spike (40), a resilient road engaging means (C), means (32) mounting the resilient road engaging means on the underside of the support member (11, 12), the resilient road engaging means (1) providing resistance to movement of the device (10) relative to the ground in the event of a vehicle driving over the device. The support member may have means (222, 222) Fig. 13, that engage with an approaching vehicle tyre and cause the spikes to point towards the vehicle tyre.

Description

Title: Road Vehicle Halting Device DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a road vehicle halting device.

One such device is described in my previous Patent No. GB 1480331 in which a support carries a plurality of generally conical spikes which are releasable from the support as a vehicle is driven over the device and a vehicle wheel impinges upon the spikes, whereby the tyres of the vehicle are punctured and the vehicle is constrained to come to a halt.

Modifications are described in GB patent applications Nos.2277764 and 2277765.

in which there are formations which dig into the ground to help retain the device in position when a vehicle is driven over it. However, in deploying such a device, the device tend to be dragged over the road surface with the result that the formations can scratch the road, which is undesirable.

According to one aspect of the invention I provide a road vehicle halting device comprising a support member, a plurality of support elements, means mounting the support elements on the support member, each supporting element supporting a generally upwardly extending spike, a resilient road engaging means, means mounting the resilient road engaging means on the underside of the support member, the resilient road engaging means providing resistance to movement of the device relative to the ground in the event of a vehicle driving over the device.

The resilient means preferably comprises a rubbery material which provides for good frictional engagement between the road and device, but does not tend to damage the road surface when the device is deployed.

The resilient means may be provided in addition to downwardly extending road engaging formations as described in my previous applications Nos.

2277764 and 2277765 or in some circumstances in place of them. Where provided in addition to the road engaging formations, when a vehicle travels over the devices the resilient means may deform sufficiently to permit at least some of the formations to dig into the ground.

The resilient means may thus comprise cups surrounding the road engaging formations, or strips resistant material. The resilient material may be applied as a coating on at least part of the underside of the support member.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a road vehicle halting device in accordance with the invention shown in an extended condition, and shown connected to a further device in accordance with the invention, FIGURE la is an enlarged view of one part of the device of figure 1, FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side view of another part of the device of Figure 1 showing a spike and support element, FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but of a modified arrangement, FIGURE 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, but of an alternative arrangement and showing the spike separated from its support element, FIGURE 5 is a side view of another spike for use with a device in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 6 is an underside plan view of a spike for use with the device in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but of a yet still further spike, FIGURE 8 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 7 but of a yet still alternative spike, FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing a deployment apparatus for deploying the device according to the invention, FIGURE 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a road halting device in accordance with the invention shown partly in a closed condition, partly in an open condition, and shown connected to a further device in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of one part of the device of figure 1.

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged end cross section through a modified arm member which may be used for the devices of figure 1 or figure 10 if desired, FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of two adjacent arm members of figure 12, side by side, when the road halting device is in a folded condition.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a road vehicle halting device 10 comprising a first pair of generally elongate arm members 11, each arm of which is connected at one end 14 to the end 15 of a respective arm member 12 of a second pair of arm members, the other ends of the arm members 16 of the arm members 12 of which are each in turn pivotally connected to the end 17 of a respective arm member 13 of a third pair.

The arms 11 of the first pair are also pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends (at 18) as are the arms 12 of the second pair and the arms 13 of the third pair, such that the device 10 comprises a "lazy tong" arrangement.

As shown, the arm members 13 of the third pair of the device 10 are pivotally connected to arms 11' of a further device 10' which is of substantially identical construction to device 10, but could be of a different length i.e. having a different number of pairs of connected arm members 11-13 as desired.

The ends 14,15,16,17, of the arm members 11-13 are all rounded, and have respective pivot pins 19 connecting them together to permit the arm members 11 to 13 to pivot relative to one another from a closed condition in which the pivots 18 connecting the arms 11-13 of the pairs are all at a closest together position, to an extended condition as shown.

However, the amount of relative pivoting as the device is extended is restricted by a suitable stop means.

For example, the arm members 11-13 may be provided with formations extending upwardly or downwardly from the general planes of the arm members 11-13 which abut when the arm members 11-13 are in preferred transverse relationship to the next adjacent arm member 11-13 i.e. when the device is open to its fullest extent.

The arm members 13 each have a pivot pin P' at the end opposite to end 17, which pin P' is adapted to be gripped by a clip 20 (see figure 1S provided on the end of arm member 11' of the device 10' to permit the devices 10,10' to be connected together. Any desired number of devices 10,10' can thus be connected together to provide to à road vehicle halting apparatus of any desired extent.

The clips 20 each comprise a sliding part 21 including a pair of resiliently biased arms 22=22b which are adapted to be engaged around a pivot pin P'. The pivot pins P' preferably each having a groove in which the edges of the arms 22221, are received.

One of the arm members of each of the pairs of arm members 11 to 13 has attached to an upper surface 27 thereof, a plurality of support elements comprising cups 28 as shown in figure 2. The cups 28 are moulded from a suitable plastics material, and each has embedded within the plastic material, a washer 29 adjacent a base 30 of the cup 28, to give rigidity to the connection between the cup 28 and the respective arm member 11 to 13.

The arm members 11 to 13 each have an opening 31 through which a threaded fastener 32 passes, into a hollow 33 of the cup 28. A nut 34 is received on the threaded fastener 32 to thus attach the cup 28 to the respective arm member 11 to 13.

The fastener 32 in the present example has a head comprising a downwardly extending spike 35, for a purpose hereinafter explained, as well as flats 36 to facilitate gripping the fastener 32 as the nut 34 is tightened.

Received within and extending from each of the hollows 33 of cups 28, is a spike 40 which is made of metal, and has a sharpened tip 41. The spike 40 is retained releasably within the hollow 33 of the cup 28 by virtue of frictional engagement between an external wall part 42 of the spike 40, and an internal boundary wall 43 of the hollow 33 of the cup 28.

If desired, the others of the arm members of each of the pairs of arm members 11-13 has one or more openings to receive fasteners by which the device 10 may be fixed to the ground.

Also, if desired, as shown in dotted lines in figure 1, end arm members A,B, may be pivotally connected to the arm members 11, to provide a convenient end to the device, the end arm members A,B, being mutually pivotally connected at their free ends at C.

In use, the device 10 is laid across a road in an extended condition with the spikes 40 extending upwardly, and the spikes 35 of fasteners 32 extending downwardly into engagement with the ground. In the event that a vehicle is driven over the device 10, and a tyre of the vehicle impinges upon a spike 40, the spike 40 will be removed from its cup 28 and become embedded in the vehicle tyre as the tyre rotates. This is possible because of the pointed tip 41 of the spike 40 cuts its way into the tyre to cause a puncture. The compressed air from inside the tyre is released in a controlled manner by virtue of the spike 40 being hollow and there being openings such as shown at 44 from the external wall of the spike 40 into. the hollow 45 thereof. The hollow 45 opens to the base 46 of the spike 40 and thus can pass from the spike 40 once the spike 40 has been released from its cup 28.

At the same time, the spikes 35 of fasteners 32 which extend downwardly from the device 10, will be driven into the ground, at least in the regions of the device where the vehicle wheels pass over the device 10. Thus any tendency for the device to migrate over the surface of the road is reduced.

For vehicles such as cars and lorries, the spikes 40 are preferably arranged to extend vertically as shown in figure 2. However, for a vehicle such as a motorbike, it is preferred for the spikes 40 to extend at an angle to the vertical towards the oncoming wheel, preferably at an angle to the vertical V of between 15 and 20 and at least an angle of 10 to the vertical V. In figure 3, there is shown a spike 40a which is similar in construction to the spike 40 of figure 2, but the spike 40a is received in a cup 28a in which the hollow 33a of the cup 28 is moulded at an angle to the vertical V so that the spike 40a extends in a desired direction i.e. preferably towards oncoming vehicles at an appropriate angle.

It is preferred that at least some of the spikes received in support elements of the device extend generally vertically as does spike 40 in figure 2, whilst only some of the spikes extend at an angle to the vertical as illustrated in figure 3. In this way, the device 10 is effective against different types of vehicle.

In both of the embodiments so far described, it will be appreciated that when a spike 40 or 40a becomes embedded in a vehicle tyre, the spike 40,40a is simply pulled from its support element 28,28E, overcoming any frictional force between the spike 40,40a and support element 28,28a.

In figure 4, a modified arrangement is shown in which an external wall part 42b of a lower part of a spike 40h, i.e. that part which is received within a cup 28h secured to any one of the arm members 11 to 13, is provided with a male threaded formation 50. The boundary wall 43b of the hollow 33h of the cup 28b is similarly provided with corresponding female threaded formation 51 so that the spike 40b has to be screwed into the hollow 33b of cup 28b.

The helix angles of the threaded formations 50 and 51 are preferably such that as the spike 40b is pulled relative to the cup 28b by virtue of being embedded in a vehicle tyre, this imparts a rotational movement to the spike 40b which thus causes it to be unscrewed from its cup 28b as it becomes embedded in the vehicle tyre.

If desired, the spike 40b may otherwise be constructed similarly to spikes 40. Alternatively a helical formation 53 may be provided on the external wall part 44b of the spike 40b which would first enter the vehicle tyre. In this way, as the spike 40h is driven home, the spike 40b is caused to rotate about a rotational axis 54.

In another arrangement shown in figure 6, instead of the spike being screwed into its respective cup, the spike shown at 40c is a push fit. However, in an opening 45c of the spike 40g, which opens from the spike 40c at a base 46c thereof, there are provided three rib formations 55 which extend generally longitudinally within the spike 40c and are each adapted to engage with flats of a nut such as nut 34 of the fastener 32 seen in figure 2 so that the spike 40c is restrained from rotating at least until it has been pulled clear of its respective cup. Also of course, the spike 40c is only able to be fully received in its cup in particular axial orientations coinciding with where the formations 55 engage the flats of the nut.

In each of the embodiments so far described, the spikes 40-40c are generally pyramidal having three base sides, and are hollow and there are openings into the hollow to allow for the controlled release of compressed air from a vehicle tyre in which the spike has become embedded. In figure 7, there is shown a generally conical spike 40d which is essentially solid but is provided with one or more channels C cut into the external wall part of the spike 40d in the region of the wall part 44d which would enter the vehicle tyre, so as to allow air through the puncture caused by the spike 40d to pass along the channels C.

In figure 8, a spike 40e of an entirely different construction to the spikes 40-40d so far described is shown. The spike 40e is generally of cylindrical configuration, the top edge of the cylinder being cut at an angle to the vertical V as shown, to provide a pointed tip 56. It will be appreciated that the spike 40e shown in figure 8, when driven into the tyre of a vehicle, would cut a core in the tyre which would be blown from the inner hollow 45e of the spike 40e by the release of compressed air from within the tyre.

If desired, the spike 40e may be provided with an external helical formation such as the spike 40b of figure 5, and/or with a threaded formation which co-operates with a corresponding threaded formation of a cup, and/or with internal formations similar to formations 55 shown in figure 6.

Referring now to figure 9, there is shown a device 10 substantially as shown in figure 1, but may alternatively have any of the modifications or alternatives described with reference to figures 2 to 8.

The device 10 is shown extending partly from a deployment apparatus 60 which comprises an internal chamber 61 in which the entire device 10 is receivable in a closed condition.

The apparatus 60 includes a handle 63, and rollers 64 to facilitate dragging the apparatus 60 over the ground whilst deploying or de-deploying the road vehicle halting device 10.

The device 10 itself is provided with a handle 65 which may, for example by attached to the free ends of arm members 11 or to the end arm members A,B, where provided or otherwise as desired.

The device 60 includes a drawer 62 which is received in runners 63 of the device 60 so that the drawer 62 and device 60 can slide from the chamber 61.

The drawer 62 itself has inturned guide means 64 to guide the arm members 11-13 of the device as they slide out of the chamber 61 and off the drawer 62 onto the ground.

The apparatus 60 is conveniently carried on a motorcycle and the device 10 may quickly be deployed by placing the apparatus 60 on the ground, and either pulling the device 10 from the apparatus 60 using the handle 65, whilst another person holds the handle 63 to prevent the apparatus ( > () moving over the ground, or alternatively, by fixing the end member 12 relative to the ground, and pulling the apparatus 60 over the ground using the handle.

In either event, the device 10 may quickly be deployed as a temporary road block for example, or in other circumstances where it is desired to halt a vehicle by disabling the vehicle and hence causing it to come to a halt.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The device 10 may be of any desired length, having any number of pairs of arm members 11-13 as desired.

Any desired number of support elements and spikes may be provided along each of the arm members 11 to 13 as are considered necessary.

Instead of providing fasteners 32, the heads of which have spikes 35, any other arrangement of downwardly projecting members which dig into or otherwise locate the device relative to the ground may be provided.

For example, if desired, the arm members 11-13 may have downwardly deformed portions e.g. at their edges 25,26 with serrated or tooth like parts, or the arm members 11-13 may be provided with rubber feet.

In each of the embodiments described, the spikes each have a generally cylindrical base which is received by a support element having a hollow of a corresponding shape.

If desired, the spikes may have a non-round base e.g. square, and the hollows of the support elements may be suitably shaped to receive the spikes.

Referring now to figure 10 of the drawings, there is shown a further embodiment of a road vehicle halting device 110 in accordance with the invention and comprising a pair of end arm members 111 and 112 and a plurality of (in this example six) intermediate arm members 13. Each of the arm members 111-113 is generally elongate and conveniently is made in a light strong material such as aluminium. The arm members 111 to 113 are pivoted at their ends in the manner shown so as to provide a device which may be moved from a fully closed position wherein each of the arm members 111 to 113 lie alongside one another in generally parallel fashion as are the arm members 113 immediately adjacent end arm member 111, and a fully open condition in which the arm members 111 to 113 extend transverse to one another, as are the arm members 113 immediately adjacent end arm member 112.

As shown, the device 110 is connected to a further device 110' which is of substantially identical construction to device 110, but could be of a different length i.e. having a different number of intermediate arm members 113 as desired.

Each of the arm members 111-113 comprises at one end, a tag 114 which extends generally transversely of the longitudinal extent of the arm member, and secured to the tag 114, is a mounting part 115. In the present example, the mounting parts 115 are secured to their respective tags 114 by rivets 116 so as to be rigid with the tag 114. The next arm member 113 has a pivot opening 117 in which is received a pivot pin 118 which secures the end of the next arm member below the mounting part 115, to the mounting part 115. All of the intermediate arm members 1 13 are constructed substantially identically but arranged alternately in opposite orientations.The ends of the arm member 111113 opposite to the ends which are provided with the tags 114, is rounded, and the tags 114 having rounded recesses 19 to permit the arm members 111 to 113 to pivot relative to one another.

However, the amount of relative pivoting is restricted by stop means provided, in this example, by engagement between a side edge E' of the arm member and the edge of the recess 119 of the tag 114.

Any alternate stop means to restrict the amount of relative pivoting could alternatively be provided. For example, the arm members 111-113 may be provided with formations extending upwardly or downwardly from the general plane of the arm members 111-113 which abut when the arm members 111-113 are in preferred transverse relationship to the next adjacent arm member 111-113.

The end arm members 111 and 112 are similarly constructed to one another, but being oppositely orientated, but arm member 111 has a pivot pin 118' which is adapted to be gripped by a clip 120 (see figure 11) provided on a mounting part 115 of an end member of another similar device to permit the devices to be connected together. In figure 11, clip 120 and member 112 is shown connected to a pivot pin 118' of a further end member 111' of another device 110'. Any desired number of devices 110,110' can thus be connected together to provide to a road vehicle halting apparatus of any desired extent.

The clips 120 each comprise a sliding part 121 including a pair of resiliently biased arms 122 ,122h, which are adapted to be engaged around the pivot pin 118' of the next device 110'. The pivot pin 118' preferably has a groove in which the edges of the arms 122gL122h, are received.

It will be appreciated that when the arm members 111 to 113 are closed relative to one another, juxtaposed edges 25,26, thereof abut.

Each of the arm members 111 to 113 has attached to an upper surface 127 thereof, a plurality of support elements comprising cups 128.

The cups 128 and the member in which they are mounted on the arm members, may be substantially as described above with reference to figures 1 to 9. The cups 128 may each receive an upwardly extending spike, which may be constructed as described with reference to figures 1 to 9.

Again, in use, the device 110 is laid across a road in an open condition with the spikes supported by the clips 128 extending upwardly, and road engaging formations, such as downwardly extending spikes of fasteners 132 extending downwardly into engagement with the ground. In the event that a vehicle is driven over the device 110, and a tyre of the vehicle impinges upon an upwardly extending spike, the spike will be removed from its cup 128 and become embedded in the vehicle tyre as the tyre rotates.

At the same time, the downwardly depending spikes of fasteners 32 which extend downwardly from the device 10, will be driven into the ground, at least in the regions of the device where the vehicle wheels pass over the device 10. Thus any tendency for the device to migrate over the surface of the road is reduced.

The device 110 of figures 10 and 11 may be used in combination with a deployment apparatus, similar to that shown in figure 9.

If desired, in any of the embodiments so far described, the road handling device 10, 110, may be provided with handles, as indicated at H in figure 10, to facilitate deployment. Preferably such handles are provided on some only of the arm members and do not extend upwardly from the arm members a significant distance. so as not to interfere with operation of the device.

Referring to figure 12 a modified form of arm member 211 is illustrated, which may be drawn or extruded for examples only, to the configuration shown, which is a channel configuration, there being a base 220 which mounts a plurality of support elements 228 each comprising a cup, which in turn each support an upwardly extending spike 240, there being a plurality of downwardly extending road engaging formations 232, again comprising spikes.

Integral with the base 228 are a pair of side limbs 221, 222, each angled relative to the base 220 at more than 90".

The purpose of the limbs 221,222, is to engage with an approaching vehicle tyre and cause the arm 211 to rotate slightly so as to point the spikes towards the vehicle tyre and assist the spikes 240 puncturing the tyre.

To enable a road halting device having such arm members 211 to be folded up, with arm members lying alongside one another, preferably the limbs 221, 222, are castellated as indicated in figure 13, so that the castellations of the limbs 221 of one arm member 211a can interlope with the castellations of the limbs 222 of the other member 221b. Other arrangements are no doubt possible.

In figure 13, it can be seen that there are parts of the base 220 of one of the arm members 221h deformed downwardly out of the general plane of the base 220, to provide an alternative form of road engaging formation, namely a serration to the downwardly extending spikes 232.

In all of the arrangements described, there is provided in addition to the ground engaging formations, which dig into the ground, a resilient road engaging means.

In figures 2,3,4, and 12, this comprises a rubber cup C surrounding the spikes 32, 232, and the rubber being sufficiently resilient that although the cups prevent the spikes 32, 232 engaging the ground when a device is deployed, when a vehicle passes over the device, the rubber deforms sufficiently to enable the spikes 32, 232, to dig into the ground.

The cups C may have a round periphery P with an outwardly extending foot formation f as shown, the material of the cup C being sufficiently resilient that when a vehicle is driven over the device at least in the vicinity of the cup C, the cup C deforms sufficiently and the resilient foot f is squeezed to exclude the air content from within the cavity of the cup thereby providing a vacuum within the cavity temporarily to provide for adhesion to the road surface. Thus the device is held firm on the road surface when a spike impinges a tyre of the vehicle.

In some circumstances, the resilient cup C or other means may provide for sufficient adherence to the road surface without requiring the downwardly depending spikes 32 or other formations which actually dig into the road surface.

Where the cups are made of a particularly squashy material, if desired a rigid washer e.g. of metal, may be moulded into the cup C so that the cup C preferentially deforms at its periphery P when weight is applied to the device in the vicinity of the cup. This also provides for firmer attachment for the bolt 31 which passed through the cup C, lattice limb and retaining cups 28 for the tyre spikes 40.

In figure 13, such a resilient means is provided by strips S of rubber adherent for example, to the underside of the support member. The strip S may extend lengthwise or crosswise of the support member, as desired.

Again, to aid deformation of the strips S in a manner so as to provide maximum adhesion to the road surface, the strips S may be provided with feet formations f.

In another arrangement (not shown), such resilient means may be provided instead of rather than in addition to road engaging formations, such resilient means providing the sole means for preventing the device migrating over the ground when a vehicle passes over the device.

In each case, the resilient means may be natural or synthetic polythene or another suitable material.

Further to enhance the ability of the device to withstand the effects of a vehicle passing over the devices to retain the device in its desired operative position, if desired, between the individual limbs of the lattice, at the pivot joints between them, "W" - shaped or other concertina washers may be provided to permit some relative movement between the individual limbs in addition to pivoting movement, e.g. relative rocking movement, so that there is some damping of any individual limb movement so that this is not transmitted through the length of the lattice of the device. This also avoids undue strain or distortion of the individual limbs of the lattice of the device.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A road vehicle halting device comprising a support member, a plurality of support elements, means mounting the support elements on the support member, each supporting element supporting a generally upwardly extending spike, a resilient road engaging means, means mounting the resilient road engaging means on the underside of the support member, the resilient road engaging means providing resistance to movement of the device relative to the ground in the event of a vehicle driving over the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the resilient means comprises a rubbery material which provides for good frictional engagement between the road and device, but does not tend to damage the road surface when the device is deployed.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the resilient means is provided in addition to downwardly extending road engaging formations which dig into the ground when a vehicle is driven over the device.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein where the resilient means is provided in addition to the road engaging formations, the resilient means are adapted to deform sufficiently to permit at least some of the formations to dig into the ground when a vehicle travels over the device.

5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the resilient means comprises cups surrounding the road engaging formations, or strips of resilient material.

6. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the resilient material is applied as a coating on at least part of the underside of the support member.

7. A road halting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.