GB2317908A - Apparatus for capturing and detaining ram-raid vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-ram-raid structure comprises a base plate 12 secured to the ground by bolts or other suitable robust attachments. An elongate tubular member 14 is rigidly attached to the base plate and inclined rearwardly. A pivotable cover tube 28 is releasably secured in line with the first tube 14 and pivoted at its other end to a vertical pillar 22 and a strut 24 both secured at their lower ends to the base plate 12. In use the structure is located with the inclined ramp member 14 facing the direction of the ram-raid threat. The vertical height of the first tube 14 is selected with regard to the typical geometry of a vehicle such that a vehicle driven towards a structure will initially engage the inclined surface defined by the first tube 14, which starts to remove the load from the vehicle wheels. Once the leading part of the vehicle structure has passed the end of the tube 14, the pivotable cover tube 28 will pivot downwardly exposing a gap 26 having an overhanging portion, thereby tending to entrap part of the vehicle structure. The pivotable cover tube 28 may be alarmed, and the structure may be modified to include hinges so that the structure may be folded down sideways to allow access to authorised vehicles.

Description

Apparatus and system for deterring or capturing ram-raid vehicles In a typical ram-raid, the thieves back a light commercial vehicle through the shop front to smash the glass and any security shuttering, to gain access to the shop and its contents. Having loaded up with the stolen goods they then make good their escape. Various measures have been taken to try and prevent this, either by using stronger security shuttering, or by the installation of strong security bollards inside or outside the shop front.

However, although the bollards or shuttering may present a visual deterrent, they need to be extremely strong if they are to withstand the full impact of a vehicle travelling at speed. In this Specification the term light commercial vehicle is intended to cover vehicles such as vans, robust recreational trucks, and smaller vehicles such as the Land Rover Discovery (TM) or the Range Rover (TM).

On a study of the existing measures, I have realised that one of the problems with existing systems is that they do not attempt to capture the thieves' vehicle. I believe the deterrent would be more effective if the vehicle was trapped at the scene of the crime because the loss of goods could be reduced and also there would be a greater chance of tracking down the thieves. Also, existing schemes rely on the sheer mass and rigidity of the bollard to withstand attack. I have realised that a less massive structure is required if the device tends to lift the vehicle from the road, thereby reducing the drive through the wheels.

Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides apparatus for being secured to the ground to capture or inhibit progress of a vehicle passing said apparatus in a given direction, said apparatus comprising an upwardly inclined surface means facing said given direction, and stop means spaced rearwardly thereof to define a gap, whereby when a vehicle begins to traverse said apparatus, part of the bodywork or structure of the vehicle engages said inclined surface means, riding up and then tending to fall into said gap.

In this way, the inclined surface means causes the vehicle structure to tend to lift off the ground, thereby reducing traction. Also the part of the bodywork or structure tends to fall into the gap, thus capturing it.

The part of the bodywork or structure could be any particular part of the body but it is preferred to design the apparatus so that it tends to engage the draw bar or rear axle of a vehicle so that the draw bar or axle rides up the inclined surface and then falls into the gap.

The apparatus preferably includes cover means bridging the gap between the inclined surface and said stop means, said cover means being moveable or releasable to uncover said gap when the vehicle engages said apparatus. The cover means may be pivotally coupled at one end to the stop means and at the other end it may be releasably associated with the inclined surface means for example by a simple interference coupling or possibly by means of a transfer or other strip.

Preferably the inclined surface means comprises an elongate element, preferably tubular, which is anchored by a strut connected shortly before its rear end. This provides an overhanging projection which tends to trap the vehicle axle or other structure or bodywork.

The invention also extends to an anti-ram-raid system for defence of a premises comprising a plurality of apparatus as defined above, arranged to face the direction of a perceived threat.

Preferably the apparatus are spaced laterally at a pitch corresponding to slightly less than the wheel spacing of a typical light commercial vehicle.

Whilst the invention has been described above it extends to any inventive combination of features set above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and, by way of example only, an embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is side view of an anti-ram-raid structure of this invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the anti-ram-raid structure, and Figure 3 is a front view of the anti-ram-raid structure.

The device illustrated in the Figures is intended to be fitted with several other devices of the same sort in front of a shop front or other premises vulnerable to attack by ram-raiders.

The device 10 comprises a base plate 12 which is secured to the ground by bolts or other suitable robust attachments. A first section of tube 14 is secured by welding or other suitable attachment to the base plate 12 at 16 and is inclined upwardly, with the rear end portion being supported by a pillar 18 again suitably secured to the base plate 12 and the first tube 14, with the first tube overhanging the pillar as indicated at 19. At the rear end of the base plate 12 there is a stop means indicated generally by 20, here consisting of a vertical pillar 22 and an inclined strut 24. Between the upper rear end of the first tube 14 and the stop means 20 is a gap indicated generally by 26, and this gap is bridged by a pivotable cover tube 28 pivoted at its rear end to the upper part of the vertical pillar tube 22 and lightly connected at its other end to the rear end of the first tube 14. The height of the pillar 18 and the angle of inclination A is selected so that the overhang 19 of the first tube is just above the axle height or draw bar height of a typical light commercial vehicle.

In use the cover tube 28 is held lightly in position against the rear end of the first tube, e.g. by a transfer strip. A vehicle driven forwardly or reversed towards the device 10 will initially engage the inclined surface defined by the first tube 14 which starts to lift the body further off the ground, thus removing some of the load off tht wheels. When the body or other structure passes the end o! the first tube it will cause the cover tube 28 to pivot downwardly, exposing the gap 26. At the same time, the structure or bodywork will tend to fall into the gap thus trapping the vehicle. Ideally, the axle or draw bar of thz vehicle will be trapped by the overhanging portion of thz first tube although the device will still provide gooc purchase on other body parts. In this condition, if thz driver tries to escape forwardly from the device, thc overhang will simply catch the axle and prevent further forward movement. Conversely if the driver tries to reverse the axle will hit the inclined surface of the cover tubt which, when it is on the ground, provides a steeply incline surface which tends to lift the vehicle off the ground.

Also the cover portion will restrict the amount of forward and rearward movement of the vehicle once trapped.

In this example, the overhang is at about 40cm off thz ground although its distance may be varied as required tc suit typical vehicles.

The device may be provided with pivots between the base plate and the remainder of the structure so that thc structure may be folded down sideways to allow access tc authorised vehicles.

It will be appreciated that this principle may b embodied in a wide range of different arrangements and ic not limited to a tubular structure. For example where c permanent structure was required, the inclined surface presented by the first tube 14 could instead be defined b a concrete ramp or the like with a rearward stop agair defining a gap into which the axle, draw bar or othei portion of the vehicle becomes trapped in use.

The apparatus may also include an alarm system which is triggered when the cover 28 is forced out of alignment with the member 14 on impact by a vehicle. This could bc detected in various ways, for example by an associate microswitch which may activate a local alarm and/or 2 distress signal at a remote security monitoring station.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for being secured to the ground to capture or inhibit progress of a vehicle passing said apparatus in a given direction, said apparatus comprising an upwardly inclined surface means facing said given direction, and stop means spaced rearwardly thereof to define a gap, whereby when a vehicle begins to traverse said apparatus, part of the bodywork or structure of the vehicle engages said inclined surface means, riding up and then tending to fall into said gap.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, which includes cover means bridging the gap between said inclined surface and said stop means, said cover means being moveable or releasable to uncover said gap when a vehicle engages said apparatus.

3. Apparatus according Claim 2, wherein said cover means is pivotally coupled at one end to the stop means and is releasably associated at its other end with said inclined surface means.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the upper end of said inclined surface means is disposed at a height above the ground above that corresponding to the axle height of a typical van or light commercial vehicle.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein said inclined surface means comprises an elongate element.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said elongate element is tubular.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein said elongate element is anchored by a strut means connected to said elongate element at a distance spaced from the upper end thereof to define an overhanging projection.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein said apparatus may be pivoted between an inoperative position close to the ground and an operative position in which it projects upwardly from the ground.

9. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 8, including alarm means for being triggered when said cover means is moved on impact by a vehicle.

10. An anti-ram-raid system for defence of a premises, which comprises a plurality of apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, arranged to face the direction of a perceived threat.

11. A system according to Claim 9, wherein the apparatus are spaced laterally at a pitch corresponding to slightly less than the wheel spacing of a typical light commercial vehicle.

12. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.

13. An anti-ram-raid system substantially as hereinbefore described.