GB2344128A

GB2344128A - Vehicle barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2344128A
Application number: GB9927616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jaginder Singh Mudhar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-26
Filing date: 1999-11-24
Publication date: 2000-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-24
Also published as: GB9927616D0; GB2344128B

Abstract

A barrier capable of direct attachment (e.g. by bolts) to the ground or other support surface comprises one or more clapper members (3) pivotally attached to a base member and moveable between a first (operational) position and a second (rest) position by pneumatic or hydraulic means (e.g. bellows (60)). The maximum angle between the clapper member (3) and the base member may be limited by means of a hinge (2) which is optionally provided with a cut-out or shear pin , whereby the hinge will break on application of a predetermined force to the clapper member (3). The base may have a serrated lower face (10) to improve contact with the ground. Other embodiments are described with reference to figures 8, 9 and 10.

Description

BARRIERS This invention relates to barriers and especially to barriers adapted in use to permit or to impede the passage of wheeled vehicles. The present invention is particularly applicable to barriers for use in petrol stations and similar retail outlets and will be described hereafter with reference to such applications, though the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto.

Barriers according to the present invention are particularly useful in addressing the increasing problem of the so-called"drive-off". A"driveoff"consists of a customer driving on to the forecourt of a petrol station, putting fuel into the tank of his vehicle and then driving off without paying for the fuel. Devices such as security cameras have been used in such situations, but have been found ineffective, owing to such factors as poor picture-definition, the customer wearing a hat or other clothing to obscure identity, the vehicle having been stolen and subsequently abandoned or its registration number changed.

The present invention aims to provide a barrier which, in use, places a physical restraint on the passage of a wheeled vehicle which is adjacent the barrier. This is achieved by means of one or more pivotally-mounted flaps (hereinafter referred to as"clapper members") which can be raised so as to impede the passage of a vehicle and lowered to permit such passage.

Although barriers of the typ described in the immediately-preceding paragraph are known per se, the installation of such barriers has hitherto necessitated the excavation of pits to contain the mechanism to raise and lower the barrier. In addition to being costly and time-consuming, such installations tend to be permanent in nature and to lack flexibility in use.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a barrier which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. This is achieved by providing a barrier which is mounted directly upon the ground or other support surface.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a barrier comprising a base member attached directly to the ground or other support surface and one or more clapper members (as hereinbefore defined), the or each clapper member being pivotally attached to said base member and being adapted to be raised to a first position at an acute angle to the base member (whereby movement of a wheeled vehicle past said clapper member is impeded) and to be lowered to a second position substantially flush with the base member (whereby movement of said vehicle past said clapper member is permitted).

Suitably, the base member may be attached to the ground or other support surface by means of bolts or the like.

Alternatively, the base member may be attached to the ground or other support surface by means of an adhesive.

The base member of the barrier may conveniently be provided with one or more serrated or roughened portions to enhance contact with the ground or other support surface.

Suitably, the or each clapper member may be raised and lowered by hydraulic or pneumatic means.

Such means to raise and lower the or each clapper member may, for example, comprise one or more piston-and-cylinder assemblies.

Alternatively, one or more inflatable bellows may be used to raise and lower the or each clapper member.

The maximum angle between the clapper member and its associated base member may be limited by means of an articulated hinge, one end of which is pivotally attached to the base member, the other end being pivotally attached to the clapper member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge may be provided with a cut-out, whereby a predetermined force exerted on a clapper member in a direction upwardly of its associated base member (e. g. an attempt to force a vehicle over a raised clapper member) will cause the hinge to break. Alternatively, the hinge may be provided with a shear-pin for the same purpose. In a further preferred embodiment, breakage of the hinge can permit the clapper member to be pivoted at more than 90 relative to the base member and to expose further means provided on the base member, (for example a"stinger unit" or the like), for impeding passage of a vehicle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the clapper members are raised and lowered by means of an elongate (generally sausage-shaped) inflatable member which in use is adapted to be adjacent to and to conform to the configuration of the articulated hinge.

Preferably, the supply line to the bellows or inflatable member may be provided with a pressure relief valve. This valve is adapted to supply a first pressure level sufficient to lift the or each clapper member to the raised position and then to reduce to a second pressure level sufficient to maintain the or each clapper member in said raised position. For example, in a barrier according to the present invention, the valve may be adapted to permit delivery of a first pressure of up to 150 p. s. i. and then to restrict the second pressure to a maximum of about 12 p. s. i. (suitably between 8 and 10 p. s. i.).

A barrier according to the present invention is therefore adapted to be deployed from a first (rest) condition to a second (operational) condition.

In one arrangement, the first (rest) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member lying substantially flush with its associated base member and the second (operational) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being raised so as to make an acute angle with its associated base member.

In an alternative arrangement, the first (rest) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being held (for example by means of one or more helical springs) at an acute angle with its associated base member and the second (operational) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being lowered so as to lie substantially flush with its associated base member. The movement of the or each clapper member from the first to the second conditions may be achieved by means of a pneumatically-operated pulley assembly.

The or each clapper member may, if desired, be provided with one or more extension members. These extension members are adapted to be deployed, in use, so as to extend under the wheel arch of a vehicle and further impede its movement.

Portions of the base member adjacent the or each clapper member may be provided with an arcuate surface. This will minimise the risk of a vehicle being parked on top of the barrier and thus preventing its operation.

Further, one or more parking-ramps may be provided on the approach to the barrier, these parking-ramps facilitating the correct parking of a vehicle relative to the or each clapper member.

The present invention also provides a barrier assembly comprising one or more pairs of barriers of the type hereinbefore described, the or each pair of barriers being adapted in use to co-operate so as to impede the movement of a wheeled vehicle.

For example, each member of a pair of barriers may be positioned on either side of a petrol pump, preferably at a distance from each other such that when the barriers are operated the passage of a motor vehicle contained in the space defined by the barriers is impeded in either the forward or the reverse direction.

Again, each petrol pump in a filling station may be provided with a pair of barriers according to the present invention.

Effectively, barriers according to the present invention will be portable so as to cause minimum disruption to the operation of a site. They are also flexible enough to adapt to individual requirements. The system has minimum electrical control in order to comply with the various safety laws. The barriers are easily integrated into the existing set-up of petrol filling stations and can serve to enhance any existing security system already in place. Thus, barriers according to the invention provide a means of securing a vehicle adjacent a fuel pump. This is achieved once the customer lifts the fuel pump nozzle from its holder. An audio/visual alarm notifies the cashier who then autorises the pump to deliver fuel via the nozzle. Two or more clapper members will lift and secure either or both of the front or rear wheels of the vehicle. On return of the nozzle to its holder, an audio/visual alarm will notify the cashier that the pump is ready to be used again. The customer will then proceed to the cashier in order to pay for the fuel. The cashier will, once paid, accept the sale, thus causing the clapper members around the vehicle to withdraw and allow the vehicle to pass.

The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings (wherein like numerals denote like parts): Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view from above of the barrier shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the barrier shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a view of a bellows for use in the barrier shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a view from above of a barrier assembly according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a view of a hinge for use with the barrier shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a view of a relief valve for use with the barrier shown in Figure 1; Figures 8A and 8B show a first pneumatically-operated pulley assembly for use in connection with a second embodiment of a barrier according to the present invention; Figures 9A and 9B show a second pneumatically-operated pulley assembly for use in connection with the barrier shown in Figure 8; Figures 10A, 10B and 10C show schematically the operation of a barrier according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a view from above of a petrol pump lay-out including four pairs of barriers according to the present invention.

A barrier according to the present invention can be mounted directly on to the ground or support surface by means of an adhesive. Serrations 10 (Figure 3) help the unit to"dig"into the support surface and enhance the effect of the adhesive.

The parking ramp 8 (Figure 1) is used to firstly enable a vehicle (not shown) to park correctly i. e. within the protection zone 11 (Figure 5).

Secondly it prevents the vehicle from parking too close to the ramp and preventing the clapper member 3 (Figure 1) from operating. This can occur if the vehicle's wheels are resting against the extension flaps 1 (Figure 1). Ramp 7 (Figures 1 and 2) also helps to shield any projections (such as the extension flaps 1) against damage or being tripped over.

A pneumatic bellows 6 (Figure 1) is used to lift the clapper member. The bellows is fitted with a pressure relief valve 5 (Figures 1 and 7). This valve is designed so as to allow the bellows to be supplied with an air pressure of 150 p. s. i. and then not to allow the pressure within the bellows to exceed about 12 p. s. i.. This gives the bellows enough lifting force to lift the clapper member and when the clapper member is fully raised to maintain the pressure within the bellows between 8 and 10 p. s. i.. This is achieved by the mathematical relationship between areas 12, 13 and 14 in Figure 7. The clapper member can be lifted further via the extension 1 (Figure 1) which will be pushed up under the wheel arch of a vehicle. The angle of lift will be governed by the hinge bracket 2 (Figures 1,3 and 6). The hinge bracket has a cut-out B (Figure 6) which under a preset force (e. g. the force required to cause deliberate damage to the barrier) will break apart and thus allow the clapper member to fall back and expose the stinger unit (a group of nails) 4 (Figure 1). The stinger unit will be forced into the tyre by the action of the clapper member being forced back. This will puncture the tyre and thus render the vehicle undrivable. The bellows system would be used when it is required to keep a vehicle in a stationary position or within the protection zone 11 (Figure 5). An alternative method for lifting the clapper member is shown in Figures 10A to 10C. Here, an inflatable"sausage"15 (Figure 10C) is moulded as part of the hinge. At rest (Figure 10A) the "sausage"is deflated and follows the shape of the hinge at rest. Once inflated, the"sausage"will take up its designed or manufactured state (i. e. straight) and force the hinge to extend as shown in Figures 10B and 10C. These two systems will be known as the"normally closed systems" since under a fault condition the barriers fall and simply act as"sleeping policemen"or road speed limiting ramps.

Control of traffic flow in any one direction can be done by modifying the clapper member system as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Here, the clapper member is held open by means of a spring. A pneumatic cylinder fitted to a pulley system as shown in Figures 8A and 8B can then be used to close the lid against the pressure of the spring. A variation of the same system is shown in Figures 9 and 9A. This system would allow the traffic to flow in one direction and provide a barrier in the other direction.

For the prevention of fuel theft from a service station, a series of barriers would be fitted as shown in Figure 11.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A barrier comprising a base member attached directly to the ground or other support surface and one or more clapper members (as hereinbefore defined), the or each clapper member being pivotally attached to said base member and being adapted to be raised to a first position at an acute angle to the base member (whereby movement of a wheeled vehicle past said clapper member is impeded) and to be lowered to a second position substantially flush with the base member (whereby movement of said vehicle past said clapper member is permitted).
2. A barrier according to Claim 1, in which the base member is attached to the ground or other support surface by means of bolts or the like.
3. A barrier according to Claim 1, in which the base member is attached to the ground or other support surface by means of an adhesive.
4. A barrier according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the base member is provided with one or more serrated or roughened portions to enhance contact with the ground or other support surface.
5. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the or each clapper member is raised and lowered by hydraulic or pneumatic means.
6. A barrier according to Claim 5, in which the or each clapper member is raised and lowered by means of one or more piston-andcylinder assemblies.
7. A barrier according to Claim 5, in which the or each clapper member is raised and lowered by means of one or more inflatable bellows.
8. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the maximum angle between the or each clapper member and its associated base member is limited by means of an articulated hinge, one end of said hinge being pivotally attached to the base member and the other end of said hinge being pivotally attached to the clapper member.
9. A barrier according to Claim 8, in which the hinge is provided with a cut-out, whereby a predetermined force exerted on a clapper member in a direction upwardly of its associated base member will cause the hinge to break.
10. A barrier according to Claim 8, in which the hinge is provided with a shear-pin, whereby a predetermined force exerted on a clapper member is a direction upwardly of its associated base member will cause the hinge to break.
11. A barrier according to Claim 9 or 10, in which breakage of the hinge permits the clapper member to be pivoted at more than 90 relative to the base member and to expose further means, provided on the base member, for impeding passage of a vehicle.
12. A barrier according to Claim 11, in which the further means for impeding passage of a vehicle comprises a stinger unit or the like.
13. A barrier according to Claim 5 and to any one of Claims 8 to 12 when dependent directly or indirectly upon Claim 5, in which the or each clapper member is raised and lowered by means of an elongate inflatable member which in use is adapted to be adjacent to and to conform to the configuration of the articulated hinge.
14. A barrier according to any one of Claims 7 to 13, in which the supply line to the bellows or inflatable member includes a pressure relief valve.
15. A barrier according to Claim 14, in which the pressure relief valve is adapted to supply a first pressure level sufficient to lift the or each clapper member to the raised position and then to reduce to a second pressure level sufficient to maintain the or each clapper member in said raised position.
16. A barrier according to Claim 15, in which the first-pressure level is about 150 p. s. i. and the second pressure level is about 12 p. s. i..
17. A barrier according to Claim 16, in which the second pressure level is in the range 8 to 10 p. s. i..
18. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, which is adapted to be deployed from a first (rest) condition to a second (operational) condition.
19. A barrier according to Claim 18, wherein the first (rest) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member lying substantially flush with its associated base member and the second (operational) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being raised so as to make an acute angle with its associated base member.
20. A barrier according to Claim 18, wherein the first (rest) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being held at an acute angle with its associated base member and the second (operational) condition is constituted by the or each clapper member being lowered so as to lie substantially flush with its associated base member.
21. A barrier according to Claim 20, in which, in the first (rest) condition, the or each clapper member is held at an acute angle with its associated base member by means of one or more helical springs.
22. A barrier according to Claim 20 or 21, in which, the movement, from the first to the second positions, of the or each clapper member is achieved by means of a pneumatically-operated pulley assembly.
23. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 22, in which the or each clapper member is provided with one or more extension members adapted to be deployed, in use, so as to extend under the wheel arch of a vehicle and further impede its movement.
24. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 23, in which portions of the base member adjacent the or each clapper member are provided with an arcuate surface.
25. A barrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 24, including one or more parking-ramps.
26. A barrier assembly comprising one or more pairs of barriers according to any one of the preceding claims, the or each pair of barriers being adapted, in use, to co-operate so as to impede the movement of a wheeled vehicle.
27. A barrier, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 and 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.
28. A barrier assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.