GB2430964A

GB2430964A - Barrier for preventing the passage of vehicles other than disabled vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2430964A
Application number: GB0515588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Michael Pritchard
Original assignee: AGRID FENCING Ltd
Current assignee: AGRID FENCING Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Also published as: GB0515588D0; GB2430964A8

Abstract

The barrier, designed to prevent the passage of all vehicles other than wheelchairs and the like, comprises two upright posts 2, each with a restricting part to reduce the width of the aperture between the posts, each restricting part having a lower portion 4a that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post and an upper portion 6 which inclines upwardly and inwardly towards the opposite post. The lower portion is preferably a rounded protrusion while the upper portion is preferably formed from a tubular arm or plate. The posts are preferably adjustably connected by an underground base plate 4b which may include a floor plate and/or animal grid. One or more posts may be wholly or partially rotatable or be designed to collapse under a given impact, e.g. by means of shear pins. The barrier may include lighting and/or cameras which can be controlled using sensors in the barrier. Also claimed is a kit of parts.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

VEHICLE BARRIER

The present invention relates to a barrier for preventing the passage of motor vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and quad bikes, but allowing the passage of individuals who are either on foot or in a wheelchair.

In recent years, there has been an increasing problem with regard to unauthorised vehicles being brought into parks and woodland areas. Such motorised vehicles can pose a substantial hazard to those on foot, due to their speed. It is often up to the local authorities to prevent the use of motorised vehicles on parks and woodland. Barriers are often put in place, but can often be circumvented by simply manoeuvring the vehicle around a gate and/or barrier, or indeed by bending or destroying the barrier in order to gain access. Another complication to the situation is that it is highly preferable to allow disabled persons access to these areas in order to allow them to enjoy the parks and woodlands themselves.

Therefore, a barrier is required that allows individuals to gain access (whether they be on foot or in a wheelchair), whilst denying access to motor vehicles.

A number of solutions have been proposed, although these also have problems associated with them. JP 2000 129638 discloses a low level gate for a wheelchair which is intended to prevent entry of a motor cycle. JP 10195833 also discloses a gate to prevent a bicycle or motorcycle from passing therethrough and relies on a number of curved panels to prevent a motorcycle from being ridden around the gate, whilst allowing a wheelchair to pass easily. Unfortunately, both can be circumvented, e.g. by a motorcyclist who performs a "wheelie" and thereby lifts the handle bars over the parts of the gate which would normally prevent access.

GB 23 22149 discloses an access barrier having two sections inclined to the vertical and positioned so as to impede the handlebars of a motor cycle. Whilst such a barrier prevents a motor cycle from passing whilst both its wheels are on the ground, should the rider lift the handle bars to a sufficient height, it would be possible to circumvent the barrier and gain access to the restricted area.

Furthermore, the access barrier needs to be permanently fixed in position, so that the space between the posts cannot be altered, nor can the gate be moved quickly in an emergency. WO 2004/ 018776 discloses a device for restricting the passage of motorcycles and quad bikes whilst allowing the passage of pedestrians, and comprises two barriers placed in opposition to each other wherein the distance between the upper part of the two barriers is less than the distance between the lower part of the two barriers. Whilst this device may prevent motor cycles and quad bikes from gaining access to an area whilst in their normal orientation, it would not prevent access should the rider raise the vehicle on its rear wheel(s) .

Furthermore, the construction of the barrier would be expensive due to the number of moving parts and is not versatile enough in an emergency to permit the passage of emergency vehicles or for the barrier to be removed. )

II is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a barrier for restricting the passage of vehicles, whilst allowing the passage of individuals therethrough which addresses one or more problems associated with the prior art barriers/gates.

It is also an object of the present invention to produce a barrier which is cost effective yet sturdy enough to cope with abuse.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a barrier suitable for preventing the passage of vehicles, but allowing the passage of individuals therethrough, the barrier comprising two substantially vertical posts, a post having rounded protrusions disposed about its length and an inclined member extending vertically from the rounded protrusion towards a corresponding member located on the opposing post, the position of the rounded protrusion and inclined member being such as to prevent the passage of a motorised vehicle other than a disabled wheelchair.

The present invention therefore provides for a barrier which can be inexpensively produced, but also prevents the passage of a motorised vehicle, even when a vehicle such as a motor cycle or quad bike is being ridden on its rear wheels. The barrier can also be used to prevent the passage of larger animals, such as horses and cattle due to its configuration. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that the precise position of the rounded protrusion and/or inclined member on the post will be largely determined by a number of factors, not least the standard size of a wheelchair in a given country or region. Preferably, the rounded protrusion is located at the approximate height that corresponds to an individuals head, when seated in a wheelchair.

The two substantially vertical posts may be connected to one another and may be releasably connected. The vertical posts may be connected to one another by means of a base plate. Such a base plate can be adapted to be below ground level and therefore is not visible when the barrier is in place. Preferably, the distance between the posts is adjustable and to that end, the base plate may vary in differing sizes, or alternatively have a means for adjusting the distance between both posts integral formed with the base plate, and this may entail a sliding arrangement or similar. Therefore, the distance between the posts may be adjusted by means of the base plate reducing in width. The base plate may comprise at least one anchor in order to secure the gate in the ground. For example, the anchor used to secure the gate to the ground may be a fish tie which is commonly used in construction.

The barrier may further comprise a floor plate disposed between both posts, and such a plate may be formed as part of the base plate or indeed independent of the base plate. Should a floor plate be employed, it is preferable that it is tactile, such that individuals know when they are approaching the gate and this will be particularly important for individuals who have problems with their sight, or indeed when the gate is used at night. The base plate and/or the floor plate may comprise an animal grid, such as a cattle grid or sheep grid so as to prevent the movement of animals between areas. Should such a grid be employed, it would be preferably, that the grid is capable of being removed as and when required, so that debris and objects can be removed from the grid and therefore a grid pan may also be provided where needed.

Preferably, at least one post, or part thereof, is capable of rotation, so as to allow passage of vehicles through the barrier when required. This will be particularly appropriate, when an emergency vehicle requires access to the restricted area and the barrier can easily be opened. Therefore, such a rotation may be locked into position by means of a lockpin and padlock, or may be electrically controlled, or indeed worked by any means which would be apparent to the skilled addressee.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the barrier may be collapsible upon a pre- determined pressure being applied to the barrier, such that an emergency vehicle could force its way onto the structured area when required. Should the barrier be collapsible, it would be preferable that sheer-pins are employed to secure the posts to the base plate, so that the posts can be easily replaced, after the emergency has ceased. The posts will therefore preferably be received in ground sockets located within the base plate and/or floor plate.

The barrier may also employ a number of additional features which would assist in security and safety, such as having a lighting means to illuminate the barrier and/or the path around and/or over the barrier. The barrier may also comprise a detecting means for detecting the use of the barrier and/or the approach of an individual to the barrier in addition to a camera. Therefore, when an individual approaches the barrier, or indeed is using the barrier, the detecting means may be connected such that the barrier is illuminated during their passage, but extinguished when they have left the barrier, so as to conserve energy, yet light the way for the individual to walk. In order to safe guard the barrier against vandals, it is preferred that the lighting means (and indeed the detecting means and camera) is ingressed within the barrier and may therefore be ingressed in the rounded protrusions or towards the base of the posts.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the barrier may be constructed out of a number of materials and have a number of configurations. Preferably, the inclined members are tubular, but may also comprise a plate (such as a profile plate) and the rounded protrusions are substantially cylindrical in shape. The posts themselves will preferably be of a square, round, rectangular or triangular cross- section. The barrier may also be at least partially constructed out of metal based material. The barrier may further comprise a tyre stop located towards the lower part of the post, so as to prevent access from motorised vehicles having a wide axles, such as a quad bike. The use of a tyre stop would not however prevent a motorised vehicle, such as a motorised wheelchair from passing as most wheelchairs often have a much narrower axle. The tyre stop may also be adjustable relative to the post such that the space between two tyre stops can be adjusted when put the barrier is in place or indeed adjustable after the barrier is in place to allow certain authorised vehicles to pass. The tyre stop may be adjustable by rotating around the post (on a collar for example) or around a pin attached to the post. If required, the tyre stop may also comprise a locking means so that the tyre stop can be adjusted and locked to a certain position and un-locked if required. A locking means may employ a padlock or ratchet mechanism for

example.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for producing a barrier suitable for preventing the passage of vehicles whilst allowing the passage of individuals therethrough, the kit comprising at least two posts and a base, wherein the two posts are capable of being received by the base and comprise an elongated post, a cylindrical member adapted to be affixed to the post and a tubular bar adapted to be fixed at one end to the post and the cylinder member at the other end. The kit of parts may therefore be used in order to produce a barrier as hereinabove described previously.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a barrier in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a base plate which is used in conjunction with the barrier in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a bird's eye view of the base plate as illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a section in a horizontal plane through two posts which are shown in Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a barrier having two posts 2 which can be received in a base plate 4b which is securely located in the ground.

Each post 2 has a cylinder 4a disposed mid-way along its length and additionally has a curved tubular bar 6 emanating from the cylinder 4a and terminating on the post 2 and being inclined away from the longitudinal axis of the post 2. Each post 2 can be seen in Figure 4, to be of a square cross-section and is received in a respective aperture 8 of the base plate 4b. An adjustable tyre stop 10 is disposed towards the base of the barrier and the post 2 is secured to the base plate 4b by means of a number of bolts 18 which are located in tyre stop 10. The base plate ** . 4b additionally has ducts 12 to allow rain water to easily drain from the barrier and may also allow a cattle grid to be incorporated or attached, in addition to providing ducting for cables etc. if required. * : : ::* S. .. * S

The base plate 4 further has number of fish ties 13 which can be used to stabilise * : the plate 4b, when placed within the ground. Holes 14 are also present on the base plate 4b and are used as additional means to secure the base plate to the ground and can receive bolts (not shown) that can additionally be located in concrete or a similar stabilising medium. The holes 14 are disposed within tabs that are formed integrally with the base plate 4b.

In use, the barrier is assembled by first placing the base plate 4b on or within the ground such that the fish ties 13 are covered with earth or concrete and may be additionally secured by means of bolts passed through the holes 14. The two posts 2 can then be placed within the respective apertures 8 of the base plate 4b and secured by means of the bolts 18. The base plate 4b may be adjustable in its width and therefore the precise opening that the barrier provides when in situ can be altered accordingly. Means of adjusting the width may comprise a sliding mechanism or similar within the base plate 4b. As the posts 2 have a hollow cross-section, they can receive electrical wiring which may connect to motion detectors, lights and cameras etc (not shown).

When in place, the barrier prevents passage of motorised vehicles, even when a motorbike or quad bike is manoeuvred on its rear wheel(s), as the separation A of * the tubular bars 6 is chosen to prevent the handlebars and/or the front wheels from * passing between them, but to permit passage of individuals, including the head of S..... a

an individual on a wheelchair. The separation B of the two cylinders 4a provides.

a similar function, allowing a person in a wheelchair to pass freely, whilst S...

preventing a motorcycle or quad bike free passage as the handlebars would not be a able to pass. Width C permits the body of a wheelchair to pass, but the tyre stops impede the passage of a wide vehicle such as a quad bike. It will therefore be apparent that the precise location of the cylinders 4a and tubular bars 6 will be selected based upon the dimensions of wheelchairs, including motorised wheelchairs, used for disabled individuals and therefore height D may differ from country to country. The same can also be said for the height E of the cylinder 4a.

Cylinder 4a provides a strong, yet forgiving surface past which an individual may pass without worry of injury. The same can also be said for the tubular bars 6 which also do not have any sharp corners upon which an individual may injure themselves.

The posts 2 may be secured to the base plate 4b by means of shear-pins (not shown) so that an emergency vehicle can simply "barge" over the barrier in order to access the restricted area. Of course, the posts 2 can subsequently be re-erected and secured using new shear-pins. Additionally or alternatively, the posts 2 can be permitted to rotate in the base plate 4b to permit the passage of restricted vehicles, so as to allow for maintenance etc. of the restricted area. * s * * * * 0 * ** It will also be evident that the posts 2 could be retro-fitted to an existing gate in a * .:.

fence or barrier or indeed be used in conjunction with existing base plates which * may already be in situ at the site. S... *..S *0 S

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Claims

1. A barrier suitable for preventing the passage of vehicles other than disabled vehicles, the barrier comprising two upright posts, each respective post having a restricting part adapted to restrict the width of the aperture formed between the posts, the restricting part having a lower portion that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post and an upper portion inclining from the lower portion towards a corresponding portion located on the respective post, the position of the restricting portion relative to the post being such as to prevent the passage of the vehicles.

2. A barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion inclines in a convergent manner to a corresponding portion located on the respective post.

3. A barrier as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower portion comprises a rounded protrusion.

3. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper portion comprises a tubular arm or a plate.

4. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the posts are connected to one another.

5. A barrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein the posts are releasably connected to one another.

6. A barrier as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the vehicle posts are connected to one another by means of a base plate.

7. A barrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base plate is adapted to the below ground level. - 12-

8. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distance between the posts is adjustable.

9. A barrier as claimed in claim 8, wherein the distance between the posts is adjusted by means of the base plate reducing in width.

10. A barrier as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the base plate further comprises at least one anchor to secure the gate in the ground.

11. A barrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein the anchor is a fish tie.

12. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a floor plate disposed between both posts.

13. A barrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the floor plate forms part of the base plate.

14. A barrier as claimed in either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the floor plate is tactile.

15. A barrier as claimed in either claim 13 or 14, wherein the base plate and/or floor plate comprises an animal grid.

16. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one post, or part thereof, is capable of rotation, so as to allow passage of vehicles through the barrier when required.

17. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the posts are collapsible upon a pre-determined pressure being applied upon them.

1 8. A barrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein the posts are collapsible by means of sheer-pins.

19. A barrier as claimed in any of claims 6 to 18, wherein the posts are received in ground sockets located within the base plats. /

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20. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier further comprises a lighting means to illuminate the barrier and/or the path over the barrier.

21. A barrier as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lighting means is ingressed within the barrier.

22. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier further comprises a detecting means for detecting the use of a barrier and/or the approach of an individual to the barrier.

23. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier further comprises a camera.

24. A barrier as claimed in claim 22, wherein the detecting means is operably coupled to the lighting means and/or camera.

25. A barrier as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lighting means is activated when the detecting means detects the use of or approach of an individual to the barrier.

26. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper portion of the restricting part comprises tubular arms.

27. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower portion of the restricting part is substantially cylindrical in shape.

28. A barrier as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the lighting means illuminates the passage through the barrier.

29. A barrier as claimed in claim 28, wherein the lighting means is disposed within the lower portion of the restricting part. r

30. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the posts are of a square, rectangular or triangular cross-section.

31. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier is constructed at least partially out of a metal based material.

32. A barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is at least one tyre stop located towards the base of the post, so as to hinder access from unauthorised vehicles.

33. A barrier as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tyre stop is adjustable.

34. A barrier as substantially described hereinabove, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.

35. A kit of parts for producing a barrier suitable for preventing the passage of vehicles whilst allowing the passage of individuals therethrough, the kit comprising at least two posts and a base, wherein the two posts are capable of being received by the base and comprise an elongated post, a cylindrical member adapted to be affixed to the post and a tubular bar adapted to be fixed at one end to the post and the cylinder member at the other end.

36. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 35, wherein the kit is used to produce a barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33.