GB2489695A

GB2489695A - Security device to halt and/or deflect vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2489695A
Application number: GB1105631.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Stobbs
Original assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Current assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-04
Filing date: 2011-04-04
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-04
Also published as: GB201105631D0; GB2489695B

Abstract

The security device comprises at least one upwardly extending member 10 and a plurality of side members 12 to define an elongate framework. The upwardly extending member has an outer tube and at least one inner tube, where the wall thickness of the inner tube may be the same as that of the outer. The outer tube may be attached to a base plate and the cross-section of the upwardly extending member may be circular, oval, square or rectangular. The inner core defined by the inside of the inner tube may be empty or solid. At least one end of the upwardly extending member is closed. The elongate framework may be provided in combination with an auxiliary item, such as a piece of street furniture, which in use may be positioned over and around the framework.

Description

SECURrrV DEVtCE The present invention relates to security devices, particularly to security devices for protecting buildings, dweUings, peope, etc., from being struck by a vehicle.

Many types of security device are known. One type of security device comprises a boDard. For example, one type of known securfty device comprises a bollard which can be used in protecting buildhgs1 dwellings, people, etc., from vehicle strike. Such bollards need to be of a sophisticated construction if they are to provide the necessary strength and resistance to hart and/or deflect a vehicle.

One problem with certain conventional bollards is that they may lack the necessary strength and resistance to halt and/or deflect a vehicle, A yet further problem with boUards in general is that they can prove to be aesthetically unappealing and the street planner/designer would wish to be able to use other forms of street furniture. However, conventional street furniture does not necessarily possess the required strength and resistance to halt and/or deflect a vehicle, thus protecting buildings, dwellings, peopleS etc., from vehicle strike.

One aim of the present invention is to provide a security device which is more substantial than a single bollard.

An alternative aim of the present invention is to provide a security device that is of similar strength and resistance to a bollard but can form part of an article of street furniture such as decorative planters, seats or litter bins, and the like.

The present invention seeks to address at least one of the problems noted above and seeks to meet at least one of the aims.

Other aims and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

According to the present invention there is provided a device as set forth herein.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows, The invention provides a security device comprising a pluraty of upwardly extending members, interconnected by side members to provide an elongate framework, each upwardly extending member comprising an outer tube and at east one inner tube.

Preferably, there is a spacing between the outer tube and the inner tube or between the outer tube and the outermost inner tube.

Preferably, there is a spacing between the inner tubes or each of the inner tubes.

By spacing we mean that there is a gap or space between the respective tubes.

There may be any number of inner tubes, preferably there are &ther one or two inner tubes, more preferably there are two inner tubes.

At least one end of each outer tube may be dosed.

Preferably, any inner tube is a loose fit with the outer tube, or within another inner tube.

Each of the inner tubes may have the same wafi thickness and this wall thickness may be the same as the waU thickness of the outer tube within any or aR of the upwardly extending members, In a yet further embodiment; the outer wafl and the outermost inner tube may have the same wa thickness, with any further inner tubes having a smaller wall thickness, within any or all of the upwardly extending members.

Some or all of the outer tubes of the upwarthy extending members may be attached to base plates.

The upwardly extending members can be of any suitable and/or conventional cross-section, with, for example, circular, oval, square or rectangular crosssections being possible.

Suitably, the region defined within the inner tube; known herein as the inner core; may be solid; but preferably will not be solid, and for example, may be simply air. If solid, the inner core may be a loose fit within the innermost inner tube.

The framework may be provided in combination with an auxiliary item, such as an item of street furniture; for example a seat; which, in use, may be positioned over and around the framework. Thus, the security device provides, in use, a protective core which, in use, would be at ieast partiahy concealed by an arflde of street furniture, preferably a seat. For example.

a decorative seat may be placed over the security device, or the securfty device may be incorporated in or form part of a decorative seat.

Advantageou&y. the security device of the present invention may be of standard size such that, in use, it can be used with an auxiliary item of a standard profile or standard commercial size, such that the auxikary item is one that is commoffly available and therefore can be economicafly procured.

The upward extending members may, for example, be interconnected by a plurality of side bars or members, such interconnechon providing, together with the upward extending members, a robust framework which can be used as part of an item of street furniture, such as a seat.

Preferably; there are more than two upwardly extending members, more preferably there are three upwardly extending members.

The upwardly extending members may preferably be positioned so as to form, together with the interconnecting side members; the part of the framework that, in use; will provide the support for the back of the seat, when in use with the item of street furniture.

Preferably, there are three such upwardly extending members so arranged.

Preferably; the two upwardly extending members at the ends of the framework section forming, in use, the back of the seat contain the same number of inner tubes as each other; more preferably, this being one to three inner tubes inclusive, more preferably one or two inner tubes, most preferably two inner tubes. Further upwardly extending members may be positioned as part of the framework forming the back of the seat, preferably present in a number to decrease the spacing between the upwardly extendfrg members to less than the width of a vehicle such as a standard car. Such further upwardly extending members may also have any number of inner tubes; which may be different in number or the same as the number of inner tubes of the aforementioned two upwardly extending members at the ends of the framework, and more preferably may have one or two inner tubes; most preferably having one inner tube.

The size and shape of the outer and inner tubes are such as to facilitate the formation of the upwardly extending members according to the invention. For example, the tubes can be essentially rectangular in crosssection shape and may fit loosely inside each other, for example being between 30mm and 130mm in length in either dfrection, for example about 80mm x 40mm, 100mm x 60mm and 120mm x 80mm, Further upwarthy extending members may be present within the framework. Such further members may add to the structur robustness of the framework and/or to the formation of a framework that, in use, will form the shape of an item of street furniture, such as a seat.

For example the further upwardly extending members may provide at least one member at the front of the framework when in use as a seat. Alternatively, there may be present upwardly extending members within the framework that are simply a single or a sohd post. Further side members can also be present.

The framework provided in the invention may generally form a substantially triangular shape, or any other shapes to facilitate the formation of a seat when said framework is used as part of an item of street furniture.

Faces of the framework found in the invention may be angled so as to provide a comfortable arrangement for the arhcle of street furniture, for example, a seat.

Further side members can be arranged, connecting upwardly extending members to each other, or to other side members, or even connecting side members.

By upwardly extending members, we mean that said member is preferably substantiaUy vertical, or at least above the horizontal to some extent, for example between from about 50* to I 30° from the horizontal, preferably from about 70° to 110° from the horizontal, more preferably from about 75° to 105° from the horizontal, even more preferably from about 80* to 100° from the horizontal, yet even more preferably from about 85 to 95° to the horizontal, An upper cap may be fitted to the upper region of one or more of the upwardly extending members. Said upper caps may be provided with a lifting facility, for example a tapped hole or similar, into which a lifting member, for example a hook, may be screwed.

All the said components of the framework may be steel, but other materias or combinations of materi& may be used.

Suitably, the security device meets the requirements of standard performance classifications, such as $51 PAS 68, also known as PAS 68, devised and administered by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.

PAS 68 involves the physical impact testing of perimeter securfty products, such as items of street furniture, at varying speeds and with different vehicle types, ranging from mediumsized saloon cars, on the one hand, to large trucks, on the other. The PAS 66 test measures the penetration of the load-carrying part of the vehide beyond the security barrier.

PAS 68 therefore tests the protective securfty of security devices.

By way of exampe, a specific embodment of a security device according to the invention wHI now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the security device according to the present invention, taken from above; Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the security device according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the security device according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through one of the upwardly extending members of the security device; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through another of the upwardly extending members of the security device; Figure 6 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the security device according to the present invention; and Figures 7 to 9, indusive, show versions of the security device, in use, covered and at least partially concealed by a seat.

Figures 1 and 2 show a security device of an embodiment according to the present invention from above and from the front, respectively. The upwardly extending members 10 are shown in figures 1 and 2 connected by various side members 12. Also shown is a further upwardly extending member 14 at the front of the framework 16.

As is best shown in Figure 3, which figure shows the framework 16 from a side elevation) there is clearly shown the angle of the seat 18 part of the framework and the front upwardly extending member 20.

Figure 4 shows a cros.s section (B-B) through one of the upwardly extending members 10 of the framework 18, being one of the two upwardly extending members at the end of the framework forming, in use, the back of the seat. The upwardly extending member lOis shown in cross-section from above and one can see the outer tube 22, the innermost inner tube 24, and the inner tube 26 between the outer tube 22 and the innermost inner tube 24, It can also be noted from Figure 4 that this upwardly extending member 10 is connected to side members 12.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section (CC) through a further upwardly extending member 10 of the framework 16, being on an upwardly extending member situated between the two upwardly extending members at the end of the framework forming, in use, the back of the seat in, for example Figure 1. This upwardly extending member 10 is shown in cross-section from above and one can see the outer tube 28, and the single inner tube 30. It can also be noted From Figure 5 that this upwardly extending member 10 is connected to side members 12.

Figure 6 shows the security device of the present invention, whilst Figures 7 to g show the security device in use, being covered and at least partially concealed by an article of street furniture, being a seat.

It has been found that security devices according to the invention meet wfth the requirements of SSl PAS 68. In particular, security devices according to the present invention have been successfufly testedç for example, against a 7.5t vehicle travelling at 30 mph without significant penetration. Other examples, as defined in PAS 68, include vehicles of various sizes, impact speeds and approach angles. Security devices according to the present invention have been found to pass such tests under BSI PAS 68, The structural framework of the present invention is understood to provide the necessery strength and resistance to vehicles driving at it, as confirmed by meeting the requirements of BSI PAS 68, whilst in use, the auxiliary item may provide and improve the aesthetic nature and functionality of the street furniture, for example seat. It has been found that security devices of the present invention show improved strength and resistance compared to conventional items of street furniture, such as seats, of a solid structure.

In use, the security device is positioned in an area which requires protection, for example, protection from vehicles.

Moreover, in use, the base of the security device will be fixed, for example by embedding the bases of the upwardly extending members in concrete.

ln the event of the security device described above being struck by a vehicle, the outer tube 5 of the upwardly extending members deform, and the inner components move about within the outer tube 10 in an essentially complex manner, and this interaction of the various components contributes to the stopping or deflection of the vehicle.

The use of security devices comprising a pkirahty of upwarthy extending members, interconnected by side members to provide an elongate framework, each upwardly extending member comprising an outer tube and at least one inner tube, preferably there being a spacing between the outer tube and the inner tube has been found to provide a device, or article of street furniture such as a seat, which may have the necessary strength and resistance to halt or deflect a vehicle, Although the security device of the present invention could be used as a protective device on its own, it is also the intention that the device will provide a framework which, in use, would be at least partially concealed by an article of street furniture, such as a seat. For example, a decorative seat can be placed over the security device, or the security device might be incorporated in, or form part of a seat, or other article of street furniture, such as a bin, or the like.

The security device of the present invention enables the street planner or designer to replace some or afl bollards with items of street furniture, to a similar or better specification in relation to strength and/or resistance, especially in areas of high security risk where alternatives to conventional bollards and hollards meeting the requirements of 331 PAS 68 are desired. Thus, the street planner or designer is therefore now able to incorporate items of street furniture with more function and better aesthetics than bollards, whilst not compromising the level of security.

Attention is thrected to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by afternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. a

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features dizdosed in this specification (including any accompanying daims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A security device comprising at least one upwardly extending member, interconnected by a plurality of side members to provide an elongate framework, wherein said at least one upwardly extending member comprises an outer tube and at least one inner tube, wherein the at least one inner tube is a loose fit.
2. The security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the inner tubes has the same wall thickness.
3. The security device as claimed in claims I or 2 wherein a wall thickness of the at least one inner tube equals the wall thickness of the outer tube within said at least one upwardly extending member.
4. The security device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the outer tube of said at least one upwardly extending member is attached to a base plate.
5. The security device as claimed in any of claims I to 4 wherein said at least one upwardly extending member is circular, oval, square or rectangular in cross-section. o 20ct
6. The security device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the region within the at o least one inner tube is defined by an inner core, wherein the inner core contains air.
7. The security device as claimed in any of claims I to 5 wherein the region within the at least one inner tube is defined by an inner core, wherein the inner core is solid.
8. The security device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein at least one end of the outer tube of said at least one upwardly extending member is closed.
9. The security device as claimed in any of claims I to 8 wherein the security device has a plurality of upwardly extending members and a width between the upwardly extending members is less than a width of a vehicle such as a standard car.
10. The security device as claimed in any of claims ito 9 wherein the elongate framework is provided in combination with an auxiliary item, such as an item of street furniture, for example a seat, which, in use, may be positioned over and around the elongate framework.
11. The security device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the auxiliary item is of standard profile or standard commercial size. r