GB2570158A

GB2570158A - Anti-ram raid device

Info

Publication number: GB2570158A
Application number: GB1800630.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Mccann Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-01-15
Filing date: 2018-01-15
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Also published as: WO2019138090A1; GB201800630D0

Abstract

An anti-ram raid structure comprises a first segment 3 extending in a first direction and resting upon ground and a second segment 2 having one end joined to the first segment and extending in a second, different, direction. A third segment 1 joined to the other end of the second segment extends upwardly and redirects the kinetic force of a vehicle striking the structure. The third segment may extend upwardly above the centroid of the structure, and the three segments may form an equilateral tetrahedron. The structure may comprise an embedded lifting loop, and the second segment may be in contact with the ground. The structure is not buried, and may comprise a panel for providing cover or to present information. The segments may be in the form of a cylinder or triangular, rectangular or octagonal prism, and may comprise reflective surfaces or lighting. Structures may be connected together to form an array, and may be secured to the ground.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates in general to bollards and the protection of pedestrian areas from vehicles and, more specifically, to a new type of anti-ram raid device.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE [0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

[0003] Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Found on the pavements of main streets, squares, and other public spaces, bollards are for the most part short, static vertical posts typically used to help prevent and/or direct traffic from entering pedestrian zones. They are often designed or chosen to blend into or complement the aesthetic of their surroundings.

[0005] Bollards that are flexible or temporary are generally manufactured from cheap materials such as plastic. More permanent bollards are typically manufactured from high-strength materials such as, but not limited to, steel, reinforced concrete, and titanium.

[0006] Generally, bollards are installed in one of two manners: either by using bolts to attach them onto the surface of the pavement or installed with up to two thirds of the entire bollard buried into the ground providing a more anchored, secure bollard.

[0007] In the first case, the bollard is proscriptive rather than protective. It is a behavioral guide for law-abiding citizens but, in the case of a vehicle driven with the intent of passing beyond the boundaries created by these bollards, they are not capable of preventing it. Flexible bollards also fall into this category of proscriptive bollards. Their flexibility is merely a means to prevent damage to the bollard.

[0008] In the second case, the bollard is commonly installed with up to two-thirds of its entirety buried into the ground. While this may stop a vehicle when it is impacted, it will, however, redistribute the shock into the surrounding pavement damaging it extensively. Furthermore, depending on the speed and size of the vehicle, the bollard may also become displaced by the impact, allowing the vehicle a second opportunity for passage into the pedestrian zone.

[0009] In another instance, the bollard might not be sufficient to immobilize the vehicle, as generally this is not a consideration in the design of existing bollards, which merely aim to stop entry and not the vehicle.

[0010] It must also be noted that while there are bollards which are installed with impact absorption technology into the pavement, they are rare and expensive.

[0011] Short, static, vertical bollards have been used in city planning for hundreds of years but with contemporary advancement in automobile technology, the protection they offer may already be insufficient.

[0012] Other methods of stopping vehicles include Czech hedgehogs, dragon’s teeth, and sump busters. Czech hedgehogs are a static anti-tank obstacle defence made of crossing metal beams. Dragon's teeth are square-pyramidal fortifications of reinforced concrete first used during the Second World War to impede the movement of tanks and mechanised infantry.

[0013] A sump buster is a rarely used device installed in the centre of the lanes of bus routes or roads designated exclusively for busses. The O-Bahn Busway in Adelaide, South Australia is an example of this. The sump buster is designed to be elevated off the road surface to a specific height, which is high enough to destroy the oil pan of any vehicle with insufficient ground clearance (for example cars, SUV’s, vans etc) and so discourages this traffic from entering the designated lane. While too high for these vehicles it is low enough not to affect busses, which have sufficient ground clearance.

[0014] The Czech hedgehog and dragon’s teeth are scaled and designed in relation to tanks. Tailor-made for the battlefield, they would be disconcerting to the public in an urban environment and would also interrupt the public space and flow of pedestrians. The sump buster’s only application is on roads that are or have lanes dedicated to busses. It does, however, take into account the vulnerability of the underside of vehicles and their dimensions.

[0015] After searching, the only bollard or barrier of any comparable relevance is publication number EP2519694. While it functions with the momentum of the impacting vehicle by sliding out of the ground, it does so in a rather cumbersome manner and remains just a variant of the traditional vertical post bollard.

[0016] Vehicle ramming terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred at Glasgow Airport, UK, in 2007, on Bastille Day in Nice, France, in 2016, at a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, in 2016, and at London Bridge, UK, in 2017, have increased in recent years. Accordingly, there exists a need for additional bespoke anti-vehicle security for pavements, pedestrian zones and secure areas such as embassies, and to facilitate road closures for events, festivals, and celebrations.

[0017] The present invention is designed to provide such a device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a new type of anti-ram raid device.

[0019] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a new type of anti-ram raid device having three segments comprising three adjacent vertices of an open tetrahedron, being joined at two adjacent apices of said tetrahedron, such that when two vertices rest on the ground, the third projects upward, thereby redirecting the kinetic force of a vehicle striking said device back upon the vehicle.

[0020] An advantage of the invention is that in the occurrence of the device being driven into and knocked over the shape (as described above) is such that one point will always be elevated as a means to engage the vehicle and inflict further damage.

[0021] In the occurrence of a vehicle impacting upon the device the base end is propelled upwards penetrating the underside of the vehicle simultaneously producing a lift action raising the vehicle. These resulting actions are specifically intended to stop and/or immobilize the vehicle and prevent it from further entering onto the pavement thus protecting the surrounding pedestrians and buildings.

[0022] If the vehicle is not fully stopped or immobilized and tries to continue, the device should dramatically impede and slow the vehicle, further penetrate the engine block causing more damage, continue to rotate as the vehicle tries to drive over it, causing multiple impacts and a large amount of damage thus slowing, impeding, and/or stopping the vehicle. This would also happen if the vehicle attempts to reverse. The minimum result in all scenarios is that pedestrians should have sufficient time to evacuate to safety.

[0023] One of the advantages of this device over existing post bollards is that the invention is designed to immobilize and/or dramatically impede a vehicle by targeting the vulnerabilities of the underside of the vehicle rather than merely provide an obstacle that impedes entry.

[0024] Another advantage of the device is that it is not installed deep into the ground in the way many traditional vertical post bollards are, but still provides stopping power unlike proscriptive bollards. The device would be ideal for areas where beneath the pavement there are cables and pipes or valuable, dangerous, or historic material which cannot or should not be disturbed through digging. It would also reduce the installation costs by requiring less labour and material.

[0025] Another advantage of the device is its shape which allows for horizontal stacking optimizing its use of space while being transported or placed in storage. This functionality would be particularly advantageous if the invention is only installed periodically.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein said device further comprises an embedded loop wherein the loop is sufficiently structurally robust to allow the entire device to be lifted fully off the ground.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein said device further comprises at least one additional panel mounted between adjacent apices of the device.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein at least one additional panel provides a space for the presentation of information.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein at least one additional panel comprises anti-ballistic material capable of providing cover to persons behind said panel.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, a public protection apparatus is formed comprising an array of the invention according to any described variation of the device.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the array wherein individual variations of the device are linked by means of chains either connected to or threaded through the projecting loops.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises embedded plates with bolt holes for securing the device to the ground.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises reflective surfaces and/or lighting to ensure visibility at night.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment wherein edges and/or corners are rounded to stylistically enhance any described variation of the invention.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises a textured surface, patterns, or ornamentation such as but not limited to mouldings.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment wherein said device further comprises at least one alternative segment shape such as but not limited to cylinder, rectangular prism, triangular prism and octagonal Prism.

[0037] These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0038] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a slightly elevated front view and 3D isometric view of the anti-ram raid device according to the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows view from above and 3D isometric view of the device according to the invention;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a slightly elevated side view and 3D isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a slightly elevated reverse view and 3D isometric view with a cut-out section showing the inventions loop securely anchored in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0043] Certain terminology is used in the following description for reference only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “upper,” “lower,” “outer,” “inner,” and “interior” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the invention, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0044] The present invention relates in general to bollards and the protection of pedestrian areas from vehicles and, more specifically, to a new type of anti-ram raid device.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated an anti-ram raid device comprising: three segments 1, 2, 3 comprising three adjacent vertices 6, 7, 8 of an open tetrahedron, being joined at two adjacent apices 4, 5 of said tetrahedron, such that when two vertices rest on the ground, the third projects upward, thereby redirecting the kinetic force of a vehicle striking said device back upon the vehicle.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2 there is illustrated the anti-ram raid structure of Figure 1, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are arranged to form three adjacent segments of an equilateral tetrahedron with the third vertices projecting upward and ending above the centroid of said tetrahedron.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated said device, according to the Figure 1, further comprising an embedded loop 9. The loop is sufficiently structurally robust to allow the entire device to be lifted fully off the ground, as illustrated in Figure 4. This also offers the possibility wherein individual devices are linked by means of a chain or chains either connected to or threaded through the projecting loops.

[0048] An alternative embodiment of the device, according to Figure 1 & Figure 3, wherein said devices further comprise at least one additional panel mounted between adjacent apices of the device. The panel would provide a space for the presentation of information. In an alternative embodiment, wherein at least one additional panel comprises anti-ballistic material capable of providing cover to persons behind said panel.

[0049] In another embodiment, a public protection apparatus is formed comprising an array of the device according to any embodiment described herein.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the array wherein any individual variation of the devices are linked by means of chains either connected to or threaded through the projecting loops illustrated in Figure 2.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises reflective surfaces and/or lighting to ensure visibility at night.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises bolt holes and/or embedded plates with bolt holes for securing the device to the ground to prevent said device from being moved by a person or persons.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises construction using high-strength material or materials, such as but not limited to steel, reinforced concrete, or titanium.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises a textured surface, patterns, or ornamentation such as but not limited to mouldings [0055] In an alternative embodiment, wherein any described variation of the invention further comprises edges, apices, and/or corners are rounded to lessen the severity of the structures aesthetic and integrate it into its surroundings.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment wherein said device further comprises at least one alternative segment shape such as but not limited to cylinder, rectangular prism, triangular prism and octagonal prism.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment a public protection apparatus comprising an array of any described variation of the invention.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment the public protection apparatus comprising an array wherein any individual described variation of the are linked by means of chains either connected to or threaded through the projecting loops described previously.

[0059] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-ram raid structure comprising:

a first segment extending in a first direction and resting upon ground;

a second segment extending along a longitudinal axis in a second direction and one end of the second segment is joined with the first segment, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction; and a third segment joined with the second segment at an opposite end of the second segment, wherein the third segment extends upwardly and redirects kinetic force of a vehicle striking the antiram raid structure back upon the vehicle.

2. An anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein the third segment extends upwardly above centroid of the structure.

3. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are arranged to form three adjacent segments of an equilateral tetrahedron.

4. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, further comprises an embedded loop, wherein the embedded loop is structurally robust to allow the structure to be lifted fully off the ground.

5. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the third segments form a single continuous structure.

6. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein the second segment in the second direction is in contact with the ground along the longitudinal axis.

7. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1 is designed to propel upwardly if the vehicle strikes with the anti-ram raid structure.

8. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 7, wherein one or more of the first segment and second segment produces a lift action to raise the vehicle.

9. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, further comprises a forth panel mounted between apices of adjacent segments.

10. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 9, wherein the forth panel is an anti-ballistic panel capable of providing cover to persons behind the structure.

11. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 9, wherein the forth panel provides a space for presentation of information.

12. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, further comprises at least one alternative segment shape, wherein the segment shape is at least one of a cylinder, a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, and an octagonal prism.

13. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein edges of one or more of the first segment, second segment and third segment are rounded.

14. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first segment, second segment and third segment further comprises at least one of a textured surface, a pattern, ornamentation or mouldings.

15. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first segment, second segment and third segment further comprises reflective surfaces or lighting.

16. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1 is made from a high strength material, wherein the high strength material comprises one or more of a steel, reinforced concrete, and titanium.

17. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1 is fixed to the ground using fasteners, wherein the fasteners comprises at least one of bolts, nuts, attachment plates, and screws.

18. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 1 further comprising an array of any described variation of the invention that can be employed as a public protection apparatus.

19. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 18 linked by means of chains either connected or threaded through projecting loops.

20. The anti-ram raid structure of claim 18, wherein the array of anti-ram raid structures is secured to ground.

21. An anti-ram raid structure comprising:

a first segment extending in a first direction and resting upon ground;

a second segment extending along a longitudinal axis in a second direction and one end of the second segment is joined with the first segment, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction; and a third segment joined with the second segment at an opposite end of the second segment, wherein the third segment extends upwardly above centroid of the structure and redirects kinetic force of a vehicle striking the anti-ram raid structure back upon the vehicle, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment are arranged to form three adjacent segments of an equilateral tetrahedron.