WO2021005361A1

WO2021005361A1 - Vehicle barrier apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021005361A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/051636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Philip Knight; Matthew David BOTWRIGHT
Original assignee: Marshalls Mono Limited
Priority date: 2019-07-08
Filing date: 2020-07-08
Publication date: 2021-01-14
Also published as: GB201909763D0; GB2585642A; GB2585642B

Abstract

There is provided a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising: a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and one or more leg members; a base adapted for ground engagement and arranged to define one or more openings in the base, wherein the one or more leg members are configured to slot in the one or more openings to couple the barrier member to the base.

Description

Vehicle barrier apparatus

Field

This invention relates to barriers, and particular though not exclusively, to impact barriers such as vehicle impact barriers for placing upon an existing surface such as a road surface or a paved surface. The invention in some aspects relates to surface mountable and removable barriers for use as vehicle impact barriers. The invention may be employed for rapid deployment in a street, causeway or other route

Background

The provision of barriers comprising bollards, particularly vehicle barriers, often requires the permanent fixture, embedding or foundation of bollards within a ground surface in order to provide sufficient robustness and resilience of permanency to the barrier. It is very common that bollards arrayed collectively to provide such a barrier on a ground surface require some degree of excavation into that ground surface to enable each individual bollard of the barrier to be firmly, fixedly and permanently set into the ground to be upstanding from it. This is costly, time consuming and damaging to existing ground surfaces. For example, an existing ground surface may comprise a paved area or may comprise a floor surface which is not in immediate contact with the ground, such as an elevated floor surface (e.g. a concrete floor) within an upper level of a building such as a car park or airport terminal building or the like. Excavating such a floor surface in order to accommodate embedded bollards is extremely undesirable. Structural integrity maybe compromised, and the embedding of suitably robust bollards may not be feasible or permissible.

These problems are compounded when the situation requires rapid, but only temporary placement of a barrier. In those circumstances, time-consuming placement followed by subsequent re-excavation of the embedded barrier would be required in order to remove the barrier.

The present invention aims to provide means and methods which may be used desirably to assist in addressing some or all of the problems identified above.

Summary

There is provided a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising: a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and a plurality of leg members; a base adapted for ground engagement and arranged to define a plurality of openings in the base, wherein the leg members are configured to slot in the openings to couple the barrier member to the base. The provision of this simple, and yet robust coupling means that the vehicle barrier apparatus is configured to absorb vehicle loads and transfer to the loads to the base, without the need for a complex pivotal connection to allow a‘stowed’ position. Instead, the removable barrier member can easily and simply be removed as required. Therefore, the removable barrier member may be physically removed from the base to allow passage of vehicles rather than it being designed to collapse into itself.

In one example, the leg members are configured to be coupled to the openings via an engineering fit.

In one example, the vehicle barrier apparatus comprises one or more locking rods configured to be received in corresponding apertures in the leg members and the base.

The base may comprise a plurality of support members and the openings are defined by the plurality of support members.

The plurality of support members may be arranged in a framework.

The base may comprise a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of lateral support members.

The openings in the base may be defined by adjacent pairs of longitudinal support members and adjacent pairs of lateral support members.

The vehicle barrier apparatus may comprise one or more linking members configured to connect the vehicle barrier apparatus to an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus in a modular arrangement.

The one or more linking members may be configured to be located between adjacent pairs of lateral support members.

The one or more linking members may be configured to be coupled to the adjacent lateral support members via an engineering fit.

The obstacle portion may comprise an obstructing element arranged at an angle of between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the base. The vehicle barrier apparatus may comprise a shroud configured to cover the obstacle portion.

In one example, the removable barrier and the base comprise hollow structural sections. The removable barrier member may comprise one or more stops configured to abut the base.

In another example, there is provided a method of forming a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising: providing a base adapted for ground engagement comprising a plurality of support members, wherein the plurality of support members are arranged to define a plurality of openings in the base; providing a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and a plurality of leg members; and coupling the removable barrier member to the base by sliding the leg members into the openings in the base.

In one example, there is provided a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising: a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and one or more leg members; a base adapted for ground engagement and arranged to define one or more openings in the base, wherein the one or more leg members are configured to slot in the one or more openings to couple the barrier member to the base.

In one example, there is provided a method of forming a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising: providing a base adapted for ground engagement comprising a plurality of support members, wherein the plurality of support members are arranged to define one or more openings in the base; providing a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and one or more leg members; and coupling the removable barrier member to the base by sliding the one or more leg members into the one or more openings in the base.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a removable barrier member;

Figure 2A shows a perspective view of an example of a base;

Figure 2B shows a perspective view of an example of a removable barrier member and a base prior to coupling; Figure 3A shows a perspective view of an example of a plurality of coupled vehicle barrier apparatus;

Figure 3B shows a perspective view of an example of a plurality of bases prior to coupling;

Figure 4A shows a first example of a removable barrier member;

Figure 4B shows a second example of a removable barrier member;

Figure 5 shows an example of an example of a plurality of coupled vehicle barrier apparatus with a protective shroud; and

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of an example of a method of forming a vehicle barrier apparatus.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an example of a removable barrier member 102 configured to prevent vehicle access to an area or region. The removable barrier member 102 may be coupled with a base 1 14 to form a vehicle barrier apparatus 100 as shown in more detail in Figure 3A.

The removable barrier member 102 comprises an obstacle portion 104 and one or more leg members 106. In one example, the obstacle portion 104 is configured to be located above ground and act as an obstruction for vehicles, such as cars, from accessing an area. The removable barrier member 102 also includes one or more leg members 106. In the example shown in Figure 1 , the removable barrier member 102 includes three leg members 106, but in practice, more or fewer than three leg members 106 may be used. The leg members 106 are shaped such that they may be received in respective openings within a base 1 14 of a vehicle barrier apparatus 100, which will be discussed in more detail below. The removable barrier member 102 may be formed of a plurality of elements 108 that are coupled together. In the example shown in Figure 1 , the removable barrier member 102 comprises a framework of elements 108 coupled together, for example by welding.

In one example, the removable barrier member 102 comprises one or more stops 1 10 that may be coupled to a leg member 106. In one example, the one or more stops 1 10 engage with the base 1 14 to provide horizontal stability by reducing wobble of the removable barrier member 102 relative to the base 1 14. The one or more stops 1 10 may be fixed by screws to the base 1 14. In one example, the stops 1 10 comprises a 60mmx10mm flat bar. The obstacle portion 104 may be considered to be located on a first side of the stop 110 and the leg members 106 may be considered to be located on a second side of the stop 110. The stops 110 may be configured to project from the leg members 106 such that in use, the stops 1 10 are configured to abut the base so that a predetermined length of leg member 106 is inserted into the opening of the base and the obstacle portion 104 of the removable barrier 102 is located above the base.

The leg members 106 may also include one or more apertures 112 suitable for receiving a fastener, such as a connecting rod, which will be discussed in more detail below.

The removable barrier member 102 may be formed of a framework of box-shaped beams. In one example, the box shape beams may comprise rectangular hollow sections (RHS) or square hollow section (SHS). For example, the removable barrier member 102 may comprise a combination of 120mm x 80mm x 8mm RHS and 150mm x 100mm x 6mm RHS members.

Figure 2A shows an example of a base 114 adapted for ground engagement. In one example, the base 114 comprises a substantially planar element, such as a plate, with one or more openings defined therein. In other examples, the base 1 14 comprises a plurality of support members 116. The support members 1 16 may be arranged in an array such that one or more openings 118 are defined by the support members 116 of the base 114. In one example, the support members 116 are orthogonally arranged relative to each other and openings 118 are defined between adjacent support members 116. The one or more openings 118 defined by the plurality of support members 116 are sized to receive the leg members 118 of the removable barrier member 102 to couple the removable barrier member 102 to the base 114. Each leg member 106 of the removable barrier member 102 may be received in a respective opening 1 18 of the base 114, for example by sliding the leg members 106 into the openings 118. In one example, the width and length of the leg member 106 is shaped so as to have approximately the same width and length respectively of the opening

118 such that the leg member 106 is received in an engineering fit or close fit in the opening 118 to couple the removable barrier member 102 to the base 114.

In the example shown in Figures 2A, the base 114 comprises three openings 118 defined by the support members 116, with each of the openings 118 configured to receive one of the leg members 106 of the removable barrier member 102. In other words, the one or more leg members 106 may be slotted into a corresponding opening 118 in a base 114 to couple the removable barrier member 102 to the base 114. The connection of the removable barrier member 102 to a base 1 14 by close fit means that the removable barrier member 102 can easily be removed, if desired, by moving it in an orthogonal direction away from a plane of the base 1 14, i.e. in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the leg member 106, following the removal of a locking rod 1 15, if present. The provision of this simple, and yet robust coupling means that the vehicle barrier apparatus 100 is configured to absorb vehicle loads and transfer to the loads to the base 1 14, without the need for a complex pivotal connection to allow a‘stowed’ position. Instead, the removable barrier member 102 can easily and simply be removed as required. Therefore, the removable barrier member 102 may be physically removed from the base 1 14 to allow passage of vehicles rather than it being designed to collapse into itself.

In one example, the base 1 14 may be connected to a socket or ballast to provide further foundation of the base 1 14 to the ground. Providing a socket or ballast means provides additional resistance to ensure that the base 1 14 remaining coupled to the ground.

Figure 2B shows an example of the removable barrier member 102 prior to coupling with the base 1 14. As can be seen in Figure 2B, a locking rod 1 15 is also shown disengaged from the base 1 14 and removable barrier member 102. After the removable barrier member 102 is coupled with the base 1 14, then the locking rod 1 15 may further couple the removable barrier member 102 to the base 1 14.

In one example, the support members 1 16 comprise a plurality of longitudinal members 1 16A and a plurality of lateral members 1 16B. The longitudinal members 1 16A and the lateral members 1 16B are arranged in an array to define one or more openings 1 12 in the base 1 14. Adjacent longitudinal members 1 16A may be separated by a first predetermined distance and adjacent lateral members 1 16B may be separated by a second predetermined distance such that the opening 1 18 has a first dimension of the first pre-determined distance and a second dimension of the second pre-determined distance, i.e. the openings 1 18 in the base 1 14 are defined by adjacent pairs of longitudinal members 1 16A and adjacent pairs of lateral members 1 16B.

In one example, the lateral members 1 16B are each formed of a continuous piece of material, i.e. the lateral members 1 16B are not split into smaller sections. In this example, the longitudinal members 1 16A, may be formed of a plurality of pieces configured to be coupled with the lateral members 1 16B, i.e. the longitudinal members 1 16A are split into a plurality of smaller sections that are arranged on a plane and configured to be connected between the lateral members 1 16B. In this example, the longitudinal member 1 16A may also have two pieces connected at only one end to the end sections of the lateral members 1 16B. For example, the longitudinal members 1 16A may have two end sections having a free terminal end and one end coupled to the lateral member 1 16B and a plurality of intermediate sections which have both ends coupled to lateral members 1 16B. The coupling between lateral members 1 16B and longitudinal members 1 16A may be via welding.

The support members 1 16 may be in the form of box-section tubes forming a substantially flat rectangular framework for placement upon a ground surface, in use. The leg members 106 of the removable barrier member 102 may be sized to have a pre-determined clearance to the openings 1 18 defined by the support members 1 16 of the base 1 14. In one example, the clearance between the leg members 106 of the removable barrier member 102 and the opening 1 18 of the base 1 14 is approximately 2mm.

As the leg members 106 of the removable barrier member 102 are sized to be received in the openings 1 18 of the base to couple the removable member 102 to the base, then the vehicle barrier assembly 100 can be assembled quickly and simply. There is no requirement for complicated hinge or mechanisms in which the barrier member is foldable on itself. As such, this removable barrier member 100 is significantly less complicated than the barrier members with moving parts. As the removable barrier member 102 is slotted into the base 1 14, then there are substantially no gaps between the leg members 106 and the base 1 14.

In one example, the base 1 14 comprises one or more linking members 120 configured to connect the vehicle barrier apparatus 100 to an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus 100 in a modular arrangement or an array. The linking members 120 may be coupled with the support members 1 16 and configured to project beyond the end of the support members 1 16 to enable support members 1 16 from an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus 100 to be coupled. Each linking member 120 may be located between adjacent support members 1 16, for example, adjacent lateral members 1 16B. The linking members 120 may have an engineering fit between adjacent support members 1 16 and be sized such that they will also have an engineering fit or close fit between adjacent support members 1 16 of an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus 100.

The engineering fit, or close fit between the linking member 120 and support members 1 16 of an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus 100 means that multiple vehicle barrier apparatus 100 may be linked together and forces may be transferred between adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus 100 without the need for linking chains or rigid plates. Further, if desired, the vehicle barrier apparatus 100 can be arranged in a modular arrangement, by linking a plurality of vehicle barrier apparatuses 100 together. This modular arrangement enables an array of vehicle barrier apparatus 100 of varying sizes to be simply and easily. In one example, the linking member 120 may be connected to the support members 1 16 via a suitable fastener, such as a second locking member bolt, connecting rod or pin that passes between corresponding holes in the linking member 120 and the support members 1 16. As the removable barrier member 102 is slotted into the base 1 14, then there are substantially no gaps between the leg members 106 and the base 1 14. Further, the linking members 120 are configured to couple with the base 1 14 of an adjacent base 1 14 such that no gaps form between adjacent bases 1 14.

Figure 3A shows an example of two vehicle barrier apparatuses 100 coupled together. In this example, the vehicle barrier apparatuses 100 are coupled together via the linking members 120 which are configured to be located between support members 1 16 of the adjacent vehicle member apparatuses 100.

In the example shown in Figure 3A, the leg members 106 of the removable barrier member 102 are located in the openings 1 18 of the base 1 14 such that the removable barrier member 102 is coupled to the base 1 14. As shown in Figure 3A, in use, the stops 1 10 abut the support members 1 16 to support the removable barrier member 102 on the base 1 14 and enables the obstructing portion 104 of the removable barrier member 102 to be located above the base 1 14.

The coupling between the removable barrier member 102 and the base 1 14 via the leg members 106 being received in the openings 1 18 is relatively simple, i.e. either by an engineering fit between the leg members 106 and the openings 1 18, possibly with an additional fastener such as a locking rod 1 15. For example, in Figure 3A, a locking rod 1 15 is shown, which may be received in a corresponding aperture 1 12 of the leg members 106 and through a corresponding aperture 122 in the support members 1 16. In one example, the locking rod 1 15 comprises a threaded bar with a plate on the end. The plate on the end may assist in a user being able to remove the locking rod 1 15, in use. As such, the removable barrier member 102 can be easily and quickly added or removed from the base 1 14. In use, a plurality of vehicle barrier apparatuses 100 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance such that pedestrians may be able pass in between the removable barrier members 102, but cars would be prevented from travelling between the removable barrier members 102. However, as the removable barrier member 102 is easily removable, then if cars do require access, then the removable barrier members 102 may be quickly removed to allow a car through and then the removable barrier member 102 may be easily replaced afterwards. The simplicity of the design significantly reduces the cost of providing an efficient barrier system. Figure 3B shows an example of base members 1 14 prior to coupling. In practice, a first base 1 14 is set on ground and a second base is lifted and lowered in place so that the lateral members 1 16B of the support members 1 16 mesh with the linking members 120. In one example, a second locking member 1 17, such as a threaded bar or dowel, may be received in corresponding apertures in the support members 1 16 and the linking members 120. A nut 1 19 may be used to receive the second locking member 1 17. In one example, a 5mm gap is left between each base unit 1 14 to allow a 2 degree angle between base units 1 14 if required for road cambers.

The coupling of the removable barrier member 102 to the base 1 14 means that any horizontal forces transferred to the obstacle portion 104 of the removable barrier member 102 will be transferred to the base 1 14 via the coupling of the leg members 106 to the base 1 14. As such, any horizontal force received by the obstacle portion 104 will be transferred to the base 1 14, which may have a relatively large mass and will be able to transfer the horizontal force to the ground. For example, vehicular impact forces are transmissible from the removable barrier member 102 to the base 1 14. In addition, the coupling of the leg members 106 and the support members 1 16 means that any bending moments applied to the obstacle portion 104 will be resisted by the base 1 14. The engineering fit between the leg members 106 and the opening 1 18 means that the removable vehicle member 102 can only be inserted into the base 1 14 in a direction that is orthogonal to the base 1 14, for example, if the base 1 14 is lying on a horizontal ground, then the removable barrier member 102 could only be received by sliding the leg members 106 in a vertical direction relative to the base 1 14. If a horizontal load was applied towards the top of the removable barrier member 102, which would result in a bending moment being developed in the apparatus 100, then the close engineering fit between the leg member 106 and the base 1 14 will prevent the leg members 106 from lifting out of the openings 1 18 of the base.

In one example, the base 1 14 may have a mass of between approximately 100kg to 200kg. The removable barrier member 102 may have a mass of between 25kg and 75kg. The removable barrier member 102 may comprise a rigid structure, i.e. it does not collapse on itself. Further, the connection between the removable barrier member 102 and the base 1 14 is a rigid connection, in use, i.e. the removable barrier member 102 does not pivot relative to the base 1 14, in use.

In one example, the support members 1 16 may comprise one or more apertures 122 for receiving a suitable fastener, such as a locking rod, bolt or pin 1 15. The locking rod 1 15 may pass though the apertures 1 12 of the leg members 106 and through a corresponding aperture 122 in the support members 1 16. The locking rod 1 15 may provide a further coupling mechanism, in addition to the engineering fit, between the removable barrier member 102 and the base 1 14.

In one example, the support members 1 16 may comprise hollow structural section (HSS), such as rectangular hollow section (RHS) or a square hollow section (SHS).

Figure 4A shows a first example of a shape of a removable barrier member 102. In the example shown in Figure 4A, the leg members 106 are arranged to be substantially parallel such that the longitudinal axis of each of the leg members 106 are substantially parallel. In this example, the obstacle portion 104 comprises obstructing element 108A arranged at an angle of between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg members 106. The obstacle portion 104 may also include additional framework of elements 108 to support the obstructing element 108A.

Figure 4B shows an alternative example of a removable barrier member 102. In this example, the obstacle portion 104 comprises a frame of elements 108, for example a rectangular frame connected by a diagonal member 108. As can be shown in both Figures 4A and 4B, a part of the element that forms the obstacle portion 104 may also have a part that forms the leg member 106, i.e. the leg member 106 and part of the obstacle portion 104 may be formed of a single piece.

Figure 5 shows an example of a plurality of vehicle barrier apparatuses 100 coupled together. In this example, each of the removable barrier members 102 is protected by a respective shroud 124. The shroud 124 may protect the removable barrier members 102 from corrosion and also protect the pedestrians from the removable barrier members 102. In one example, the shroud 124 may be formed of either concrete or Ferrocast (RTM).

In one example, there may be a cover 126 provided to overlay the base 1 14, in use. The cover 126 may comprise a rubber material to increase friction between the cover 126 and the base 1 14.

The provision of a vehicle barrier apparatus 100 as described above, provides a temporary, quick deploy, surface mount product.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of an example of a method of forming a vehicle barrier apparatus 100. In step 200 a base 1 14 is provided that is adapted for ground engagement comprising a plurality of support members 1 16, wherein the plurality of support members 1 16 are arranged to define one or more openings 1 18 in the base 1 14. In step 202, a removable barrier member 102 is provided that is configured to prevent vehicle access, the removable barrier member 102 comprising an obstacle portion 104 and one or more leg members 106.

In step 204, the removable barrier member 102 is coupled to the base 1 14 by sliding the one or more leg members 106 into the one or more openings 1 18 in the base.

The examples described above aim to provide illustrative examples of the invention to aid understanding and are not intended to be limiting. Thus, modifications, variations and equivalents to the examples shown here, or component parts thereof, such as would be readily apparent to the skilled person, are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

1 A vehicle barrier apparatus comprising:

a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and a plurality of leg members;

a base adapted for ground engagement and arranged to define a plurality of openings in the base,

wherein the leg members are configured to slot in the openings to couple the barrier member to the base.

2 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising one or more locking rods configured to be received in corresponding apertures in the leg members and the base.

3 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a plurality of support members and the openings are defined by the plurality of support members.

4 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of support members are arranged in a framework.

5 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to any one of claims3 or 4 wherein the support members comprise a plurality of longitudinal support members and a plurality of lateral support members. 6 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the openings in the base are defined by adjacent pairs of longitudinal support members and adjacent pairs of lateral support members.

7 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, comprising one or more linking members configured to connect the vehicle barrier apparatus to an adjacent vehicle barrier apparatus in a modular arrangement.

8 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more linking members are configured to be located between adjacent pairs of lateral support members.

9 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to any preceding claims, wherein the obstacle portion comprises an obstructing element arranged at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the base. 10 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to any preceding claims, comprising a shroud configured to cover the obstacle portion. 11 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable barrier and the base comprise hollow structural sections.

12 The vehicle barrier apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the removable barrier member comprises one or more stops configured to abut the base.

13 A method of forming a vehicle barrier apparatus comprising:

providing a base adapted for ground engagement comprising a plurality of support members, wherein the plurality of support members are arranged to define a plurality of openings in the base;

providing a removable barrier member configured to prevent vehicle access, the barrier member comprising an obstacle portion and a plurality of leg members; and coupling the removable barrier member to the base by sliding the leg members into the openings in the base.