Retractable wide-span vehicle barrier system
OwnerMichael Lamoreinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle barrier system that stops unwanted vehicle intrusion, controls vehicle access, and protects assets and critical infrastructure. The vehicle barrier system, which can span up to 250 feet without requiring fixed intermediate supports, will stop a 15,000 lb vehicle traveling at impact speed of 50 mph. The barrier net is attached to vertical steel end supports anchored in concrete, and include energy absorbers, pivoting connections, and force equalization bars. The barrier net can remain in the “up” or “down” position, and can be raised or lowered using a winch powered by common 12 volt battery with solar power recharge. The barrier net and system components are modular, and can be easily installed or removed.
Claims36
A barrier system for stopping vehicles by dissipating an impact force generated when the vehicle impacts the barrier system, the barrier system comprising:
- an anchoring system having at least one sleeve embedded therein, wherein the anchoring system defines a top surface and wherein the sleeve defines an internal dimension;
- at least one end support defining at least one vertical support, wherein the vertical support may be selectively slid in and out of the sleeve of the anchoring system and wherein the vertical support defines an external dimension sized to be received by the internal dimension of the sleeve and defines a height from the top surface of the anchoring system to an uppermost portion of the vertical support opposite the anchoring system when the vertical support is selectively slid into the sleeve of the anchoring system;
- at least one energy absorption unit supported by the vertical support, wherein the energy absorption unit is structured to dissipate substantially all of the impact force through the vertical support to the sleeve embedded in the anchoring system;
- and
- a net system connected to the energy absorption unit, wherein the net system is configured to selectively define a raised position and a lowered position;
- wherein the vertical support extends vertically below the top surface of the anchoring system when the vertical support is selectively slid into the sleeve of the anchoring system and wherein the height of the vertical support when the net system is in the raised position is generally equivalent to the height of the vertical support when the net system is in the lowered position.
(canceled)
A barrier system for stopping vehicles, the barrier system comprising:
- a first end support and a second end support separated by a distance;
- at least one first compression spring supported by the first end support and at least one second compression spring supported by the second end support;
- and
- a net system having a first end connected to the first compression spring and a second end connected to the second compression spring.
A barrier system for stopping vehicles, the barrier system comprising:
- a first end support and a second end support separated by a distance;
- at least one first energy absorption unit supported by the first end support and at least one second energy absorption unit supported by the second end support;
- and
- a net system having a first end connected to the first energy absorption unit and a second end connected to the second energy absorption unit,
- wherein the net system can be selectively raised and lowered using a wireless signal.
A method of assembling a barrier system for stopping vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- sliding at least one vertical support of an end support into an embedded sleeve of an anchoring system;
- supporting an energy absorption unit on the vertical support;
- connecting a net system to the energy absorption unit;
- and
- raising the net system.
36-48. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.