Portable drop arm vehicle barrier

Abstract

A vehicle gate assembly includes a base having a width extending laterally to provide a vehicle passage and a depth extending perpendicular to the width from a front edge to a back edge, a hinge post extending vertically from the base on a first lateral side of the vehicle passage, a latch post assembly extending vertically from the base on a second lateral side of the vehicle passage, the latch post assembly includes first and second latch posts each having an inner face, a J-slot formed on the inner face of each of the first and second latch posts, and a barrier beam having a first end pivotally connected to the hinge post and a second end connectable with the J-slots.

Claims

1. A vehicle gate assembly, comprising: a base having a width extending laterally to define a vehicle passage and having a depth extending perpendicular to the width from a front edge of the base to a back edge of the base; a hinge post extending vertically from the base on a first lateral side of the vehicle passage; a latch post assembly extending vertically from the base on a second lateral side of the vehicle passage, wherein the latch post assembly includes first and second latch posts each having an inner face, the first and second latch posts spaced apart from each other to form a latch post gap between the inner faces, the inner faces extending parallel with the width; a first J-slot formed along the inner face of the first latch post, the first J-slot comprising a first primary vertical slot extending from an open top end of the first primary vertical slot at a top side of the first latch post to a first bottom end of the first primary vertical slot, a first horizontal slot extending from the first bottom end toward the hinge post, and the first horizontal slot comprising a trap extending vertically toward the top side of the first latch post; a second J-slot formed along the inner face of the second latch post, the second J-slot comprising a second primary vertical slot extending from an open top end of the second primary vertical slot at a top side of the second latch post to a second bottom end of the second primary vertical slot, a second horizontal slot extending from the second bottom end toward the hinge post, and the second horizontal slot comprising a trap extending vertically toward the top side of the second latch post; a barrier beam having a first beam end pivotally connected to the hinge post and a second beam end, wherein the barrier beam is movable between an open position to allow vehicles to drive on the base through the vehicle passage and a closed position blocking the vehicle passage, wherein the second beam end is disposed in the latch post gap when the barrier beam is in the closed position; and a latch pin extending from the second beam end, the latch pin disposed in the first J-slot and the second J-slot when the barrier beam is in the closed position.

2. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the gate assembly has at least a P3 rating in accordance with ASTM F2656.

3. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch pin is disposed in the primary vertical slots when the barrier beam is in the closed position and wherein the latch pin is disposed in the horizontal slots when the barrier beam is in the closed position and impacted by a vehicle with sufficient force to draw the second beam end toward the hinge post.

4. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the gate assembly has an M30-P3 rating in accordance with ASTM F2656.

5. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is a metal plate.

6. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 1, wherein the barrier beam is positioned vertically above the base adjacent the back edge when the barrier beam is in the closed position.

7. The vehicle gate assembly of claim 6, wherein the gate assembly is has at least a P3 rating in accordance with ASTM F2656.

8. A method, comprising: positioning a gate assembly on a ground surface, the gate assembly including: a base having a width extending laterally to define a vehicle passage and having a depth extending perpendicular to the width from a front edge of the base to a back edge of the base; a hinge post extending vertically from the base on a first lateral side of the vehicle passage; a latch post assembly extending vertically from the base on a second lateral side of the vehicle passage, wherein the latch post assembly includes first and second latch posts each having an inner face, the first and second latch posts spaced apart from each other to form a latch post gap between the inner faces, the inner faces extending parallel with the width; a first J-slot formed along the inner face of the first latch post, the first J-slot comprising a first primary vertical slot extending from an open top end of the first primary vertical slot at a top side of the first latch post to a first bottom end of the first primary vertical slot, a first horizontal slot extending from the first bottom end toward the hinge post, and the first horizontal slot comprising a trap extending vertically toward the top side of the first latch post; a second J-slot formed along the inner face of the second latch post, the second J-slot comprising a second primary vertical slot extending from an open top end of the second primary vertical slot at a top side of the second latch post to a second bottom end of the second primary vertical slot, a second horizontal slot extending from the second bottom end toward the hinge post, and the second horizontal slot comprising a trap extending vertically toward the top side of the second latch post; a barrier beam having a first beam end pivotally connected to the hinge post and a second beam end; a latch pin extending from the second beam end; and pivoting the barrier beam from an open position to a closed position, wherein the second beam end is disposed in the latch post gap and the latch pin disposed in the first primary vertical slot and the second primary vertical slot when the barrier beam is in the closed position.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising crashing a motor vehicle into the barrier beam in accordance with ASTM F2656; and stopping the vehicle within a distance no greater than about 98.4 feet from the barrier beam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the gate assembly has an ASTM F2656 crash rating of M30-P3.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle has a weight of about 15,000 pounds and the vehicle is traveling at about 28 to about 38 miles per hour upon impact with the barrier beam.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the distance is no greater than about 23 feet.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle has a weight of about 15,000 pounds and the vehicle is traveling at about 38 to about 47 miles per hour upon impact with the barrier beam.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising crashing a motor vehicle traveling in a direction from the front edge toward the back edge into the barrier beam, wherein the vehicle has a weight of about 15,000 pounds and the vehicle is traveling at about 28 to about 38 miles per hour upon impact with the barrier beam.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a vehicle gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view from the hinge post side of an exemplary vehicle gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front elevation view from the attack side of an exemplary vehicle gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevation view from the attack side of an exemplary vehicle gate assembly with the barrier removed according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view of the hinge post assembly along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a view of the latch post assembly along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary vehicle gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(9) FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exemplary vehicle gate assembly with the barrier removed according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(10) FIG. 9 is a plan view of the hinge post assembly at detail FIG. 9 of FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 is a plan view of the latch post assembly at detail FIG. 10 of FIG. 8.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary hinge pin in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(13) FIG. 12 is a side view of an exemplary hinge pin.

(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of an exemplary barrier beam according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(15) FIG. 14 is a side view of an exemplary barrier extending from a hinge end to a pivot end.

(16) FIG. 15 is an end view of an exemplary barrier member.

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary barrier member.

(18) FIG. 17 is another perspective view of a portion of an exemplary barrier member.

(19) FIG. 18 is a side view of a portion of an exemplary barrier member.

(20) FIG. 19 is an end view of a portion of the exemplary barrier member illustrated in FIG. 18.

(21) FIG. 20 is an isometric view of an exemplary hinge end of barrier beam according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(22) FIG. 21 an isometric view of an exemplary latch end of barrier beam with a latch pin according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(23) FIG. 22 is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary frame of a gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(24) FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary protected side hinge post of a hinge post assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(25) FIG. 24 is a top view of the exemplary protected side hinge post of FIG. 23.

(26) FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary attack side hinge post of a hinge post assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(27) FIG. 26 is a top view of the exemplary attack side hinge post of FIG. 25.

(28) FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary inside face of a first latch post illustrating an exemplary J-slot according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(29) FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary inside face of a second latch post illustrating an exemplary J-slot.

(30) FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary gate assembly according to one or more aspects of the disclosure relative to a motor vehicle approaching from an attack side.

(31) FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary gate assembly impacted on the attack side by a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(32) It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and they are not intended to be limiting. For example, a figure may illustrate an exemplary embodiment with multiple features or combinations of features that are not required in one or more other embodiments and thus a figure may disclose one or more embodiments that have fewer features or different combination of features than the illustrative embodiment. Therefore, combinations of features disclosed in the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice the teachings in the broadest sense and are instead merely to describe particularly representative examples. In addition, the disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

(33) Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, can, might, may, e.g., and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include such elements or features. Further, the figures may illustrate exemplary embodiments that show features or combination of features that are not required in one or more embodiments and thus a specific figure may disclose one or more embodiments that have fewer features or different combination of features than those shown in the illustrated embodiment.

(34) As used herein, the terms connect, connection, connected, in connection with, and connecting may be used to mean in direct connection with or in connection with via one or more elements. Similarly, the terms couple, coupling, and coupled may be used to mean directly coupled or coupled via one or more elements. Terms such as up, down, top, and bottom and other like terms indicating relative positions to a given point or element may be utilized to more clearly describe some elements. Commonly, these terms relate to a reference point such as the ground level.

(35) Portable gate assemblies are disclosed herein for positioning at vehicle access crossings into a protected area. The protected area may be a temporary or permanent area into which entry is limited, at least limited to motor vehicles through the one or more vehicle access locations. Non-limiting examples of protected areas include parking garages and surface parking areas, grounds for sporting events and celebrations, and high-security locations such as government, military and business installations and power generating and distribution installations.

(36) Portable gate assemblies can be transported as a unit for example on a light or medium-duty truck and positioned at the vehicle access location to the protected area. Portable gate assemblies include assemblies that can be placed on a ground surface and utilized without being physically secured below the ground surface. Portable gate assemblies can also be secured on top of the ground surface and utilized as what is also known as a surface mounted gate, for example, a base (e.g., tread plate) may be placed on the ground surface and secured in place with fasteners. As will be understood by those skilled in the art with the benefit of the disclosure, aspects of the example portable gate assemblies can be utilized in active barrier systems that are erected on-site and secured in the ground foundation or a semi-permanent fixture associated with the ground foundation.

(37) In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the portable gate assemblies are configured to provide a requisite stopping capability in the event that a motor vehicle, such as a 15,000 pounds (6.8 metric tons) medium-duty truck, crashes into the portable gate. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a requisite stopping capability will be in accordance with standards established for example by ASTM F-2656, which identifies impact conditions including the vehicle weight, impact velocity, and penetration distance. With reference to a medium-duty truck, having a weight of about 15,000 lb. (6,800 kg), the speed ratings include M30 for traveling at 28.0 to 37.9 miles per hour (mph), M40 traveling at 38.0 to 46.9 mph, and M50 traveling at 47.0 mph and above. The penetration ratings include P1 for less than or equal to 1 meter (3.3 ft.); P2 for 1.10 to 7 m (3.31 to 23.0 ft.); and P3 for 7.01 to 30 m (23.1 to 98.4 ft.). For example, an ASTM F2656 crash-rated M50-P1 barrier is designed to stop a medium duty truck traveling 50 mph with a penetration distance of 3.3 feet or less.

(38) In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M30 speed rating with a P1 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M30 speed rating with a P2 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve a M30 speed rating with a P3 penetration rating.

(39) In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M40 speed rating with a P1 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M40 speed rating with a P2 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M40 speed rating with a P3 penetration rating.

(40) In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M50 speed rating with a P1 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M50 speed rating with a P2 penetration rating. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the portable gate assembly is configured to achieve an M50 speed rating with a P3 penetration rating.

(41) Some embodiments may be configured to achieve similar speed and penetration ratings for impact vehicles such as cars having a weight up to about 2,430 lb. (1,100 kg) (e.g., C40, C50, C60) and heavy goods vehicles having a weight of about 65,000 lbs (29,500 kg) (e.g., H30, H40, H50).

(42) FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a portable gate assembly 10 that is configured to achieve an ASTM-F2656 crash rating. The illustrated portable gate assembly 10 is described as a portable gate that is installed by placing on the surface of the ground (i.e., foundation) in a location to limit the entrance of motor vehicles into a protected area. In accordance with some embodiments, the portable gate assembly 10 is not secured to the ground surface. In accordance with some embodiment, the portable gate assembly 10 may be a surface-mounted gate that is secured to the surface of the ground foundation. In the illustrated figures, the portable gate assembly includes a movable barrier in the form of an arm (e.g., drop arm) that carries, for example, a cable or rope, however, it will be recognized that the arm may take other configurations. For example, and without limitation, the illustrated linear arm may be replaced with a U-shaped member to reduce the vertical clearance required to fully raise the barrier and allow a vehicle to pass. Installations such as parking garages may present vertical clearance limitations.

(43) Referring in particular to FIGS. 1, 3, and 22, a portable or surface-mounted active gate assembly 10 includes a frame 8 and a movable barrier 22. The frame 8 includes a base 12 having a longitudinal or lateral width W extending perpendicular to the direction of traffic flow to form a vehicle passage 13 and an axial depth D extending parallel to the traffic flow. The base 12 includes a laterally extending attack-side or threat-side edge 14 and a laterally extending protected-side edge 16. The threat- or attack-side edge 14 is the front edge of the base facing vehicles traveling in the direction toward the protected area and the protected-side edge 16 is on the opposite side of base 12.

(44) The base 12 is placed on top of the ground level 5 (FIG. 3) and includes, for example, a metal tread plate across which a motor vehicle can drive. In the illustrated example, the metal tread plate extends for example to a height of about 2 inches above ground level. Gate assembly 10 includes a hinge post assembly 18 and a latch post assembly 20 located at opposite lateral ends of the base 12 to form the vehicle passage 13 therebetween. In some of the illustrated embodiments, the width of the vehicle passage 13 is about 12 feet. Gate assembly 10 includes a moveable barrier 22 pivotally connected at a first end 23 to the hinge post assembly 18 and in the closed position, the second end 25 is positioned within a portion of the latch post assembly 20. The moveable barrier 22 is located adjacent to and above the protected-side edge 16 of the base 12 on the opposite side of the base from the attack-side edge 14. When a vehicle 52 impacts the barrier 22, the front wheels 54 will be located on the base 12 as shown for example in FIGS. 29 and 30. If a vehicle approaches the gate assembly 10 slowly in an effort to push the gate assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 29, the front tires will be on the base 12 and the weight of the vehicle 52 will prevent the vehicle 52 from moving the gate assembly 10 out of position even if the base 12 is not fastened to the ground surface.

(45) Portable gate assembly 10 can be transported and delivered to the vehicle access location for example on the back of a flat-bed vehicle or in a trailer that may be towed behind a vehicle such as a car, pickup, light- or medium duty truck. The portable gate assembly 10 can be offloaded and positioned on top of the ground surface at the vehicle access location. The portable gate assembly 10 may be operable immediately or within minutes of placement on the ground surface. For an automated or otherwise mechanically actuated barrier arm embodiment, the portable gate assembly 10 may be operational upon connecting a power source. In some embodiments, the portable gate may include a power source. In some embodiments, the barrier arm may be manually hand-operated between the open and closed positions.

(46) Referring in particular to FIGS. 3 and 13-21, the illustrated barrier 22 is constructed of or includes a metal beam, identified specifically with reference number 22a, extending from a first end 23 (hinge end) to a second end 25 (latch end). The barrier 22 may also include a cable (rope or metal) identified specifically with the reference number 22b. The hinge end 23 includes a hinge (pivot) pin 26 (FIGS. 11, 12) that connects the barrier 22 to the hinge post assembly 18. The latch end 25 of the barrier 22, in accordance to some embodiments, includes a latch pin 27 that extends in the axial direction parallel to the flow of traffic and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier 22. As will be described below with reference to the latch post assembly, in the normally closed position the latch end 25 and latch pin 27 of the beam 22 are not engaged with the latch post assembly in a manner that hinders or prevents the vertical movement of the barrier 22 relative to the latch post assembly. In the normally closed position, the barrier beam is not being impacted by a vehicle and the latch end and latch pin are disposed in the latch post gap between the opposing latch posts of the latch post assembly. When a vehicle impacts the barrier 22 with sufficient force, as illustrated for example in FIG. 30, the latch end 25 and latch pin 27 will be drawn laterally inward in the direction toward the hinge end 23 and the hinge post assembly 18 and cause the latch pin 27 and the latch end 25 to engage with the latch post assembly 20 in a manner that prevents or limits the movement of the latch end 25 vertically (in the direction away from the base 12) and out of engagement with the latch post assembly 20. This engagement between the latch end 25 and the latch post assembly 20 maintains the barrier 22 in connection with the frame 8 (base 12, hinge post assembly 18, and latch post assembly 20) even if the vehicle impact tips the portable gate assembly 10 as illustrated for example in FIG. 30.

(47) With reference in particular to FIGS. 1-5, 7-9, and 22-26, the illustrated hinge post assembly 18 includes a pair of spaced apart hinge posts 18a, 18b forming a gap 19 extending parallel to the lateral width of the base 12 and in which the hinge end 23 of the barrier is positioned with the hinge pin 26 connected to both of the hinge posts 18a, 18b. The attack-side hinge post 18a includes a passage 28 (FIG. 25) formed through both sides 17a and 17b (FIGS. 2, 26) such that a stop 30 (e.g., plate) (FIGS. 11, 12) on a first end of the hinge pin 26 is located on the outer side 17a of the first hinge post 18a opposite from the gap 19. In the illustrated examples, the hinge post assembly 18 is disposed partially within a housing 32. The hinge post assembly 18 may utilize a single post member.

(48) In FIG. 2, a drive mechanism or actuator 33 is operationally connected with the barrier beam 22 to move the barrier from the closed position as shown FIG. 1 to an open position in which the barrier beam 22 is moved out of the vehicle passage between the hinge and latch post assemblies.

(49) With reference in particular to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 22, 27, and 28, the illustrated latch post assembly 20 includes a pair of spaced apart latch posts 20a, 20b forming a gap 21 extending parallel to the lateral width of the base 12 and in which the latch end 25 of the barrier 22 is positioned when in the closed position. The latch post gap 21 is formed between the inner or inside faces 20c of the respective latch posts 20a, 20b. For the purpose of description, the latch post 20a is located on the attack-side of the gap 21 with the inner face 20c facing away from the attack-side edge 14 and the protected-side latch post 20b is positioned adjacent the protected-side edge 16 with its inner face 20c facing toward the attack-side edge 14. In accordance to some embodiments, the latch post assembly 20 may include a housing 34 enclosing at least a portion of the latch posts 20a, 20b and interconnecting the latch posts 20a, 20b which are also attached directly to the base 12.

(50) Each of the latch posts 20a, 20b forms a J-slot 36 that is open along the inner face 20c. The J-slots on the respective latch posts 20a, 20b are mirror images across the gap 21. Each J-slot 36 extends from a first top end 38 open at the top side 31 of the latch post 20a, 20b along a first or primary vertical slot 40 to a first bottom end 42 and extends horizontally along a horizontal slot 44 in the direction toward the hinge post assembly 18 to a second bottom end 46. In an exemplary embodiment, the J-slot 36 further includes a trap or second vertical slot 48 that extends vertically upward, toward top end 31, to a terminal end 50 that is located below the top side 31 and closed to the top side 31.

(51) In operation, when the portable gate assembly 10 is in the normally closed position as illustrated for example in FIG. 29, the latch end 25 of the barrier 22 is disposed in the gap 21 of the latch post assembly 20 and the latch pin 27 is disposed in the primary slot 40. With the latch pin 27 located in the primary slot 40, the barrier 22 cannot be pushed horizontally and moved out of the vehicle passage 13 between the hinge post assembly 18 and latch post assembly 20, but the barrier 22 can be moved vertically out of the vehicle passage 13 to open the gate assembly.

(52) When a motor vehicle impacts the barrier 22 with sufficient force, the barrier 22 will bend and draw the latch end 25 with the latch pin 27 inward toward the hinge post assembly 18. During the impact, the latch pin 27 will travel along the horizontal slot 44. When the latch pin 27 is in the horizontal slot 44, or the trap 48, the barrier 22 is engaged with the latch post assembly 20 and it cannot move vertically or horizontally out of engagement with the latch post assembly 20. The horizontal and vertical directions are defined generally with reference to the base 12 being a bottom, horizontal member of the gate assembly. For example, vertical is substantially perpendicular to the base 12 and horizontal is substantially parallel to base 12.

(53) When a vehicle 52 impacts with a sufficient force, the portable gate assembly 10 will tip or pivot about the protected-side edge 16, as illustrated in FIG. 30, and the threat-side edge 14 of base 12 moves upward to engage the frame 56 of the vehicle 52. This tipping or pivoting action uses the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle 52 to engage the vehicle with the gate assembly 10 and to anchor the gate assembly 10 to the ground surface 5 thereby limiting the penetration of the vehicle. The engagement of the gate assembly 10 with the vehicle 52 tends to interfere with the steering of the vehicle 52 via the front wheels 54 and limits the motorized power of the vehicle by lifting the rear wheels 58 off of the ground surface during the impact. The pivoting action of the portable gate assembly 10 tends to direct the front end 60 of the vehicle downward toward the ground surface 5 as opposed to upward as can occur with many barriers.

(54) The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should be determined only by the language of the claims that follow. The term comprising within the claims is intended to mean including at least such that the recited listing of elements in a claim are an open group. The terms a, an and other singular terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof unless specifically excluded.