CRASH RESISTANT AND RAPID DEPLOYMENT SECURITY FENCE

Abstract

A bullet resistant security fence resists impacts from objects, such as vehicles, impacting the fence. A configuration of a bullet resistance security fence can be rapidly assembled and deployed as a riot fence that can be disassembled and subsequently repositioned. The riot fence is stabilized by securement devices that pull adjacent ballistic panels toward intermediate support posts and by adjustably positionable stabilizers that can engage the ground surface in front and in rear of the riot fence, even if mounted on steps. Alternative security fence configurations provide more economical manufacturing and installation by having a ballistic panel between thin front and rear shells. The ballistic panel can be formed of aluminum plate or from multiple layers of ballistic fabric. A ballistic panel can be formed from strips of aluminum plate welded together to form seams that are covered by lathe formed from aluminum plate to maintain ballistic integrity.

Claims

1. A crash resistant and bullet resistant security fence, comprising: at least two support posts spaced apart a predetermined distance; a plurality of horizontally extending, bullet resistant formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts, each said intermediate panel having a tongue and groove configuration formed at both a top portion and a bottom portion of said intermediate panel to engage tongue and groove configurations on adjacent panels and provide interlocking panels; selected ones of said panels being provided with a cable passing horizontally through said selected panels; and a tensioning mechanism connected to opposing ends each said cable to induce tension in said cable, said tensioning mechanism being operable to absorb kinetic energy from an object impacting said cables.

2. The security fence of claim 1 wherein said tensioning mechanism includes a linear actuator movable between an extended position and a collapsed position at each end of each cable, said extended position corresponding to said induced tension in said cables.

3. The security fence of claim 2 wherein each said linear actuator is anchored on the adjacent support post and oriented to extend a telescopic rod pinned to said cable away from said adjacent support post.

4. The security fence of claim 3 wherein each said cable is anchored at each opposing end thereof to an anchoring post positioned remotely from said adjacent support post.

5. The security fence of claim 4 wherein each said cable includes a slack portion between each said telescopic rod and the corresponding said anchoring post when the corresponding said linear actuator is in said extended position.

6. The security fence of claim 5 wherein said slack portion is taken up when the corresponding said linear actuator is moved into said collapsed position from an object impacting the corresponding said cable.

7. The security fence of claim 6 further comprising a fixed length cable extending through the uppermost panel and being anchored at the opposing ends thereof at the anchoring posts.

8. A rapid deployment bullet resistant security fence, comprising: a plurality of support posts including end support posts and intermediate support posts between said end support posts, adjacent support posts being spaced apart a predetermined distance, each said support post having an upright H-beam formed with a web member and a stabilizing apparatus operable to keep the H-beam in an upright orientation; a plurality of horizontally extending formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts; and a securement device corresponding to each said intermediate support post to engage a panel on each opposing side of said intermediate support post and to pull the opposing said panels toward the corresponding intermediate support post.

9. The security fence of claim 8 wherein at least one of said stabilizing apparatus is formed as an elongated base member oriented with said support post being substantially in the center thereof, said base member including a web member extending upward from said base member on opposing sides of said support post and being secured to the corresponding side of said support post.

10. The security fence of claim 8 wherein at least one of said stabilizing apparatus is formed with a pair of adjustable length telescopic legs pivotally connected, respectively, to opposing sides of said support post.

11. The security fence of claim 10 wherein each said telescopic leg is connected to a stabilizing arm pivotally attached to the corresponding side of said support post.

12. A bullet resistance security fence comprising: opposing vertically oriented support posts having slots formed therein; a ballistic core extending between adjacent support posts and being supported thereby; and a front shell and a rear shell formed from an aluminum sheet and being positioned on opposing sides of said ballistic core.

13. The security fence of claim 12 wherein said ballistic core is formed from an aluminum plate.

14. The security fence of claim 12 wherein said ballistic core is formed of ballistic fabric.

15. The security fence of claim 14 wherein said front and rear shells are formed with spaced apart indents forming gaps between the respective shell and the ballistic core and extending between adjacent indents, said gaps being filled with a foam material to keep the ballistic core centrally located between the front and rear shells.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a bullet resistant security fence incorporating the principles of the instant invention, the full length of the security fence can have an indeterminate length as needed to front or enclose an area of land;

[0032] FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the end of the security fence shown in FIG. 1, but having additional resistance to the passage of a motor vehicle;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the security fence shown in FIG. 2 and corresponding to lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of assembled extrusions forming the bullet resistant fence panels;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a heavier extrusion for resistance to the passage of higher caliber bullets that the configuration of the insert module shown in FIG. 4 can resist;

[0036] FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the end cable mounts after a vehicle has impacted the security fence;

[0037] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the end cable mounts after the linear actuators have reapplied tension to the cables to reposition the cables for crash resistance;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an alternative security fence structure that can be quickly deployed in a temporary position and provide bullet resistance protection;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the security fence embodiment of FIG. 8;

[0040] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the security fence of a FIG. 8 showing the support members;

[0041] FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the security fence shown in FIG. 8 to depict the stabilizer connecting to the security fence on opposing sides of a support member;

[0042] FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the portion of the security fence shown in FIG. 11;

[0043] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the security fence similar to that of FIG. 10, but depicting an alternative support member that can be adjusted for use on an uneven base, the alternative support member being shown, however, on a level base;

[0044] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the security fence similar to that of FIG. 13, but showing appropriate adjustments for deployment of the security fence on an uneven base, such as steps;

[0045] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional profile view of a section of security fence between support posts to show the configuration thereof;

[0046] FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional profile view of a central portion of the security fence section shown in FIG. 15;

[0047] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative security fence configuration corresponding to lines 17-17 in FIG. 18, but with the support post being removed for purposes of clarity;

[0048] FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a section of an alternative security fence configuration extending between a pair of support posts;

[0049] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative security fence configuration corresponding to lines 19-19 in FIG. 20, but with the support post being removed for purposes of clarity; and

[0050] FIG. 20 is an elevational view of a section of a second alternative security fence configuration extending between a pair of support posts

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] Referring to the drawings, several embodiments of a bullet resistant security fence incorporating the instant invention can be seen. In general, the security fence 10 is formed from a plurality of horizontally extending panels 15 formed from bullet resistant material having a required material thickness to prevent the passage of a desired caliber of weapon. The panels 15 are preferably formed from extruded 6061 or 6063 aluminum to define an interior cavity in the interior of the panel 15, which provides an economical and effective panel 15. The lowermost panel 15a is preferably located at ground level resting on the base portion 13 of the support posts 12.

[0052] The fence 10 includes a plurality of support posts 12 that have a base portion 13, preferably formed from concrete, which terminates at ground level and embeds an H-beam or perhaps an I-beam 14 that extends upwardly from the base portion 13 to receive the panels 15, as is best seen in FIGS. 1-3. Preferably, the support posts 12 are positioned about ten feet apart so that the length of the individual panels 15 is slightly less than ten feet long, as the panels 15 extend horizontally between the central webs 14a of the H-beams 14. The lowermost panel 15a rests on the base portion 13 at ground level. The embedded H-beam provides bullet resistant protection for the security fence 10 as the steel H-beam 14 provides adequate metal thickness to prevent the passage of most bullets through the support post 12.

[0053] The primary bullet resistant part of the security fence 10 is formed by a plurality of interlocking, vertically stacked, horizontally extending panels 15, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each panel 15 formed with a sufficient thickness of material, such as the extruded aluminum, to provide the ballistic resistance desired. Although the panels 15 can have other shapes, including a solid panel, and any bullet resistant material, including metals and synthetics, the preferable configuration of each panel 15 is that of an extrusion made from either 6061 or 6063 aluminum that includes a pair of opposing front and rear walls 16, 17 separated by a cavity 18 provides an economical panel 15. One skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the panel can be formed by securing together two opposing halves of the panel with fasteners (not shown) to create the same bullet resistant structure. The thickness of the front and rear walls 16, 17 is a function of the extent of bullet resistance that is desired. The security fence 10 can be a Class 1 variety capable of stopping small caliber bullets, such as from 9 mm and .357 caliber hand guns, and even shotguns by using 6063 aluminum extrusions having 5/16 inch thick front and rear walls 16, 17. By using 6061 aluminum forming an extrusion with ⅝ inch thick front and rear walls 16, 17, as is depicted in FIG. 5, a Class 2 security fence can be formed to stop bullets from most all caliber weapons, except perhaps high powered .50 caliber weapons.

[0054] A Class 3 security fence can be accomplished by forming the extrusion with 2 ⅜ inch front and rear walls with a 2 ½ inch gap between the walls. Such a configuration has stopped .50 caliber weapons. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 represents both panels 15.

[0055] The top and bottom portions 19 of each panel 15 have a tongue and groove configuration 20 that enables the interlocking connection between adjacent panels 15. The tongue and groove configuration 20 includes an outwardly projecting tongue 22 and an adjacent groove 24 that will mesh with the tongue and groove configuration 20 of the vertically adjacent panel 15. With the intermeshing tongue and groove configurations 20, the security fence 10 provides adequate bullet resistance at the intersection between adjacent panels 15 by providing sufficient thickness of metal to resist passage of a bullet through the intersection of the adjacent panels 15. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the lowermost panel 15a may be fabricated without a tongue and groove configuration 20 at the bottom edge thereof; however, from the standpoint of economics, making the lowermost panel 15a, as well as the uppermost panel, different from the intermediate panels 15 is not economically efficient. Therefore, both the lowermost panel 15a and the uppermost panel are preferably formed in the same manner as all other panels 15.

[0056] The upper portion of the security fence 10 can be formed with an optional louvered panel 30, which is best seen in FIGS. 1-3. The louvered panel 30 can have a plurality of angled slats or louvers 32 that are overlapping and angled to provide some bullet resistance and also a function to deflect any bullets encountering the louvered panel 30. With a sufficient number of horizontal panels 15 to provide a primary bullet resistant portion that is about six feet high, an upper louvered panel 30 will be about eight feet above the surface of the ground, assuming a two foot high louvered panel 30, which would not likely expose the property or occupants within the fence enclosure to danger. The louvered panel 30 provides an aesthetically pleasing aspect to the appearance of the security fence, as does the v-shaped grooves between the adjacent panels 15. Alternatively, the louvered panel 30 can be replaced with several more panels 15 to provide a greater amount of security. With the above-described configuration of security fence formed with vertically stacked horizontally extending panels 15, the height of the primary bullet resistant portion of the fence 10 can be formed to any desired height simply by adding more panels 15.

[0057] To further enhance the bullet resistant nature of the security fence 10, the interior cavity 18 of each panel 15 can be provided with one or more insert modules (not shown). Each insert module can be formed as a sandwich with a plate of aluminum or other metal between two plates of furniture grade, 5 ply plywood, with countersunk screws (not shown) holding the insert module together. The insert is preferably coated with an exterior sealer to prevent rot in the plywood plates before being inserted into the interior cavity 18. One skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred materials of an aluminum plate and plywood substrates are not the only materials from which the insert modules can be constructed, as other bullet resistant materials can be substituted for the aluminum plate and other energy dissipating materials can be substituted for the plywood. A bullet passing through the front wall 16 expands upon impact and then encounters the soft substrate defined by the plywood plate (not shown) where the energy of the bullet is partially dissipated. If passing through the first plywood plate, the bullet would then encounter the internal aluminum plate whereupon the bullet would expand again. Then, if passing through the interior aluminum plate, the bullet encounters the second plywood plate and dissipates more energy. The rear wall 17 should then be able to prevent the passage of the bullet completely through the panel 15.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, one skilled in the art will recognize that the security fence 10 can be provided with a plurality of wire cables 35 that are anchored in the ground by an I-beam anchor 39 set in a concrete base 36 and that extend through respective panels 15, as is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. One skilled in the art will recognize that the opposing end of the security fence 10 will have a corresponding I-beam anchor 39 set in a concrete base 36 to secure the cables 35. The cables 35 provide security against a crashing vehicle breaking through the structure of the security fence 10. Although this additional feature to protect against a crashing vehicle, would work better with panels 15 that do not have the insert modules inserted, the insert modules could be formed in a manner to accept the positioning of the wire cables 35 at the bottom of the corresponding panel 15.

[0059] A tensioning mechanism 40, located at both opposing ends of the security fence 10, for the cables 35 is best seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. In FIG. 2, the tension in each of the cables 35 is asserted by a linear actuator 42 that is anchored to the support member 14 and has a telescopic rod member 43 that is securely pinned to the corresponding cable 35. By extending the linear actuators 42 at each end of the cables 35 to an extended position, tension is applied to the cables 35, but leaves a slack portion 44 on each of the cables 35 between the location of the cable 35 being pinned to the cable and the anchor 39. A fixed cable 37 is anchored on the I-beam anchor 39 at opposing ends thereof, and extends through the topmost panel 15, to provide positional stability for the security fence 10. A fixed length support member 33 extends between the anchor 39 and the adjacent support member 14 for the same purpose.

[0060] When a vehicle crashes into the security fence 10, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is dissipated by the collapsing linear actuators 42, which take up the slack in the cables 35, as is represented in FIG. 6. In addition, the cables 35 are fixed to the I-beam anchor 39 so that the cables 35 will continue to resist the energy of the crash after the slack in the cables 35 has been taken up. The fixed cable 37 and the support member 33 keep the top part of the security fence 10 in a stable position while the cables 35 dissipate the energy of the crashing vehicle. The kinetic energy of the crashing vehicle is transmitted to the linear actuators 42, which can be in the form of hydraulic cylinders connected to an accumulator, or incorporating compression springs that absorb the energy from the crashing vehicle, or another system of storing energy, resulting in the linear actuators being compressed into a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 6. Then to reposition the cables 35 and eject the crashing car from the security fence 10, the stored energy in the form of increased pressure in the linear actuators 42, whether via compressed fluid or compressed springs, will then move the linear actuators 42 back to the extended position, as represented in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the linear actuators 42 can be connected to a source of fluid under pressure to move the linear actuators 42 back to the extended position and, thus, reestablish the slack portion 44.

[0061] In operation, the extruded panels 15 are formed and cut to proper length to fit between adjacent support members 14. If insert modules are to be used in the fabrication of the security fence 10, the insert modules are constructed separately from plywood layers and a metal layer, as is described above. The metal of preference in the formation of the extruded panel 15 is either 6061 or 6063 aluminum. The insert modules are installed into the cavity 18 of each of the extruded panels 15 and then placed between adjacent support posts 12 by sliding the panels 15 one at a time from the tops of the H-beams 14 of the support posts 12 until resting on the base 13, if the first panel 15a, or into engagement with the previously installed panel 15.

[0062] The vertically adjacent panels 15 are provided with tongue and groove configurations 20 that interengage to secure one panel 15 to the other panel 15. The process of installing panels 15 is repeated until the desired height of the primary bullet resistant portion of the security fence 10 has been completed. If desired, a louvered panel 30 can be placed between the adjacent support posts 12 above the uppermost panel 15 to provide additional height to the security fence 10 and to provide an improvement to the aesthetic appearance of the security fence 10. When the construction of the security fence 10 has been completed, a cap can be secured to the top of the H-beam support member 14 to capture the stack of panels 15, 30.

[0063] If any particular panels 15, 30 are damaged in some manner, replacement is simple and convenient. The section of the security fence 10 that has damage and be disassembled in the opposite manner described above by sliding the respective panels 15, 30 upwardly through the H-beams 14 until the damaged panel(s) 15, 30 has been removed. The damaged panel 15, 30 can then be replaced with a new panel formed in the same manner as the original panels 15, 30, and the undamaged panels 15, 30 returned to the stack as noted above in greater detail. Accordingly, the entire security fence 10 does not require replacement with the security fence 10 formed according to the principles of the instant invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the great advantage the instant invention provides to the art.

[0064] By virtue of using hydraulic or mechanical components attached to a cable, a vehicle crashing into a security barrier 10 equipped with cables 35 will transfer kinetic energy into the cables 35 which increases the tension in the cables 35 collapsing the linear actuators 42 and increasing the pressure in the internal medium, e.g., hydraulic fluid or springs, to absorb the kinetic energy. The crashing vehicle will slow down, and the increased energy transferred to the tensioning mechanism 40 will reverse the vehicle out of the security fence 10. Using a combination of springs or cylinders with check valves, manifolds or accumulators, the system can be designed to withstand a wide range of vehicle weights and speeds to transfer the kinetic energy into a reversing force.

[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 8-14, a bullet resistant security fence 50 is configured to be capable of deployment quickly to provide a temporary and removable security fence 50 in situations and locations where a permanent bullet resistant security fence is not desired. The panels 15 are constructed in the same manner as described above with respect to the crash resistant security fence 10; however, the support structure 55 is different and not permanently installed. The standard support structure 55 is best seen in FIG. 10 and includes an upright H-beam or I-beam 54 with the fence panels 15 being received between adjacent support I-beams 54 in the same manner described above. The standard support structure 55 also includes an elongated base that is connected to the bottom of the I-beam 54 and opposing webs 52 that project upwardly from the base 53 to the sides of the I-beam 54 to provide stability for the standard support structure 55.

[0066] To further establish stability for the temporary security fence 50, the selected central fence panels 15 on opposing sides of a support structure 55 are connected together with securement devices 60, best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. Each securement device 60 includes a ring 62 connected to corresponding selected fence panels 15 on opposite sides of the I-beam 54 of each support structure 55. A flexible strap 63, which can be made of canvas, is hooked to each ring 62 and then connected to an overcenter clamp 65 that when closed draws the straps 63 tight around the adjacent support I-beam 54. With the interengagement of the stack of fence panels 15 and the clamping of the opposing fence panels 15 into the support I-beam 54, the security fence structure is stable and bullet resistant.

[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative, adjustable support structure 56 can best be seen. The adjustable support structure 56 includes a telescopic leg 57 pivotally connected to the support I-beam 54 and being selectively extendable in length. A fixed length arm 59 interconnects the base 58 of the telescopic leg and the support I-beam 54 to stabilize the selected position of the telescopic leg 57. As seen in FIG. 13, this adjustable support structure 56 can be utilized on even, level ground, or other underlying base. As can be seen in FIG. 14, this adjustable support structure 56 can be utilized on uneven ground or underlying base, such as steps S as is shown in FIG. 14. In such situations, the adjustable leg 57 is adjusted in length to fit against an appropriate position on the underlying base S, while the fixed length arm 59 pivots with the adjustable leg 57 to keep the adjustable length leg 57 stable.

[0068] The adjustable support structure 56 is particularly adapted for use in deploying the bullet resistant fence 50 quickly in urban settings. The adjustable length legs 57 can be positioned to accommodate steps, curbs and other uneven underlying bases. The support structures 55, 56 can be maneuvered into position to form a temporary bullet resistant security fence 50 manually by using a dolly and roller system or via a specialized mechanism that can hoist the panels via a mobile crane or lift system. Such a rapidly deployable bullet resistant security fence 50 can offer modular semi-permanent fencing for diplomatic safe havens, military bases and commercial establishments to provide safety from firearms in hostile areas.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 15-20, multiple alternative security fence configurations can best be seen. The first alternative security fence configuration is depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16. The cross-section of the security fence 70 includes a front shell 72 and a rear shell 74, preferably formed from an aluminum panel that is about ⅛ inch thick and formed with repeated V-shaped indentations 73 to provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior appearance. The vertices of the V-shaped indentations 73 engage a ballistic core 75 located between the front and rear shells 72, 74. The vertical ends of the ballistic core 75 would be received in the slots of the adjacent support posts, as described in greater detail in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/095,053, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] The ballistic core 75 is preferably an aluminum plate, preferably a 6061 T-6 solid aluminum plate that can have a horizontal thickness of between ⅜ of an inch to one inch, depending on the class of protection that is desired. The aluminum plate ballistic core 75 should extend from the upper terminus of the front and rear shells 72, 74 to a position that could be below the lower terminus of the front and rear shells 72, 74. Alternatively, the ballistic core 75 could be manufactured from a plurality of layers of ballistic fabrics, such as KEVLAR® or Ballistic Nylon. The number of layers would define the level or class of bullet resistance that is desired for the fence 70. Preferably, when the ballistic core 75 is formed from ballistic fabrics, the hollow portions 77 between the front and rear shells 72, 75 should be filled with foam, such as polyurethane foam, to keep the ballistic core centrally located.

[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a different alternative security fence configuration can best be seen. The security fence 80 is primarily 6061 T-6 aluminum plate panel 81 of between ⅝ inch thickness and about a one inch thickness, depending on the level or class of bullet resistance that is desired of the security fence 80. The aluminum plate panel 81 extends between adjacent support posts 89 with opposing terminal edges of the aluminum plate panel 81 being received within the slots of the support posts 89. From a reduced cost and ease of manufacturing standpoint, the aluminum plate panel 81 can be formed in vertical strips 82, as is depicted in FIG. 18, that are welded along the vertical edges thereof, forming a seam 83 between adjoining vertical strips 82.

[0072] To maintain bullet resistance integrity for the security fence 80, the seams 83 are covered front and back by a vertical flat lathe 85, preferably formed from 6061 T-6 aluminum and have dimensions between 3/16 inch and ⅝ inch and widths of between 1 ½ inches and 2 inches, depending on the level or class of protection desired. For aesthetic purposes, the security fence 80 can be formed with a horizontally extending upper and/or lower trim pieces 88 having the same dimensions as the lathe 85 and extending along the top and/or lower edges of the aluminum plate panel 81 between the opposing support posts 89.

[0073] As is best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, the orientation of the lathes 85 can be made horizontal, rather than vertical, to provide a different aesthetic appearance for the security fence. As described above with respect to FIGS. 17 and 18, the dimensions and configurations of the aluminum plate panel 81 are the same, except that the orientation is horizontal instead of vertical.

[0074] It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.