Finger wedge vehicle barrier

Abstract

A finger wedge barrier system includes a frame having a top side and a bottom side, a laterally extending beam trough located along a front wall, and laterally spaced apart finger troughs extending axially from a rear wall to the beam trough, each of the finger troughs is open at the top side of the frame and formed between a cooperative pair of rails; a first cavity formed between a first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the first cavity open at the top side and the bottom side; a second cavity formed between a second pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the second cavity open at the top side and the bottom side; and a finger wedge barrier having fingers aligned with the finger troughs, each of the fingers having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear end pivotally connected to the frame, and a blocking member extending perpendicular to the fingers and connected at front ends of each of the fingers.

Claims

1. A finger wedge vehicle barrier system, comprising: a frame having a top side and a bottom side, a laterally extending beam trough located along a front wall, and laterally spaced apart finger troughs extending axially from a rear wall to the beam trough, wherein each of the finger troughs is open at the top side of the frame and formed between a cooperative pair of rails extending from the top side to the bottom side; a first cavity formed between a first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the first cavity open at the top side; a second cavity formed between a second pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the second cavity open at the top side; a finger wedge barrier comprising fingers aligned with the finger troughs, each of the fingers having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear end pivotally connected to the frame and a blocking member extending perpendicular to the fingers and connected at front ends of each of the fingers, wherein the finger wedge barrier is moveable between a non-deployed position with the finger wedge barrier disposed in the finger and beam troughs and a deployed position with the blocking member located above the top side; and each of the fingers comprising a linkage connected at a first end to the finger and at a second end to the frame, the linkage extending into the respective finger trough.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger wedge barrier is crash certified ASTM F 2656 M 50-P1.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the finger troughs and the beam trough are closed on the bottom side by a floor and the first cavity and the second cavity are open on the bottom side.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; a left sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the first pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs; and a right sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the second pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; and the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the troughs are closed on the bottom side by a floor; the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; and the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; the rear compartments are located adjacent to the pivotal connection of the fingers to the frame; a left sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the first pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs; and a right sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the second pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fingers are pivotally connected to the frame below the top side at the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the linkage is connected to the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and the second cavities are filled with a concrete foundation such that a foundation surface of the concrete foundation is generally level with the top side of the frame, and when the finger wedge barrier is in the non-deployed position the top surfaces of the fingers are generally level with the top side and the foundation surface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; a left sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the first pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs; and a right sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the second pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; and the rear compartments are located adjacent to the pivotal connection of the fingers to the frame below the top side at the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein a left sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the first pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs; and a right sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the second pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is installed in a motor vehicle roadway having a grade level, the top side of the frame substantially flush with the grade level; the first and the second cavities are filled with a concrete foundation such that a foundation surface of the concrete foundation is generally level with the top side of the frame; and in the non-deployed position the concrete foundation is exposed.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; and the rear compartments are located adjacent to the pivotal connection of the fingers to the frame below the top side at the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

16. A method, comprising: operating a finger wedge vehicle barrier system installed in a motor vehicle roadway from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, the system comprising: a frame having a top side and a bottom side, a laterally extending beam trough located along a front wall, and laterally spaced apart finger troughs extending axially from a rear wall to the beam trough, wherein each of the finger troughs is open at the top side of the frame and formed between a cooperative pair of rails extending from the top side to the bottom side; a first cavity formed between a first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the first cavity open at the top side; a second cavity formed between a second pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the second cavity open at the top side; a concrete foundation disposed in the first cavity and the second cavity, the concrete foundation having a foundation surface generally level with the top side; a finger wedge barrier comprising fingers aligned with the finger troughs, each of the fingers having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear end pivotally connected to the frame, and a blocking member extending perpendicular to the fingers and connected at front ends of each of the fingers, wherein in the non-deployed position the top surfaces of the fingers are generally level with the top side and the foundation surface and the concrete foundation in the first and the second cavities is exposed; and each of the fingers comprising a linkage connected at a first end to the finger and at a second end to the frame, the linkage extending into the respective finger trough.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising stopping a motor vehicle, within about 3.3 feet, that impacts the deployed finger wedge barrier traveling in a direction from the front end to the rear end, wherein the impacting motor vehicle weighs up to 15,000 pounds and is traveling up to 50 mph on impact.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and the rear wall; a left sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the first pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs; and a right sidewall of the frame is formed by a rail of one of cooperative pair of rails of the second pair of laterally spaced apart finger troughs.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising stopping a motor vehicle, within about 3.3 feet, that impacts the deployed finger wedge barrier traveling in a direction from the front end to the rear end, wherein the impacting motor vehicle weighs up to 15,000 pounds and is traveling up to 50 mph on impact.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the fingers are pivotally connected to the frame at the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough; and the second end of the linkage is connected to the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; the second cavity is formed between the first pair of the laterally spaced apart finger troughs, the beam trough and a rear compartment located along the rear wall; and the rear compartments are located adjacent to the pivotal connection of the fingers to the frame.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the fingers are pivotally connected to the frame below the top side at the cooperative rails forming the respective finger trough.

23. The method of claim 22, stopping a motor vehicle, within about 3.3 feet, that impacts the deployed finger wedge barrier traveling in a direction from the front end to the rear end, wherein the impacting motor vehicle weighs up to 15,000 pounds and is traveling up to 50 mph on impact.

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 illustrates an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system incorporated in a roadway in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the active finger wedge vehicle barrier system along the line I-I of FIG. 2 in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view through a finger trough portion of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system that is in a raised or deployed position in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view through a finger trough portion of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system that is in a non-deployed position in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a foundation frame of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system in accordance to one more aspects.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates in isolation a rail member utilized to form a finger trough portion of a foundation frame in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a finger wedge barrier and actuating device in isolation in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an elevation view of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

(12) FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a foundation frame of an active wedge vehicle barrier system in accordance to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) 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 are not intended to be limiting. 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.

(14) 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, coupled, coupled together, and coupled with may be used to mean directly coupled together or coupled together 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 are may be utilized to more clearly describe some elements. Commonly, these terms relate to a reference point such as the surface of a roadway.

(15) Referring to FIG. 1, anti-ram active finger wedge vehicle barrier systems, generally denoted by the numeral 5, are illustrated incorporated into a roadway 7 for example at an entry point to a high security area. With additional reference to FIGS. 2 to 11, the finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 includes a finger wedge barrier 10 that is mounted in a foundation 12 and installed in the roadway. For example, the finger wedge barrier 10 is pivotally connected with a foundation frame 14 that is located in the foundation so as to be pivoted from a non-deployed position as shown in the bottom lane of roadway 7 to a deployed position as illustrated in the top lane of roadway 7 to prevent the motor vehicle 9 approaching from an attack side from crossing the barrier to the asset side. In the deployed position a blocking member 16, e.g., beam, of the finger wedge barrier 10 is raised a distance above the surface (i.e., grade) of the roadway 7, for example to a blocking height of about 36 inches. In the non-deployed position as illustrated in the bottom lane of roadway 7 the finger wedge barrier 10 is recessed into foundation frame 14 and the foundation 12 so as to be flush or substantially flush with the surface or grade 20 (FIG. 3) of the foundation and roadway. For example, the finger wedge barrier 10 extends no more than about 0.5 inches above the roadway surface.

(16) In accordance to embodiments the finger wedge barrier 10 is a shallow mount system, for example the foundation 12 may be limited to about twelve inches or less in vertical depth. In some embodiments, the roadway 7 may be prepared for installation of a finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 by excavating to a depth of about twelve inches.

(17) In accordance with at least some embodiments the finger wedge barrier can be actuated from the non-deployed to the deployed position in less than about 2 seconds in emergency operations. Additionally the actuating or drive mechanism is intended to provide for routine raising and lowering of the wedge barrier 10, for example in some embodiments the finger wedge barrier and driving mechanism are capable of at least 120 complete cycles per hour. In accordance to one or more embodiments the wedge barrier system 5 meets ASTM F2656 Condition/Penetration Rating M50/P1, which allows penetration of less than or equal to 3.3 feet when impacted by a medium-duty truck (e.g., 6,800 kg) at 50 miles per hour.

(18) FIG. 2 is a plan view of active finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 in accordance to an embodiment and FIG. 3 is a view along the line I-I of FIG. 2 with the finger wedge barrier 10 removed to illustrate the foundation frame 14 and foundation 12. Foundation 12 is constructed of a concrete, and in some embodiments the concrete may not utilize reinforcement bars. In some embodiments the foundation frame 14 may include rods 72 (FIG. 9) extending from the foundation frame 14 and into the concrete foundation 12. The foundation frame 14 may be located in a hole excavated in the roadway 7. Concrete foundation 12 can be poured such that the top side 18 of the foundation frame 14 is substantially level with the surface 20 of foundation 12 as described for example with reference to FIG. 1. In one or more embodiments, the concrete foundation 12 may be formed with the foundation frame 14 at a location remote from the install site. In accordance to some embodiments the active finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 eliminates the need for placement of reinforcement bars and for hot work at the installation site. In practice the active finger wedge vehicle barrier systems 5 are designed to have an installation time of less than one day.

(19) In accordance to an embodiment the foundation 12 is constructed of a concrete having a strength for example of about 3,500 PSI or greater. The depth 22 of the foundation may be for example about 12 inches. A lower portion of the foundation frame 14 may extend below the concrete foundation 12 into a substrate for example to provide for water drainage. The length 24 from the threat or attack side 11 of the foundation 12 to the asset side 13 of the foundation 12 may be for example about twelve feet. The width 26 of the foundation 12 varies with the lateral length of the blocking member 16, i.e., the width of the wedge barrier 10. Standard width barriers are no less than about 8 feet and no more than about 14 feet 6 inches, although other width barriers may be utilized. In the depicted FIG. 2 the width 26 of the foundation 12 is for example about 12 feet for a blocking member 16 width 28 (FIG. 8) of 8 feet. In accordance to at least one embodiment, the width 26 of the foundation 12 is about 18 feet 6 inches for a width 28 of the finger wedge barrier 10 of about 14 feet 6 inches.

(20) The blocking member 16 has a length 28 (FIG. 8) that forms the lateral width of the finger wedge barrier 10. The blocking member 16 is supported by and pivotally connected to the foundation frame 14 by support members 30, also referred to from time to time as fingers members. In accordance to some embodiments the hinge system includes a greaseless bushing system. In the depicted embodiments, four support members 30 are utilized with a blocking member length of 8 feet and 14 feet 6 inches. In at least one embodiment, the blocking member 16 is constructed for example of a 6-inch by 6-inch steel member and the support members 30 are I-beam structures. One or more lights 55 (FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10) may be connected to the wedge barrier 10, for example to the blocking member 16. In accordance to aspects of the disclosure, the lights 55 may be located in a position to be visible through the opening between adjacent fingers 30, from both the attack side and the asset side, when the wedge barrier is raised.

(21) The support members 30 are spaced apart and extend perpendicular to the blocking member 16. Each support member 30 has a top surface 41, bottom surface 40, threat or attack end 29 connected (e.g. welded) to the lateral blocking member 16 and an asset end 31 that is pivotally connected to the foundation frame 14, for example by a pin 32. The pin 32 may be part of a hinge system such as bearings 34, for example pillow block bearings as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, two bearings 34 for each finger member 30 may be utilized.

(22) At least one of the support members 30 is operationally connected to drive mechanism 36, which is illustrated for example in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8. The drive mechanism 36 is positioned below the top side 18 of the foundation frame 14 and connected to the support members 30 below the top side of the foundation frame and below the surface 20 of the foundation 12. Drive mechanism 36 is a linear mechanism such as, and without limitation, a screw actuator and motor or a hydraulic ram. One example of a motor is an IP68 electromechanical stainless steel motor. In accordance to embodiments there is no spring other assistance, e.g., compressed air, needed for operation.

(23) In FIG. 8 the linear drive mechanism 36 is shown having a linear shaft 37 which is attached at a connection plate 38 located on the bottom side 40 of the support member 30 identified specifically as the lifting support member 42 (e.g., lifting finger). In the depicted embodiment, a single drive mechanism 36 is used to actuate the wedge barrier 10 between the deployed and non-deployed positions. Drive mechanism 36 is located in a compartment 44 (FIGS. 1, 2, 6) of the foundation frame on the asset side of the wedge barrier, i.e. on the opposite end of support members 30 from blocking member 16. This compartment 44 may be covered with a lid, e.g., a steel plate, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1 so as to be accessible from the surface for repair and maintenance.

(24) In FIG. 6 the drive mechanism 36 is located behind the asset-side wall 46 with a shaft of the drive mechanism extending through the asset-side wall 46 to connect to the wedge barrier 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The location of the drive mechanism 36 behind the asset-side wall 46 provides protection to the mechanism for example from explosives when the finger wedge barrier is in the deployed position. The location and use of a linear drive also facilitates repair and replacement of the drive mechanism when the finger wedge barrier 10 in the non-deployed position. Compartment 44 also serves as a position to locate control elements, such as electronics, processors, and the like.

(25) Referring to FIG. 6 an example of a foundation frame 14 is described in conjunction with the other figures. The depicted foundation frame 14 includes a laterally extending rear, asset-side wall 46 and a front, threat or attack-side wall 48 that extend for example parallel to one another. In FIG. 6 the asset and threat walls 46, 48 comprise for example structural steel channel. A lateral beam trough 50 is formed long the inside of the attack-side wall 48 to dispose the blocking member 16 when the wedge barrier is in the non-deployed position, see e.g., FIG. 5. Rails 52 are connected, e.g., welded, at an asset end 53 to the inside of the asset-side wall 46 and extend toward the attack-side wall 48. The outer most rails 52 extend to the attack-side wall 48 and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 beyond the attack-side wall 48. The attack-side wall 48 may be connected to the outer most rails 52.

(26) Rails 52 are arranged in cooperative pairs, each pair of rails forming a finger trough 54 sized to dispose one of the finger support members 30. With reference in particular to FIG. 3, each pair of rails 52 also forms an anchor track or channel 56 in the bottom portion of the finger trough 54. The anchor track or channel 56 may have a wider lateral opening than the finger trough 54 for trapping a sliding anchor as further described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 11, the cooperative pairs of rails 52 may be connected at a bottom side 19 of the foundation frame by a floor 58. An orifice 60 is shown formed through the asset ends 53 of the rails for passing the pin 32 (FIG. 2) to pivotally connect the support members 30. FIGS. 2, 6 and 9 also illustrate surface accessible compartments 45 formed by the foundation frame and extending between the asset ends 53 of the rails 52 of adjacent finger troughs 54 to provide surface access to the hinged connection of the finger supports to the foundation frame. Cavities 74, open at the top side 18 and the bottom side 19 of the foundation frame 14, are defined between the walls of the adjacent finger troughs, the compartment 45 and/or rear wall 46, and a wall (e.g., rail) of the beam trough 50. The concrete foundation 12 may be poured into and set in the cavities 74 as illustrated for example in FIGS. 1-3.

(27) FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a rail 52 formed by opposite facing c-channel structural members (52a, 52b) stacked on top of one another and interconnected, e.g., by welding, with the open sides of the respective channel members facing away from each other so that the upper portion of the finger trough 54 and the anchor channel 56 will have different widths. The orifice 60 for disposing the hinge pin for connection of the wedge barrier is formed through the top structural member 52a at the asset end 53. In some embodiments a reinforcement plate 62 is attached to the rail 52 with the orifice 60 formed through the plate and the rail. The reinforcement plate 62 can provide additional strength to withstand the force of a motor vehicle impacting the deployed wedge barrier. In FIG. 8 reinforcement plates 62 are also shown attached at the asset ends 31 of the support members 30 to provide additional strength around the hole through which the hinge pin is disposed.

(28) Referring in particular to FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, in conjunction with the other figures, impact absorbing linkages 64 are shown connecting the finger wedge barrier 10 to the foundation frame 14. For example, absorbing linkage 64 includes one or more cables 66 (e.g., wire rope) connected at a first end 65 to the attack end 29 of the finger support member 30 and connected at a second end to a sliding anchor 68 which is disposed in the anchor channel 56. Sliding anchor 68 may be a block or other device trapped in and axially moveable along the channel 56. A sleeve 70, e.g., conduit, may be disposed about the one or more cables 66 between the first and second ends 65, 67 to provide some rigidity to the cables for example to assist in moving the sliding anchor 68 when actuating the finger wedge barrier 10 between the deployed and non-deployed positions.

(29) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 in accordance to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The illustrated foundation frame 14 includes rods 72 extending from the frame and through the openings or cavities 74 located inside of the foundation frame between the adjacent laterally spaced apart finger troughs 54. One or more of the cavities 74 may be filled with concrete foundation 12 as illustrated for example in FIGS. 1-3.

(30) The following test data is illustrative of an active finger wedge vehicle barrier system 5 in accordance to embodiments of this disclosure. A finger wedge barrier 10 having a lateral width of 8 feet was impacted by an International, medium duty truck, having a gross vehicle weight of 6,837 kg according to ASTM F2656-07 M50 standards. The wedge barrier was installed in a foundation with an excavation depth of 12 inches, a distance 24 (FIG. 2) from front to back of 12 feet and distance 26 from side to side of 12 feet with concrete having a minimum strength of 3,500 PSI. The tested wedge barrier system satisfied the ASTM F2656-07 Condition/Penetration Rating M50/P1 which allows less than 3.3 feet. The wedge barrier 10 stopped the motor vehicle traveling at a speed of 49.7 miles per hour, the barrier remaining intact and the opening remaining blocked by the wedge barrier. After the impact the truck's engine was not running, the vehicle was not drivable and a follow on vehicle could not pass the wedge barrier.

(31) 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.