Spike strip

Abstract

Embodiments are directed toward a spike strip. The spike strip preferably includes a housing, a plurality of spikes disposed in the housing, a door, and a mover. The door is preferably configured to transition between a closed configuration in which the spikes are covered and prevented from puncturing tires of vehicles driving over the spike strip and an open configuration in which the spikes are exposed and allowed to puncture a tire of a vehicle driving over the spike strip. The mover is preferably configured to transition the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration responsive to a signal provided to the spike strip from a remote location.

Claims

1. A spike strip comprising: a housing; a light disposed on the housing; a plurality of spikes disposed in the housing and configured to puncture a tire of a vehicle driving over the housing; and a plurality of spike trackers, wherein the spike trackers are configured to couple to the punctured tire, the spike trackers being configured to communicate location information to a remotely located computer to facilitate tracking the vehicle having the punctured tire, wherein the spike trackers have tracker housings that facilitate protecting the spike trackers when repeatedly pressed between the punctured tire and a road on which the vehicle having the punctured tire travels, wherein the light is configured to change states or colors based on one or more of the spike trackers being removed from the housing.

2. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spikes are disposed on the spike trackers.

3. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein each of the spike trackers is separably coupled to the housing, configured to separate from the housing after the tire is punctured, and configured to rock relative to the housing prior to being separated from the housing.

4. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spike trackers are separably coupled to the housing and spaced apart from each other along a length of housing by a distance that is less than a width of the tire of the vehicle.

5. The spike strip of claim 1, further comprising a spike platform disposed in the housing, the spike platform configured to elevate and lower relative to the housing, the spike trackers being separably disposed on the platform.

6. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spike trackers include active trackers.

7. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spike trackers include passive trackers.

8. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spike trackers are configured to communicate the location information to a flying drone.

9. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the light is disposed on a sideof the housing that is configured to face oncoming traffic.

10. The spike strip of claim 1, further comprising a spike platform disposed in the housing, the spike platform configured to elevate and lower relative to the housing, the spike trackers being separably disposed on the platform, wherein the light is configured to change states or colors based on one or more of the spike trackers being separated from the platform.

11. The spike strip of claim 1, wherein the spikes are configured to transition between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, and the light is configured to change states or colors based on the spikes transitioning between the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration.

12. A spike strip comprising: a housing; a plurality of spikes disposed in the housing and configured to puncture a tire of a vehicle driving over the spike strip; and a light disposed on the housing, wherein the light is configured to change states or colors based on one or more of the spikes being removed from the housing.

13. The spike strip of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of spike trackers, wherein the spike trackers are configured to couple to the punctured tire, the spike trackers being configured to communicate location information to a remotely located computer to facilitate tracking the vehicle having the punctured tire.

14. The spike strip of claim 12, wherein the spikes are configured to transition between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, and the light is configured to change states or colors based on the spikes transitioning between the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration.

15. The spike strip of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of spike trackers, wherein the spike trackers are configured to couple to the punctured tire, the spike trackers being configured to communicate location information to a remotely located computer to facilitate tracking the vehicle having the punctured tire, wherein the spikes are disposed on the spike trackers.

16. The spike strip of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of spike trackers, wherein the spike trackers are configured to couple to the punctured tire, the spike trackers being configured to communicate location information to a remotely located computer to facilitate tracking the vehicle having the punctured tire, wherein the spike trackers are separably coupled to the housing and spaced apart from each other along a length of housing by a distance that is less than a width of the tire of the vehicle.

17. A spike strip comprising: a housing; a plurality of spikes disposed in the housing and configured to puncture a tire of a vehicle driving over the housing; and a plurality of spike trackers, wherein the spike trackers are configured to couple to the punctured tire, the spike trackers being configured to communicate location information to a remotely located computer to facilitate tracking the vehicle having the punctured tire, wherein each of the spike trackers is separably coupled to the housing, configured to separate from the housing after the tire is punctured, and configured to rock relative to the housing prior to being separated from the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front-left perspective view of a preferred spike strip in an expanded configuration.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the spike strip of FIG. 1 during a transition between the expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the spike strip of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a spike-strip module of the spike strip of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is an overhead plan view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 4 in an undeployed configuration.

(8) FIG. 7 is an overhead plan view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 4 in a deployed configuration.

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 4 in the undeployed configuration, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 4 in the deployed configuration, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic view of another preferred spike-strip module in an undeployed configuration.

(12) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 10 in a deployed configuration.

(13) FIG. 12 is a transparent overhead schematic plan view of the spike-strip module of FIG. 10 in the undeployed configuration.

(14) FIG. 13 is perspective view of a preferred spike-tracker assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(15) A preferred spike strip 2 in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the spike strip 2 is in an undeployed, expanded configuration that preferably facilitates the spike strip 2 extending across at least one standard vehicular traffic lane while allowing vehicles to drive over the spike strip 2 without the spike strip 2 damaging such vehicles. The spike strip 2 is preferably approximately 8 feet long in the expanded configuration. The spike strip 2 preferably includes multiple spike-strip modules, such as a first module 4 and a second module 6, arranged in a row along the length of the spike strip 2 from the left end portion 8 to the right end portion 10. Each module is preferably moveably (for example, pivotably) coupled to the adjacent module(s) in the row (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, the spike strip 2 preferably facilitates transitioning between the expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration (see FIG. 3) that facilitates storing the spike strip 2 in the trunk of a vehicle, such as a police cruiser. The modules are preferably hingeably coupled to each other with one or more tethers, such as tethers 12, 14, that extend between adjacent modules (see FIG. 2). In the collapsed configuration (see FIG. 3), the tethers 12, 14 are preferably configured to provide handles for carrying the spike strip 2.

(16) Each spike-strip module 4, 6 preferably includes a housing 16, 18. Each housing 16, 18 is generally configured as a traffic calming device, such as a speed table or, as shown in the drawings, a speed bump. Each housing 16, 18 preferably houses deployable, retractable spikes, such as the schematically represented spikes 20 shown in FIG. 7. The front face of each spike-strip module 4, 6 is preferably inwardly inclined to define a ramp region 22, 24 that is configured to face opposite the direction of travel in a lane in which the spike strip 2 is disposed (i.e., face toward oncoming traffic) and thereby guide a passing vehicle's tires to the top of the housing 16, 18. Each housing 16, 18 preferably includes a spike door 32, 34 that is configured to cover the spikes 20 when the door 32, 34 is closed in the undeployed configuration (see FIG. 1) and to expose the spikes 20 when the door 32, 34 is open in the deployed configuration (see FIG. 7). Each spike door 32, 34 preferably covers a spike opening 38 in the closed configuration and exposes the spike opening 38 in the open configuration. The spikes 20 are preferably configured to extend through the spike opening 38 as or after the door 32, 34 transitions to the open configuration and are configured to retract back inside the housing 16, 18 as or before the door 32, 34 transitions to the closed configuration. In other versions, each housing 16, 18 is devoid of a spike door, and a portion of the housing 16, 18 is defined by a grate or mesh structure 36 (see FIG. 7) that has openings large enough for the spikes 20 to extend through the structure 36 and retract back into the housing 16, 18.

(17) The door 32, 34 preferably slides along the top of the housing 16, 18 to transition between the open configuration and the closed configuration. At least one coupler (not shown) preferably slidingly couples the door 32, 34 to the housing 16, 18. The coupler preferably includes a substantially vertical shaft and a flange that is transverse to the shaft. The coupler is preferable shaped like an upside-down T. The shaft preferably couples to the underside of the door 32, 34 and through a channel 40 defined by the housing (see FIG. 7) with the transverse flange being disposed inside the housing (i.e., opposite the portion of the housing that defines the channel 40 from the door 32, 34). In the version shown in FIG. 7, another channel and coupler are preferably similarly arranged on the opposite end portion of the housing 16. In other versions, the housing 16, 18 includes walls that extend upward above the door 32, 34 and inwardly extending flanges 26, 28 at the tops of the walls with the door 32, 34 disposed between the flanges 26, 28 and the rest of the housing 16, 18, thereby securing the door 32, 34 (see FIG. 12). In some versions, tabs (not shown) extend downward from the front and rear ends of the flanges 26, 28 to secure the door 32, 34 in the forward and rearward directions. Accordingly, the housing 16, 18 is preferably slidably coupled to the top of the housing 16, 18. In other versions, the door 32, 34 pivots about a hinge (not shown) to transition between the open configuration and the closed configuration. In versions with a hinged door, the door preferably has a magnet strip on its top surface as viewed in the closed configuration, and the housing preferably has a corresponding magnetic strip on the opposite side of the hinge to facilitate securing the door in the open configuration when the magnet on the door makes contact with the magnet on the housing. In some versions, the hinged door has spikes disposed on its inner surface in the closed configuration to facilitate exposing those spikes when the door transitions to the open configuration.

(18) The door 32, 34 is preferably driven between the open configuration and the closed configuration with a linear actuator, such as a rack and pinion. Each housing 16, 18 preferably houses a circular gear or pinion 42 that engages a linear gear or rack 9 (not shown) disposed on or in the door 32, 34 (see FIG. 8). At least one spike platform, such as the platform 44 in FIG. 8, is configured to hold one or more spike assemblies, such as the spike-tracker assembly 46. The spike platform 44 is preferably elevated or lowered to transition between the deployed and undeployed configurations. The spike platform 44 is preferably coupled to the actuator that drives the door 32, 34, such as the pinion 42 or an axle 48 that rotates with the pinion 42. Accordingly, as the door 32, 34 slides open or closed, the spike platform 44 raises or lowers to transition between the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration (contrast FIGS. 8 and 9). In some versions, the gear 42 couples to the door 32, 34 or the spike platform 44 with an arm (not shown) that extends substantially radially outward from the gear toward the door 32, 34 or the spike platform 44 and thereby moves the door 32, 34 or the spike platform 44.

(19) In some versions, the spike platform 44 is not directly coupled to the actuator that drives the door 32, 34. The spike platform 44 is preferably coupled to an elevating mechanism 50, such as a piston or coil spring around a telescoping rod that couples the spike platform 44 to the floor of the housing 16, 18 to prevent the spring from deforming away from its longitudinal axis. The elevating mechanism 50 preferably biases the spike platform 44 toward the deployed configuration with more force than it takes to puncture a typical passenger vehicle tire, thereby preventing the fleeing vehicle from depressing the elevating mechanism 50 in a manner sufficient to avoid puncturing. A depressor 62, such as a fin, preferably extends downward from the door 32, 34 and is configured to depress the spike platform 44 into the undeployed configuration as the door 32, 34 transitions to the closed configuration (see FIG. 10) and to allow the spike platform to transition to the deployed configuration as the door 32, 34 transitions to the open configuration (see FIG. 11). As shown in FIG. 12, multiple spike platforms are preferably disposed in a row in the housing, and each of spike platform is preferably supported at multiple points by the mechanism that lifts it, such as the elevating mechanism 50 (represented by the circles in hidden lines in FIG. 12) or the actuator such as the pinion 42 (for example, multiple actuators may be disposed along the length of the axle 48). In some versions, multiple fins such as the fin 62 are disposed along the length of the door 32, 34, as represented by the thin rectangles in hidden lines along the length of the door 32, 34 in FIG. 12.

(20) As shown in FIG. 12, at least one of the spike-strip modules 4, 6 in the spike strip 2 has a power source 64 that provides power to a mover 66 such as a servo connected to the pinion 42 by an axle or gear (represented by a rectangle in hidden lines in FIG. 12), control circuitry 68, and any other electrical components of the spike strip 2, such as warning lights 70-76 (see FIG. 1). The power source 64 is preferably rechargeable through a USB port (not shown) disposed in the housing 16, 18. Power and control signals are preferably transmitted from the power source 64 and the control circuitry 68 from the left spike-strip module 4 to the right spike-strip module 6 through one or more of the tethers 12, 14. In other versions, each spike-strip module 4, 6 includes its own control circuitry or its own power source. Accordingly, the power source 64 is preferably electrically coupled to the control circuitry 68, which is electrically connected to the mover 66 and the warning lights 70, 72 and, in some versions, to a corresponding mover in the spike-strip module 6 and to the warning lights 74, 76.

(21) A preferred spike-tracker assembly 46 is shown in FIG. 13. The assembly 46 preferably includes a tracker 78 and multiple spikes 92-100 coupled to and extending upward from the tracker 78. The spikes 92-100 are preferably configured to puncture a vehicle's tire and are preferably hollow to promote deflation of the tire. The spikes 92-100 are preferably sufficiently secured to the tracker 78 such that the tracker 78 remains fixed relative to the punctured tire as the vehicle continues to drive at high speed. The spikes 92-100 are preferably integral to the tracker 78 or fastened to or adhered to the tracker 78. Multiple spike-tracker assemblies that are the same as or similar to the spike-tracker assembly 46 are preferably disposed in at least one row along the length of each spike platform in each spike-strip module 4, 6. Accordingly, the spike strip 2 is configured to cause multiple spike-tracker assemblies to puncture and adhere to the vehicle tire. As a result, the vehicle will be trackable as long as one spike tracker of the assemblies remains secured to the spikes that punctured the tire.

(22) In some versions, the spike-tracker assemblies are disposed on rocker bottoms (not shown) that facilitate the spikes and corresponding spike trackers rocking on the platforms as the fleeing vehicle drives over the spike strip 2 to decrease damage incurred by the spike-tracker assemblies. As shown in the drawings, the spikes 20 are oriented substantially vertically in the deployed configuration. In some versions, the spikes 20 are oriented at approximately 40-55 degrees from vertical toward the ramp region to facilitate increasing the likelihood of puncturing the tires of the fleeing vehicle.

(23) The tracker 78 preferably includes a durable housing that facilitates protecting the components internal to the housing when repeatedly hitting the pavement and then pressed between the punctured tire and the pavement of the road as the vehicle with the punctured tire drives away from the spike strip 2. The internal components of the tracker 78 preferably include a power supply and a global positioning system (GPS) transceiver that facilitates transmitting the location of the tracker 78 to a computer (for example, mobile device) of the LEO operating the spike strip 2 to allow the LEO to track the car with the punctured tire. In some versions, the tracker 78 includes a passive or active beacon, radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, or other component that allows the LEO to track the location of the tracker 78, such as by triangulation or other known methods.

(24) In operation, the LEO removes the spike strip 2 from the LEO's vehicle, transitions the spike strip 2 from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, and lays the spike strip 2 across at least one lane on which a fleeing vehicle is expected to travel. The spike trackers are preferably active trackers that are continuously in the “on” state with their batteries being replaced or charged regularly, such as once every 6 months, year, two years, or three years, depending on the battery life of the trackers. In some versions with active trackers in the spike-tracker assemblies, the LEO preferably transitions all of the trackers to their “on” state prior to laying the spike strip 2 across the at least one lane. In some versions, the control circuitry 68 causes the trackers to transition to their “on” state by, for example, transmitting a control signal to the trackers, causing a component of the spike strip 2 (such as respective arms (such as resilient arm 102 in FIGS. 8-11) disposed along the length of the spike platforms) to manipulate user controls on the trackers. In the versions shown in FIGS. 8-11, the arm 102 is passive and manipulates on/off user controls of the tracker of the spike-tracker assembly 46 responsive to the control circuitry 68 causing the platform 44 to move the spike-tracker assembly 46 past the arm 102. The LEO then moves away from the spike strip 2 to a safe location.

(25) The control circuitry 68 preferably includes a wireless receiver or transceiver (for example, a BLUETOOTH® transceiver) that receives instructions transmitted from a computer (for example, a mobile device) operated by the LEO. Responsive to receipt of a deployment instruction signal from the computer, the control circuitry 68 is preferably configured to transition the spike strip 2 from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration. The control circuitry 68 is preferably configured to cause the warning lights 70-76 to illuminate, flash, or change colors responsive to receipt of the deployment instruction signal, completion of transition to the deployed configuration, expiration of a predetermined time period (for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, or more seconds) after receipt of the signal or completion of the transition to the deployed configuration, determination that a spike-tracker assembly separated from its spike platform, or another event to warn drivers of vehicles arriving at the spike strip 2 after the fleeing vehicle. In some versions, each spike platform has two electrodes communicably coupled to the control circuitry 68 with the electrodes disposed at each location that is configured to receive a spike-tracker assembly, and conductive material is adhered to the bottoms of the spike-tracker assemblies to facilitate closing the electrode circuit until the spike-tracker assembly is removed from the spike platform, thereby notifying the control circuitry 68 that the spike-tracker assembly has punctured and been removed by a vehicle tire. The spike platforms preferably secure the spike-tracker assemblies with hook-and-loop mechanisms or with friction fitting in receptacles defined by the spike platforms. In some versions, the lights 70-76 illuminate in a different color based on whether the spike strip 2 is in the undeployed configuration or the deployed configuration or responsive to determination that a spike-tracker assembly separated from its platform.

(26) As evident from the disclosure herein, the spike strip 2 facilitates LEOs to safely track vehicles that otherwise may have proven difficult or impossible to track. The LEO preferably tracks down the fleeing vehicle by following the signals of moving or the farthest trackers, as identified by the LEO's computer that receives the tracker signals from the trackers. Accordingly, the spike strip 2 facilitates the LEO to back off the fleeing vehicle, allowing the driver or other inhabitants of the fleeing vehicle to abandon the now disabled vehicle, and thereby allowing the LEO to safely approach the location of the abandoned vehicle and then use other tools (for example, K9 tracing, drone tracking, or others) to more safely (at least for the public in general) track down the suspects fleeing on foot and increase the likelihood of successful apprehension. Another signal is preferably transmitted to the control circuitry 68, either from the LEOs computer or by manipulating a user control (for example, a button or switch (not shown)) on the spike strip 2, and the control circuitry 68 responds to the signal by causing the spike strip 2 to transition from the deployed configuration to the undeployed configuration. In other versions, the spike strip 2 automatically transitions from the deployed configuration to the undeployed configuration a predetermined amount of time (for example, within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or more seconds) after the determination that a spike-tracker assembly separated from its platform. In some versions with active trackers in the spike-tracker assemblies, the LEO preferably transitions all of the trackers remaining in the spike strip 2 to their “off” state. In some versions, the control circuitry 68 causes the trackers to transition to their “off” state by either transmitting a control signal to the trackers or by causing a component of the spike strip 2 (such as respective arms (not shown) disposed along the length of the spike platforms) to manipulate user controls on the trackers. The warning lights 70-76 preferably cease illuminating or flashing responsive to the spike strip 2 transitioning to the undeployed configuration (for example, a button may be pressed or released by the door 32, 34 or one of the spike platforms when the spike strip 2 transitions between the deployed and undeployed configurations) or the collapsed configuration (for example, a button disposed between the spike-strip modules 4, 6 and extending from the side of one of the spike-strip modules 4, 6 toward the other spike-strip module 4, 6 may be pressed or released by one of the spike-strip modules 4, 6 when the spike strip 2 transitions between the expanded and collapsed configurations). The LEO preferably transitions the spike strip 2 to the collapsed configuration and takes the spike strip 2 back to the local law-enforcement station to load new spike-tracker assemblies into the spike strip 2 to replace those that were removed by the vehicle tire. New spike-tracker assemblies are preferably paired with the LEO's computer prior to installation in the spike strip 2. Suitable trackers include beacons available from BLUE CHARM BEACONS under model name “iBeacon” with model number BC063B. Suitable software on the LEO's computer to utilize the trackers is available from most manufacturers of such trackers. In some versions, reinforcement housings encapsulate the trackers to provide further protection. In some versions, the LEO's computer is a drone that follows the trackers that are coupled to the fleeing vehicle.

(27) As used herein, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is an inclusive grammatical conjunction to indicate that one or more of the connected terms may be employed. For example, the phrase “one or more A, B, or C” or the phrase “one or more As, Bs, or Cs” is employed to discretely disclose each of the following: i) one or more As, ii) one or more Bs, iii) one or more Cs, iv) one or more As and one or more Bs, v) one or more As and one or more Cs, vi) one or more Bs and one or more Cs, and vii) one or more As, one or more Bs, and one or more Cs. The term “based on” as used herein is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. Plural references are intended to also disclose the singular. The term “one or more” discloses no more than a single one or more than one, up to and including all.

(28) The terms “front,” “forward,” “rear,” and “rearward” are defined relative to the ramp regions 22, 24 to orient the reader and do not limit the orientation of the spike strip 2 or described component in a given application. The front side of the spike strip 2 faces the left in FIGS. 8-11. The term “transverse” refers to a non-parallel orientation and includes but is not limited to a perpendicular orientation. The term “configured” refers to an element being one or more of sized, dimensioned, positioned, oriented, electrically or mechanically arranged, or programmed to achieve or provide the recited function or result.

(29) The term “approximately” or “substantially” refers to the described value or a range of values that include all values within 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 percent of the described value. The term “substantially parallel” refers to parallel or within 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 degrees of parallel. The term “directly coupled” refers to a component that contacts (for example, when bolted) or is welded to another component. The term “indirectly coupled” refers to a component that is coupled to one or more other components that are coupled to a second component or one or more further components that are coupled to the second component. The term “coupled” should be understood to disclose both direct and indirect coupling of components or elements that are described as being coupled to each other. The term “remote location” means a location that is separated and spaced apart from the spike strip 2.

(30) While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, each disclosure of an element or component preferably having a feature or characteristic is intended to also disclose the element or component as being devoid of that feature or characteristic, unless the principles of the invention clearly dictate otherwise. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. Moreover, each feature, characteristic, element, or component described herein may be implemented in combination with one or more other features, characteristics, elements, or components described herein. For example, one or more of the features, characteristics, or elements of one embodiment of the spike strip 2 may be implemented in combination with one or more other features, characteristics, or elements of one or more other embodiments of the spike strip 2 described herein. It should also be noted that the claim dependencies or combinations of elements recited in the claims does not reflect an intention to forgo claiming other subject matter disclosed herein. Instead, this disclosure is intended to also disclose the subject matter of any combination of any two or more of the claims, such that subsequent claim sets may recite that any one of the dependent claims depends from any other one or more claims, up to and including all other claims in the alternative (for example, “The spike strip of any one of the preceding or subsequent claims . . . ”). This disclosure is also intended to disclose the subject matter of any one of the dependent claims, as if it was an independent claim, with or without all or a portion of the subject matter of the original independent claim(s) or any other subject matter disclosed herein.