Method and device for the protection of systems and building at risk

• US 20040237458A1
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Inventors: Schmid, Helmut, Neutz, Jochen, Eisenreich, Norbert, Thiel, Klaus-Dieter
• Application Number:
  US10/489,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20040237458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/745.05
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/046 the obstructing members moving up in a translatory motion, e.g. telescopic barrier posts for lane control E01F9/594
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 9/10 Independent shelters; Arrangement of independent splinter-proof walls

Abstract

A method for the protection or defence of moving objects or persons, characterized in that in the case of endangerment, at least one sleeve-type element is inflated from a collapsed space-saving state by means of a gas which is introduced into said sleeve or by means of a gas generated medium to form a barrier. In this way, efficient and flexible protection of systems, buildings or the like can be protected with non-lethal means. As a result, the inventive method or device suitable for carrying out said method can be used in a multiplicity of ways such as to prevent access or influence groups of persons at large public events.

Claims

1. through 53. cancelled.

54. A method for creating a barrier, the method comprising the steps of:

a) erecting a support structure, said support structure comprising a plurality of support columns;

b) disposing an inflatable sleeve between a pair of mutually separated support columns erected in step a) or between one such support column and an additional stationary structure; and

c) introducing a gas or gas generating medium into said sleeve to form a blocking or visual screening element by transforming said sleeve from a collapsed, space-saving state into an erected, inflated state.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said inflated sleeve is structured for defence against or deflection of a moving object and a person.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein at least one of said plurality of support columns is created through extension of telescopic, mutually displaceable structure elements.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein inflation of said sleeve is initiated by a proximity sensor device triggered by said person or object.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said proximity sensor device detects said person or object without contact.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said proximity sensor device is triggered by contact.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein said sleeve is inflated at a variable speed.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein said sleeve is inflated at an adjustable speed.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein an inflation speed is adjusted in dependence on at least one property of said person or object.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein said adjustable speed is determining in accordance with information from at least one contact-free detecting means.

64. The method of claim 54, wherein said sleeve is inflated with a hardening substance.

65. The method of claim 54, wherein a self-sealing medium is introduced into said sleeve to seal holes in said sleeve.

66. The method of claim 54, wherein said sleeve is inflated by a stationary structure.

67. The method of claim 54, wherein said sleeve is inflated from said support structure.

68. The method of claim 54, wherein said support structure is attached to a stationary structure prior to introduction of blocking and/or visual screening elements.

69. A device for creating a barrier, the device comprising:

a support structure having a plurality of support columns; and

at least one sleeve, inflated from a collapsed, space-saving state by means of a gas or a gas-generating medium, said at least one sleeve disposed between and cooperating with a pair of mutually separated support columns and/or between a support column and an additional stationary structure to form a blocking or visual screening element.

70. The device of claim 69, wherein said inflated sleeve is structured for defence against or deflection of a moving object or person.

71. The device of claim 69, wherein said support structure is a solid support structure.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein said support structure is formed from individual, rigid structural elements.

73. The device of claim 72, wherein a plurality of said structure elements can move telescopically in mutual pairwise fashion to extend and retract.

74. The device of claim 69, wherein said support structure is portable.

75. The device of claim 70, wherein said support structure comprises mounting means for rigid connection to a stationary structure.

76. The device of claim 75, wherein said mounting means comprise connecting means for connection to complementary means on said stationary structure.

77. The device of claim 75, wherein said mounting means comprise anchoring means for automatic anchoring in or on said stationary structure.

78. The device of claim 70, further comprising a proximity sensor device for initiating an inflation process of said sleeve.

79. The device of claim 78, wherein said proximity sensor device is designed for contact-free detection of said person or object.

80. The device of claim 78, wherein said proximity sensor device can be triggered by contact.

81. The device of claim 77, further comprising control means for controlling an inflation speed of said sleeve.

82. The device of claim 81, further comprising at least one detecting means for providing input signals to said control means.

83. The device of claim 82, wherein said detecting means is designed for detecting at least one property and/or position of said person or object.

84. The device of claim 82, wherein said detecting means is designed for contact-free detection of at least one property and/or position of said person or object.

85. The device of claim 82, wherein said control means comprise at least one charge generating gas and an associated ignition unit which can be triggered by said detecting means.

86. The device of claim 85, wherein said charge is formed from several parts.

87. The device of claim 86, wherein said charge parts can be ignited with time delay.

88. The device of claim 87, wherein said charge parts are disposed in one single housing and have different ignition delay and/or different burning speeds.

89. The device of claim 88, wherein each charge part has its own associated ignition unit.

90. The device of claim 89, wherein said charge parts are disposed, spatially separated, in one single housing and each ignition unit is disposed in said housing in correspondence with a spatial arrangement of said respective charge part.

91. The device of claim 87, wherein said charge parts consist essentially of a same charge but have different shapes, densities or particle distributions.

92. The device of claim 85, wherein said charge exclusively contains components which are non-toxic for persons.

93. The device of claim 85, wherein said charge contains organic compounds with a large amount of nitrogen and little carbon.

94. The device of claim 93, wherein said charge contains at least one of nitroguandine (NIGU) and guanidine azotetraazolate (GZT).

95. The device of claim 69, wherein said sleeve is made from a flame-resistant material.

96. The device of claim 69, wherein said sleeve is formed from a material which is resistant to mechanical damage.

97. The device of claim 70, wherein said sleeve has an effective coating, at least in a region of its outer surface facing said person or object.

98. The device of claim 97, wherein at least parts of said effective coating have adhesive properties.

99. The device of claim 97, wherein at least parts of said effective coating have thorn-like tips.

100. The device of claim 69, wherein said sleeve can be inflated with a hardening substance.

101. The device of claim 69, further comprising a sealing means for introducing a self-sealing medium into said sleeve for sealing holes in said sleeve.

102. The device of claim 101, further comprising a pressure-measuring means for measuring a pressure in said sleeve and for activating said sealing means.

103. The device of claim 69, wherein said support structure has discharge means for non-lethal, active substances.

104. The device of claim 69, wherein said discharge means can be activated through signals of detecting means.

105. The device of claim 69, further comprising a control means for manual or automatic selection of a priority for operation of the device.

106. Use of the device of claim 69, for protecting stationary systems or buildings.

108. Use of the device of claim 69, for protection of moving objects.

109. Use of the device of claim 108, for protection against groups of people, airplanes or vehicles.

110. Use of the device of claim 69, for the influencing groups of persons at large public events, at sports events, and at political demonstrations.

111. Use of the device of claim 69, as a mine replacement.

107. Use of the device of claim 107, for protection against groups of persons, airplanes, or vehicles.