On-grade barrier and method of its use

• US 20060093431A1
• Filed: 11/03/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Government Of The United States Of America U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
• Original Assignee: Government Of The United States Of America U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
• Inventors: Marsh, Charles P., Webster, Julie L., Cohen, Gordon L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,214,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/126 Pitfall barriers, causing the vehicle to face a step-like obstruction

Abstract

An unobtrusive on-grade barrier is provided. One embodiment comprises a concrete-lined trench over which a biased hinged plate is affixed to an end wall of the trench. The biased hinge holds the free end of the plate against a tab affixed to the other end wall, assuring the plate does not rise above grade. The plate is supported for vehicle passage by a sliding mechanism energized by an actuator controlled by a controller that may be automated or operated by security personnel. The barrier may be configured so that vehicles may approach from either end. Upon authorizing access to the driver, the vehicle is permitted to pass over the supported plate. If the driver is not authorized access, the support is slid out of the way and any vehicle attempting to pass slides into the trench. Means for clearing the trench of a trapped vehicle are provided in select embodiments.

Claims

1. An unobtrusive on-grade barrier for preventing access by unauthorized vehicular traffic, with at least a portion of said barrier located below grade, said barrier guiding below grade at least part of an unauthorized vehicle attempting to enter, comprising:

a trench;

means for controlling said barrier proximal said trench;

means for impeding vehicular access in operable communication with said means for controlling, at least part of said means for impeding located in said trench; and

means for clearing impeded access, at least part of said means for clearing located in said trench.

2. The barrier of claim 1 in which said means for clearing is at least in operable communication with said means for controlling.

3. The barrier of claim 1 in which said trench is at least partially lined with reinforced concrete.

4. The barrier of claim 1 in which said trench is at least partially lined with a pre-fabricated structure.

5. The barrier of claim 1 in which said means for controlling comprises:

at least one controller;

at least one first actuator in operable communication with said controller, said first actuator in operable communication with at least said means for impeding; and

at least one second actuator in operable communication with said controller, said second actuator in operable communication with at least said means for clearing.

6. The barrier of claim 5 in which said means for controlling further comprises at least one remote control in operable communication with at least said controller.

7. The barrier of claim 5 in which said means for controlling further comprises at least one indicator in operable communication with at least said controller, at least one of said indicators visible by a vehicle operator of a vehicle being considered for access.

8. The barrier of claim 5 in which said means for controlling further comprises at least one communications link.

9. The barrier of claim 5 in which said means for controlling further comprises at least one redundant path.

10. The barrier of claim 1 in which said means for impeding further comprises at least one hinged plate in operable communication with at least said trench, said plate having a hinged end opposing an end free to move within said trench unless otherwise constrained.

11. The barrier of claim 10 in which said means for impeding further comprises at least one spring in operable communication with at least said hinged plate and at least one retaining tab in operable communication with said trench, said tab provided to retain said hinged plate in a position approximately on-grade.

12. The barrier of claim 10 in which said means for impeding further comprises at least one mechanism in operable communication with said first actuator, said mechanism capable of selectively supporting said hinged plate at said free end.

13. The barrier of claim 12 in which said mechanism comprises at least one sliding mechanism.

14. The barrier of claim 1 in which said means for impeding further comprises at least one retaining structure, said structure capable of supporting said hinged plate below grade.

15. The barrier of claim 1 in which said means for clearing further comprises:

at least one lifting mechanism in operable communication with at least said second actuator;

at least one cross bar in operable communication with said lifting mechanism, said cross bar configured so as to at least reduce friction between said cross bar and said plate on contact of said cross bar with said plate upon activation of said lifting mechanism.

16. The barrier of claim 15 in which said lifting mechanism is selected from the group consisting essentially of:

screw jacks, hydraulic jacks, scissors jacks, and combinations thereof.

17. The barrier of claim 1 further comprising at least one source of power in operable communication with at least said means for controlling.

18. The barrier of claim 17 in which said sources of power are in operable communication with at least said means for clearing.

19. The barrier of claim 1 further comprising means for manually overriding at least said means for controlling.

28. A method for controlling access by vehicular traffic, comprising:

providing a barrier as described in claim 12;

ascertaining proper authorization to enter of the operator of a vehicle;

actuating said supporting mechanism; and

authorizing said vehicle operator to proceed.

29. A method for controlling access by vehicular traffic, comprising:

providing a barrier as described in claim 12;

ascertaining lack of authorization to enter of the operator of a vehicle;

de-actuating said supporting mechanism; and

refusing authorization to proceed.

20. A method for controlling access of vehicular traffic using a non-obtrusive on-grade system at least part of which is located below grade at an access point in a roadway, said method comprising:

providing a trench at said access point;

providing means for controlling said barrier proximal said trench;

providing means for impeding vehicular access in operable communication with said means for controlling, at least part of said means for impeding located in said trench; and

providing means for clearing impeded access in operable communication with said means for controlling, at least part of said means for clearing located in said trench.

21. The method of claim 20 further lining said trench at least partially with reinforced concrete.

22. The method of claim 20 further lining said trench at least partially with a pre-fabricated structure.

23. The method of claim 20 further providing at least one power source in operable communication with at least said means for controlling.

24. The method of claim 20 further providing at least one redundant path for controlling said barrier.

25. The method of claim 20 further providing for manually overriding said means for controlling.

26. The method of claim 20 further providing for remotely controlling at least said means for controlling.

27. The method of claim 20 further providing at least one indicator of the status of said barrier.

30. An on-grade unobtrusive barrier for controlling access of vehicles by guiding below grade at least part of an unauthorized vehicle attempting to enter, comprising:

a trench described by a length, width and depth and having end and side walls, said end walls described by said width and said depth;

at least one plate affixed by at least one biased hinge to the top of a first said end wall,

at least one tab affixed to the top of a second said end wall that is opposite said first end wall;

wherein said biased hinge holds the free end of said plate against said tab thus assuring said plate does not rise above grade;

slidable support for said free end of said plate,

wherein said vehicle is permitted to pass by sliding said slidable support under said free end;

at least one actuator in operable communication with said slidable support for energizing said slidable support; and

at least one controller in operable communication with said actuator,

wherein should said vehicle attempt to pass without authorization, said support is disabled and at least a portion of said vehicle slides into said trench.

31. The barrier of claim 30 in which said controller is at least partially automated.

32. The barrier of claim 30 in which said trench is at least partially lined with reinforced concrete.

33. The barrier of claim 30 in which said trench is at least partially lined with a pre-fabricated structure.

34. The barrier of claim 30 further comprising means for removing a vehicle from said trench.

35. The barrier of claim 30 in which said means for removing comprises:

at least one lifting mechanism in operable communication with at least said second actuator;

at least one cross bar in operable communication with said lifting mechanism, said cross bar configured so as to at least reduce friction between said cross bar and said plate on contact of said cross bar with said plate upon activation of said lifting mechanism.

36. The barrier of claim 31 in which said lifting mechanism is selected from the group consisting essentially of:

screw jacks, hydraulic jacks, scissors jacks, and combinations thereof.