Non-lethal, rapidly deployed vehicle immobilizer

• US 6,312,188 B1
• Filed: 04/13/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Marcotullio, John P., Ousterhout, John N., Edmonds, David A., Hoskins, Randel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US09/290,850
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 491/313.4, 491/33, 49/9, 256/13.1, 256/1
• US Class Current: 404/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/024 Removable barriers with permanently installed base members, e.g. to provide occasional passage E01F13/028, E01F15/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/12 for forcibly arresting or disabling vehicles, e.g. spiked mats
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/063 Voltage and signal distribution in integrated semi-conductor memory access lines, e.g. word-line, bit-line, cross-over resistance, propagation delay
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1051 Data output circuits, e.g. read-out amplifiers, data output buffers, data output registers, data output level conversion circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1078 Data input circuits, e.g. write amplifiers, data input buffers, data input registers, data input level conversion circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/0013 in field effect transistor circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/01707 in asynchronous circuits

Abstract

There is disclosed a device and associated method for impeding the motion of a land vehicle travelling along a pathway on a terrain surface. First and second supports are positioned at first and second sides of the pathway, respectively, each capable of being actuated from a compressed condition to an extended condition. A propulsion system is effective to actuate the supports. A barrier extends between the supports at a mean first height that is effective to permit passage of a vehicle when the supports are compressed and supported by each support at a mean second height effective to impede passage of the vehicle when the supports are extended. When the supports are compressed, vehicles pass over the barrier unimpeded. When the supports are extended, the barrier impedes the motion of a vehicle travelling along the pathway. At least one deceleration cable mechanically couples the barrier to a brake system.

Claims

1. A device for capturing a target vehicle travelling along a pathway, comprising:

first and second support members;

a first elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least a deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a first height profile that is effective to engage the target vehicle as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

a second elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least the deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a second height that is effective to allow the target vehicle to pass over a central portion of the second elongate flexible member as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

first and second couplings secured to the first elongate flexible member and receiving the second elongate flexible member so that the first elongate flexible member, the first and second couplings, and a portion of the second elongate member spanning the first and second couplings collectively define a closed loop;

wherein the second elongate member has first and second portions respectively beyond the first and second couplings, the first and second portions held relative to the pathway so that, at some point by which the target vehicle has passed over the central portion of the second elongate flexible member, the cog forward by the target vehicle of the first elongate flexible member produces tension in the first and second portions causing the second elongate member to be drawn through each of the first and second couplings in an associated direction which causes the closed loop to constrict about the target vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1 characterized in that the first and second portions are held relative to the pathway via first and second frangible links which release the first and second portions when said tension in the first and second portions exceeds a threshold tension.

3. The device of claim 1 characterized in that the first and second elongate flexible members are substantially housed, prior to deployment, in an enclosure having a top characterized by at least one hinged cover element moveable from:

a closed condition for storing the first and second elongate flexible members beneath the top and protecting the first and second elongate flexible members from vehicles passing over the enclosure, to;

an open condition in which at least the first elongate flexible member may be deployed upward out of the enclosure.

4. The device of claim 1 characterized in that the first and second support members are each capable of being actuated from a compressed condition to an extended condition, the device further characterized by:

a propulsion system effective to actuate said first and second support members from said compressed condition to said extended condition.

5. The device of claim 1 characterized in that the constriction of the closed loop around the target vehicle brings the closed loop into contact with at least one rear tire of the vehicle, whereupon farther rotation of said tire draws the closed loop up and over said tire, bringing the closed loop into engagement with a suspension component associated with said tire.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

first and second braking systems coupled to the first elongate flexible member and each including a rotatable member coupled to an associated brake resisting rotation of such rotatable member; and

one or more lines, each wound around the rotatable member of at least one of the first and second braking systems and coupled to the first elongate flexible member so as to apply a stopping force to the target vehicle, the stopping force resulting from a resistive torque applied by the brakes to their associated rotatable members as the one or more lines are unwound.

7. The device of claim 6 characterized in that said first and second braking systems are effective to provide said vehicle with a deceleration rate of between 0.5 g and 3.0 g.

8. The device of claim 6 characterized in that said first and second braking systems are effective to provide said vehicle with a deceleration rate of between 1.0 g and 2.0 g.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein each of the first and second braking systems includes a ratchet mechanism permitting an associated one of said one or more lines to be rewound around the rotatable member while the associated brake is in an engaged condition.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the first and second support members each comprise a series of telescoping cylinders which extend from a retracted condition to an extended condition to place the device in the deployed condition and wherein said first and second support members are respectively removably mountable atop the first and second braking systems.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein constriction of the loop blocks doors of the target vehicle.

12. A device for capturing a target vehicle travelling along a pathway, comprising:

first and second support members;

a first elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least a deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a first height profile that is effective to engage the target vehicle as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

a second elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least the deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a second height that is effective to allow the target vehicle to pass over a central portion of the second elongate flexible member as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

first and second couplings secured to the first elongate flexible member and receiving the second elongate flexible member so that the first elongate flexible member, the first and second couplings, and a portion of the second elongate member spanning the first and second couplings collectively define a closed loop;

wherein;

the second elongate member has first and second portions respectively beyond the first and second couplings, the first and second portions held relative to the pathway so that, at some point by which the target vehicle has passed over the central portion of the second elongate flexible member, the carrying forward by the target vehicle of the first elongate flexible member produces tension in the first and second portions causing the closed loop to constrict about the target vehicle; and

the first and second portions are held relative to the pathway via first and second frangible links which release the first and second portions when said tension in the first and second portions exceeds a threshold tension, the first and second frangible links are each characterized by;

a housing;

a threaded shaft;

a segmented internally threaded member sized to receive the shaft in threaded engagement, the member shiftable between a retracted position within the housing in which the housing prevents radial expansion of the member sufficient to release the shaft and an extended position in which radial expansion is permitted sufficient to release the shaft;

a spring member biasing the internally threaded member from the extended position toward the retracted position;

wherein a tension between the housing and shaft greater than a threshold tension is effective to shift the threaded member to the extended position and release the shaft.

13. The device of claim 12 characterized in that said first and second couplings are first and second ratchets, respectively, which in at least a first condition permit movement of the second elongate flexible member through each such ratchet only in an associated direction which causes the loop to constrict.

14. A device for capturing a target vehicle travelling along a pathway, comprising:

first and second support members;

a first elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least a deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a first height profile that is effective to engage the target vehicle as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

a second elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least the deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a second height that is effective to allow both the front and rear pairs of tires of the target vehicle to pass over a central portion of the second elongate flexible member as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

first and second couplings secured to the first elongate flexible member and receiving the second elongate flexible member so that the first elongate flexible member, the first and second couplings, and a portion of the second elongate member spanning the first and second couplings collectively define a closed loop;

wherein the second elongate member has first and second portions respectively outwardly beyond the first and second couplings, the first and second portions held relative to the pathway so that, at some point by which the target vehicle front and rear pairs of tires have passed over the central portion of the second elongate flexible member, the carrying forward by the target vehicle of the first elongate flexible member produces tension in the first and second portions causing the closed loop to constrict about the target vehicle.

15. A device for capturing a target vehicle travelling along a pathway, comprising:

first and second support members;

a first elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least a deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a first height profile that is effective to engage the target vehicle as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

a second elongate flexible member which, with the device in at least the deployed condition, is held extending at least partially between said first and second support members at a second height that is effective to allow the target vehicle to pass over a central portion of the second elongate flexible member as said target vehicle passes between the support members;

first and second ratchets secured to the first elongate flexible member and receiving the second elongate flexible member so that the first elongate flexible member, the first and second ratchets, and a portion of the second elongate member spanning the first and second ratchets collectively define a closed loop;

wherein the second elongate member has first and second portions respectively beyond the first and second ratchets, the first and second portions held relative to the pathway so that, at some point by which the target vehicle has passed over the central portion of the second elongate flexible member, the carrying forward by the target vehicle of the first elongate flexible member produces tension in the first and second portions causing the second elongate member to be drawn through the ratchets in an associated direction which causes the closed loop to constrict about the target vehicle and wherein, in at least a first condition, the first and second ratchets permit movement of the second elongate flexible member through each such ratchet only in an associated direction which causes the loop to constrict.