The invention relates to the field of concrete blocks which are used as protection and anti-intrusion/access-denial devices, and in particular are intended to be temporarily installed on public roads or in places where events are taking place.
The invention will be more particularly described, without however being limited thereto, with regard to use for civil protection as protection and access-denial devices to be installed on the outskirts of places likely to accommodate a number of people, such as during temporary events, to stop all vehicles attempting to drive into the premises.
Today, the protection of demonstrations or the prohibition of entry into places is done by the arrangement of usual (Vauban) road barriers arranged at strategic places where there is a risk of vehicles driving through. However, these barriers do not form effective protection systems because they do not stop a vehicle from crossing them.
Recently, the applicant has developed concrete blocks with an access-denial function which are described in patent application FR3062142. These concrete blocks have dimensions and a shape making them particularly effective in ensuring the access-denial function.
However, for certain areas which are intended to be protected, in order to minimize the number of blocks which have to be arranged side by side, or when a plurality of blocks cannot be arranged side by side because it is necessary to leave a passage wide enough for access to authorized or emergency vehicles, the only possibility to date was therefore to have a traditional road barrier between two access-denial blocks, which unfortunately does not meet the expected safety requirements which now aim to prevent any crossing by a truck.
The object of the invention is therefore that of proposing a novel access-denial device which does not require arranging access-denial blocks at a short distance from one another (generally one meter) and guarantees that an in particular 7.5-ton truck traveling at full speed cannot cross the device. Such a device must also withstand this even though it may not be anchored to the ground.
In the remainder of the description, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “height” are used in the context of a normal installation of a block, i.e., relating to a vertical concept with respect to a horizontal ground on which the block would be placed.
According to the invention, the access-denial device comprises at least one block with an access-denial function, preferably two access-denial blocks, and a longitudinal element which is intended, in the position of use of the device, to connect the at least one access-denial block to another access-denial block or to another attachment structure arranged at a distance to block a passage, the at least one access-denial block comprising receiving means for mounting the longitudinal element relative to the block (against the block or partly in the block), the device being characterized in that the longitudinal element forms a rigid access-denial element and in that the device comprises locking means, which interact with said longitudinal element and said block, for locking the longitudinal access-denial element in position.
The longitudinal access-denial element is intended, in the position of use, to be positioned in a horizontal plane perpendicularly to the height of the access-denial block. The longitudinal access-denial element is intended, in the position of use, to be positioned at a distance (at height) from the ground. The longitudinal access-denial element extends in height and/or is positioned at a height of at least 500 mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking means are capable of interacting transversely to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal element in the installed/mounted position of said longitudinal access-denial element relative to the block.
According to one characteristic, the receiving means form an inner cavity in said at least one access-denial block, or a support system housed in an inner cavity in said at least one block, or alternatively a support system attached to a vertical face of said at least one access-denial block.
The access-denial block has a substantial mass so that it can only be put in place and uninstalled by lifting machines; such a block can in particular have a mass of approximately at least 500 kg.
The term “rigid access-denial element” is understood to mean a rigid part of substantial weight (for example of approximately 100 to 200 kg) which, in order to be mounted relative to an access-denial block, requires the use of a lifting machine.
Preferably, the device of the invention, in particular said at least one access-denial block, does not have means for being anchored to the ground.
According to one characteristic, the receiving means are designed to install the longitudinal access-denial element in a horizontal position and at ground level.
Surprisingly, the device of the invention meets the requirements of the IWA 14 and PAS 68 standards as regards crash tests and vehicle safety barriers. In addition, this device is extremely efficient even though it is a device which is not necessarily anchored to the ground.
In a first embodiment, the access-denial device comprises at least two access-denial blocks and at least one longitudinal access-denial element, in particular a single longitudinal access-denial element, which is intended to connect the two blocks arranged at a distance, the access-denial device forming a single unit (in particular ready to be installed for its use). In particular, the longitudinal access-denial element is attached, each of its two distal ends being housed in a cavity (optionally with an interface part) inside a block forming the receiving means.
Preferably, the locking means comprise a part in the form of a pin which is capable of passing perpendicularly through one of the walls of the block (via a passage hole) and the longitudinal access-denial element via a through-hole. The locking means further comprise a locking mechanism of the part interacting with the block and the longitudinal access-denial element. The locking mechanism is secured in order in particular to be intended to prevent unlocking by a malicious person.
In another embodiment, in the installed position of the device, the longitudinal access-denial element is capable of being moved when the locking means are not in operation. In addition, the receiving means of the longitudinal access-denial element comprise a support system which forms a system for moving (in horizontal translation) the longitudinal access-denial element relative to said at least one access-denial block, the support system in particular comprising drive and guide rollers between which the longitudinal access-denial element is capable of moving in translation.
In a preferred variant of the invention, the longitudinal access-denial element forms at least one rigid, preferably metal, profile which is intended to be installed at ground level, in particular the longitudinal access-denial element forms a beam, in particular a beam having a portion (transversal to its longitudinal axis) in a general I-shape (IPN).
Advantageously, the longitudinal access-denial element is rigid. Advantageously, the longitudinal access-denial element comprises at least one through-hole which is provided to be passed through transversely to the longitudinal axis of said longitudinal access-denial element by the locking means. In particular, the longitudinal access-denial element comprises at least at one distal end, preferably at the two opposite distal ends, a through-hole which is provided to be passed through transversely to the longitudinal axis of said longitudinal access-denial element by the locking means, while said at least one access-denial block comprises at least one hole opening toward an inner cavity forming the receiving means of the longitudinal access-denial element, the locking means, which preferably comprise a locking part in the form of a pin, being intended to interact with the hole in the block and a hole in the longitudinal element passing through them. The longitudinal element could include several holes passing through at different places along its length in order to provide different opening widths in the position of use of the longitudinal element between a block and another opposite structure; for example, one width to allow only one or a few people to pass, another width to allow a car to pass, or yet another width to allow a truck to pass.
Preferably, the access-denial block comprises at least one hole on one of its (vertical) faces and at least one other hole facing it on the opposite face, the locking means being capable of being introduced from one of the holes, through the body of the block and optionally out through the other opposite hole.
In another alternative embodiment, the longitudinal access-denial element forms a barrier extending in a plane parallel to the height of the access-denial block while being at a distance from the ground, the receiving means forming a support and mobility system of the barrier and being attached to an outer wall of the at least one access-denial block. There is no need for guidance on the ground, the blocks of the invention form the support and mobility means of the barrier without the blocks being anchored to the ground. This device is also particularly efficient in terms of access-denial security.
The locking means for the barrier in the closed position interact with the barrier, and with said at least one access-denial block and/or with a receiving/support system (for the free end of the barrier intended to be opened) which is attached to the second access-denial block or to the attachment structure opposite said first access-denial block, and/or directly with the second access-denial block or the attachment structure opposite said first access-denial block. The locking means may for example consist of a padlock.
In an alternative embodiment, in the anti-hammer use of the barrier, the locking means comprise a part, for example, in the form of a pin which is capable of passing perpendicularly through one of the walls of the block (via a passage hole) and the barrier between the bars. The locking means further comprise a locking mechanism of the part interacting with the block and the barrier. The locking mechanism is secured in order in particular to be intended to prevent unlocking by a malicious person. In general, according to one characteristic of the invention, said at least one access-denial block comprises, on at least one of its faces, at least one hole opening toward an inner cavity, the locking means, which preferably comprise a part in the form of a pin, being intended to interact with the hole in the block, referred to as the introduction hole, and with the inner cavity, as well as with the longitudinal access-denial element in the mounted position of said longitudinal element, the access-denial block optionally comprising at least one other hole arranged facing the inner cavity and on one face of the block opposite the introduction hole (so as to be able to bring out the locking means which pass through the thickness of the block).
The access-denial block of the invention can have other functionalities added to its access-denial function. The block may include specific reservations and/or attachment means making it possible to attach and mount technical equipment on the block directly on site, such as those described in patent application FR3062142 without being exhaustive.
Advantageously, said at least one access-denial block is made of concrete, preferably made of fiber-reinforced conrete, or concrete-based, in particular comprises a metal shell and a concrete inner body/volume.
According to another characteristic, the body of the block has edges which are beveled, in particular the body having a general parallelepipedal shape and at least its so-called vertical edges in the installed position of the block and those of the upper face and optionally the edges of any surface recess, being beveled.
According to yet another characteristic, the body of the concrete block comprises at least two opposite so-called lower and upper faces, and a peripheral so called lateral wall connecting the two opposite faces, the outer surface of the lateral wall comprising, preferably over the whole of its periphery and preferably in its middle part, a groove or a depression (with solid bottom and walls) forming a recess from the outer surface (toward the inside of the body). The groove (preferably arranged in a middle horizontal plane of the block) extends in height, in particular has a width corresponding to approximately a third of the height of the block.
Advantageously, the concrete block comprises at least one lighting system, in particular a reflector, in particular positioned in the lower part of the block in the installed position of the block and capable of illuminating upward, preferably capable of illuminating with an illumination angle which corresponds to the two upper (upper end) angles (corners) of the block to identify the volume of the block at night. The longitudinal access-denial element may also comprise nighttime tracking means.
The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are merely illustrative and in no way limiting to the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying illustrations, in which:
The access-denial device D of the invention illustrated in the figures comprises at least one access-denial block 1 according to the invention, preferably two access-denial blocks 1A and 1B placed on the ground S, and at least one longitudinal access-denial element 2 according to the invention intended to be positioned horizontally in the position of use and at ground level (without touching the ground).
The longitudinal access-denial element 2 is rigid; it is intended to block a passage in the manner of a barrier. In combination with the blocks, the longitudinal access-denial element 2 meets requirements of access-denial safety when locked in position in or with the blocks.
The access-denial blocks 1A and 1B are intended, in the position of use, to be arranged at a distance from one another, and the longitudinal access-denial element 2 is intended to connect the two blocks which are made integral in the position of use. In an alternative embodiment, a single block 1 of the invention could be used to carry the longitudinal access-denial element 2 by one of its ends, said element projecting horizontally to a structure other than a block 1 of the invention for attaching said element thereto by its other end while being locked therein.
The access-denial block 1, in addition to its access-denial function, constitutes a support means for the longitudinal access-denial element 2 so that it remains horizontal despite its weight and its cantilevered arrangement relative to the block when opening.
The shape of the blocks 1 are of the type of those described in patent application FR3062142 or WO2018138276 which is incorporated by reference into the present patent application.
The blocks 1 are concrete-based. They can be entirely concrete, preferably fiber-reinforced concrete. In an alternative embodiment, they may include a metal shell and concrete occupying the entire inside of the shell; the outer shape of the shell is configured to the desired contours of the block.
The blocks are of substantial mass, in particular from approximately 500 kg up to more than one ton, in order to form an access-denial block for vehicles.
The blocks are designed to carry and preferably make the longitudinal element 2 mobile as will be seen below. They can be equipped with other technical functions, such as those described in patent application FR3062142 or WO2018138276 to constitute a base or a support for attaching various technical equipment, such as pole, light, or signage equipment.
Each block 1 comprises a cylindrical body 10, and comprises a lower face 11, an upper opposite face 12, and a vertical peripheral lateral wall 13 connecting the two faces 11 and 12. The base of the cylindrical body is preferably polygonal but could be round or oval, etc. According to a preferred example, the body is parallelepipedal with a square or rectangular base, the peripheral wall 13 comprising four vertical faces.
Preferably, the body 10 of the block comprises, on its lateral wall 13, a groove or a peripheral depression 14, in particular surrounding it and in its middle part. This peripheral groove 14 comprises a bottom 14A which is therefore located in a parallel plane and offset with respect to the external plane of the lateral wall 13. Preferably, this groove 14 extends along a height representing approximately one third of the total height of the block.
Preferably, the edges of the body 10 delimiting the lower face 10 and upper face 11, the vertical faces of the lateral wall 13, and the groove 14 are beveled (with inclined sides) and/or rounded so as to avoid sharp edges which otherwise would carry a risk of injury, especially since the block can have a height of almost at human height.
By way of preferred example, the block 1 has a square portion with a side of 950 mm, and has a height of 950 mm.
In a first embodiment (
In other alternative embodiments, the longitudinal access-denial element 2 may not be fixed and may have to be translated in order to open a passage between the two blocks (
According to the invention, locking means 4, as described below, are provided for locking the longitudinal access-denial element 2 (whether fixed or capable of being movable) in position. The locking means 4 interact with at least one of the access-denial blocks 1, preferably the two access-denial blocks 1A and 1B, and with the longitudinal access-denial element 2 (at least at one of the distal ends of said longitudinal access-denial element, preferably at its two opposite distal ends).
Preferably, in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The beam is preferably metal, in particular steel.
The beam has a longitudinal body intended to be arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane in the position of use.
With reference to
The beam has a preferably I-shaped cross section of the longitudinal body. The beam comprises a longitudinal web 20 and two opposite flanges 21 and 22 transverse to the web 20 and projecting from each side of the web.
Preferably, the dimensions of the beam are as follows:
In this embodiment, the block 1 comprises an inner cavity 15 and two opposite openings 16 and 17 arranged facing one another, each being on one face of the lateral wall 13. The two openings 16 and 17 open onto the outside of the unit and are opposite and in the extension of the inner cavity 15. The inner cavity 15 is adapted to receive one end 23 of the beam 2A having been introduced via the opening 16.
In the embodiment in which the beam is movable, the support and mobility system 3 is housed in the cavity 15 (
The support system 3 is integrated into the concrete body of the block. Its arrangement cooperates with the cavity 15. The support system 3 has been introduced through the lateral opening 16. The support system 3 is made integral by attachment means inside the cavity 15.
The block 1 is designed so that the beam 2A can pass horizontally through the inside of the block from a lateral face of the wall 13 to the opposite lateral face. When the beam 2A must be removed to open the passage between the two blocks 1A and 1B, the beam is able to be movable so that its free end 23, which is engaged in the inner cavity 15 of the first block 1A, can come out on the opposite side to the second block 1B due to the opposite opening 17.
Preferably, a handle 2′ is integral with the free end of the beam and forms a plate partially closing off the lateral opening 17 which is opposite to the opening from which the beam extends in the position of use. In the unlocked position of the beam, the handle allows the user to easily pull and drag the beam to open the passage. When opening the passage between the two blocks, the support system 3 maintains the horizontal beam when its opposite end 24 is no longer supported by the opposite block 1B and is cantilevered.
Besides its maintenance, the support system 3 ensures the translation of the beam along its longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the support system 3 comprises, as illustrated in
The beam 2A interacts with the upper and lower drive rollers 32, respectively, via the outer face of its two flanges. In addition, the beam 2A interacts via the opposite faces of its web 20 with the guide rollers 33. Thus, the beam maintains a perfectly straight course when it is translated.
Although the beam 2A is very heavy to move (approximately 100 to 150 kg), the support system 3 easily allows the user wishing to open the passage between the two blocks, to extract the beam and to move it in translation.
Advantageously, stop means are provided inside the block 1A, possibly integral with the support system 3, in order to provide an end of travel for the beam inside the block.
The device is designed to fully open the passage between the two blocks in order to allow an authorized vehicle to pass.
According to the invention, at least one of the blocks 1A and 1B, preferably both, comprise locking means 4 which ensure locking in the at least closed position of the beam 2A, and preferably also in the open position of the beam.
The locking means 4 are able to interact mechanically with the inside of the block 1 and with the beam 2A. By way of preferred example, the locking means 4 comprise a pin 40 preferably provided with gripping means 41 such as a handle, while the block 1 comprises at least one hole 19 for the introduction of the pin 40, and the web 20 of the beam 2A comprises at least one through-hole 25 at the distal end intended to be locked. To simplify the use of the device and to be able to lock the beam at its two ends, the beam 2A has a locking hole 25 at each end 23, 24.
The stop means of the beam 2A inside the block are arranged so that the locking hole 25 of the beam can be opposite the hole 19 of the block. The pin 40 can then be introduced through the hole 19 of the block and pass perpendicularly through the web 20 of the beam through its hole 25, i.e., perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the beam, preventing any translation of said beam.
Preferably, the block 1 (1A) comprises two holes 19, 19′ aligned horizontally and spaced apart to lock the beam 2A in two positions respectively; the hole 19 located on the extraction side of the beam (opening side 17) makes it possible for it to be locked when the beam completely closes the passage between the two blocks 1A and 1B, while the opposite hole 19′ located on the side of the passage between the two blocks makes it possible for the beam to be locked in the completely open position of the passage.
The holes 19 and 19′ have, for example, a diameter of approximately 50 mm.
Concerning the other block 1B, the holes 19 and 19′ make it possible for the beam to be locked in the closed position of the passage according to the length of the beam. They can also be used for one hole 19′ closest to the passage to lock the beam by having adapted the separation distance of the blocks, and for the other hole 19 to lock a second beam extending on the other side of the block 1B.
The locking means 4 preferably comprise a locking mechanism interacting with the locking part (the pin) and preventing the removal of the part for safety reasons. This mechanism can be inside or outside the block. In a very simple form of mechanism, the pin, passing entirely through the block, emerging through another hole opposite the hole 19 and on the opposite face, and ending outside the block, can be locked by a pin or a padlock.
Advantageously, to maximize the safety and access-denial performance of the device, the beam 2A is arranged, via the suitable arrangement of the support system 3 in the block and the hole or holes 19, 19′ for introducing the locking means 4, at a height from the ground such that the top of the beam 2A (upper flange 21 of the beam) is preferably at least 500 mm from the ground, preferably 600 mm from the ground. The device of the invention designed in this way withstands a 7.5-ton vehicle launched at high speed.
The beam 2A can be motorized (alternative embodiment not shown). The device comprises a system with an electric motor (preferably battery-run) housed outside the block, or inside it while being accessible for maintenance. The beam 2A then comprises a rack for driving it, extending over the length of the beam, and advantageously attached to one of the sides of the beam inside the I, preferably on the lower flange 22 and against the web 20.
In a second embodiment of the invention, as for the movable longitudinal access-denial element 2 (
The block 1A comprises a support and mobility system 3 of the sliding barrier 2B. The block 1B comprises a stop and support system 3′ for the free end of the barrier in the closed position. The support and mobility system 3 comprises guide and drive means, preferably in the form of rollers, and stop means for stopping the translation of the barrier. The support and mobility system 3 is attached to the outside of the block on one of the vertical faces 13 and in the lower part and in the upper part of the block.
The support and mobility system 3 integral with a block is designed and arranged so as to be able to support the barrier 2B away from the ground and horizontally when it is cantilevered in the open position.
If necessary, barrier 2B can be motorized.
Locking means 4 of the barrier are provided (not shown here). For example, the locking means consist at least of the motor when the barrier is motorized. The locking means may comprise a padlock. As for the beam, the locking means may comprise a pin interacting transversely with at least one block via a hole 19 to emerge on the opposite face of the block via another facing hole, then with the barrier, for example between two bars if the barrier has bars.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1871677 | Nov 2018 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2019/082143 | 11/21/2019 | WO | 00 |