Barrier system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 12031280
  • Patent Number
    12,031,280
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, September 29, 2020
    4 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 9, 2024
    4 months ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Troy; Daniel J
    • Alvarez; Daniel
    Agents
    • Patterson + Sheridan, LLP
Abstract
A barrier system is configured to stop vehicular traffic. The barrier system has a beam gate arranged between a first barrier and a second barrier. The beam gate further comprises a hollow beam having bean first end and a beam second end. A beam cable is arranged through the beam along a beam central axis. A latch assembly has a cradle assembly that is joined to the first barrier and configured to house the beam in the cradle assembly. A pivot arm is joined to the beam and the second barrier, and further has a pivot arm joined to an axle and a counterweight housing. The counterweights arranged on the counterweight housing facilitate raising and lowering the beam in order to stop vehicular traffic.
Description
BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a portable perimeter defense system.


Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, a portable perimeter defense system was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622 issued to Whitford and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,866 also issued to Whitford. Devices made with the technology in these patents are sold by Meridian Rapid Defense Group LLC under the trade name ARCHER® 750. The entirety of these references is incorporated by reference.


SUMMARY

A barrier system is configured to stop vehicular traffic. The barrier system has a beam gate arranged between a first barrier and a second barrier. The beam gate further comprises a hollow beam having a beam first end and a beam second end. A beam cable is arranged through the beam along a beam central axis. A latch assembly has a cradle assembly that is joined to the first barrier and configured to house the beam in the cradle assembly. A pivot arm is joined to the beam and the second barrier, and further has a pivot arm joined to an axle and a counterweight housing. The counterweights arranged on the counterweight housing facilitate raising and lowering the beam in order to stop vehicular traffic.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.



FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use;



FIG. 2 shows a front detail view of one embodiment of a barrier of the present invention;



FIG. 3 shows a rear detail view of one embodiment of a barrier of the present invention;



FIG. 4 shows a front perspective detail view of one embodiment of a latch assembly of the present invention;



FIG. 5 shows a front detail view of one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 6 shows a rear detail view of one embodiment of the present invention; and



FIG. 7 shows a front perspective detail view of one embodiment of a pivot arm of the present invention;





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a barrier system 10 further comprises a plurality of barriers 12. Each barrier 12 further comprises an end plate 14 joined to a front plate 16 at approximately a right angle with a plurality of lateral supports 18, a first horizontal support 20, and a second horizontal support 22. The end plate 14 is further joined to a first attachment plate 24 and a second attachment plate 26. The front plate 16 is further attached to the end plate with a gusset 28. The end plate is joined to a plurality of wheels 30 and a hauler connector 32.


In some embodiments a marketing shield 40 can rest upon a marketing shield ledge 34. The marketing shield 40 can be attached to the front plate 16 with a plurality of fasteners each arranged through a marketing shield fastener opening 36.


A beam gate 50 is arranged between a first barrier 52 and a second barrier 54 as follows. The beam gate 50 further comprises a beam 56 having a beam first end 58 and a beam second end 59.


The beam first end 58 is joined to a latch assembly 60 as shown in FIG. 4. The latch assembly 60 further comprises a locking pin assembly 62. The locking pin assembly 62 further comprises a handle 64 joined to a pin 66. The pin 66 is attached to a first arm 68 and a second arm 70. The locking pin assembly is housed in a cradle assembly 72.


The cradle assembly 72 further comprises a cradle 74 having a back plate 76 joined to an upper arm 78, a lower plate 80, a first extension 82 and a second extension 84. The locking pin assembly 62 fits through the upper arm 78 and into the lower plate 80 with a spring 86 between the second arm 70 and the lower plate 80. FIG. 4 shows the latch assembly 60 in a closed arrangement where the spring 86 is compressed the first arm 68 rotates into the first extension 82 while the second arm 70 rotates into the second extension 84. The spring 86 can stay compressed by inserting a locking pin (not shown) through the pin 66 beneath the bottom plate 80. It follows that the first arm 68 rotates away from the first extension 82 while the second arm 70 rotates away from the second extension 84 moving the latch assembly 60 into an open position.


The back plate 76 is detachably joined to a locking pin 88. The backing plate is further connected to a first hanger 90 and a second hanger 92. The first hanger 90 and the second hanger 92 can be used to hold the net as well.


Referring to FIG. 5, the beam gate 50 includes a plurality of beam cables, both horizontal and vertical cables, that are interconnected to one another to form an interconnected cable barrier beneath the beam 56 (see also FIG. 1). The beam 56 is hollow and accommodates a beam cable 100. The vertical cables may also pass through apertures provided in the hollow beam 56 and be connected to the beam cable 100. As an example, the beam cable 100 is joined to a first end first connector 102 at a beam cable first end 104. A first end first cable 106 is joined to the first end first connector 102 and a first end second connector 108. The first end second connector 108 is joined to a second cable 110 and a first end second cable 112.


The beam second, end 59 of the beam 56 is joined to a pivot arm assembly 120, The pivot arm assembly 120 further comprises an axel 122 joined to a pivot arm 124. The pivot arm 124 is joined to a counterweight platform 126. The counter weight platform 126 can accommodate a counterweight 128 which can assist a user in raising and lowering the beam.


In FIG. 6, a barrier hauler 130 can be used to maneuver each barrier 12 into a desired position. The barrier hauler 130 further comprises a hauler handle 132 joined to a hauler jack 134 with a hauler stem 136. The hauler stem 136 is further attached to a first hauler wheel 138 and a second hauler wheel 140 with a hauler axle 142.


The barrier hauler 130 can fit into a hauler storage portion 150 with a locking pin 152. This allows for convenient storage of the barrier hauler 130 upon moving the barrier 12.


As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”


As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.


As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.


All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).


A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.


Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6.


Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims
  • 1. A barrier system, configured to stop vehicular traffic, the barrier system comprising: a beam gate, arranged between a first barrier and a second barrier; wherein the beam gate further comprises a hollow beam having a beam first end and a beam second end;a beam cable, arranged through the hollow beam along a beam central axis;a latch assembly further comprising a cradle assembly, joined to the first barrier and configured to house the hollow beam in the cradle assembly;a pivot arm joined to the hollow beam and the second barrier, the pivot arm joined to an axle and a counterweight housing;wherein counterweights arranged on the counterweight housing facilitate raising and lowering the hollow beam in order to stop vehicular traffic; andwherein the first barrier further comprises an end plate joined to a front plate with a gusset, a plurality of wheels, and a hauler connector.
  • 2. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the end plate is joined to the front plate at approximately a right angle with a plurality of lateral supports, a first horizontal support, and a second horizontal support.
  • 3. The barrier system of claim 2, wherein the first barrier further comprises: a first attachment plate and a second attachment plate, joined to the end plate.
  • 4. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly further comprises a locking pin assembly further comprising: a handle joined to a pin; anda first arm and a second arm, joined to the pin.
  • 5. The barrier system of claim 4, wherein the cradle assembly further comprises a cradle having a back plate joined to an upper arm, a lower plate, a first extension, and a second extension wherein the locking pin assembly fits through the upper arm and into the lower plate with a spring between the second arm and the lower plate.
  • 6. A barrier system, configured to stop vehicular traffic, the barrier system comprising: a beam gate, arranged between a first barrier and a second barrier; wherein the beam gate further comprises a hollow beam having a beam first end and a beam second end;a beam cable, arranged through the hollow beam along a beam central axis;a latch assembly further comprising a cradle assembly, joined to the first barrier and configured to house the hollow beam in the cradle assembly, the latch assembly further comprising a locking pin assembly having a handle joined to a pin, and a first arm and a second arm, joined to the pin;a pivot arm joined to the hollow beam and the second barrier, the pivot arm joined to an axle and a counterweight housing; andwherein counterweights arranged on the counterweight housing facilitate raising and lowering the hollow beam in order to stop vehicular traffic.
  • 7. The barrier system of claim 6, wherein the first barrier further comprises an end plate joined to a front plate at approximately a right angle with a plurality of lateral supports, a first horizontal support, and a second horizontal support.
  • 8. The barrier system of claim 7, wherein the first barrier further comprises: a first attachment plate and a second attachment plate, joined to the end plate.
  • 9. The barrier system of claim 8, wherein the first barrier further comprises a gusset, a plurality of wheels, and a hauler connector.
  • 10. The barrier system of claim 6, wherein the cradle assembly further comprises a cradle having a back plate joined to an upper arm, a lower plate, a first extension, and a second extension wherein the locking pin assembly fits through the upper arm and into the lower plate with a spring between the second arm and the lower plate.
  • 11. A barrier system, configured to stop vehicular traffic, the barrier system comprising: a beam gate, arranged between a first barrier and a second barrier; wherein the beam gate further comprises a hollow beam having a beam first end and a beam second end;a beam cable, arranged through the hollow beam along a beam central axis;a latch assembly further comprising a cradle assembly, joined to the first barrier and configured to house the hollow beam in the cradle assembly;a pivot arm joined to the hollow beam and the second barrier, the pivot arm joined to an axle and a counterweight housing; andwherein counterweights arranged on the counterweight housing facilitate raising and lowering the hollow beam in order to stop vehicular traffic;wherein the cradle assembly further comprises a cradle having a back plate joined to an upper arm, a lower plate, a first extension, and a second extension wherein a locking pin assembly fits through the upper arm and into the lower plate with a spring between a second arm and the lower plate.
  • 12. The barrier system of claim 11, wherein the first barrier further comprises an end plate joined to a front plate at approximately a right angle with a plurality of lateral supports, a first horizontal support, and a second horizontal support.
  • 13. The barrier system of claim 12, wherein the first barrier further comprises: a first attachment plate and a second attachment plate, joined to the end plate.
  • 14. The barrier system of claim 13, wherein the locking pin assembly further comprises: a handle joined to a pin; anda first arm and a second arm, joined to the pin.
  • 15. The barrier system of claim 14, wherein the first barrier further comprises a gusset, a plurality of wheels, and a hauler connector.
  • 16. The barrier system of claim 11, wherein the first barrier further comprises an end plate joined to a front plate with a gusset, a plurality of wheels, and a hauler connector.
RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/880,012 filed on Jul. 29, 2019, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

US Referenced Citations (62)
Number Name Date Kind
1449518 Lawson Mar 1923 A
1631416 Howard Jun 1927 A
2777227 Imhoff Jan 1957 A
3065680 Wiedman, Sr. Nov 1962 A
3135062 Guerco Jun 1964 A
4480405 Ferguson Nov 1984 A
4630395 Nasatka Dec 1986 A
4854767 Sasaki Aug 1989 A
4968177 Bechtold Nov 1990 A
4998843 Mothe Mar 1991 A
5145278 Lohrmann Sep 1992 A
5228237 Nasatka Jul 1993 A
5356119 Schock Oct 1994 A
5549410 Beryozkin et al. Aug 1996 A
5997211 Chou Dec 1999 A
6079904 Trisl Jun 2000 A
6296234 De Boer Oct 2001 B1
6679649 Capolupo Jan 2004 B1
6702512 Reale Mar 2004 B1
6767158 Consolazio et al. Jul 2004 B1
6843614 Yodock, Jr. et al. Jan 2005 B2
6886299 Gower May 2005 B2
6907811 White Jun 2005 B2
6962245 Ray et al. Nov 2005 B2
7083357 Lamore Aug 2006 B2
7101112 Burns et al. Sep 2006 B2
7140802 Lamore Nov 2006 B2
7172176 Eastland Feb 2007 B1
7264417 Nasatka Sep 2007 B1
7320557 Potter Jan 2008 B1
7494112 Fromm Feb 2009 B2
7819604 Breed Oct 2010 B2
7918622 Whitford Apr 2011 B2
7959373 Brown Jun 2011 B1
8215866 Whitford Jul 2012 B2
10407852 Dickinson et al. Sep 2019 B2
10900182 Harris et al. Jan 2021 B2
10941531 Dickinson et al. Mar 2021 B2
20020182007 Yodock, Jr. et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030159356 Russell Aug 2003 A1
20040089143 Gilon May 2004 A1
20050220536 Blair et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050254892 Yodock, III et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060078380 Dehart Apr 2006 A1
20060233607 Buckley et al. Oct 2006 A1
20070272911 Fromm Nov 2007 A1
20080157493 McConkey et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080223857 Palley et al. Sep 2008 A1
20090067923 Whitford Mar 2009 A1
20090092443 Friedman et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090250674 Darcy Oct 2009 A1
20100202829 Gelfand et al. Aug 2010 A1
20110271597 Wilkinson et al. Nov 2011 A1
20120168702 Fromm Jul 2012 A1
20160053450 Neusch Feb 2016 A1
20160160459 Omer, Jr. Jun 2016 A1
20170204575 Klein Jul 2017 A1
20170356203 Nagel Dec 2017 A1
20190226167 Gerrard et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190330812 Ptacek et al. Oct 2019 A1
20220259889 Jordan Aug 2022 A1
20230257946 Whitford Aug 2023 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (7)
Number Date Country
3792401 Jul 2022 EP
158281 Feb 1921 GB
2178094 Feb 1987 GB
2006088428 Aug 2006 WO
2007040626 Apr 2007 WO
2020170282 Aug 2020 WO
2023229788 Nov 2023 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (18)
Entry
Delta Scientific Corporation Portable Barriers:MP5000 posted on DeltaScientific.com original date unknown. Publication date unknown—first cited to the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2008 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622.
General Dynamics Portable Vehicle Arresting Barrier General Dynamics advertisement original date unknown. Publication date unknown—first cited to the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2008 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622.
The Mifram Group Modular Vehicle Barrier posted on MiframSecurity.com original date unknown. Publication date unknown—first cited to the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2008 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622.
The Mojo Barriers Mojo Steel Barrier posted on MojoBarriers.com original date unknown. Publication date unknown—first cited to the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2008 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622.
Delta Scientific Corporation product specification for model DSC2000 Phalanx Barrier posted on Delta Scientific Website dated Oct. 11, 2006.
Carnahan Conference Paper Albuquerque New Mexico Oct. 2004 Presented by Nigel Buckley. Publication date unknown—first cited to the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2008 in U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,622.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jul. 21, 2023, prepared in International Application No. PCT/US2023/020291.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Sep. 26, 2023, prepared in International Application No. PCT/US2023/027296.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Dec. 19, 2023 and prepared in PCT/US2023/020290.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Ventura CA Parade Protection, YouTube. Apr. 19, 2022. [Retrieved on Nov. 13, 2023]. Retrieved from internet: <URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TFzLOVteBY>, entire video.
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Nov. 17, 2023, prepared in International Application No. PCT/US2023/032320.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Archer Beam Gate Deployment and Use. YouTube. Sep. 5, 2019. [Retrieved on Oct. 23, 2019]. Retrieved from Internet: ,URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5EqkkAh-dY entire video.
Fromm Barriers, Inc., Instant Protection When the Clock is Ticking, at least as early as Sep. 2006, 2 pages.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Better Barriers for the 21st Century—Archer 1000 Anti-Vehicle Barrier System, The Wayback Machine—https://web.archive.org/web/20090804105407/http://www.betterbarriers.com:80/products/archer1000/, at least as early as Aug. 4, 2009.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Better Barriers for the 21st Century—Transportation Products, The Wayback Machine—https://webarchive.org/web/20090804105417/http://www.betterbarriers.com:80/products/transportation/, at least as early as Aug. 4, 2009.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Better Barriers for the 21st Century—Archer 500, undated but at least as early as Mar. 27, 2014.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Better Barriers for the 21st Century—Archer 750, undated but at least as early as Jan. 8, 2016.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group, Better Barriers for the 21st Century—Rapid Gate, Archer Beam Gate, Archer Active Gate, The Wayback Machine—https://web.archive.org/web/20090803215738/http://www.betterbarriers.com:80/products/rapid_gate/, 2009 Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC, at least as early as Aug. 3, 2009.
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62880012 Jul 2019 US