Patent Application
20230193616
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to a security barrier. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and a security barrier system to prevent human egress across a specified boundary that can be readily installed, removed, and reinstalled at another location.
Walls, barriers, fences and the like haw an extremely long history in the field of border security. In border security, various devices and systems must be employed to successfully establish a safe and protected border between various countries and/or between other entities. In order to establish this border according to the prior art, various fencing and other barrier systems are employed in an attempt to prevent unauthorized vehicles and persons from penetrating the border. Such border security has become a top priority of the United States.
In particular, the United States Mexico border has been a particular focus as of late with concerns of cross-border drug traffic, human trafficking, illegal entry, and as a potential access points for terrorist entry. In March 2017, the United States Customs and Border Patrol issued a request far proposal to design and build of several prototype wall structures in the vicinity of the United States border with Mexico that would meet requirements for aesthetics, anti-climbing, and resistance to tampering or damage One commonality of all the proposed prototypes offered in response was a design limited to implementing these border walls on land.
Given that over 60 percent of the United States-Mexico border is defined by the Rio Grande River in fact the entire 1200+ mile Texas-Mexico border, land-based border security walls create several particular problems. Many of the arguments made against building and installing a border security wall between the United States and Mexico are directed to problems inherent in these land-based wall systems. For example, the passage of the 2006 Secure Fence Act which authorized building a significant amount of security barriers along the United States southern border gave the government the right to annex private land on which to build the security barriers and provide room for access and patrol roads along the barriers. The result was that many private land owners saw their property taken for and/or divided by a security barrier. The land south of the security barriers became a no man's land owned by but difficult to access for the United States and/or it citizen. These issues were particularly problematic along the Texas-Mexico border where access to the Rio Grande River could be lost to property owners that used the water far cattle, hunting, enjoyment, etc. Additionally, the no man's land south of the border created a perfect staging area for those wanting to illegally cross to set up to climb over, tunnel under, or sabotage the security barrier. Finally, these land-based systems were criticized as causing environmental damage through blocking wildlife migration, separating habitat, obstructing drainage, etc.
Beyond the United States border, there are many other instances related to the porousness of the border where private landowners need a security barrier. Wire fencing is commonly used but it is easily circumvented by human trespassers via cutting or otherwise. More substantial barriers such as concrete, brick, etc. walls can be expensive, take a substantial time to put in place, and often do not have adequate height to deter human trespassers.
It would be desirable to be able to create a method and a border security system that would eliminate the negative side effect of the prior art border security techniques, but effectively restrict unauthorized persons and/or vehicles from crossing a specified boundary.
The present invention is security barrier for preventing unauthorized persons or vehicles from easily crossing a border. In one preferred embodiment, the security barrier is suitable for installation in a waterway and comprises: (1) a plurality of piles, each pile having a bottom end embedded into the earth and a top end extending vertically upward; (2) an open security grid (as defined below) juxtaposed between and secured by the piles, wherein the grid preferably has a bottom end that extends downward below the surface between the piles toward the earth; (3) at least one rigid wall panel also juxtaposed between and secured by the piles on top of the open security grid, thereby forming a security barrier that allows water, air, aquatic life, and birds to pass through the barrier, but restricts the movement of humans and vehicles across the barrier. The security barrier of this preferred embodiment would preferably be installed such that the barrier is installed in a waterway, for example in a direction generally parallel with the flow of a river. In one embodiment of security barrier, the open security grid is pre-cast into a rigid wall panel with a portion of the rigid wall panel extending above and below the open security grid. This embodiment is particularly suited for land-based security barrier installations. Another embodiment of this invention includes a system and method of installing a security barrier comprising preparing a series of concrete panels having a generally rectangular shape with a top and a bottom edge, digging a trench having a depth adequate to receive the bottom edge and a portion of the panel, standing the panel inside the trench with the bottom edge and the top edge extending generally vertically upward, and filling the portion of the trench unfilled by the panel. In this embodiment multiple panels can be installed side by side to provide a wider security barrier. In a preferred embodiment of this version of the invention is a method of installing a reusable security barrier where the trench is filled with a material that can be readily removed allowing the panels to be quickly removed and reused in another location.
Additional advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings in which:
The present invention is security barrier for preventing unauthorized persons or vehicles from easily crossing a border. In one preferred embodiment, the security barrier is suitable for installation in a waterway and comprises: (1) a plurality of piles, each pile having a bottom end embedded into the earth and a top end extending vertically upward; (2) an open security grid (as defined below) juxtaposed between and secured by the piles, wherein the grid preferably has a bottom end that extends downward below the surface between the piles toward the earth; (3) at least one rigid wall panel also juxtaposed between and secured by the piles on top of the open security grid, thereby forming a security barrier that allows water, air, aquatic life, and birds to pass through the barrier; but restricts the movement of humans and vehicles across the barrier. The security barrier of this preferred embodiment would preferably be built such that the barrier is installed in a waterway, for example in a direction generally parallel with the flow of a river. In one embodiment of security barrier, the open security grid is pre-cast into a rigid wall panel with a portion of the rigid wall panel extending above and below the open security grid. This embodiment is particularly suited for land-based security barrier installations. Another embodiment of this invention includes a system and method of installing a security barrier comprising preparing a series of concrete panels having a generally rectangular shape with a top and a bottom edge, digging trench having a depth adequate to receive the bottom edge and a portion of the panel, standing the panel inside the trench with the bottom edge and the top edge extending generally vertically upward, and filling the portion of the trench unfilled by the panel. In this embodiment, multiple panels can be installed side by side to provide a wider security barrier. In a preferred embodiment of this version of the invention is a method of installing a reusable security barrier where the trench is filled with a material that can be readily removed allowing the panels to be quickly removed and reused in another location.
As shown in
Pile 20 is installed in a generally vertical manner with bottom end 22 embedded into the earth and the top end 24 extending generally vertically upward. As will now be recognized by a person of skill in the art in designing the specifics of a security barrier, soil borings would typically be taken along the length of the trace of the wall. Geotechnical engineers would then evaluate the borings and make recommendations to structural engineers regarding soils capacities for lateral, end bearing, skin friction, etc. The structural engineer would then design the specific dimension of the security barrier by calculating the loads and using the soil values to determine how deep to place the piles 20. Therefore, the actual depth position for the bottom end 22 of pile 20 would be determined by soil values and wall loadings. As will now be recognized, in the security barrier 10 built in a river, the main loadings that determine the loads will likely be wind, debris and flood water loads. Following typical rules of thumb, about 40% to 50% of the pile 20 would be embedded in the riverbed. For example, for a security barrier 10 with a height of 30 foot above the normal pool in 10 feet of water would be embedded about 27 to 40 feet into the ground.
The pile 20 can be installed in a number of ways which a person of ordinary skill in the art will now understand. For example, pile 20 can be driven into the ground, for example with a rale drive or alternatively drilled into the grand. A hole for the bottom end 22 of pile 20 could also be chilled or pre-drilled for installation of the pile 20. In some embodiments, a bottom shoe (not shown) could be utilized or pile 20 could comprise a pointed tip. As will now be recognized by a person of skill in the art, soil conditions and economics generally determine which type of pile 20 and what type of tip to utilize, if necessary.
In a preferred embodiment, piles 20 are installed on about 20 feet centers, however, depending upon the conditions, other distances between centers could also be utilized. For example, the piles 20 could be placed with about 6 feet and up to about 45 feet between each pile 20. As will now be recognized by a person of skill in the art, closer the centers on piles 20 increases the cost of the security barrier 10. When increasing the distance between the centers, the per section shipping, lifting and handling cost may increase. Wall loadings and/or soil conditions are also considerations in determining center distance. Two piles 20 are needed for a single section of the security barrier 10. One additional pile 20 is needed for each additional section of security barrier 10.
As will now be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the length of the piles 20 between the top end 24 and the bottom end 20 can vary with the particular installation. Preferred embodiments of the security barrier have piles 20 with a length such that the top end 24 of the pile 20 extends about 30 feet above the normal level of the waterway. As a person of skill in the art will now recognize the total length of the pile can vary depending upon the variability of the waterway level and flows, the capabilities of potential intruders, wind conditions, etc. The height of the security barrier 10 will generally be ruled by economics and location of high traffic of human attempts to cross using the general principle of the higher the better. On land, 30 feet high walls are generally considered a good deterrence for climbing because a 30-foot fall is usually a death fall and 30 feet is difficult to climb. It is assumed that a similar height above the water would likewise deter potential climbers.
Once two piles 20 are installed, an open security grid 30 is inserted between the two piles 20. As used herein, the term open security grid means a grid (with horizontal, members, and/or diagonal members), a series of bars (with horizontal, vertical, or diagonal members) having openings that allow flow of water and/or air, and allow visual inspection on the opposite side of the security barrier, but which are sized to restrict humans or vehicles from passing through the barrier. The open security grid 30 is preferably preformed into a panel, or alternatively the grid 30 can be field cut or spliced as needed. In preferred embodiments, the open security grid 30 comprises a steel grid made of steel with a ¾″ round bar or a ¾″ deformed rebar. The bar diameter should be as small a diameter as possible to minimize flow restriction but large enough to deter cutting or sawing through to make an opening Preferably, the grid openings should be as large as possible so as not to deter flow and aquatic passage but small enough so that a small person cannot pass through. By way of an example, the grid 30 could be about 8 inches by 8 inches, or possible even as large as 12 inches by 12 inches. As will now be recognized by a person of skill in the art, the size and spacing of the grid 30 can be adapted to the particular needs of the installation. Alternatively, the open security grid 30 may comprise a series of bars. In a preferred embodiment, the bars comprise a square cross section, such as square tubular bars, but other shapes or configurations could be utilized depending upon economics, security demands, and designer preference. The gap between bars can be very narrow, 2 inches for example, upward to 8 inches gaps; however, the narrower the gap and wider the bar the more water flow restriction and aquatic life passage restriction. In preferred embodiments of a open security grid 30 having crossing members, i.e., horizontal and vertical, the members are preferably connected at the point of crossing. Such a connection could be welded or fused or secured together by other means as would be known to a person of skill in the art.
Preferably, the members of the open security grid 30 are comprised of steel, however other metals and materials of construction which are commonly known may also be suitable. In preferred embodiments the metals are galvanized or coated with an anti-corrosion material such as epoxy.
When installed, the open security grid 30 is juxtaposed between two piles 20 with a bottom portion 32 extending downwardly in the direction of the riverbed and an upper portion 34 extending above the water. In shallower waters, bottom portion 32 of the open security grid is preferably at least partially embedded into the riverbed. For deeper waters, the bottom portion 32 only needs to extend downward into the river deep enough to discourage potential swimmers, for example 25 feet below the normal surface.
As will be now recognized by a person of skill in the art, the dimensions of the open security grid 30 can be varied depending icon the needs and the conditions for the security barrier 10. For example, a preferred embodiment includes an open security grid 30 comprising a preformed panel of about 8 feet by 20 feet. The width of the open security grid 30 is necessarily sized in coordination with the distance between the piles 20. For example, a security barrier 10 with piles on 20 foot centers would utilize and open security panel having a nominal with of 20 feet. The height of the open security grid 30 is determined by the depth required below the ground, the depth of the waterway, and/or the preferred height above the water. In preferred embodiments, the top of the grid 30 would extend about 6 feet above the normal water level, or alternatively as high as the 100 year flood plain. As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, the higher grid 30 could make climbing the wall easier and needs to be balanced with the viewing height
Once the open security grid 30 is installed between the piles 20, a rigid wall panel 40 is inserted between the piles 20 and above the open security grid 30. As shown in
Each open security grid 30 and rigid wall panel 40 are preferably secured to the piles 20. In some embodiments, the open grid 30 and the rigid wall panel 40 can be secured within the H-piles with a wedge forced in between the grid or panel edges and the inside of the H-pile. Alternatively, to gain composite integrity and strength, the grid 30 or panels 40 will be fixed to the piles 20. For example, the grids 30 could be welded to steel H-piles. Steel plate inserts could be utilized on the comers or sides of the rigid wall panels 40, for example through precasting, to facilitate welding or bolting to the piles 20. In some embodiments, a clip Or similar mechanism that secures the grid 30 or panel 40 in place. For example, a structural dip (not shown) comprising a short piece of steel angle, i.e., a six inch angle, could be bolted to the rigid wall panel and either bolted to a concrete pile or welded to a steel pile. If a square precast concrete pile is utilized, short pieces of steel channel could be bolted to the pile 20. The panels 40 could then be slid down in and be guided by the channels as set in place. The panels 40 then could then be bolted to the channels, or in the case of a cast in anchor plate, welded to the channels. This technique could also be utilized on a steel pipe pile or a round concrete pile or a many sided (i.e. hexagonal or octagonal) concrete piles. In other embodiments, for example those utilizing a pipe pile, channels or dips welded or attached on the sides of the pipe can be utilized to slide and captivate the grid and panels. While in preferred embodiments, the rigid wall panels 40 and open security grids 30 are secured to the piles 20, the invention includes embodiments in which the rigid wall panels 40 and open security grids 30 are simply captivated by the piles, such as having edges within the open portions inside an H-pile.
In some embodiments of the security barrier 10, a steel cable (for example, a ½″ up to about 1″ diameter cable) can be strung along the top of the security barrier 10 and positively connect to the top of each pile 20 to add additional composite strength. In a preferred embodiment, one cable would be run connecting a number of piles 20 (for example, a 1000-foot cable), and a second cable of similar length added beginning at about the half way point of the first cable (i.e. at 500 feet) and extended dawn the security barrier (for example, another 1000 feet). These strengthening cables could then be added in an overlapping manner down the length of the security barrier 10.
The particular embodiment of
Preferred embodiments further comprise additional means for inhibiting climbers attached to the upper portion of the security barrier 10. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that such anti-climbing towers can include spikes, rotating elements, broken glass set in mortar, tubular attachments, or other devices such as are readily available. Additionally, the security barrier 10 can be equipped with security cameras for remote surveillance.
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One particular advantage of this method of installing a security barrier is that the barrier can be installed quickly and removed quickly. For example, for landowners near the border who are concerned an immediate crisis of illegal immigration could quickly have a security wall installed to avert the crisis and later have the wall easily removed without scaring the landscape. The removed precast panels 80 can then be reused in other areas as needed. Indeed, the supplier of the security barrier can actually rent the panels 80 utilized for given periods of time as needed.
While the terms used herein are believed to be well-understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, definitions are set forth to facilitate explanation of certain of the presently-disclosed subject matter. Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to one or more when used in this application, including the claims. This, for example, reference to “a window” includes a plurality of such windows, and so forth.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of elements, dimensions such as width and area, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification and claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently-disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about,” when referring to a value or to an amount of a dimension, area, percentage, etc., is meant to encompass variations of in some embodiments plus or minus 20%, in some embodiments plus or minus 10%, in some embodiments plus or minus 5%, in some embodiments plus or minus 1%, in some embodiments plus or minus 0.5%, and in some embodiments plus or minus 0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
The term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including” “containing” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named elements are essential, but other elements can be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim.
As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole.
As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. With respect to the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, and “consisting essentially of”, where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter can include the use of either of the other two terms.
As used herein, the term “and/or” when used in the context of a listing of entities, refers to the entities being present singly or in combination. Thus, for example, the phrase “A, S, C, and/or O” includes A, S, C, and O individually, but also includes any and all combinations and subcombinations of A, S, C, and O.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The foregoing disclosure and description are illustrative and explanatory thereat and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and construction and method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit in scope of the invention which is described by the following claims.
This application claims priority as a continuation in part to ant through allowed U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 171145,806 (the '806 application) filed Jan3 11, 2021 which is a continuation claiming priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/695,621 (“the '621 Application”), filed Nov. 26, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,889,977 (the '977 patent). The '621 and '806 Applications, and the '977 Patent are hereby incorporated by reference in their (entirety for all purposes, including but not limited to, all portions describing the security barrier, the present inventions and the embodiments disclosed, those porticos describing border security barriers in general as background and for use with specific embodiments of the present invention, and those portions describing other aspects of manufacturing and testing of security barriers that may relate to the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16695621 | Nov 2019 | US |
| Child | 17145806 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17145806 | Jan 2021 | US |
| Child | 18109989 | US |
