The present subject matter relates to barriers. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to collapsible barriers.
Different barriers to block pedestrians as well as vehicles of different types and sizes are known in the art and the inventor of the subject matter described herein also describes in other documents effective barriers configured to block vehicles, especially vehicles aimed at getting into crowded places in very high speed. Such barriers that are erected from the ground can be fixed in place or portable and can be remotely controlled.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
There is a need to temporarily block passage of vehicles, while allowing passage of pedestrians, or temporarily allow passage of vehicles and pedestrians.
According to one aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided A collapsible barrier comprising multiple collapsible elements, wherein each one of the collapsible elements has a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the bottom edge is configured to pivot so as to allow the collapsible element to move between an upright state and a horizontal state, and wherein the collapsible elements are adjacently arranged so that the collapsible barrier is either in an upright state when the multiple elements are in an upright state, or in a horizontal state when the multiple collapsible elements are in a horizontal state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element is triangular.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element comprising at least four edges of which one edge is a top edge.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element is quadrangular.
According to one embodiment, an intermediate state is a transition state between the upright state and the horizontal state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier in the upright state is configured to block passage of a vehicle, and wherein the collapsible barrier in the horizontal state is configured to allow passage of the vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element is pivotally connected to a surface.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element further comprising at least one hinge attached to the bottom edge, and configured to be fixed to the surface.
According to one embodiment, the hinge is configured to be permanently fixed to the surface.
According to one embodiment, the hinge is configured to be removably fixed to the surface.
According to one embodiment, the hinge is configured to be fixed to the surface in a manner that withstands an impact of a moving vehicle.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements are configured to form an enclosed shape when in an upright state.
According to one embodiment, the shape of the collapsible elements allows at least partial attachment of the at least first side edge and the second side edge of adjacent collapsible elements in an upright state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element is configured to be in a horizontal state in a manner that allows passage of a vehicle over the collapsible element.
According to one embodiment, at least one of the collapsible elements is configured to be erected and collapsed manually.
According to one embodiment, at least one of the collapsible elements is configured to be erected and collapsed automatically.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements are configured to be removably connected one to the other.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements are configured to be removably connected one to the other when in an upright state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements are configured to be connected with a connecting element configured to connect at least two adjacent collapsible elements.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element further comprising at least one connecting element receiver configured to accommodate the connecting element.
According to one embodiment, the connecting element is a connecting rod.
According to one embodiment, the connecting element receiver has a tube-like structure positioned along a side edge of a collapsible element.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element comprising at least one connecting element receiver attached to the first side edge.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element comprising at least one connecting element receiver attached to the second side edge.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element comprising at least one connecting element receiver attached to the first side edge, and at least one connecting element receiver attached to the second side edge.
According to one embodiment, in two adjacent collapsible elements, a connecting element receiver of one collapsible element is positioned above a connecting element receiver of another collapsible element when the adjacent collapsible elements are in an upright state, in a manner that allows insertion of a connecting rod into the connecting element receivers that are positioned one above the other.
According to one embodiment, the barrier further comprising a cover configured to connect to a top of the collapsible barrier when in an upright state.
According to one embodiment, the cover is configured to removably connect to the top of the collapsible barrier when in an upright state.
According to one embodiment, when the collapsible barrier is in an upright state, the top edges of the collapsible elements enclose an opening on top of the collapsible barrier.
According to one embodiment, the barrier further comprising a cover configured to fit and cover the opening.
According to one embodiment, the cover is configured to removably fit and cover the opening.
According to one embodiment, the cover is configured to connect to the collapsible elements in the upright state.
According to one embodiment, the cover is configured to tighten the connection of the collapsible elements one to the other in the upright state.
According to one embodiment, the barrier further comprising at least one light source.
According to one embodiment, the barrier further comprising a base configured to serve as a surface to which the collapsible elements are fixed.
According to one embodiment, the base is configured to be permanently placed on the surface.
According to one embodiment, the base is configured to be removably placed on the surface.
According to one embodiment, the base is configured to be portable.
A collapsible barrier system is provided that comprises multiple collapsible barriers as explained herein before.
A collapsible barrier system is provided that comprises multiple collapsible barriers as explained herein before, wherein the base of the collapsible barrier is configured to be connected to the base of an adjacent collapsible barrier.
According to one embodiment, the base of the collapsible barrier is configured to be permanently connected to the base of the adjacent collapsible barrier.
According to one embodiment, the base of the collapsible barrier is configured to be removably connected to the base of the adjacent collapsible barrier.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method for collapsing a collapsible barrier from the upright state to the horizontal state is provided, wherein the collapsible barrier comprises multiple collapsible elements adjacently arranged, and wherein the collapsible element comprising at least:
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier further comprising a cover configured to connect to a top of the collapsible barrier when in an upright state, the method further comprising before the collapsing the collapsible elements and bringing the collapsible elements to the intermediate state: removing the cover from the collapsible barrier.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for erecting a collapsible barrier from the horizontal state to the upright state is provided, wherein the collapsible barrier, comprising multiple collapsible elements adjacently arranged, and wherein the collapsible element comprising at least:
a bottom edge, configured to be pivotally connected to a surface;
a first side edge; and
a second side edge, and wherein the collapsible element is configured to be either in an upright state, or in a horizontal state, and wherein the collapsible barrier is configured to be either in an upright state when the multiple elements are in an upright state, or in a horizontal state when the multiple collapsible elements are in a horizontal state, the method comprising:
providing the collapsible barrier in a horizontal state;
erecting the collapsible elements and bringing the collapsible elements to an intermediate state; and
further erecting the collapsible elements and bringing the collapsible elements to the upright state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier further comprising a cover configured to connect to a top of the collapsible barrier when in an upright state, the method further comprising after the further erecting the collapsible elements and bringing the collapsible elements to the upright state: covering the collapsible barrier with the cover.
Embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms can be embodied in practice.
In the drawings:
Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.
For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.
The term “pedestrians” as disclosed herein relates to pedestrians as well as objects similar in size, for example bicycles, motorcycles, animals and the like.
A collapsible barrier is provided that comprises multiple collapsible elements, wherein each one of the collapsible elements has a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the bottom edge is configured to pivot so as to allow the collapsible element to move between an upright state and a horizontal state, and wherein the collapsible elements are adjacently arranged so that the collapsible barrier is either in an upright state when the multiple elements are in an upright state, or in a horizontal state when the multiple collapsible elements are in a horizontal state.
An intermediate state is a transition state between the upright state and the horizontal state, and the collapsible element can be in the intermediate state, either when the collapsible element collapses from the upright state to the horizontal state, or when the collapsible element erects from the horizontal state to the upright state.
Reference is now made to
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier 1 comprises multiple collapsible elements 12. The collapsible barrier 1, illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element 12 can be substantially flat in shape, and can have at least three edges. According to one exemplary embodiment, the collapsible element 12 comprises three edges and has a triangular shape (not shown). According to another embodiment, the collapsible element 12 comprises at least four edge. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the collapsible element 12 comprises four edges and has a quadrangular shape, as illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element can comprise at least three edges
a bottom edge 122, configured to be pivotally connected to a surface (not shown in these figures), a first side edge 124 and a second side edge 126. For example, a triangular collapsible element 12 can comprise these three edges—the bottom edge 122, the first side edge 124 and the second side edge 126 (not shown). According to another embodiment, the collapsible element 12 comprises at least four edges having a bottom edge 124, at least two side edges, and a top edge. For example, a quadrangular collapsible element 12, illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, each collapsible element 12 is configured to be either in an upright state, as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element 12 is configured to be pivotally connected to a surface in a manner that allows the collapsible element 12 to pivot between the upright state, the horizontal state, and the intermediate state. According to one embodiment, the surface is the ground. The term “ground” as disclosed herein relates to any surface known in the art on which pedestrians and vehicles can move, for example a road, a pavement, a path, a trail, a walkway, a highway, soil, ground, combination thereof, and the like. The collapsible element 12 is configured to be pivotally connected to a surface in a manner that in one hand it fixes the collapsible element 12 to the surface strongly enough to withstand an impact of a moving vehicle attempting to cross the collapsible barrier 1 in the upright state, and on the other hand allows shifting the collapsible element 12 between the upright state and the horizontal state, namely being in an intermediate state. Any mechanism known in the art that allows pivotally connecting of the collapsible element 12 to a surface according to embodiments described herein, is under the scope of the present subject matter.
For example, as illustrated in
According to an additional embodiment, the hinge 14 is configured to serve as a pivot about which the collapsible element 12 can pivot, thus allowing shifting of the collapsible element 12 between an upright state and a horizontal state, and vice versa. Any mechanism known in the art that allows the collapsible element 12 to pivot about the hinge 14 is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example a pivot, a flexible element, a foldable element, a combination therein, and the like.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements 12 of the collapsible barrier 1 are configured to form an enclosed shape when in an upright state, as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, in the horizontal state, illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, the erecting of at least one of the collapsible elements 12 from the horizontal state to the upright state can be performed manually, namely by a person erecting the collapsible elements 12 with his hands, or by operating a tool, for example a rope, a hook, a combination therein, and the like. According to another embodiment, the erecting of at least one of the collapsible elements 12 from the horizontal state to the upright state can be performed automatically, namely without a direct involvement of a person, for example by a motor configured to erect at least one collapsible element 12. According to a further embodiment, the collapsing of at least one of the collapsible elements 12 from the upright state to the horizontal state can be performed manually, namely by a person collapsing the collapsible elements 12 with his hands, or by operating a tool, for example a rope, a hook and the like. According to yet a further embodiment, the collapsing of at least one of the collapsible elements 12 from the upright state to the horizontal state can be performed automatically, namely without a direct involvement of a person, for example by a motor configured to collapse at least one collapsible element 12.
Thus, according to one embodiment, at least one of the collapsible elements 12 is configured to be erected and collapsed manually. According to another embodiment, the collapsible barrier 1 further comprising a motor (not shown in the figures) configured to erect and collapse at least one collapsible element 12. In the cases the transition between the states is automatic, its operation is performed remotely using a remote control.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible elements 12 are configured to be removably connected one to the other, for example when the collapsible elements 12 are either in a horizontal state, or in an upright state. For example, the collapsible elements 12 are configured to be removably connected at the upright state in order to increase the strength and stability of the collapsible barrier 1, for example to increase the ability of the collapsible barrier 1, in an upright state, to withstand an impact of a moving vehicle attempting to cross the collapsible barrier 1 in the upright state. Any mechanism known in the art for removably connecting the collapsible elements 12 is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example tying, screwing, nailing and the like. Another example is using a connecting element configured to connect at least two adjacent collapsible elements 12, for example in the upright state. A rope, or a wire thread, a cable tie, a restraint, a combination therein or the like can be considered as a connecting element. According to one embodiment, the connecting element can be part of the collapsible barrier 1, or of a system comprising multiple collapsible barriers 1. According to another embodiment, the connecting element cannot be part of the collapsible barrier 1 or a system comprising multiple collapsible parries 1, but rather be provided by a user.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible element 12 further comprising at least one connecting element receiver 16 configured to accommodate the connecting element.
According to one embodiment, the connecting element is a connecting rod.
Accordingly, the connecting element receiver 16 is configured to accommodate the connecting rod (not shown). The connecting element receiver 16 that is configured to accommodate a connecting rod has a tube-like structure positioned along a side edge of a collapsible element 12, as can be seen, for example, in
According to one embodiment, the length of the connecting element receiver 16 is shorter than the length of the side edge to which the connecting element receiver 16 is attached, as can be seen for example in
Reference is now made to
According to one embodiment, when the collapsible element 12 comprises at least four edges, including a top edge, and the collapsible barrier 1 is in an upright state, the top edges of the collapsible elements 12 enclose an opening formed at the top of the collapsible barrier 1. For example, as can be seen in
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier 1 can further comprise a cover 18 configured to connect to a top of the collapsible barrier 1 when in an upright state. According to another embodiment, the cover 18 is configured fit and cover the opening 1285 on top of the collapsible barrier 1, when the collapsible barrier 1 is in an upright state. According to still another embodiment, the cover 18 is configured to serve as a connecting element. As such, according to a further embodiment, the cover 18 is configured to connect the collapsible elements 12 in the upright state. According to yet a further embodiment, the cover 18 is configured to tighten the connection of the collapsible elements 12 one to the other in the upright state. This embodiment can increase the ability of the collapsible barrier 1 to withstand an impact of a moving vehicle attempting to cross the collapsible barrier 1 in the upright state.
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier 1 further comprises at least one light source or a reflecting element configured to emit light, for example during dark periods, for example in order to increase the visibility of the collapsible barrier 1, for example in an upright state, in conditions when visibility conditions are limited, for example during the night, in case of fog, or a dust storm, or a heavy rain, combination therein, and the like. According to another embodiment, the at least one light source or reflector is attached to at least one collapsible element 12. According to yet another embodiment, the at least one light source is attached to the cover 18. According to still another embodiment, the at least one light source or reflector is attached to at least one collapsible element 12 and to the cover 18.
Referring now to
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier 1 can further comprise a base 19, configured to serve as a surface onto which the collapsible elements 12 of the collapsible barrier 1 are mounted and connected according to embodiments described herein. For example, a collapsible element 12 can be connected to the base 19 by using at least one hinge 14 according to embodiments described herein.
According to one embodiment, the base 19 is configured to be placed on any type of surface known in the art, for example on a road. According to another embodiment, the base 19 is configured to allow passage of pedestrians and vehicles over it. According to a further embodiment, the base 19 is configured to be permanently placed on a surface. According to yet a further embodiment, the base is configured to be removably placed on a surface. According to still a further embodiment, the base 19 is configured to be portable, namely being moved from one place to the other, for example in order to be placed in places according to needs, conditions and circumstances that demand placement, or removal, of the base 19 in particular, or of the collapsible barrier 1 in particular.
The base 19 can have any shape and size known in the art, also having reinforcing elements, and be made of any material known in the art, giving rise to the embodiments of the base 19 described herein.
Reference is now made to
As can be seen in
Reference is now made to
The present subject matter further provides a method for collapsing a collapsible barrier 1 from an upright state to a horizontal state, in embodiments according to which the collapsible barrier 1 comprises multiple collapsible elements 12 and a cover 18, the method comprising:
The present subject matter provides in addition method for erecting a collapsible barrier 1 from a horizontal state to an upright state, in embodiments according to which the collapsible barrier 1 comprises multiple collapsible elements 12 and a cover 18, the method comprising:
According to an embodiment of a collapsible barrier 1 not comprising a cover 18, the steps dealing with the cover 18 can be omitted from the methods for collapsing and erecting the collapsible barrier 1. The method can be performed manually or in a automatic matter from a control room, as an example, while the transition from state to state can be performed using a remote controller.
The present subject matter further provides a collapsible barrier system, comprising multiple collapsible barriers 1. According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 100 comprises multiple collapsible barriers 1 according to embodiments described herein. According to another embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 100 comprises any type of collapsible barrier 1 described herein, and in any combination, for example the collapsible barrier system can comprise a collapsible barrier 1 comprising a cover 18 and a collapsible barrier 1 not comprising a cover 18.
Reference is now made to
The collapsible barrier system 100 illustrated for example in
According to one embodiment, the base 19 of a collapsible barrier 1 is configured to be connected to a base 19 of an adjacent collapsible barrier 1 in a collapsible barrier system 100, for example as illustrated in
According to one embodiment, the state of each collapsible barrier 1 of the collapsible barrier system 1 depends on the state of at least one another collapsible barrier 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100. For example, all the collapsible barriers 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100 are in the same state, for example upright state, as illustrated for example in
Reference is now made to
According to one embodiment, the state of each collapsible barrier 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100 is independent of the state of any other collapsible barrier 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100. For example, a collapsible barrier 1 of a collapsible barrier system 1 can be in an upright state, while another collapsible barrier 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100 is in a horizontal state, and the like. In another embodiment, illustrated in
Reference is now made to
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 100 is configured to block passage of a vehicle 500. This is achieved, for example, by placing at least one collapsible barrier 1 in an upright state, across a ground, for example, in a place where it is desired to block passage of a vehicle 500. The at least one collapsible barrier 1, in the upright state, is configured to block passage of a vehicle 500. Furthermore, the collapsible barriers 1 of the collapsible barrier system 100 can be arranged in such a way that a vehicle 600 is unable to pass through gaps between the collapsible barriers 1 of the system.
However, sometimes there is a need to allow passage of a vehicle 500 through the collapsible barrier system 100. In prior art barriers, there can be a need to remove the barrier entirely from the way of the vehicle 500 in order to allow passage of the vehicle 500. An advantage of the collapsible barrier 1 and the collapsible barrier system 100 of the present subject matter over prior art barriers is that there is no need to remove the collapsible barrier 1 from it's place of placement. Instead, a collapsible barrier 1, or more than one collapsible barrier 1, is simply brought to a horizontal state according to embodiments described herein, in order to allow passage of a vehicle 500. Such an example is illustrated in
Reference is now made to
According to one embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 1 is configured to block passage of a vehicle as described herein. According to another embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 1 is configured to allow passage of a vehicle, as described herein. According to a further embodiment, the collapsible barrier system 100 is configured to allow passage of a passenger, or multiple passengers, in any case. As can be seen in
It should be noted that the barrier and its elements are made of a hard material such as metal, reinforced material, composite material, a combination therewith, or the like so as to be able to endure an impact if a vehicle and prevent its passing through when the barrier is in an uptight state.
It is appreciated that certain features of the subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.
Although the subject matter has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/790,055, filed Jan. 9, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2020/050142 | 1/9/2020 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62790055 | Jan 2019 | US |