Patent Grant
8998152
The present invention generally relates to a portable barrier installation system and release mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to a lightweight, fully portable, rapid installation barrier system for transfer of granular material into bags for forming barriers and a release mechanism to quickly release the barrier bags so additional bags can be filled.
Generally, during flooding conditions, erosion protection, construction and mining applications, military and peacekeeping uses, time is of the essence. As such, manual sandbag filling techniques may result in catastrophic losses since they are time consuming and generally, very physically demanding. Some semi-automated sandbagging systems exist which may speed the process but they generally require manual handling of the sandbags once they are filled in order to form the barrier. The weight of the sandbags makes this a very difficult task.
Other systems utilize trailers to fill and place the sandbags; however, these systems require a hitch on the trailer and the constant availability of a truck, tractor, or other pulling machine to move the trailer each time a bag is filled and placed before another bag can be filled. In difficult-to-reach or inaccessible areas, rough terrain, military applications, or similar situations, this can be problematic.
Accordingly, a need exists for a lightweight and fully portable barrier installation system with a release mechanism that can be assembled at location and easily moved by one or more workers, without requiring a truck, tractor, or other pulling machine.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable barrier installation system and release mechanism. In one embodiment, the portable barrier installation system comprises a hopper assembly coupled to a support frame. The hopper assembly comprises one or more hopper sheets coupled to one or more hopper arms. The one or more hopper sheets include a bag attachment section for receiving a plurality of bag hangers. The portable barrier installation system further comprises a release mechanism coupled at opposite ends to one of the one or more hopper arms and the support frame. The release mechanism is adapted to selectively lock the hopper sheets in an extended position.
In another embodiment, the release mechanism comprises a hopper arm lock coupled to a hopper brace mount. The hopper brace mount is coupled to a support frame. Pivoting the hopper arm lock into a fully extended position causes a hopper assembly to rotate to an open position for receiving fill material into a bag.
In another embodiment, the portable barrier installation system comprises a support frame. The support frame comprises a first support arch coupled on each end to a first support base and a second support base. The support frame further comprises a second support arch, parallel to the first support arch, coupled on each end to the first support base and the second support base. The portable barrier installation system further comprises a hopper assembly coupled to the support frame. The hopper assembly comprises one or more hopper sheets coupled to one or more hopper arms and pivotably coupled to a crossbar passing through the one or more hopper arms. The crossbar is coupled on each end to the support frame, such that rotation of the hopper assembly with respect to the crossbar causes the hopper assembly to be in a fill or storage position.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following description, drawings, and the claims.
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to
Referring now to
As mentioned previously, the portable barrier installation system 10 can be disassembled and reassembled quickly and in the field. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the support frame 20 is also able to be disassembled and reassembled quickly and in the field. For example, the hopper assembly 30 and release mechanism 40 shown in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the one or more hopper sheets is a fabricated lightweight sheet material with slots 36 on one end to receive a plurality of bag hangers. In one embodiment, the one or more hopper sheets 32 are angled at the slots 36 to support the plurality of bag hangers. The angle facilitates opening the bag sufficiently to receive the fill material. In one embodiment, the plurality of bag hangers are pin-like attachments to the bag. In one embodiment, the plurality of bag hangers are reinforced loops of material attached to the bag.
In one embodiment, the one or more hopper sheets 32 direct fill material into the bag. The hopper sheets 32 act as a hopper and the position of the bag relative to the hopper protects the side walls of the bag from being directly hit with fill material.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, pivoting the hopper arm lock 42 into a fully extended position causes the hopper assembly 30 to rotate in an open position for receiving fill material into a bag. In one embodiment, pivoting the hopper arm lock 42 into a broken position causes the hopper assembly 30 to rotate to a closed position for releasing the bag received by the hopper assembly 30. As the hopper assembly 30 rotates, the slots 36 for receiving the plurality of bag hangers drop down and rotate from under the plurality of bag hangers to release the bag. In one embodiment, rotating the hopper assembly 30 into a fill or locked position causes the hopper arm lock 32 to extend to extend into a locked position. Consequently, the hopper assembly 30 holds the bag in an open position to receive fill material.
After the bags are filled, or substantially filled, the release mechanism and the plurality of bag hangers are under a considerable load. As a result, manual release of the bags is not safe or practical. To relieve the downward force and disengage the plurality of bag hangers, in one embodiment, the hopper arm lock 42 is articulated into a broken position causing the hopper assembly 30 to rotate around a crossbar 38 and release the plurality of bag hangers from the one or more hopper sheets 32, releasing the bag. In another embodiment, rotating the hopper assembly 30 into a released position causes the slots 36 to drop down and rotate from under the plurality of bag hangers to release the bag.
In practice, and referring now to
Once the hopper sheets 32 are fully rotated, the release mechanism 40 is in a locked position. In one embodiment, a knuckle joint acts as the hopper arm lock 42 and is in a fully extended or locked position when the hopper sheets 32 are fully rotated upward. The plurality of bag hangers 62 of the bag 60 are lifted and rotated outward by the slots 36 as the hopper sheets 32 are rotated upward. This outward rotation of the plurality of bag hangers 62 causes the bag 60 to open. The bag 60 is then ready to receive fill material. As noted previously, the hopper sheets 32 acts as a hopper to guide the fill material into the bag 60. In addition and as illustrated by
As the bag 60 is filled with fill material, a considerable load is placed on the plurality of bag hangers 62. To release the load, the slots 36 are rotated out from under the plurality of bag hangers 62. In one embodiment, the knuckle joint of the hopper arm lock 42 is collapsed or broken causing the hopper sheets 32 to rotate downward into a storage position. As the hopper sheets 32 rotate downward, the slots 36 drop down and rotate from under the plurality of hangers 62, releasing and placing the bag 60 into position. In another embodiment, the release mechanism is contained in a housing.
Once the bag 60 is filled, the release mechanism is actuated into a release position and the slots 36 drop down and rotate from under the plurality of hangers 62, releasing and placing the bag 60 into position. Once the bag 60 is released, the portable barrier installation system 10 can be easily moved to the next desired location, and the process can be repeated.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130312873 A1 | Nov 2013 | US |
