Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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mobile barrier foreign application 69662/25:1
MOBILE BARRIER SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a mobile barrier system, particularly to a
mobile
barrier for use in crowd control, emergency response, or other military and
law
enforcement applications.
Background Information
[0002] Barriers can be used in a variety of applications in which protection
of
persons and/or property is desired. For example, barriers are particularly
useful for
law enforcement personnel to control crowds of people, control traffic flow,
and
secure crime scenes. In many applications, barriers are used on a temporary
basis.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a barrier that is easy to transport,
assemble, and
disassemble.
[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0101156 describes a mobile
barrier system that includes a series of panels attached to a wheeled
transportation
unit such as a trailer. The series of panels includes two side panels that are
hinged
to a back stationary panel so that the side panels can transition between a
collapsed
position and a deployed position. In the collapsed position, the side panels
form side
walls for the wheeled transportation unit. In the deployed position, the side
panels
align with the back panel to form a co-planar wall that serves as a barrier.
[0004] The present inventors have developed a mobile barrier system having
increased transportability and functionality.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0005] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a mobile barrier system in a
deployed state according to one embodiment.
[0006] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the mobile barrier system of Fig. 1.
[0007] Figs. 4 and 5 are top plan views of the mobile barrier system of Fig. 1
showing different possible configurations for the system when in the deployed
state.
[0008] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of multiple mobile barrier systems in
different
configurations and used in a security checkpoint application according to one
embodiment.
[0009] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the mobile barrier system of Fig. 1
including
retractable anti-scaling panels according to one embodiment.
[0010] Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of the mobile barrier system including
the
retractable anti-scaling panels of Fig. 7.
[0011] Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of one of the retractable anti-scaling
panels
of Fig. 7.
[0012] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the mobile barrier system of Fig. 1
showing
the system in a partly collapsed state according to one embodiment.
[0013] Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the mobile barrier system of
Fig.
1 showing the system in a compact transport state according to one embodiment.
[0014] Figs. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the mobile barrier system of
Fig.
1 depicting a ballistics lining being attached to a side panel of the system.
[0015] Fig. 15 is a front elevation view of a front panel and a retractable
visual
screen of the mobile barrier system of Fig. 1.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0016] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a mobile barrier system 100 in a
deployed state according to one embodiment. Mobile barrier system 100 includes
a
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wheeled trailer base 102 that has a towing assembly 104 extending from a front
end
106 of base 102. Towing assembly 104 enables mobile barrier system 100 to be
attached to a towing vehicle (not shown) and transported to different
locations. In
one embodiment, base 102 is suitable for military applications in which base
102 has
a relatively high ground clearance and can carry relatively heavy loads
compared to
standard flatbed utility trailers. Mobile barrier system 100 may also include
run flat
tires and may be capable of traveling off-road. In some applications, mobile
barrier
system 100 may be designed to ford bodies of water.
[0017] Mobile barrier system 100 includes a set of panels that form a barrier
(e.g.,
a wall) in the deployed state. The panels include a back panel 108 at a back
end
110 of base 102. Back panel 108 includes first and second side margins 112 and
114 along which first and second side panels 116 and 118 are coupled via
hinges
120. Side panels 116 and 118 include ends 122 and 124 along which first and
second front panels 126 and 128 are coupled via hinges 130. In the
configuration
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, side panels 116 and 118 extend outward from side
margins
112 and 114, and front panels 126 and 128 extend outward from ends 122 and
124,
to form a substantially co-planar barrier wall. Side panels 116 and 118 swing
relative
to back panel 108 about hinges 120 (as indicated by arrows 134 and 136), and
front
panels 126 and 128 swing relative to side panels 116 and 118 about hinges 130
(as
indicated by arrows 138 and 140), to transition between the deployed state and
a
compact transport state shown in Fig 11. Drop-down casters 142 and 144 are
secured along bottom edges of side panels 116 and 118 to facilitate movement
of
side panels 116 and 118 between the deployed state and the compact transport
state. Casters 142 and 144 are provided near ends 122 and 124 on inward sides
(sides closes to base 102) of side panels 116 and 118. Casters 142 and 144 may
include a slide assembly that enables casters 142 and 144 to be retracted
upward
and locked in place during transportation of system 100 and during deployment.
The
slide assembly allows, casters 142 and 144 to be extended downward to contact
the
ground to thereby facilitate pivoting movement of side panels 116 and 118
about
hinges 120 between the deployed state and the compact transport state. Panels
108, 116, 118, 126, and 128 may include skirts 145 along their bottom edges to
impede access under the panels. Panels 116 and 118 may include viewing windows
146, as shown in Fig. 2, made of bulletproof glass that enable a person
standing
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behind the inward side of panels 116 and 118 to see events occurring behind
the
outward side of panels 116 and 118. Viewing windows 146 may be covered with
removable doors 147, as shown in Fig. 1, positioned on the inward side of
panels
116 and 118. Moreover, viewing windows 146 may also be made of one-way
viewing glass so that only persons standing behind the inward side of panels
116
and 118 can see through viewing windows 146. Side panels 116 and 118 may also
include openings 148 or hatches that may be covered with removable doors 149
positioned on the inward side of panels 116 and 118. Openings 148 may be
uncovered so that items may be passed through panels 116 and 118.
[0018] Back panel 108 includes a fold down door 200 shown in an upright closed
position in Figs. 1 and 2. In the upright closed position, door 200 may be
securely
locked in place via a conventional locking mechanism such as a latch and lock.
As
shown in Fig. 3, door 200 folds down to form a ramp to allow items to be
easily
moved on and off of base 102. For example, door 200 may form a ramp to allow a
vehicle (e.g., a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)) to be easily loaded
onto
base 102 so that the vehicle can be transported with system 100. In one
application,
base 102 may serve as a security checkpoint and door 200 drops down to form a
ramp that people can ascend to efficiently move up onto base 102 to pass
through
the security checkpoint. Door 200 includes a biasing mechanism 202 (e.g., a
gas
shock, spring) to assist a user when opening and closing door 200. Biasing
mechanism 202 preferably excludes retractable cables extending between door
200
and back panel 108, such as cables used in conventional ramp door spring
assists,
so that personnel and equipment do not become entangled with biasing mechanism
202 when door 200 is open.
[0019] Support struts 204 are positioned between back panel 108 and base 102
to provide stability for back panel 108. As shown in Fig. 2, system 100
includes
retractable stabilizer legs 206 and 207 that can be extended to engage the
ground
(as demonstrated by stabilizer leg 206) and retracted (as demonstrated by
stabilizer
leg 207) to allow system 100 to be transported. As shown in Fig. 1, system 100
also
includes drop-down side panel supports 208 and 210 positioned on side panels
116
and 118 that can be lowered to engage the ground, as demonstrated by support
208,
or raised and folded adjacent to its corresponding side panel in a stowed
position, as
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demonstrated by support 210. Retractable support jacks 211 are also provided
on
front end 106 of base 102. One or more of jacks legs 206 and 207, supports 208
and 210, and jacks 211 may be anchored to the ground (e.g., via stakes) for
increased stabilization. Front panel locking assemblies 212 and 214 are
provided on
front panels 126 and 128. Front panel locking assemblies 212 and 214 engage
side
panels 116 and 118 at ends 122 and 124 to fix front panels 126 and 128 in
place
relative to side panels 116 and 118. Front panel locking assemblies 212 and
214
are adjustable to different lengths to enable front panels 126 and 128 to be
secured
at one of multiple angular positions relative to side panels 116 and 118.
[0020] Each of front panels 126 and 128 may also include a retractable visual
screen 215 mounted on their outermost sides as shown in Fig. 15. In one
example,
a vertically mounted roll up blind may be used as screen 215. Screen 215
includes
latching mechanisms 217 (e.g., hooks) that connect to a stationary post 219 to
hold
screen 215 in an extended position to block a person's view beyond the
outermost
sides of front panel 128. In one example, latching mechanisms 217 may be used
to
connect screen 215 to a second visual screen mounted on a second mobile
barrier
system positioned in close proximity to system 100 to provide a continuous
visual
screen between the mobile barrier systems.
[0021] System 100 includes adjustable brace arms 216 and 218 that extend
between side panels 116 and 118 and base 102 to secure side panels 116 and 118
in place in the deployed state. Arms 216 and 218 are adjustable to different
lengths
to enable side panels 116 and 118 to be secured at one of multiple angular
positions
relative to base 102. For example, brace arms 216 and 218 may include a
telescoping slide mechanism including a hollow tubing member and complementary
solid or hollow rod that fits inside and slides relative to the tubing member.
The
tubing member and complementary rod may be fixed in place relative to each
other
at one- of multiple lengths via a locking mechanism (e.g., a pin and multiple
longitudinally spaced-apart holes for receiving the pin, a ratcheting
mechanism, a
twist lock mechanism, a spring loaded mechanism). Other conventional locking
mechanisms may be used to fix the brace arms 216 and 218 at one of multiple
lengths. Each of brace arms 216 and 218 may release from one or more of its
corresponding side panel and base 102 so that side panels 116 and 118 can be
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pivoted about hinges 120 to thereby transition from the deployed state to the
compact transport state. In one example, brace arms 216 and 218 release from
base 102 and are pivotably secured to side panels 116 and 118 so that the
brace
arms 216 and 218 may be folded adjacent to their corresponding side panels to
allow the side panels 116 and 118 to be pivoted toward base 1.02.
[0022] Figs. 4 and 5 are top plan views of system 100 showing two different
configurations in which arms 216 and 218 are at different lengths. In Fig. 4,
arms
216 and 218 are at a length so that side panels 116 and 118 align with back
panel
108 in a co-planar wall configuration. In Fig. 5, arms 216 and 218 are at a
length so
that side panels 116 and 118 form a V-shaped configuration. Other
configurations
for system 100 in the deployed state are contemplated. For example, Fig. 6
shows
one application in which multiple mobile barrier systems 300, 400, 500, 600,
700,
and 800 in different configurations are used together to provide security
checkpoints
for pedestrians and vehicles. Systems 300 and 400 are connected together via a
connector positioned along abutting edges of their front panels, and each of
systems
300 and 400 is in an L-shaped configuration in which one of its side panels is
locked
to its trailer base and the other side panel is secured in a substantially co-
planar
relationship with the back panel. Systems 500 and 600 are connected via
connectors positioned along abutting edges of their front panels, and each of
the
systems 500 and 600 is in a U-shaped configuration in which both of its side
panels
are locked to the trailer base and the front panels align with the side
panels. System
700 is in an L-shaped configuration and system 800 is in a co-planar wall
configuration. Systems 700 and 800 are connected to each other via a connector
positioned along abutting edges of their front panels.
[0023] As depicted in Fig. 7, system 100 includes retractable front anti-
scaling
panels 902 hinged to top portions of front panels 126 and 128, retractable
side anti-
scaling panels 904 hinged to top portions of side panels 116 and 118, and a
retractable rear anti-scaling panel 906 hinged to a top portion of back panel
108.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of panels 902, 904, and 906 and Fig. 9 is a
side
elevation view of one of panels 902. Biasing mechanisms 908, such as gas
springs,
are positioned between each of the panels 902, 904, and 906 and its
corresponding
panel 108, 116, 118, 126, or 128 to assist movement of panels 902, 904, and
906
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between the deployed state and the compact transport state. In the deployed
state
depicted in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, panels 902, 904, and 906 extend upward from the
top
portions of panels 108, 116, 118, 126, and 128. Biasing mechanisms 908 allow
panels 902, 904, and 906 to be secured at one of multiple angular positions
relative
to panels 108, 116, 118, 126, and 128 when in the deployed state. For example,
panels 902, 904, and 908 angle toward base 102 when in the deployed state.
[0024] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of system 100 in a partly collapsed state
during transitioning from the deployed state to the compact transport state,
and Figs.
11 and 12 are perspective views of system 100 in the compact transport state.
To
transition system 100 from the deployed'state to the compact transport state,
rear
anti-scaling panel 906 is lowered toward base 102 and side panels 116 and 118
are
swung toward base 102 so that they run along opposing sides of base 102 as
shown
in Fig. 10. Side anti-scaling panels 904 are lowered toward base 102 and come
together (i.e., the top edges of side anti-scaling panels 904 hinged to right
side panel
116 may touch the top edges of side anti-scaling panels 904 hinged to left
side panel
118 or a small gap or overlap may be formed between them). In one example, a
gap
in a range of about 0.5-2 centimeters (cm) may exist between opposite side
panels
904. Side anti-scaling panels 904 may be at approximately right angles with
respect
to their corresponding side panel 116 or 118 so that side anti-scaling panels
904
provide an approximately flat roof 915 for base 102 in the compact transport
state.
Preferably, side anti-scaling panels 904 and rear anti-scaling panel 906 are
configured so that side anti-scaling panels 904 overlap rear anti-scaling
panel 906
wheh side anti-scaling panels 904 and rear anti-scaling panel 906 are in the
compact
transport state as shown in Fig. 12. Alternatively, rear anti-scaling panel
906 may
overlap portions of side anti-scaling panels 904 in the compact transport
state.
[0025] Front anti-scaling panels 902 are lowered toward base 102 and front
panels 126 and 128 are swung toward each other to form a V-shaped pointed nose
920 for base 102 as shown in Fig. 11. Front edges of front panels 126 and 128
may,
but need not, touch each other in the compact transport state. Rather, a gap
may
exist between the front edges of front panels 126 and 128 that is sufficiently
small to
avoid significant drag during travel. In one example, a gap between the front
edges
of front panels 126 and 128 may be relatively small so that system 100 is
stable
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enough for travel at or above highway speeds. In one example, the gap between
the
front edges of front panels 126 and 128 may be about 5 cm or less. Front anti-
scaling panels 902 and 904 may be configured so that part of front anti-
scaling
panels 902 slide under side anti-scaling panels 904 when front panels 126 and
128
are swung together. Alternatively, front-anti-scaling panels 902 may slide
over the
top of side anti-scaling panels 904 when front panels are swung together.
Front anti-
scaling panels 902 include a trapezoid profile to provide clearance for front
anti-
scaling panels 902 when front panels 126 and 128 are swung together.
[0026] In the compact transport state, front panels 126 and 128 angle from
side
panels 116 and 118 at obtuse angles and form V-shaped nose 920 for base 102. V-
shaped nose 920 and roof 915 may reduce drag for system 100 so that system 100
is relatively stable during travel at or above highway speeds. In the compact
transport state, panels 108, 116, 118, 126, 128, 902, 904, and 906 form an
envelope
to cover base 102. Relatively small gaps may be present between the panels.
However, the envelope provided by panels 108, 116, 118, 126, 128, 902, 904,
and
906 allows items stored on base 102 to be securely transported and helps to
protect
the items from vandalism and harsh weather conditions. Front panels 126 and
128
are secured to a drawbar 916 of base 102 via locking mechanisms 918 shown in
Fig.
1. In one example, locking mechanisms 918 include spring-loaded pin mechanisms
attached to the side margins of front panels and receptacles secured to
drawbar 916
for receiving the spring-loaded pin mechanisms. The receptacles may include
flanges that overlie the spring-loaded pin mechanisms when engaged with the
receptacles to thereby impede the spring-loaded pin mechanisms from becoming
disengaged with the receptacles during travel over bumpy roads or rough
terrain.
Moreover, front panels 126 and 128 may be locked together with a conventional
lock
(e.g., a padlock) to secure contents inside trailer base 102.
[0027] For increased stability in the compact transport state, system 100 may
include a releasable link arm 924, shown in Fig. 10, extending between and
connected to side panels 116 and 118 near ends 122 and 124. link arm 924 holds
side panels 116 and 118 together in the compact transport state to inhibit
side
panels 116 and 118 from swinging open during transportation of system 100 even
during travel at high speeds and/or over relatively rough terrain. In one
embodiment,
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link arm 924 releases from one of side panels 116 and 118 after system 100 has
been transported to allow side panels 116 and 118 to swing open to the
deployed
state. Once released, link arm 924 may swing toward the side panel 116 or 118
to
which it is still connected to stow link arm 924 as shown in Fig. 1. In an
alternative
embodiment (not shown), link arm 924 includes two releasable segments, one
connected to side panel 116 and the other connected to side panel 118, that
are
secured together via a lock in the compact transport state and that release
from each
other to allow side panels 116 and 118 to swing open.
[0028] In one embodiment, system 100 may include a ballistics lining 1002 as
depicted in Figs. 13 and 14, to protect personnel from high-speed projectiles
that
may penetrate the wall panels. Ballistics lining 1002 may be secured to an
inward
side 1004 and/or an outward side 1006 of one or more panels 108, 116, 118,
126,
128, 902, 904, and 906. Preferably, ballistics lining 1002 is a relatively
light-weight
flexible fabric sheet made high impact strength fibers. In one example,
ballistics
lining 1002 is a flexible curtain that may be folded (e.g., drawn back) or
rolled up and
then extended to run along and cover one or more panels 108, 116, 118, 126,
128,
902, 904, and 906. Various types of high impact strength fibers may be used.
Suitable fibers include aramid fibers (e.g., KEVLAR brand fibers available
from E.I.
du Pont de Nemours and Company, GOLD FLEX brand material available from
Honeywell International, Inc., TWARON brand fibers available from Teijin
Aramid
BV located in Arnhem, Netherlands) and ultra-high-molecular-weight
polyethylene
fibers (e.g., DYNEEMA brand fibers available from Royal DSM N.V. located in
Heerlen, Netherlands, SPECTRA brand fibers available from Honeywell
International, Inc.). Ballistics lining 1002 may also include metal or ceramic
plates
such as those used in DRAGON SKIN body armor available from Pinnacle Armor
located in Fresno, California.
[0029] Ballistics lining 1002 may span more than one panel. In one example,
ballistics lining 1002 covers at least portions (e.g., abutting side edges) of
side panel
116 and front panel 126. Moreover, ballistics lining 1002 may flex (e.g.,
fold) so that
front panel 126 can swing relative to side panel 116 while ballistics lining
1002 is
attached to side panel 116 and front panel 126. Thus, ballistics lining 1002
may
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cover multiple panels and remain attached to them as the panels are swung
between
the deployed state and the compact transport state.
[0030] Ballistics lining 1002 may be secured to one or more sides 1004 and
1006
of the panels using various types of fasteners. In one example, ballistics
lining 1002
may be releasably attached to one or more panels 108, 116, 118, 126, 128, 902,
904, and 906 so that it can be detached from the panels and stowed (e.g.,
folded or
rolled up and stored on base 102) when in the compact transport state.
Preferably,
ballistics lining 1002 is securely attached to panels using high-strength
VELCRO
brand fasteners 1008 (e.g., VELCRO brand MVA#8 molded hook tape) that make
ballistics lining 1002 difficult to remove. In one example, a high-strength
fastener is
used to securely attach ballistics lining 1002 to outward side 1006 of one or
more
panels 108, 116, 118, 126, 128, 902, 904, and 906 to thereby impede
unauthorized
persons from removing or tampering with ballistics lining 1002. In another
embodiment, panels 108, 116, 118, 126, 128, 902, 904, and 906 may include
rigid
sheets of ballistics material fixed to the frames of the panels.
[0031] It will be obvious to skilled persons that many changes may be made to
the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the
underlying principles of the invention.
