SECURITY BARRIER

Abstract

A security barrier (1) comprises four elements (2, 3, 4 and 5), each bolted to the top of a wall W. Each element comprises a generally disc-shaped plate having a central recessed portion (10) and an annular main portion (12) integrally connected to the recessed portion (10) by a shoulder (13). A support (11) for each element comprises a bolt (15) and a spacer (16), the bolt (15) extending through an aperture (18) in the centre of the element. Each plate has a toothed edge (19), all around the circumference. Alternate elements have the plates facing in opposite directions so that they are offset in plan by double the depth of the shoulder (13), and so can be interleaved. The element plates are generally parallel to the plane of the wall. With any of a variety of plate materials and thicknesses the barrier may be adapted to any of a range of security applications.

Description

INTRODUCTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to security barriers for preventing people from scaling walls or fences.

At present, a wide variety of such barriers are known. In general, they are complex, and/or difficult to mount on the fence, and/or they still include a part which could be gripped by a person.

An example is a barrier such as that described in GB2013263, in which blades in four spokes rotate abut a longitudinal axis. GB2216563 describes an arrangement in which webs in a twisted helical form rotate about a longitudinal axis

The invention is therefore directed towards providing a barrier which is of simpler construction, and/or is more effective, and/or has an improved appearance, and/or can be applied in various embodiments to a wider range of applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a security barrier for a wall or fence, the barrier comprising at least one barrier element, each barrier element comprising a plate which does not provide a finger grip between its edges, and mean for mounting the plate on a wall or fence so that the plate is free to rotate about its own axis.

In one embodiment, the mounting means is configured for rotation of the plate about an axis which is at an angle to a longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

In another embodiment, the mounting means is configured for rotation of the plate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the mounting means is configured for rotation of the plate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the wall or fence.

In one embodiment, there are a plurality of elements mounted in a row.

In one embodiment, the elements are mounted so plates overlap with their edges being mutually offset in their axial direction.

In one embodiment, at least one plate comprises a central portion and an annular outer portion and the portions are mutually offset in an axial direction.

In one embodiment, the portions are interconnected by a shoulder.

In one embodiment, the edges of the plates have features.

In one embodiment, the features are teeth.

In one embodiment, the edges of the plates do not have features.

In a further embodiment, each mounting means comprises means for independently mounting the plate on a wall or fence.

In one embodiment, the mounting means comprises a bolt extending through the plate and a spacer for retaining axial position of the plate with respect to the bolt.

In one embodiment, the mounting means comprises a slot in the plate and a bolt or pin extending through the slot, to provide a default plate rotational orientation.

In another embodiment, the plate is not circular in shape.

In one embodiment, the plate has a blunt edge.

In one embodiment, the plate is of plastics material.

In a further embodiment, the plate has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 15 mm at the edge.

In one embodiment, the plate is of metal material and has a thickness at its edge in the range of 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm.

In another embodiment, the plate is of plastics material and has a thickness at its edge in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.

In one embodiment, the mounting means comprises a support adapted to be secured to a wall or a fence, and a plurality of elements mounted on the support.

In one embodiment, the mounting means comprise an length of angle bar and fasteners securing the plates to the bar.

In another aspect, the invention provides a wall or fence comprising a security barrier as defined above in any embodiment mounted at the top of the wall or fence, the elements being mounted so that the plates rotate about an axis at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

In one embodiment, the axes are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a security barrier of the invention in place on a wall;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional plan view of the barrier;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of an element of the barrier;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a barrier of an alternative embodiment; and

FIGS. 6 to 9 are front views of still further embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a security barrier 1 comprises four elements 2, 3, 4 and 5, each bolted to the top of a wall W. Each element comprises a generally disc-shaped plate 9 having a central recessed portion 10 and an annular main portion 12 integrally connected to the recessed portion 10 by a shoulder 13. A support 11 for each element comprises a bolt 15 and a spacer 16, the bolt 15 extending through an aperture 18 in the centre of the element. Each plate 9 has a toothed edge 19 all around the circumference.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, alternate elements have the plates 9 facing in opposite directions so that they are offset in plan by double the depth of the shoulder 13, and so can be interleaved while using the same depth of support.

The element plates can be easily manufactured by for example pressing them from sheets. Where the use requires there may be different features on the plate edge, such as spikes of any desired configuration.

In use, the barrier elements are bolted to a wall or fence as illustrated. A person attempting to scale the wall or fence is faced with a barrier which does not leave any opportunity for finger gripping. This has been achieved in a very simple manner, without need for complicated features such as barbed wire or complex configurations of spikes. It is therefore less expensive to manufacture and install and is better aesthetically. A major advantage is that the barrier does not provide a grip, and it does not allow gripping of the wall or fence. Even razor wire has a flat surface area that can be gripped.

The element plates are generally parallel to the plane of the wall, and so present a barrier to a person which can not be gripped. There is no grip in the rotating elements as they are not in the form of a mesh or spokes, and the supports are not accessible. Thus the invention in a very simple manner provides for very effective prevention of a person scaling a wall or a fence.

In other embodiments, the plate may be completely flat, without any recess or step. The plate may be square or rectangular in shape. It may have a decorative shape, such as the appearance of a flower, the edge being curved to resemble petals. Where it is decoratively shaped, the security barrier may be suitable for use in domestic situations, or at locations where children are to be prevented from entering an unsafe area, or from leaving a safe area.

The plate may be pivotally mounted to have a preferred or default rotation orientation. This is particularly suitable for a plate having a rectangular shape, in which case the default position causes the plates to be aligned with the same orientation. This may give the appearance of an elongate feature along the top of a fence or wall. The preferred orientation may be provided by the plate having a slot through which the bolt extends, the default position being that for engagement of the top of the slot with the bolt due to gravity. Alternatively, there may be a spring arrangement to bias the plate to a particular orientation.

In the illustrated embodiments the rotation axis of the plates is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall and also normal to the plane of the wall. It could in other embodiments be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall but not to the plane of the wall. An example is that the axis is tilted so that in plan view it is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, but is not horizontal. The tilt could be so that the axis is pointed downwards at a tilt, thereby presenting a more full view of the plates to the person.

The plates may be of any material other than metal, such as PVC or a composite material possibly including a resin. The sharpness or otherwise of the plate edges may be chosen to suit the intended application. For example in one embodiment, the plates may be of a plastics material and be relatively wide (2 mm to 10 mm) and possible rounded at the edges, thereby being suitable for preventing children entering an area such as a swimming pool. More high security applications would require sharper edges and tougher and harder material. For example for a high security application the plate may be of toughened steel of a thickness of only 0.5 mm.

To illustrate examples of alternative embodiments, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a banner 50 having a series of elements 51, 52, 53, and 54. Each element has a bolt 60 with a nut 61 and a spacer 62 supporting a round flat plate 63. The edge of the plate is not very sharp—having a width of 4 mm mm, and the material is PVC. Such a barrier is suitable for applications with a lower security requirement.

Referring to FIG. 6 a barrier 70 has a similar arrangement, and has a floral decorative pattern 75 printed on the plates. This is particularly suitable for domestic or child-centred applications.

Referring to FIG. 7 a barrier 80 has plates 81-84, which are themselves floral-shaped. This presents a significant impediment to a person scaling a wall or fence, but is has the appearance of a decorative item.

FIG. 8 shows a barrier 100 having plates 101-104 which are square-shaped in front view. Any of a wide variety of shapes are possible.

FIG. 9 shows a barrier 110 having rectangular plates 111-114. In this case the plates 111 to 114 have slots 115 and a support bolt extends through the slot 115. Due to gravity the plates 111 to 114 fall to a position with the bolt engaging the upper end of the slot, thereby providing a default orientation for the plates, the long sided being vertical. Thus the barrier has a uniform appearance all along the length of the top of the wall or fence. It is therefore very unobtrusive. An arrangement to provide a default orientation could be used with plates of different shapes, such as square or oval for example. Square or rectangular shapes are however particularly suitable if a uniform appearance along the top of the wall is required, with one plate blending into the next in appearance.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, multiple elements may be mounted on a single support which is in turn secured to a wall or fence. For example such a support may comprise a length of angle iron, and it would be mounted on the wall so that one end of the bolt is not accessible.

Also, the plates may not be solid, provided they do not allow a space for finger-gripping. For example, they may include small openings to reduce weight, but the openings would be too small for even a child's fingers to be able to grip the plate.

Regarding material of the plate, in various embodiments it may be of:

• • steel sheeting,
  • stainless steel sheet,
  • cast iron,
  • aluminium,
  • expanded metal (small aperture),
  • moulded plastics,
  • a composite material, possible including a resin.

The plate thickness may be in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, the thickness being chosen to suit the application. A range of about 0.5 mm to 4 mm is preferred for higher-security applications for metal, and of about 2 mm to 10 mm for lower security applications and materials other than metal.

Indeed, a benefit of the invention is that the plate material, the plate thickness, and/or the plate shape can be chosen to suit the application. The range of applications is very wide, from children's play areas to high security prisons.

Claims

1. A security barrier for a wall or fence (W), the barrier comprising at least one barrier element (2-5), each barrier element comprising a plate (9) which does not provide a finger grip between its edges, and means (11) for mounting the plate on a wall or fence so that the plate is free to rotate about its own axis.

2. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (11) is configured for rotation of the plate (9) about an axis which is at an angle to a longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

3. A security barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means (11) is configured for rotation of the plate (9) about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.

4. A security barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means (11) is configured for rotation of the plate (9) about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the wall or fence (W).

5. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of elements (2-5) mounted in a row.

6. A security barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elements are mounted so that at least some plates (9) overlap with their edges being mutually offset in the axial direction.

7. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one plate comprises a central portion (10) and an annular outer portion (12) and the portions are mutually offset in an axial direction.

8. A security barrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein the portions are interconnected by a shoulder (13).

9. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edges of the plates (9) have features (19).

10. A security barrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein the features are teeth (19).

11. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edges of the plates (51-54) do not have features.

12. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein each mounting means comprises means (11) for independently mounting the plate on a wall or fence.

13. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (11) comprises a bolt (15) extending through the plate (9) and a spacer (16) for retaining axial position of the plate with respect to the bolt.

14. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a slot (115) in the plate (111-114) and a bolt or pin extending through the slot, to provide a default plate rotational orientation.

15. A security barrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plate (81-84, 101-104, 111-114) is not circular in shape.

16. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate has a blunt edge.

17. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is of plastics material.

18. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 15 mm at the edge.

19. A security barrier as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plate is of metal material and has a thickness at its edge in the range of 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm.

20. A security barrier as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plate is of plastics material and has a thickness at its edge in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.

21. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a support adapted to be secured to a wall or a fence, and a plurality of elements mounted on the support.

22. A security barrier as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mounting means comprise an length of angle bar and fasteners securing the plates to the bar.

23. A wall or fence comprising a security barrier as claimed in claim 1 mounted at the top of the wall or fence, the elements being mounted so that the plates rotate about an axis at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

24. A wall or fence as claimed in claim 23, wherein the axes are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall or fence.

25. (canceled)