ACTIVE SECURITY SYSTEM

Abstract

An active security system with a rotating spoke and hub apparatus with razor wire, barbed wire or other types of sharp objects affixed to the spokes that is free standing or on top of an existing fence or wall and mounted to stationary columns. A motor and linkage provide for the active rotation of the rotating spoke and hub structure. The motor is activated by sensors that detect a presence of an intruder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The presently claimed invention relates to security systems and more particularly to a rotating structure affixed to a top of a stationary structure that is actively rotated on demand.

2. Background Art

Presently there are several types of passive security devices for impeding intruders from entering or exiting a secure area. These include walls, fences, and other types of barriers. To enhance these types of designs, additional deterrence devices have been added, such as broken glass, razor wire or projections from the top of the wall or fence. However, these are also passive devices that can easily be overcome by a determined intruder. This type of device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,764. There are also several prior art systems that have rotating structures with spikes or blades used as a deterrent; however these structures are not active in that a person causes the rotation when attempting to scale the structure. These include U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0189529, U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,970, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,736, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,163.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosure of the Invention

The presently claimed invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an active deterrent system with a driven rotating apparatus with spikes or blades that is activated by sensors or manually with a switch. This type of system is preferable to existing systems, especially for high security areas. Further, by using the presently claimed invention, fewer guards are necessary to secure a facility.

In a first embodiment, a rotating assembly comprising a spoke and hub axel mechanism with razor wire, barbed wire, spikes or blades are attached to rotary spokes. This embodiment is affixed to a top portion of a fence, such as a chain link fence or a wall. The rotating assembly is affixed to stationary supports with a rotating shaft encased by a bearing assembly and the shaft driven rotationally by a pulley or sprocket driven by a fan belt or chain. A motor provides the drive to the belt or chain. The motor can be activated by sensors, such as light sensors, motion sensors, pressure sensors or the like. Optionally, the motor can be activated by a manual on/off switch. The control box can also deactivate the motor with a timer or by a manual switch.

In a second embodiment, the shaft comprising a first diameter can be inserted into a specific length of a larger diameter pipe at each stationary support, the length of large diameter pipe attached to the stationary support with a clamp or the like and the spoke, an axel mechanism affixed to the shaft and driven as in the first embodiment.

In a third embodiment, the rotating assembly is a free standing assembly affixed to stationary supports with the rotary spokes near but not touching the ground level. The drive mechanism is as previously described and this embodiment can also include bearings or the inserted shaft embodiments.

A primary object of the presently claimed invention is to provide an active deterrent for entry or exit to or from a high security area.

A primary advantage of the presently claimed invention is that it cannot be easily compromised and when activated will provide additional visual and auditory deterrence.

Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the presently claimed invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the claimed invention. The objects and advantages of the claimed invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the presently claimed invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the claimed invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention and are not to be construed as limiting the claimed invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the active security system mounted on top of a chain link fence.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the rotating shaft inserted into a stationary pipe that is affixed to a support.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment showing a free standing active security system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

The presently claimed invention is a system and method to control access or egress to security areas, such as operating areas for correctional facilities, department of defense facilities, or other private areas of high security. The composition of the claimed invention is a steel structure assembly consisting of support elements with a spoke hub assembly that will rotate on electrical control demand. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the claimed invention. Rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanism 10 is preferably configured with razor wire 12 and/or barb wire attached to rotary spokes 14 which when electrically controlled by a motor 16 will rotate 18, as shown. Other types of spikes and types of security wire can be used individually or in combination. These include but are not limited to barbed wire, razor wire, protruding blades, spikes and concertina coils. In this embodiment, the rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanism 10 is mounted on top of an existing fence or wall 20. Motor 16 can provide rotation 18 via drive mechanism 34 comprising a belt, chain or the like 22 to a pulley or sprocket 24 affixed to hub axel assembly or shaft 26. To avoid tampering with drive mechanism 34, a cover can be provided (not shown). Rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanism 10 can be affixed to support columns 28 with bearings 30 or other well known methods to provide for keeping shaft in place and also to allow for rotation 18. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a large diameter pipe 48 can be bolted by clamps 50 to support column 28 and a smaller diameter inner pipe 52 can be inserted into large diameter pipe 48. In this embodiment, smaller diameter inner pipe 52 is rotated by pulley or sprocket 24 by motor 16. Using this embodiment, bearings are not necessary. Additional rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanisms 10 can be affixed to ends of shaft 32 to provide a string of mechanisms run by a single motor. To activate rotational movement, a triggering device is provided. Triggering device can be a light transmitter 36 and receiver 38 that are triggered by a break in the light, pressure sensors 40 on top of or underground, motion detectors 42 or a manual on/off switch 44. Triggering mechanism can include one or more of the above. By using triggering mechanism, the rotational movement does not have to be activated at all times. Further by using a triggering mechanism, guards or other personnel can be alerted of a possible intruder. A control box 46 can be used to deactivate the rotational movement or a timer can be set to deactivate the motor. Further, control box 46 can also send a visual or sound alert to a remote location to alert guards or other personnel that the sensors have been tripped or that the active security system has been activated. FIG. 3 shows a side view of rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanism 10 affixed to support column 28 with motor 16 driving belt 22 to provide rotation 18.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the presently claimed invention. In this embodiment, rotary controlled spoke and hub mechanism 10 is mounted directly above ground level 54. The remaining features in the previously described embodiment are similar in this embodiment.

Although the claimed invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the presently claimed invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A security apparatus comprising:

a base comprising supports;

an active rotating barrier comprising a plurality of sharp projections mounted to at least two spokes, said active rotating barrier affixed to the supports;

a motor to drive the active rotating barrier; and

at least one sensor adjacent to the base for activating the motor when the at least one sensor detects an intruder.

2. The security apparatus of claim wherein the security apparatus is affixed to a security fence or wall.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supports comprises at least two support columns for supporting the active rotating barrier.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the active rotating barrier comprises a hub and the spoke mechanism.

5. The security apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a stationary support shaft and an inner rotating shaft disposed in the stationary support shaft, the rotating shaft affixed to the hub and spoke mechanism.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hearing assembly disposed on a shaft affixed to the active rotating barrier.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 Wherein the at least one sensor comprises a member from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a light sensor and a pressure sensor.

8. The security apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an on/off switch for manually activating and deactivating the motor.

9. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sharp projections comprise at least one member from the group consisting of barbed wire, razor wire, protruding blades, spikes, and concertina coils.

10. The security apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of active rotating barriers being driven by the motor.

11. A method for securing an area, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a rotating structure wherein the rotating structure comprises a plurality of sharp projections;

sensing a presence of an intruder with at least one sensor; and

activating a motor affixed to the rotating structure by the at least one sensor.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of affixing the rotating structure to a security fence or wall.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of affixing the rotating structure to at least two support columns.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a rotating structure further comprises providing a hub and spoke mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprises providing a stationary support shaft and an inner rotating shaft disposed in the stationary support shaft, the rotating shaft affixed to the hub and spoke mechanism.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprises providing a bearing assembly disposed on a shaft affixed to the rotating structure.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a member from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a light sensor and a pressure sensor.

18. The method of claim further comprising the step of manually activating and deactivating the motor with an on/off switch.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the sharp projections comprise at least one member from the group consisting of barbed wire, razor wire, protruding blades, spikes and concertina coils.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of driving a plurality of rotating structures by the motor.