BARRIER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND USE

Abstract

A barrier system comprising a container and an expandable barrier structured to be stored in the container. The expandable barrier comprising a plurality of first panels and a plurality of second panels, a plurality of first hinged connectors connecting adjacent first panels and a plurality of second hinged connectors connecting adjacent second panels. A plurality of support members, each support member having first and second sides wherein the first side of each support member is connected to a corresponding first hinged connector and the second side of each support member is connected to a corresponding second hinged connector so that each support member extends between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels wherein in a first position in which the expandable barrier is stored in the container and in an unexpanded state, the first panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement with each support member sandwiched between adjacent first and second panels and wherein in a second position in which the expandable barrier is fully deployed from the container and in an expanded state, the first panels are positioned in a linear arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a linear arrangement parallel to the first panels with each support member extending perpendicularly between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a barrier system and a method of manufacturing and use of a barrier system.

BACKGROUND

Existing temporary barrier systems typically comprise a plurality of barrier units designed to be positioned end-to-end to create a barrier, wherein each barrier unit typically comprises a fence element having a pair of supports, often one at each end. Such conventional barrier systems are cumbersome to store and transport; labor intensive to install; provide limited spacing between opposite sides of the barricade, which can make it dangerous for security to approach the barricade in order to reinforce the barricade; and are often structurally deficient and prone to being breached, either by surmounting or separating the barrier units. Moreover, once these conventional barrier systems have been breached, the individual barrier units can be used by the perpetrators as weapons or to cause property damage. As such, there is a need for an improved barrier system that can be efficiently stored and deployed, provides a hardened barricade, provides spacing between opposite sides of the barricade and can be easily modified with deterrence mechanisms depending on the potential threat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising a container and an expandable barrier, wherein the expandable barrier is being deployed from the container, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the barrier system of FIG. 1 in which the expandable barrier is being deployed from the container;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising an expandable barrier in which the expandable barrier is stored in a container prior to deployment, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a deterrence feature of an expandable barrier, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable barrier, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable barrier structured with height extenders, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of the expandable barrier of FIG. 5 stacked for storage and/or transport, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate perspective views of a rotatable deterrent chassis and deterrent of an expandable barrier wherein the rotatable deterrent chassis and deterrent is in the retracted or stored position in FIG. 8a and wherein the rotatable deterrent chassis and deterrent is in the deployed position in FIG. 8b, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable barrier with first and second rotating panels, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a transition member for a barrier system, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising a plurality of interconnected expandable barriers, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising a plurality of interconnected expandable barriers, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention now may be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure may satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Furthermore, when it is said herein that something is “based on” something else, it may be based on one or more other things as well. In other words, unless expressly indicated otherwise, as used herein “based on” means “based at least in part on” or “based at least partially on.”

Additionally, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the embodiments described. For example, the words “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configurations as depicted in the figures. Indeed, the referenced components in the figures may be oriented in any direction, unless specified otherwise, the configurative terminology used herein should be understood as encompassing such variations.

As used herein, a “person” or “persons” may refer to human beings. However, usage of “person” or “persons” shall not be interpreted as limiting language, and as such the barrier system described herein may also be implemented to retain animals, livestock, autonomous machines such as robots or vehicles, geological or natural articles such as grasses, sands, or any other type of article which may be beneficial to be retained within a boundary.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a barrier system and method of manufacturing and use of said barrier system. The apparatus and method described herein allows for the rapid deployment and spatially efficient storage of a barrier system to contain persons within a designated area. The expandable and/or modular technical features of the barrier system provide a novel approach to solving the placement and containment challenges found in traditional barricade systems. For example, the expandable barrier system improves upon the traditional barricade systems by allowing the deployment of a continuous chain of interconnected expandable barriers as a result of directional movement along the path of a desired containment boundary. This may be accomplished through the use of vehicular or manual placement of the barrier system in conjunction with the expandable feature of the barrier system. The expandable and/or modular features also allow for storage of the barrier system in an efficient manner compared to the traditional barricade systems, such that a relatively small container is capable of holding a barrier system capable of producing a relatively large number of linear feet of barrier once the barrier system is deployed. Unlike traditional barricade systems, the barrier systems described herein may comprise deterrence features atop the barrier system to prevent persons from crossing the barrier system. Unlike traditional barricade systems which generally comprise a singular vertical obstacle, the barrier systems described herein comprise a plurality of panels positioned vertically and set apart from one another at a fixed distance. In this way, an attempted breach of the barrier system may be thwarted as a result of the increased amount of time required for any persons to cross the plurality of panels. Furthermore, unlike traditional barricades, the barrier system described herein may be continuous and interconnected, such that each modular component or subsection of the barrier system is mechanically coupled to the adjacent modular component or subsection. In this way, movement, removal, or tampering with the barrier system in an attempt to breach the barrier is prevented.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising a container 22 and an expandable barrier 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The components of expandable barrier 2 will now be described. All components of expandable barrier 2 may be constructed of any metal, polymer, composite, or metal alloy, including but not limited to, steel or steel alloy, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, brass, aluminum or aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium allow, plastics such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) or polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), plastic composites such as wood-plastic composites (“WPC”), carbon fiber, and so forth.

Expandable barrier 2 comprises a plurality of first panels 4 and a plurality of second panels 6. A plurality of first hinged connectors 8 connects adjacent first panels 4 and a plurality of second hinged connectors 10 connects adjacent second panels 6. The expandable barrier 2 also comprises a plurality of support members 12, each support member 12 has first and second sides 14, 15, wherein the first side 14 of each support member 12 is connected to a corresponding first hinged connector 8 and the second side of each support member 12 is connected to a corresponding second hinged connector 10 so that each support member 12 extends between a pair of adjacent first panels 4 and a pair of adjacent second panels 6. In some embodiments, adjacent first panels 4 share a common first hinged connector 8. However, in other embodiments, adjacent first panels 4 may have independent first hinged connectors 8.

In one embodiment, the container 22 comprises a top, bottom, and four (4) lateral sides secured together by welding or mechanical fasteners. At least one lateral side comprises an aperture. In one embodiment, the aperture includes a door that is hingedly secured to the corresponding lateral side and structured to be opened and closed. In the closed position, the door is preferably structured so that the door may be secured or locked. The container 22 may be constructed of any metal, polymer, composite, or metal alloy, including but not limited to, steel or steel alloy, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, brass, aluminum or aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium allow, plastics such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) or polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), plastic composites such as wood-plastic composites (“WPC”), carbon fiber, and so forth. Although container 22 is depicted graphically in FIG. 1 as a traditional six-sided metal enclosure, any number of configurations of container 22 are contemplated. Examples of such alternate configurations include, but are not limited to, an enclosure with no side walls but with an open rack system with at least two guide rails, an open-back truck bed, or an open trailer or closed trailer configured to be towed by a vehicle. In some embodiments, the container may be self-propelled and/or autonomous, such that the container is structured to transport and deploy the expandable barrier 2 with no or limited interactions with users.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the expandable barrier 2 is structured to be stored in the container 22 in a first position comprising an unexpanded state. In FIG. 1, the first position 7 of the expandable barrier 2 is depicted by the portion of the expandable barrier 2 shown inside the container 22. In this first position 7, the first panels 4 are positioned in a stacked arrangement and the second panels 6 are positioned in a stacked arrangement. In the stacked arrangement, each support member 12 is sandwiched between adjacent first and second panels 4, 6.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the expandable barrier 2 is structured to be extracted or deployed from the container 22 into a second position in which the expandable barrier is fully expanded. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the expandable barrier may be deployed into a second position in which the expandable barrier is fully expanded and simultaneously placed along the desired barricade path or line, thus allowing for efficient deployment and positioning of the expanded barrier of the barrier system. According to one embodiment, the deployment of the expandable barrier 2 into the second position 9 is done by securing the end of the expandable barrier 2 adjacent the door or opening in the container 22, for example, securing the end to the ground using a tie, mechanical fastener or weight, and then moving the container 22 away from the secured end of the expandable barrier 2, preferably along the desired path or line of the desired barricade. As the container 22 is moved away from the secured end of the expandable barrier 2, tension is created in the adjacent first and second panels of the expandable barrier which results in the adjacent panels being extracted or deployed from the aperture in the container 22 consecutively until the expandable barrier 2 is fully deployed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the end of the expandable barrier 2 adjacent the door or opening in the container 22 may be deployed and the weight of the end of the adjacent first and second panels deployed after the movement of container 22 away from the end creates sufficient frictional resistance between the ground or other surface on which the expandable barrier is being deployed to cause the adjacent first and second panels of the expandable barrier 2 to transition from the first position 7 in which the expandable barrier 2 is in the stored and stacked arrangement to the second position 9 in which the expandable barrier 2 is fully deployed (e.g., expanded). The second position 9 is shown in FIG. 1 in the portion of expandable barrier 2 fully deployed from the container 22. In this second position 9, the first panels 4 are positioned in a linear arrangement and the second panels 6 are positioned in a linear arrangement parallel to the first panels 4. Each support member 12 extends perpendicularly between a pair of adjacent first panels 4 and a pair of adjacent second panels 6. The first panels 4 and the second panels 6 are positioned opposite one another once deployed in the second position 9, such that either the first panels 4 or the second panels 6 form a perimeter along the area of containment or exclusion, and the other of the first panels 4 or the second panels 6 are positioned parallel thereto and at a fixed offset position, i.e., separated, therefrom, which provides further separation from the area of containment.

In other embodiments, the container 22 may be tilted at an angle to thereby cause the expandable barrier 22 to be deployed through the aperture in the container at an angle conducive to placement of the expandable barrier 2 when container 22 is moved along the barrier placement path, i.e., the desired path or line of the desired barricade.

In some embodiments, container 22 may be coupled to a vehicle 24. As the vehicle 24 advances along a placement path, the expandable barrier 2 expands and is deployed along said the placement path. In other embodiments, the container 22 may be rotatably coupled to the vehicle 24 via a lifting mechanism structured to raise or lower one end of the container 22 and position the container 22 at an angle relative to the surface on which the expandable barrier is to be deployed. In this way, the lifting mechanism assists with the placement of the expandable barrier 2 by guiding the expandable barrier 2 through the aperture of the container 22. The lifting mechanism may utilize pneumatic, hydraulic, piezoelectric, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuators structured to assist with placement and/or positioning of the container 22 and/or any supplemental container inside which container 22 is enclosed (e.g., a trailer of a tractor trailer). Additional lifting mechanisms may be implemented such as to assist with opening of the aperture, doors, lift gates, or other features of container 22 or vehicle 24 to assist with the placement and/or positioning of container 22.

In some embodiments, first and second panels 4, 6 may comprise the deterrence features 20 along the second end of the first panel 4 and/or second panels 6. In other embodiments, these the deterrence features 20 may also be present along the second end of support members 12. The deterrence features 20 serve to provide a physical deterrence to persons who purposefully attempt to surmount, compromise or breach the expandable barrier 2. In this way, persons may become entangled or incapacitated by the deterrence features 20 in such events. As will be described fully herein, the deterrence features 20 may be any structural or mechanical feature having pointed ends, spikes, sharp edges, or the like. In the embodiment shown graphically in FIG. 1, the deterrence features 20 are a series of spikes or protuberances with the portion of the spikes or protuberances facing upwards structured with pointed tips.

The first and second panels 4, 6 may be structured with one or more apertures 16, such as to reduce the weight of the first and second panels 4, 6 or increase the capacity to withstand the force exerted by the wind to the first and second panels 4, 6. As depicted graphically in FIG. 1, the apertures 16 may comprise an array of slots, holes, or stylized cutouts in a repetitious or non-repetitious pattern. In some embodiments, apertures 16 may comprise a singular cutout or hole. Similarly, the support members 12 may be structured with the apertures 18, such as to reduce the weight of the support members 12 or increase the capacity to withstand the force exerted by the wind pressures to the support member 12. As depicted graphically in FIG. 1, the apertures 18 comprises a singular cutout or hole in a primarily rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, in other embodiments, the apertures 18 may be an array of slots, holes, or stylized cutouts in a repetitious or non-repetitious pattern.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a barrier system comprising expandable barrier 2 in the second position 9, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The second position 9 of the expandable barrier 2 is shown after the expandable barrier 2 is fully deployed from the container 22 along a path desired for placement of the expandable barrier 2. In this second position 9, the first panels 4 are positioned in a linear arrangement and the second panels 6 are positioned in a linear arrangement parallel to the first panels 4. As shown in FIG. 2, each support member 12 of expandable barrier 2 extends perpendicularly between a pair of adjacent first panels 4 and a pair of adjacent second panels 6. In this way, the support members 12 provide structural integrity between the linear arrangements of the first panels 4 and second panels 6. As can be seen in FIG. 2, depth D is the distance between first and second panels 4, 6. In some embodiments, depth D may vary between six and one-hundred and twenty inches, depending on the size of support members 12 specified, given the various needs of containment for the expandable barrier 2. In this way, an increased depth D may be constructed using more material but will also provide additional protection against breaching efforts by persons meant to be contained or excluded by the expandable barrier 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the expandable barrier 2 in the first position 7 (e.g., collapsed), wherein the expandable barrier 2 is contained in the container 22, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this way, the expandible barrier 2 is compact and ready for transport, storage, and deployment. It shall be noted that the container 22 may be vertically stackable with additional containers 22, so as to minimize the storage capacity required for storing a plurality of the expandable barriers 2. The containers 22 may also serve as platforms for security personnel, such that security personnel can be positioned on top of the containers 22 at an elevated position in proximity to the barrier system. Various accessories may accompany the expandable barrier 2 within the internal cavity of the container 22. Non-limiting examples of accessories are depicted graphically in FIG. 3, such as ladders 26 and protective shields 28. Other examples of accessories not depicted graphically but that may also be included are decorative markers, protective guards for deterrence features 20, height extenders or supplemental deterrence features 20 for the first and second panels 4, 6, tools, toolboxes, law enforcement aids, and so forth.

In another embodiment, the barrier system comprises a plurality of containers and a plurality of expandable barriers, wherein when the plurality of expandable barriers are in the second position, the adjacent expandable barriers may be interconnected. In one embodiment, the first panel of each expandable barrier is connected to a corresponding third connector connecting the adjacent first panel of the adjacent expandable barrier, and wherein the second panel of each expandable barrier is connected to a corresponding fourth connector connecting the adjacent second panel of the adjacent expandable barrier such that a continuous chain of expandable barrier systems is formed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a deterrence feature 20 of an expandable barrier 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The deterrence feature may be positioned on the second end of first panel 4, second panel 6, or support member 12, or a combination of any of these. In some embodiments, the expandable barrier 2 may not be structured with any deterrence feature 20. In other embodiments, height extenders or stand-alone supplemental deterrence features 20 may be provided to be attached to the expandable barrier 2 to provide deterrence functions. In this way, the deterrence feature 20 may be removable for situations where deterrence functions are not required or are too visually obstructive.

In the embodiment of deterrence feature 20 shown in FIG. 4, a row of spiked protuberances 30 extend upwards from the second end of second panel 6. As previously described, the deterrence feature 20 may be coupled to the second end of first panels 6, second panel 6 and/or support members 12, or any combination of these. Each of the spiked protuberances 30 is substantially round in cross-section with a pointed tip on the upwards-facing end of the spiked protuberances 30. The spiked protuberances 30 are shown as varying in height along the edge of the second panel 6, but in some embodiments the spiked protuberances 30 may be equal in height. In other embodiments, instead of spiked protuberances 30, the deterrence feature 20 may be comprised of barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, electrically charged wire, or the like.

FIGS. 5 and 12 illustrate a perspective views of barrier system 84 comprising an expandable barrier 34, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the barrier system 84, a series of expandable barriers 34 may be positioned adjacent to one another along a path to form a barricade to create a containment or exclusion area. The components of the expandable barrier 34 may be constructed of any metal, polymer, composite, or metal alloy, including but not limited to, steel or steel alloys, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, brass, aluminum or aluminum alloys, titanium or titanium alloys, plastics such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) or polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), plastic composites such as wood-plastic composites (“WPC”), carbon fiber, and so forth.

The expandable barrier 34 comprises a first panel 36 and a second panel 38. The expandable barrier 34 also comprises a plurality of channels 47, wherein each channel 47 defines a first end and a second end and wherein the first panel 36 is hingedly connected to the first end of each channel 47 and the second panel 38 is hingedly connected to the second end of each channel 47. The expandable barrier 34 also comprises a plurality of support members 48 each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each support member 48 is hingedly connected to the first panel 36 and the second end of each support member is slidably and hingedly connected to a corresponding channel 47. The expandable barrier 34 also comprises a plurality of legs 49 each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each leg 49 is rotatably attached to the second panel 38.

The first panel 36 defines a first surface 63, a second surface 64, a first end 37, and an opposing second end. The second panel 38 defines a first surface 67, a second surface 68, a first end 39, and an opposing second end. It shall be understood that in certain embodiments not depicted graphically in FIG. 5, the expandable barrier 34 may only comprise a first panel 36 or a second panel 38, not both.

The first panel 36 and the second panel 38 may be structured with one or more apertures 42 so as to reduce the weight of the first and second panels 36, 38 or increase the capacity to withstand the force exerted by the wind to the first and second panels 36, 38. As depicted graphically in FIG. 5, the apertures 42 may comprise an array of slots, holes, or stylized cutouts in a repeating or non-repeating pattern. In other embodiments, the apertures 42 may comprise a singular hole.

In some embodiments, the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 may also comprise a plurality of vertical members 66. Since the first panel 36 is hingedly connected to the first end of each channel 47, and the second panel 38 is hingedly connected to the second end of each channel 47, rotation of the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 about hinged connectors 50 also rotates the corresponding vertical members 66 about the hinged connectors 50. In one embodiment, the first end 37 of the first panel 36 and/or the first end 39 of the second panel 38 are hingedly connected to the first end of each channel 47 and/or the second end of each channel 47, respectively, via hinged connectors 50 connected to the exterior or interior surfaces of each channel 47, or both. In another embodiment, each of the first panel 36 and second panel 38 include vertical members 66 along the lateral sides of the panels and a hinged connector 50 connects to each of these lateral side vertical members 66 of each of the first panel 36 and second panel 38 at the first end 37 of the first panel 36 and the first end 39 of the second panel 38, respectively, and then connects the first end 37 of the first panel 36 to the channel 47 and connects the first end 39 of the second panel 38 to the channel 47.

The hinged connector 50 may be a hinge, such as a barrel hinge, weldable hinge, piano hinge, door hinge, bearing, bushing, or a similar device that provides two structural members, one of which can be attached to the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 and one of which can be attached to the corresponding channel 47, and that allows rotation between the two members. The hinged connector 50 may also comprise a lock, such as ball detents, ratcheting members, levers, or the like, structured to hold the hinged connector 50 at a fixed radial position. As used herein, a lock is a mechanism structured to restrict movement of the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 relative to the corresponding channel 47, which can include locking the position of the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 relative to the corresponding channel 47 in a manner that prevents movement and/or providing resistance to movement unless a predetermined amount to force is applied in order to releasably set the position of the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 relative to the corresponding channel 47. In this way, the first and second panels 36, 38 may maintain their respective positions along the rotational path to avoid unwanted rotation of the first and second panels 36, 38. Movement of the first and/or second panels 36, 38 axially around the hinged connectors 50 allow the first and/or second panels 36, 38 to rotate from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the lock of the hinged connector 50 may be structured to interface with and project through an aperture of at least one of the channels 47 or vertical members 66 upon the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 reaching the first position and/or the second position.

The expandable barrier 34 also includes a plurality of support members 48 each having a first end 60 and a second end 61, and an elongate member 45 extending therebetween, wherein the first end 60 of the support members 48 is hingedly connected via a hinged connector 150 to the first surface 63 of the first panel 36 and extends between the first surface 63 of the first panel 36 and the channel 47. Each support member 48 extends at predetermined angle from the first panel to the corresponding channel 47. The second end 61 of the support members 48 is slidably and hingedly connected to a channel 47 via a hinged connector 250 to allow the second end 61 of each support member 48 to rotate in a controlled manner about the corresponding channel 47. Each channel 47 is structured to accept the support members 48 within an interior of the each of the channels 47 when the expandable barrier 34 is in the first position. The slidable interface between the interior of each channel 47 and the corresponding support member 48 also prevents unwanted twisting, torsion, or friction upon raising or lowering the first panel 36 when transitioning to and from the first and second positions.

Similar to hinged connector 50, the hinged connector 150 may be a hinge, such as a barrel hinge, weldable hinge, piano hinge, door hinge, bearing, bushing, or a similar device that provides two structural members, one of which can be attached to the first panel 36 and one of which can be attached to the first end 60 of the corresponding support member 48, and that allows rotation between the two members. The hinged connector 150 may also comprise a lock, such as ball detents, ratcheting members, levers, or the like, structured to hold the hinged connector 150 at a fixed radial position. As used herein, a lock is a mechanism structured to restrict movement of the first panel 36 relative to the corresponding support member 48, which can include locking the position of the first panel 36 relative to the corresponding support member 48 in a manner that prevents movement and/or providing resistance to movement unless a predetermined amount to force is applied in order to releasably set the position of the first panel 36 relative to the corresponding support member 48. In this way, the first panel 36 may maintain its respective position along the rotational path to avoid unwanted rotation of the first panel 36. Movement of the first panel 36 axially around the hinged connectors 150 allow the first panel 36 to rotate from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the lock of the hinged connector 150 may be structured to interface with and project through an aperture of at least one of the vertical members 66 upon the first panel 36 reaching the first position and/or the second position.

The hinged connector 250 may be a hinge, such as a barrel hinge, weldable hinge, piano hinge, door hinge, bearing, bushing, or a similar device that provides two structural members, one of which can be attached to the second end 61 of the corresponding support member 48 and one of which is slidably attached to the channel 47, and that allows rotation between the two members. In one embodiment, the slidable feature of the hinged connector 250 is provided via a track within the interior of the corresponding channel 47 that slidably mates with wheels on each side of the hinged connector 250. The hinged connector 250 may also comprise one or more locks, such as ball detents, ratcheting members, levers, or the like, structured to hold the hinged connector 250 at a fixed radial position and at fixed linear position along the length of the channel 47. As used herein, a lock is a mechanism structured to restrict movement of the corresponding support member 48 relative to the channel 47, radially and/or linearly, which can include locking the position of the corresponding support member 48 relative to the channel 47 in a manner that prevents movement radially and/or linearly and/or providing resistance to movement radially and/or linearly unless a predetermined amount to force is applied in order to releasably set the position of the corresponding support member 48 relative to the channel, radially and/or linearly. In this way, the first panel 36 may maintain its respective position relative to the channel along the rotational path to avoid unwanted rotation of the first panel 36. In some embodiments, the lock of the hinged connector 250 may be structured to interface with and project through an aperture of the corresponding channel 47 upon the first panel 36 reaching the first position and/or the second position.

In some embodiments, at least one of the channels 47 may be structured with an aperture. The support members 48 in such an embodiment may comprise a lock on the second end of the support members 48, the lock comprising a spring and a detent plunger, wherein the spring forces the detent plunger to extend through the aperture in the channel 47 when the expandable barrier is in the second position. In this way, support members 48 are structured to lockingly engage with channels 47.

Rotatably connected to a first surface 67 of the second panel 38 are a plurality of legs 49. Legs 49 each define a first end 69 and a second end 70, wherein elongate members of each leg 49 extend between the first surface 67 of the second panel 38 and the surface 40 on which the expandable barrier 34 is being deployed. The first end 69 of each leg 49 is hingedly or rotatably connected to the second panel 38 via a hinged connector 50 or a rotatable connector using one or more bearings. The second end 70 of each leg 49 may be structured with support feet 51. The support feet 51 comprise features optimized for interaction with the surface 40, such as a primarily flat feature to provide stability and prevent movement of the expandable barrier 34. Each leg 49 extends angularly from the second panel 38 to the surface 40. The support feet 51 may comprise a texturized surface to create additional friction to restrict movement of the support feet 51 relative to the surface 40 and, thus, restriction movement of the expandable barrier 34. In other embodiments, the support feet 51 may comprise wheels or rollers, which may or may not be retractable, to assist in the movement and placement of the expandable barrier 34.

In some embodiments, the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 may also comprise cross members 44. In embodiments where additional rigidity or support is required, the cross members 44 may extend between vertical members 66.

The channels 47, legs 49, elongate members 45 of the support members 48, and cross members 44 may be constructed of hollow tubing of rectangular or square cross section, solid tubing of rectangular or square cross section, an L-shaped channel, a U-shape channel, or C-shape channel. However, in other embodiments, other configurations may be utilized to form channels 47, legs 49, elongate members 45 of the support members 48, and cross members 44, including solid or hollow tubing circular, semi-circular, hexagonal, or any other configuration.

In the first position, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the expandable barrier 34 is collapsed, and the first panel 36, the second panel 38, the plurality of legs 49 and the plurality of channels 47 are positioned in a parallel and stacked arrangement, and wherein each support member 48 is received within a corresponding channel 47. In such first position, the first panel 36 is adjacent the plurality of channels 47, the second panel 38 is adjacent the first panel 36 and the plurality of legs 49 is adjacent the second panel 38. In the second position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the expandable barrier 34 is fully deployed, and the first panel 36 and second panel 38 are positioned substantially perpendicular to the plurality of channels 47, each of the plurality of support members 48 extends at predetermined angle from the first panel 36 to the channels 47, and the plurality of legs 49 extends angularly from the second panel 38.

In some embodiments, additional features such as feet, wear pads, stabilizers, locking casters, or mechanisms for promoting or inhibiting movement of the expandable barrier 34 relative to the surface 40 on which the expandable barrier 34 is being deployed may be placed between the channels 47 and the surface 40. lock

In some embodiments, expandable barrier 34 may also comprise barrier connectors 53, which allow for connecting each expandable barrier 34 with adjacent expandable barriers 34. These barrier connectors may be cotter pins, fasteners such as screws and nuts, magnets, ball detents structured to interact with barrier connectors 53 of adjacent expandable barriers 34. In some embodiments, barrier connectors 52 secure adjacent ones of the plurality of channels. In other embodiments, barrier connectors 52 secure adjacent first panels. In yet additional embodiments, barrier connectors 52 secure adjacent second panels

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable barrier 34′ structured with height extenders 55, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As previously described, certain barrier usages require additional height specification to prevent the expandable barrier 34 in the second position from being breached. As such, the height extenders 55 may be connected to the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 to provide additional height to the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38, respectively. The height extenders 55 may be positioned parallel to the axis of the respective first panel 36 and/or second panel 38, or may be structured to be positioned at a fixed angle A relative to the axis of the respective first panel 36 and/or second panel 38. In one embodiment, the height extenders 55 comprise tubular extensions that are received within apertures in the end of corresponding vertical members 66. In another embodiment, the tubular extensions may be connected to the height extenders 55 via hinged connectors that are the same as or similar to hinged connectors 50 to allow rotation of the height extenders 55 relative to the respective first panel 36 and/or second panel 38.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the height extenders 55 may be structured with deterrents 52 along the top and/or bottom sides of the height extenders 55. The deterrents 52 serve to provide a physical deterrence to persons who purposefully attempt to surmount, compromise or breach the expandable barrier 34′ such that persons may become entangled or incapacitated by the deterrent 52. In this way, the deterrents 52 may be any mechanical structure comprising with spikes, sharp edges, or similar feature that creates a surface that is difficult to surmount or cross over. In the embodiment shown graphically in FIG. 6, the deterrents 52 are a series of spiked protuberances with the portion of the spiked protuberances facing upwards structured with pointed tips. These spiked protuberances may angled at positions relative to one another such that the spiked protuberances cross one another and create an “X” or “V” pattern. However, the spiked protuberances of the deterrents 52 may also be uniformly substantially vertical or at an angle A relative to the first and second panels 36, 38.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a stack of the expandable barriers 34 in the first position according to one embodiment of the present invention. The expandable barriers 34 may be reconfigured from the first position as shown in FIG. 7 as previously described herein, to a second position (e.g., the deployed position, as previously shown and described with respect to FIGS. 5-6). Such transformation is a result of rotating the first and second panels 36, 38 and extending the plurality of the legs 49. Similarly, the expandable barriers 34 may be reconfigured from the second position to the first position by following the reverse sequence of the aforementioned steps. In this way, multiple expandable barriers 34 in first positions may be stacked on top of one another such that the first and/or second panels 36, 38 of each expandable barrier 34 is adjacent to at least one adjacent expandable barrier 34 in the first position, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Such a compact configuration allows for ease in transport, storage, and rapid deployment.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate perspective views of a rotatable deterrent chassis 59 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The handling of the expandable barrier 34 in transitioning from the first position to the second position may require a human to interact with various aspects of the expandable barrier 34. As such, it may be beneficial to obscure the deterrent 52 until a time when it is safe and/or appropriate to deploy the deterrent 52. In the embodiment of the system as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the expandable barrier may be structured with a rotatable deterrent chassis 59 to position the deterrent 52 on the second end of the first and/or second panels 36, 38. The rotatable deterrent chassis 59 comprises a hinged connector or a rotatable connector using one or more bearings 56 and an elongate member 54. In one embodiment, the elongate member 54 of the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 is rotatably coupled to the vertical members 66 of a corresponding one of the first panel 36 or the second panel 38 via the hinged connector or rotatable connector 56 such that the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 and the deterrent 52 can be retracted into a downward directed position where the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 and deterrent 52 are contained within a recess defined by the respective first panel 36 or second panel 38, e.g. between a pair of adjacent vertical members 66, as shown in FIG. 8a. When it is time to deploy the deterrent 52, the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 and deterrent 52 can be rotated into an upward directed position as shown in FIG. 8b so that the deterrent 52 is deployed. As illustrated in FIG. 8a, the elongate member 54 may comprise a channel or recess 58 sized to receive the upper most cross member 44 of the respective first panel 36 or second panel 38, which provides additional support to the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 when the deployed position, as shown in FIG. 8b. Additionally, in one embodiment, the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 may include a further channel or recess in the surface of the rotatable deterrent chassis 59 on which the deterrent 52 is disposed. This channel or recess is structured to matingly and releasably receive a corresponding extension that allows for different deterrents 52 to attached and removed from the rotatable deterrent chassis 59, depending on the threat or security level applicable to different situations.

In some instances it may be desirable to provide security personal with the ability to enter and egress through the expandable barrier 34. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an expandable barrier 34″ in which the first and second panels 36, 38 each include rotatable panels or doors 41, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 9 is such that the first and second panels 36, 38 include rotatable panels or doors 41 that are each connected to the vertical members 66 of the respective first and second panels 36, 38 by means of a plurality of hinged connectors 62. In other embodiments, only one of a first panel 36 and a second panel 38 are structured with rotatable panels or doors 41 and hinged connectors 62, which thereby allows security personnel to access only the space in between the first and second panels 36, 38.

The hinged connectors 62 may be similar to the hinged connectors 50 and are connected to the vertical members 66 and a first side 71 of the door or panel 41 of the first panel 36 and a first side 72 of the door or panel 41 of the second panel 38, respectively, such that the door or panel 41 of the first and/or second panels 36, 38 are structured to rotate between a first position (e.g., closed), where the door or panel 41 of the first and/or second panels 36, 38 extend between adjacent vertical members 66, and a second position (e.g., open), where only the first side 71 of the door or panel 41 of the first panel 36 and/or a first side 72 of the door or panel 41 of the second panel 38 is adjacent a respective vertical member 66. In the first position, the second side 75 of the door or panel of the first panel 36 and the second side 77 of the door or panel 41 of the second panel 38 may be structured with a lock 73 such as a deadbolt, key lock, pin pad, or biometric pad in order to maintain the door or panel 41 of the first and second panels 36, 38 in the first position unless access is granted. In some embodiments, only one of either the door or panel 41 of the first panel 36 or the door or panel 41 of the second panel 38 are structured with a lock 73.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the threshold beneath the door or panel 41 of the first panel 36 and/or the door or panel 41 of the second panel 38 includes a cover 74. The cover 74 is a flat or concave body positioned adjacent the cross member 44 at the bottom of the first panel 36 or second panel 38 to create a smooth walking transition between the surface 40 exterior to the expandable barrier 34″ and the surface 40 interior to the expandable barrier 34″.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a transition member 76 of the expandable barrier 34‴ according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some instances, arrangements of barrier systems are not simply linear in nature, and oftentimes barrier systems need to be erected with multiple angled or curved portions to accomplish the proper barrier system layout. In this way, it is beneficial to provide an embodiment of the expandable barrier 34‴ to bridge two non-linear sections of adjacent expandable barriers 34 in a continuous fashion. As such, a transition member 76 may be provided. The transition member 76 includes a support frame 56 and at least one panel 65. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, transition member 76 comprises a first and a second panel 65 positioned in a perpendicular orientation and a support frame 56 comprising a pair of elongate members 79 extending from bottom of the distal end of each of the first and second panels 65 to an anchor member 80. Other embodiments require the expandable barrier 34‴ to be structured with the transition member 76 to accommodate angles greater or less than ninety degrees or even curvilinear configurations. Mechanical attachment mechanisms such as screws, bolts, magnets, zip-ties, or the like may be used to secure the corner 76 to at least one vertical member 66. To promote a continuous aesthetic, some embodiments may comprise a bevel feature 78, extending about all or a portion of the one or more panels 65 to the surface 40 in either a straight or concave manner. For purposes of this disclosure, the construction, composition, description, features and structure of the second panel 38 and the panel 65 is intended to be entirely interchangeable. In other words, the construction, composition, description, features and structure of the second panel 38 is equally applicable to the panel 65.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a barrier system 82, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Barrier system 82 comprises a plurality of expandable barriers 34 in various embodiments as previously described, such as the expandable barriers 34, 34′, 34″, and 34‴. Each of the expandable barriers 34, 34′, 34″, and 34‴ may comprise barrier connectors 53, allowing for the secure connection of each expandable barrier with adjacent expandable barriers. These barrier connectors 53 may be cotter pins, fasteners such as screws and nuts, magnets, ball detents structured to interact with an aperture of the barrier connectors 53 of adjacent expandable barriers. For purposes of this disclosure, the construction, composition, description, features and structure of the expandable barriers 34, 34′, 34″, and 34‴ is intended to be entirely interchangeable. In other words, the construction, composition, description, features and structure of any of expandable barriers 34, 34′, 34″, and 34‴ is equally applicable to the other expandable barriers 34, 34′, 34″, and 34‴.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a barrier system 84. In certain applications of the barrier system 84, it may be beneficial to provide the barrier system 84 with a façade 90. The façade 90 may be a substantially flat body constructed of stainless steel, steel or steel alloys, galvanized steel, aluminum or aluminum alloys, titanium or titanium alloys, polycarbonate, acrylic, carbon fiber, or any other plastic, metal, alloy, or composite necessary to provide a transparent, opaque, or semi-transparent aesthetic cover to the barrier system 84. The façade 90 may be attached to the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38 to be adjacent and parallel to the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38. Attachment may be provided as screws, magnets, zip-ties, buttons, or the like. Alternatively, the façade 90 may be formed integrally with and comprise part of the first panel 36 and/or the second panel 38. Furthermore, the façade 90 may be comprised of a logo 92 to provide visual messaging to persons in the area of the barrier system 84. The logo 92 may be adhered to façade 92 as a vinyl decal, sticker, or in some embodiments the logo 92 may be engraved, etched, embossed, or removed from the façade 92 to facilitate the visual messaging.

In an additional embodiment, electrical wiring may be included within the vertical members 66 and/or cross members 44 of the first panel 36 and/or second panel 38 and the first panel 36 and/or second panel 38 may include lighting or lighting outlets connected to the electrical wiring.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A barrier system comprising:

a container; and

an expandable barrier structured to be stored in the container, the expandable barrier comprising:

a plurality of first panels and a plurality of second panels;

a plurality of first hinged connectors connecting adjacent first panels and a plurality of second hinged connectors connecting adjacent second panels;

a plurality of support members, each support member having first and second sides, wherein the first side of each support member is connected to a corresponding first hinged connector and the second side of each support member is connected to a corresponding second hinged connector so that each support member extends between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels;

wherein, in a first position in which the expandable barrier is stored in the container and in an unexpanded state, the first panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement with each support member sandwiched between adjacent first and second panels; and

wherein, in a second position in which the expandable barrier is fully deployed from the container and in an expanded state, the first panels are positioned in a linear arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a linear arrangement parallel to the first panels with each support member extending perpendicularly between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels.

2. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of expandable barriers, wherein the first panel of each expandable barrier is connected to a corresponding third connector connecting the adjacent first panel of the adjacent expandable barrier, and wherein the second panel of each expandable barrier is connected to a corresponding fourth connector connecting the adjacent second panel of the adjacent expandable barrier such that a continuous chain of expandable barrier systems is formed.

3. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising at least one deterrence feature.

4. A method for providing a barrier, the method comprising: providing a barrier system comprising:

a container; and

an expandable barrier structured to be stored in the container, the expandable barrier comprising: a plurality of first panels and a plurality of second panels; a plurality of first hinged connectors connecting adjacent first panels and a plurality of second hinged connectors connecting adjacent second panels; a plurality of support members, each support member having first and second sides, wherein the first side of each support member is connected to a corresponding first hinged connector and the second side of each support member is connected to a corresponding second hinged connector so that each support member extends between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels; and

placing the expandable barrier in the container in an unexpanded state, wherein the first panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a stacked arrangement with each support member sandwiched between adjacent first and second panels.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

deploying the expandable barrier from the container such that the expandable barrier is in an expanded state, wherein the first panels are positioned in a linear arrangement and the second panels are positioned in a linear arrangement parallel to the first panels with each support member extending perpendicularly between a pair of adjacent first panels and a pair of adjacent second panels.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

engaging a deterrence feature, the deterrence feature coupled to at least one of the group consisting of the first panel and the second panel.

7. An expandable barrier comprising:

a first panel and a second panel;

a plurality of channels, wherein each channel defines a first end and a second end and wherein the first panel is hingedly connected to the first end of each channel and the second panel is hingedly connected to the second end of each channel

a plurality of support members each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each support member is hingedly connected to the first panel and the second end of each support member is slidably and hingedly connected to a corresponding channel;

a plurality of legs each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each leg is rotatably attached to the second panel;

wherein, in a first position in which the expandable barrier is collapsed, the first panel, the second panel, the plurality of legs and the plurality of channels are positioned in a parallel and stacked arrangement, and wherein each support member is received within a corresponding channel; and

wherein, in a second position in which the expandable barrier is fully deployed, the first panel and second panel are positioned substantially perpendicular to the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of support members extends at predetermined angle from the first panel to the channels, and the plurality of legs extends angularly from the second panel.

8. The expandable barrier of claim 7, wherein, in the first position, the first panel is adjacent the plurality of channels, the second panel is adjacent the first panel and the plurality of legs are adjacent the second panel.

9. The expandable barrier of claim 7, further comprising a deterrence feature.

10. The expandable barrier of claim 7, wherein the second end of the support member is structured to lockingly engage with the channel in the second position.

11. A barrier system comprising a plurality of expandable barriers according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of expandable barriers is positioned adjacent to another one of the plurality of expandable barriers to form a barricade; and further comprising a plurality of barrier connectors to secure at least one of the group consisting of (i) adjacent ones of the plurality of channels, (ii) adjacent first panels; and (iii) adjacent second panels.

12. A method for providing a barrier, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of expandable barriers, each of the expandable barrier comprising: a first panel and a second panel; a plurality of channels, wherein each channel defines a first end and a second end and wherein the first panel is hingedly connected to the first end of each channel and the second panel is hingedly connected to the second end of each channel a plurality of support members each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each support member is hingedly connected to the first panel and the second end of each support member is slidably and hingedly connected to a corresponding channel; a plurality of legs each defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each leg is rotatably attached to the second panel;

positioning the expandable barrier such that the first panel, the second panel, the plurality of legs and the plurality of channels are in a parallel and stacked arrangement, and wherein each support member is received within a corresponding channel.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

deploying the expandable barrier, wherein the first panel and second panel are positioned substantially perpendicular to the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of support members extends at predetermined angle from the first panel to the channels, and the plurality of legs extends angularly from the second panel.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

engaging a deterrence feature, the deterrence feature coupled to at least one of the group consisting of the first panel and the second panel.