Kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure

Abstract

A kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure, characterized in that it comprises a shell designed to contain a frame in which multiple weights are suitably positioned and which surrounds a tank; the tank is designed to contain a volume of water, gel or other material and defines one or more compartments designed to contain soil for plants; the frame is characterized by having a high capacity of deformation so that the structure is able to absorb the energy deriving from a possible impact, minimizing the movements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a kinetic energy absorbing barrier structure.[0002]Terrorist attacks by means of vehicles driven at high speed in crowded pedestrian areas, typically in city-centre streets and symbolic locations, have generated the need for solutions capable of preventing or at least limiting the scope of these acts.[0003]Following numerous terrorist attacks, barriers such as Jersey barriers or flower boxes have been installed in some cities to protect pedestrian areas and other sensitive zones to prevent or limit further terrorist attacks using motor vehicles to run into crowds.[0004]However, Jersey barriers and other barriers in concrete or metal materials currently used to prevent access to an area by unauthorised vehicles have drawbacks and limitations of a technical and also aesthetic nature.[0005]From the technical viewpoint, Jersey barriers, and other barriers constituted by solid forms resting on the ground, base their protective...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The technical effect of this patent is to provide a barrier structure that can be easily produced using commonly available materials and can be arranged in different configurations to increase its containment capacity and limit movements on the ground. This structure is designed to stop vehicles and prevent devastating attacks.

Problems solved by technology

However, Jersey barriers and other barriers in concrete or metal materials currently used to prevent access to an area by unauthorised vehicles have drawbacks and limitations of a technical and also aesthetic nature.

From the technical viewpoint, Jersey barriers, and other barriers constituted by solid forms resting on the ground, base their protective capability on their weight, but are unable to ensure an adequate defence unless they are connected to each other or to the ground, and can therefore be crashed through with relative ease; instead, metal barriers base their protection on the capability to provide an irremovable obstacle and are much more resistant, but typically require major foundations and deep ground anchorages that are difficult and expensive to implement, especially in old town centres.

For this reason, all of the remaining energy results in a violent movement of the barrier for tens of metres, especially on smooth or slippery surfaces, such as sett for example.

Perhaps the vehicle stops, but the barrier is hurled, like a curling stone on ice, and can therefore cause serious injury to persons standing in the space affected by the barrier's movement.

Another drawback of Jersey barriers and other known types of barriers is constituted by the negative landscaping impact, especially when installed in old town centres, because they appear like some kind of bare concrete wall in the middle of other areas of scenic interest, namely historic, cultural or architectural.

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