Anti-ram vehicle device

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-ram vehicle device (1), which includes: - a base (2); - at least one post (3) pivotably connected to the base (2), between an inoperative position in which it does not obstruct the passage of a vehicle, and an operative position in which it obstructs the passage of a vehicle; - at least one connecting rod (6), a first end of which is hingedly connected to the post (3), and a second end of which includes a connecting rod shaft (7) slidably mounted in an opening (8) of the base (2). The device (1) is characterised in that it includes a damping means (10) configured so that, in the event of a vehicle impact, at least some of the force is absorbed by the damping means (10), the damping means (10) being arranged at the opening (8), at the end of the travel of the connecting rod shaft (7).

Description

Description Title of the invention: anti-ram vehicle device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical sector of road infrastructure, and in particular to a retractable anti-ram vehicle device. Prior art

[0002] Anti-ram vehicle devices are known from the prior art, comprising a post retractable into a base. The post is placed in the active position, i.e. substantially vertical, when it is desired to prevent the passage of vehicles, and in the inactive position, i.e. substantially horizontal, when it is desired to allow the passage of vehicles.

[0003] This type of device is intended to prevent the passage of potentially heavy vehicles, such as trucks, and they must be able to withstand high-intensity impacts without allowing these vehicles to pass. To this end, document FR3078717 proposes a device comprising a stop bar capable of pivoting towards the vehicle when the vehicle hits the post, so as to penetrate the tires or the chassis of the vehicle, and thus stop it.

[0004] However, existing devices have limited effectiveness, and when a heavy vehicle arrives quickly at the device, with high kinetic energy, it still happens too often that the device breaks or is pushed aside, and therefore the vehicle is not stopped. There is therefore a need to develop more effective devices to stop vehicles. Statement of the invention

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy the problems of the prior art by providing an anti-ram vehicle device making it possible to stop vehicles more effectively.

[0006] Another aim of the invention is to provide an anti-ram vehicle device that is easy to manufacture and inexpensive.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to provide an anti-ram vehicle device that is easy to use, particularly when moving from its active position to its inactive position, or vice versa.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes an anti-ram vehicle device, comprising: - a base, comprising an upper surface; - at least one post pivotally connected to said base, between an inactive position in which it is housed in or against the base and does not obstruct the passage of a vehicle on the upper surface, and an active position in which it projects relative to the upper surface and obstructs the passage of a vehicle; - for each post, at least one connecting rod, a first end of which is articulated to the post, and a second end of which comprises a connecting rod axis slidably mounted in an opening in the base, and a means for locking the connecting rod when the post is in the active position.

[0009] According to the invention, the device comprises a damping means configured so that in the event of a vehicle impacting the post resulting in it being pushed beyond its active position, at least part of the force resulting from said impact is absorbed by the damping means, said damping means being arranged at the opening of the base, at the end of travel of the connecting rod axis when the post is in the active position.

[0010] By virtue of these provisions, part of the force resulting from the impact being absorbed by the damping means, the remaining force tending to break the device and / or to move it more than desired is reduced, which reduces the risks that a vehicle can override the device when it is in the active position.

[0011] The damping means may be of any suitable type, for example in the form of an elastomer pad, or hydraulic or pneumatic dampers. According to a robust, effective, easy to produce and inexpensive embodiment, the damping means is in the form of a narrowing of the base opening.

[0012] The device according to the invention may further comprise at least one crutch connected to the base, the crutch being pivotally mounted relative to said base between an inactive position in which it is housed in the base or against it, and an active position in which it extends at least partially beneath a lower surface of the base, so as to maintain the base in a raised and forwardly inclined position, the transition from the inactive position to the active position of the stand being triggered by an impact of a vehicle on the post resulting in it being pushed beyond its active position. Thus, after an impact, the stand can maintain the base inclined forward, the rear of the base being raised at the level of the wheels or axle of the vehicle, which effectively blocks its advance.

[0013] The device according to the invention may comprise a return means tending to pivot the crutch from its inactive position to its active position, and the device may comprise a means for holding the crutch in the inactive position, the holding means being configured to be deactivated by an impact on the post resulting in pushing it beyond its active position, which is a simple, robust and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0014] The holding means may comprise a journal fixed to one of the connecting rods, and mounted to slide in a through opening of the stand, which allows effective holding when the device is in the active and inactive positions, and when moving from one to the other of these positions.

[0015] At least one support end of the stand may include a non-slip means capable of preventing the stand from sliding on the ground when it is in the active position, which allows the device to form a more effective stop as the vehicle moves forward.

[0016] The crutch may comprise two parallel and symmetrical parts, each part being articulated at the base and collaborating with the means for holding the crutch in the inactive position, the two parts being arranged on either side of a profile of the base and connected to each other by at least one spacer, the crutch thus being mechanically reinforced without significant use of material, which allows its role of holding the base in the inclined position to be fulfilled more effectively.

[0017] The device according to the invention may comprise at least one claw fixed to the front of the base and configured to prevent the device from sliding on the ground in the event of the rear part of the base lifting during an impact from a vehicle on the post, which allows the device to form a more effective stop to the advance of the vehicle.

[0018] The means for locking the connecting rod in the active position may comprise a lockable hatch at least partially covering the post and the connecting rod in the inactive position, the hatch having a first side connected in an articulated manner to the base, and a second side intended to abut against the connecting rod to keep it in the active position, which is a simple and robust embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Preferably, the device comprises means for detecting and communicating to a control unit the active or inactive position of the post and means for geolocating the device, so as to be able to geolocate on a virtual map the position of the devices, especially those which are mobile, and their state, namely active or inactive, for example materialized by a color code on the map. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an anti-ram vehicle device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the active position.

[0021] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, in the inactive position.

[0022] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view from above of certain elements of the device of Fig. 1.

[0023] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view from below of certain elements of the device of Fig. 1.

[0024] [Fig. 5] is a side view of some elements of the device of Fig. 1. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] With reference to Figures 1 to 5. The anti-ram vehicle device 1 according to the invention comprises a base 2 and at least one post 3, pivotally connected to the base.

[0026] The device 1 is intended to be arranged at a traffic lane for vehicles, in at least two positions. In an inactive position, the post 3 is housed in the base 2, or against it, the free end of the post 3 being oriented towards the rear of the device 1. The device 1 thus presents a surface on which vehicles can circulate without obstacle. In an active position, the post 3 rises above the base, preferably vertically, and it obstructs the passage of a vehicle on the device 1.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the terms "front" and "rear" designate the direction of movement of vehicles on the device 1 when it is in the passive position, from rear to front. When the device 1 is in the active position, the vehicles therefore arrive towards the device from the rear.

[0028] The base comprises an upper face 2a, and a lower face 2b, which are preferably parallel to each other and intended to be arranged substantially horizontally, or at an inclination equal to the inclination of the traffic lane on which the device is arranged. In the active position, the post rises at an angle preferably between 80 and 100°, for example 90°, relative to the upper face 2a.

[0029] The base 2 may be arranged on a traffic lane for vehicles. In this case, the device 1 preferably comprises inclined planes 4, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, allowing a vehicle to access the base 2 without having to take a step. Such an embodiment is preferable for a device 1 whose presence on the lane is temporary.

[0030] Alternatively, the base 2 may be arranged in an opening formed in the traffic lane, so that the upper face 2a of the base 2 is substantially at the level of the traffic lane. Such an embodiment is preferable for a device 1 whose presence on the lane is permanent.

[0031] The device 1 may comprise one or more warning means 5, such as retractable panels, which may be arranged at the level of the inclined planes 3, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The warning means 5 may be activated when the device 1 is put in the active position, so that vehicles approaching the device 1 are warned of the obstacle that it forms on the traffic lane.

[0032] At each of its posts 3, the device 1 comprises at least one connecting rod 6, a first end of which is articulated to the post, preferably by a pivot connection, and a second end of which is articulated to the base 2. At its second end, the connecting rod 6 comprises a connecting rod pin 7 slidably mounted in an opening 8 of the base 2. In this way, the device 1 can move from the passive position to the active position by lifting the free end of the post 3, which has the effect of sliding the connecting rod pin 7 in the opening 8 towards the post 3.

[0033] The device 1 further comprises a means for locking the connecting rod 6 when the post 3 is in the active position. When the post 3 is in the active position, the connecting rod 6, the position of which is locked, supports the post 3, and prevents it from pivoting backwards relative to the base, under the effect of its own weight, and thus returning to the passive position. The connecting rod 6 also prevents the post 3 from pivoting forwards, either under the effect of its own weight, or by a thrust from a vehicle hitting the post 3.

[0034] The connecting rod locking means 6 preferably comprises a lockable trapdoor 9. When the device 1 is in the inactive position, as illustrated in fig. 2, the trapdoor 9 is arranged against or flush with the upper surface 2a of the base 2, and preferably at least partially covers the post 3 and the connecting rods 6. When the device 1 is in the active position, as illustrated in fig. 1, the hatch 9 is arranged against or flush with the upper surface 2a of the base 2, and one of its sides abuts against the connecting rod 6 so as to keep it in the active position. To move from the active position to the inactive position and vice versa, the hatch 9 pivots around an axis located on the base 2.

[0035] In the event of a vehicle impacting the post 3 from behind, resulting in the post 3 being pushed forward beyond its active position, a very significant force is applied to the device 1. This force may have the effect of damaging certain parts of the device, or even breaking them, and ultimately allowing the vehicle to continue moving forward beyond the device. In order to reduce this risk, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a damping means 10, capable of absorbing at least part of this force.

[0036] The damping means 10 is located at the level of the opening 8 of the base, at the end of travel of the connecting rod axis 7 when the post 3 is in the active position, that is to say at the front end of the opening 8.

[0037] The damping means 10 may be a narrowing of said opening, as illustrated in Figure 5. Such a narrowing imposes a force additional force to the connecting rod pin 7 to continue its travel in the opening 8 beyond the active position of the post 3, and this additional force acts as a shock absorber. This embodiment of the narrowing is efficient and easy to manufacture.

[0038] In other embodiments, the damping means may be made of a block of material having a certain elasticity and capable of absorbing a shock, for example an elastomer. Such a block may be arranged at the front end of the opening 8, at the end of travel of the connecting rod axis 7 when the post 3 is in the active position.

[0039] The force resulting from the impact of a vehicle on the post 3 can also result in a displacement of the device 1, and more particularly a lifting of the rear of the base 2. It is interesting to take advantage of this lifting, because the rear of the base 2 can then strike the underside of the vehicle, for example the wheels or the axle, and oppose the advance of the vehicle or even break parts of the vehicle, making its advance difficult or even impossible.

[0040] In order to maintain the lifting of the rear of the base 2 after an impact, the device 1 may comprise at least one stand 11. The stand 11 is connected to the base 2, and pivots relative to the base 2 between an active position and an inactive position. In the inactive position, the stand 11 is housed in the base or against it, at its lower surface 2b. In the active position, the stand 11 extends at least partially under the lower surface 2b of the base 2, so as to generate a support of the base 2 on the ground. When a vehicle impacts the post 3, the rear of the base 2 is raised, the stand 11 passes from the inactive position to the active position, and the device 1 then remains in a forward inclined position, supported at the front on its front end, and at the rear on a support end 12 of the stand 11.

[0041] In order to trigger the passage of the crutch 11 into the active position, the device 1 may comprise a return means tending to pivot the crutch towards its active position. This return means may for example be a torsion spring arranged on the axis of rotation of the crutch relative to the base 2. The device 1 may comprise a holding means having the effect of blocking the crutch in the inactive position, the holding means being configured to be deactivated by an impact on the post resulting in pushing it beyond its active position. Thus, in the event of an impact, the holding means is deactivated, and releases the movement of the stand 11 towards its active position under the effect of the return means.

[0042] As illustrated in fig. 4, the holding means may comprise a journal 13 fixed to a connecting rod 6. The journal 13 is then sliding in a through opening 14 of the stand 11. When the device 1 is in the active position, the journal 13 is at the end of its travel at the rear end of the through opening 14. When the device 1 is in the inactive position, the journal 13 is at the end of its travel at the front end of the through opening 14. In and between these two positions, the holding means is therefore active, and the stand is held in the inactive position. During an impact of a vehicle, the post 3 is pushed beyond its active position, which has the effect of causing the journal 13 to come out of the through opening 14 at its front end, and therefore of releasing the movement of the stand 11 towards its active position. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the journal 13 can be arranged in the extension of the connecting rod axis 7.

[0043] At its support end 12, the stand 11 preferably comprises an anti-slip means, in order to prevent or at least reduce the sliding of the stand 11 on the ground forwards when it is in the active position, and therefore to allow the device 1 to constitute an obstacle that is more difficult to overcome for a vehicle that has struck the post 3. As illustrated in fig. 4, the anti-slip means is for example produced by a pointed shape of the support end.

[0044] The base 2 preferably comprises longitudinal profiles 15 extending from the front to the rear, and for example connected at their ends by transverse profiles 16. In order to mechanically reinforce the stand 11, and thus increase its effectiveness in maintaining the base 2 in an inclined position, the stand 11 may comprise two parallel and symmetrical parts located on either side of a longitudinal profile 15 of the base and connected by at least one, preferably several, spacers 17. Each part is articulated to the base 2, and collaborates with the means for maintaining the stand 11 in the inactive position.

[0045] To reinforce the position of the base 2 after a vehicle impacts the post, and reduce or even prevent the base 2 from sliding forward, the device may comprise at least one, preferably several claws 18 fixed to the front of the base 2, oriented downwards when the front of the base 2 is lifted.

[0046] Preferably, the device comprises detection means and geolocation means. The detection means are responsible for monitoring the status of the post, i.e. whether it is in the active or inactive position. This detection can be carried out in several ways, including by radio transmission. For example, sensors positioned in the base (2) can communicate with a central control unit, for example via radio signals, to provide information on the status of the position of the post.

[0047] Geolocation means can be of any suitable type, for example a GPS beacon, and can track the device's position on a virtual map. This means that each device put into circulation can be equipped with location technology, such as GPS, which communicates its exact position to a central database. This database stores the locations of all anti-ramming devices and can display them on a virtual map in real time.

[0048] Integrating geolocation into the system has multiple advantages. First, it allows operators to monitor the precise location of each barrier device, especially mobile ones. Second, it allows them to check the status of each post, i.e., whether it is active (operational) or inactive (at rest). This information can be visualized ergonomically thanks to color codes on the virtual map, where active barriers are highlighted separately from inactive barriers.

Claims

Claims [Claims 1] Anti-ram vehicle device (1), comprising: - a base (2), comprising an upper surface (2a); - at least one post (3) pivotally connected to said base (2), between an inactive position in which it is housed in the base (2) or against it and does not obstruct the passage of a vehicle on the upper surface (2a), and an active position in which it projects relative to the upper surface (2a) and obstructs the passage of a vehicle; - for each post (3), at least one connecting rod (6), a first end of which is articulated to the post (3), and a second end of which comprises a connecting rod pin (7) slidably mounted in an opening (8) of the base (2), and a means for locking the connecting rod (6) when the post (3) is in the active position; characterized in that the device (1) comprises a damping means (10) configured so that in the event of an impact of a vehicle on the post (3) resulting in pushing it beyond its active position, at least part of the force resulting from said impact is absorbed by the damping means (10), said damping means (10) being arranged at the opening (8) of the base (2), at the end of travel of the connecting rod pin (7) when the post (3) is in the active position. [Claims 2] Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping means (10) comprises a narrowing of said opening (8). [Claims 3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one crutch (11) connected to the base (2), the crutch (11) being pivotally mounted relative to said base (2) between an inactive position in which it is housed in the base (2) or against it, and an active position in which it extends at least partially under a lower surface (2b) of the base (2), so as to maintain the base (2) in a raised and forwardly inclined position, the transition from the inactive position to the active position of the crutch (11) being triggered by an impact of a vehicle on the post (3) resulting in pushing it beyond its active position. [Claims 4] Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a return means tending to pivot the stand (11) from its inactive position to its active position, and in that it comprises a means of it maintains the crutch (11) in the inactive position, the holding means being configured to be deactivated by an impact on the post (3) resulting in pushing it beyond its active position. [Claims 5] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding means comprises a journal (13) fixed on one of the connecting rods (6), and mounted to slide in a through opening (14) of the stand (11). [Claims 6] Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one support end (12) of the stand (11) comprises an anti-slip means capable of preventing the stand (11) from sliding on the ground when it is in the active position. [Claims 7] Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the crutch (11) comprises two parallel and symmetrical parts, each part being articulated to the base (2) and collaborating with the means for holding the crutch in the inactive position, the two parts being arranged on either side of a profile (15) of the base (2) and connected to each other by at least one spacer (17). [Claims 8] Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one claw (18) fixed to the front of the base (2) and configured to prevent the device from sliding on the ground in the event of the rear part of the base (2) being lifted during an impact of a vehicle on the post. [Claims 9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for locking the connecting rod (6) in the active position comprises a lockable hatch (9) at least partially covering the post and the connecting rod (6) in the inactive position, the hatch (9) having a first side connected in an articulated manner to the base (2), and a second side intended to abut against the connecting rod (6) to keep it in the active position. [Claims 10] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting and communicating to a control unit the active or inactive position of the post (3) and means for geolocating the device.

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