anti-ram vehicle device

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-ram vehicle barrier (1), comprising: - a base (2); - at least one post (3) pivotally connected to said base (2), between an inactive position in which it does not obstruct the passage of a vehicle, and an active position in which it obstructs the passage of a vehicle; - at least one connecting rod (6), the first end of which is articulated to the post (3), and the second end of which has a connecting rod axis (7) mounted to slide within an opening (8) in the base (2); The device (1) is particular in that it includes a damping means (10) configured so that, in the event of a vehicle impact, at least a portion of the force is absorbed by the damping means (10), said damping means (10) being located at the opening (8), at the end of the travel of the connecting rod axis (7). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

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. Previous art

[0002] Anti-ram vehicle devices comprising a retractable post in a base are known in the prior art. 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 designed to prevent potentially heavy vehicles, such as trucks, from passing through, and 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 strikes the post, so as to penetrate the tires or chassis of the vehicle, and thus stop it.

[0004] However, existing devices have limited effectiveness, and when a heavy vehicle approaches the device at high speed, with high kinetic energy, it still happens too often that the device breaks or is displaced, and therefore the vehicle is not stopped. There is thus a need to develop more effective devices for stopping vehicles. Description 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 enabling vehicles to be stopped more effectively.

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

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use anti-ram vehicle device, particularly when switching 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 protrudes from the upper surface and obstructs the passage of a vehicle; - for each post, at least one connecting rod, the first end of which is articulated to the post, and the second end has a connecting rod axis mounted to slide in an opening in the base, and a means of locking the connecting rod when the post is in the active position.

[0009] According to the invention, the device includes a damping means configured so that in the event of a vehicle impact on 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 disposed at the level of the opening of the base, at the end of the stroke of the connecting rod axis when the post is in the active position.

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

[0011] The damping means may include a narrowing of said opening, which is a robust and efficient means of implementing the invention, easy to implement and inexpensive.

[0012] The device according to the invention may further comprise at least one support leg connected to the base, the support leg being pivotally mounted relative to said base between an inactive position in which it is housed within or against the base, and an active position in which it extends at least partially under a lower surface of the base, so as to maintain the base in a raised and forward-inclined position. The transition from the inactive to the active position of the support leg is triggered by a vehicle impacting the post, resulting in it being pushed beyond its active position. Thus, after an impact, the support leg can maintain the base in a forward-inclined position, with the rear of the base raised at the level of the vehicle's wheels or axle, effectively blocking its forward movement.

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

[0014] The retaining means may include a trunnion fixed on one of the connecting rods, and mounted to slide in a through opening of the support, which allows effective retention when the device is in active and inactive position, and during the transition from one to the other of these positions.

[0015] At least one support end of the stand may include an anti-slip means suitable for 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 to the advance of the vehicle.

[0016] The support leg may comprise two parallel and symmetrical parts, each part being articulated at the base and collaborating with the means of holding the support leg 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 support leg thus being mechanically reinforced without significant use of material, which allows its role of holding the base in an inclined position to be fulfilled more effectively.

[0017] The device according to the invention may include at least one claw fixed to the front of the base and configured to oppose the device sliding on the ground in the event of the rear part of the base being lifted during a collision of a vehicle with 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 include a lockable hatch covering at least partially 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 butt against the connecting rod to hold it in the active position, which is a simple and robust embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Preferably, the device includes means for detecting and communicating to a control unit the active or inactive position of the pole and means for geolocating the device, so as to be able to geolocate on a virtual map the position of the devices, especially those that 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 active position.

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

[0022] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of certain elements of the device the [Fig.l],

[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 in 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 positioned in a vehicle traffic lane in at least two positions. In an inactive position, the post 3 is housed in or against the base 2, with the free end of the post 3 facing the rear of the device 1. The device 1 thus presents a surface over which vehicles can pass without obstruction. In an active position, the post 3 rises above the base, preferably vertically, and obstructs the passage of a vehicle over the device 1.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction of vehicle traffic on the device 1 when it is in the passive position, from rear to front. When the device 1 is in the active position, vehicles therefore approach 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 positioned substantially horizontally, or at an inclination equal to the inclination of the traffic lane on which the device is placed. 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 can be placed on a vehicle traffic lane. In this case, the device 1 preferably includes inclined planes 4, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, allowing a vehicle to access the base 2 without having to go over a step. Such an embodiment is preferable for a device 1 whose presence on the lane is temporary.

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

[0031] The device 1 may include one or more warning means 5, such as retractable panels, which may be arranged where appropriate at 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 it forms on the traffic lane.

[0032] At each of its posts 3, the device 1 comprises at least one connecting rod 6, one end of which is articulated to the post, preferably by a pivot joint, and the other end of which is articulated to the base 2. At its second end, the connecting rod 6 has a connecting rod pin 7 mounted to slide in an opening 8 in 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 post 3, which has the effect of sliding the connecting rod axis 7 in the opening 8 towards post 3.

[0033] The device 1 further includes a locking means for 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, whose position is locked, supports the post 3 and prevents it from pivoting backward relative to the base under its own weight, and thus returning to the passive position. The connecting rod 6 also prevents the post 3 from pivoting forward, either under its own weight or due to the force of a vehicle striking the post 3.

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

[0035] In the event of a rear-end collision of a vehicle with post 3, resulting in the post 3 being pushed forward beyond its active position, a very significant force is applied to device 1. This force can damage or even break certain parts of the device, ultimately allowing the vehicle to continue moving beyond the device. To mitigate this risk, device 1 according to the invention includes a damping means 10, capable of absorbing at least a portion of this force.

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

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

[0038] In other embodiments, the damping means may be a block of material having a certain elasticity and capable of absorbing a shock, for example an elastomer. Such a block may be disposed at the front end of the opening 8, at the end of the stroke 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 advantageous 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 rear of the base 2 in a raised position after an impact, the device 1 may include at least one support leg 11. The support leg 11 is connected to the base 2 and pivots relative to the base 2 between an active and an inactive position. In the inactive position, the support leg 11 is housed in or against the base, at the level of its lower surface 2b. In the active position, the support leg 11 extends at least partially under the lower surface 2b of the base 2, so as to generate support for the base 2 on the ground. When a vehicle strikes the post 3, the rear of the base 2 is raised, the support leg 11 moves from the inactive to the active position, and the device 1 then remains in a forward-leaning position, supported at the front by its front end and at the rear by a support end 12 of the support leg 11.

[0041] To trigger the movement of the support leg 11 into the active position, the device 1 may include a return means tending to rotate the support leg towards its active position. This return means may, for example, be a torsion spring disposed on the axis of rotation of the support leg relative to the base 2. The device 1 may include a retaining means having the effect of locking the support leg in the inactive position, the retaining 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 retaining means is deactivated, and releases the movement of the support leg 11 towards its active position under the effect of the return means.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the retaining means may include a trunnion 13 fixed to a connecting rod 6. The trunnion 13 then slides within a through opening 14 in the support leg 11. When the device 1 is in the active position, the trunnion 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 trunnion 13 is at the end of its travel at the front end of the through opening 14. In and between these two positions, the retaining means is therefore active, and the support leg is held in the inactive position. During a vehicle impact, the post 3 is pushed beyond its active position, which has the effect of dislodging the trunnion 13 from the through opening 14 at its front end, and thus releasing the movement of the support leg 11 towards its active position.As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the journal 13 can be positioned in line with the connecting rod axis 7.

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

[0044] The base 2 preferably comprises longitudinal profiles 15 extending from front to rear, and for example connected at their ends by transverse profiles 16. In order to mechanically reinforce the support 11, and thus increase its effectiveness in maintaining the base 2 in an inclined position, the support 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 of maintaining the support 11 in an inactive position.

[0045] To reinforce the position of the base 2 after a vehicle impact on the post, and to reduce or even prevent the base 2 from sliding forward, the device may include 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 includes detection means and geolocation means. The detection means are responsible for monitoring the state of the pole, i.e., whether it is in an 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 pole's position.

[0047] Geolocation means of any suitable type, for example a GPS beacon, allow the device's position to be tracked 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-ram vehicle devices and can display them on a virtual map in real time.

[0048] Integrating geolocation into the system offers 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 displayed ergonomically thanks to color codes on the virtual map, where active barriers are highlighted in a way that is distinct from inactive barriers.

Claims

Demands

1. Anti-ram vehicle device (1), comprising: - a base (2), having 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 or against the base (2) and does not obstruct the passage of a vehicle over the upper surface (2a), and an active position in which it protrudes from 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 has a connecting rod pin (7) mounted to slide in an opening (8) in 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 a vehicle impact on the post (3) 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 (10), said damping means (10) being disposed at the opening (8) of the base (2), at the end of the stroke of the connecting rod axis (7) when the post (3) is in the active position.;

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping means (10) comprises a narrowing of said opening (8).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one support leg (11) connected to the base (2), the support leg (11) being pivotally mounted relative to said base (2) between an inactive position in which it is housed in or against the base (2), 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 forward inclined position, the transition from the inactive to the active position of the support leg (11) being triggered by a vehicle impact on the post (3) resulting in it being pushed beyond its active position.

4. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a return means tending to rotate the support (11) from its inactive position to its active position, and in that it comprises a means for retaining the support (11) in the inactive position, the retaining means being configured to be deactivated by a shock on the post (3) resulting in pushing it beyond its active position.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining means comprises a trunnion (13) fixed on one of the connecting rods (6), and mounted to slide in a through opening (14) of the support (11).

6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one support end (12) of the crutch (11) has an anti-slip means capable of preventing the crutch (11) from sliding on the ground when it is in the active position.

7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the kickstand (11) comprises two parallel and symmetrical parts, each part being articulated to the base (2) and collaborating with the means for holding the kickstand 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).

8. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one claw (18) fixed to the front of the base (2) and configured to oppose a slippage of the device on the ground in the event of the rear part of the base (2) being lifted during a collision of a vehicle with the post.

9. Device according to any 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) covering at least partially 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 butt against the connecting rod (6) to maintain it in the active position.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means for detecting and communicating to a control unit the active or inactive position of the post (3) and means for geolocating the device.

Images