Obstacle, method for its manufacture, container for obstacles, and method for protecting a target with a formation of obstacles

Abstract

An obstacle, a container for obstacles, a method for manufacturing an obstacle, and a method for protecting a target with obstacles are provided, wherein the obstacles are quick to deploy for protecting a target. The obstacle can be used as a barrier to passenger traffic or vehicles, such as armoured vehicles; it is designed to enable efficient storage and deployment of the obstacle, as well as to act as an efficient barrier. The obstacle consists of three elongated pieces, or legs, which are connected to each other by rotary joints. These elongated pieces are called the first, second and third elongated pieces. The first elongated piece comprises a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece, and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece.

Description

[0001] OBSTACLE, METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE, CONTAINER FOR OBSTACLES, AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A TARGET WITH A FORMATION OF OBSTACLES

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to an obstacle for blocking passenger traffic or vehicle traffic, such as the passage of armoured vehicles, a container for obstacles, a method for manufacturing an obstacle, and a method for protecting a target with obstacles. of the invention

[0004] Conventional obstacles for passenger traffic and vehicle traffic, such as Czech hedgehogs used as anti-tank obstacles, take a lot of space in storage. Moreover, the large size of the obstacles makes them difficult to handle manually, whereby a number of persons may be needed to handle a single obstacle, or the manual handling of a single obstacle is not possible.

[0005] Brief summarv of the invention

[0006] It is thus an aim of the invention to develop a solution to at least some of the above mentioned problems. The aim of the invention is achieved by an obstacle which is characterized by what will be presented in the independent claims.

[0007] In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0008] Figs. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d illustrate an example of an obstacle according to an embodiment in different positions;

[0009] Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate examples of obstacles according to some embodiments;

[0010] Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate examples of supporting structures for an obstacle according to some embodiments, for receiving a light emitting component; Fig. 4 illustrates an example of rotary joints and locking mechanisms of an obstacle according to an embodiment;

[0011] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of placement of obstacles according to an embodiment in a container;

[0012] Fig. 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing an obstacle according to an embodiment; and

[0013] Fig. 7 illustrates a method for protecting a target with a formation of obstacles according to an embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a locking mechanism of an obstacle according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figs. 9a and 9b illustrate examples of a locking mechanism of an obstacle according to an embodiment; and

[0016] Figs. 10a and 10b illustrate examples of a locking mechanism of an obstacle according to an embodiment.

[0017] Detailed description of the invention

[0018] An obstacle which can be used to block passenger traffic or vehicle traffic, such as the passage of armoured vehicles, is designed to enable the storage and deployment of the obstacle as efficiently as possible, and to be used as an effective barrier. The obstacle consists of three elongated pieces, or legs, which are connected to each other by rotary joints. These elongated pieces are called the first, second and third elongated pieces. The first elongated piece comprises a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece, and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece. This structural arrangement makes it possible for the second elongated piece to move in a first plane and for the third elongated piece to move in a second place, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other. In this way, the obstacle can be deployed rapidly to protect a target. Thanks to the perpendicular planes, the elongated pieces can have different paths of movement, whereby the elongated pieces can be diverged from each other and arranged in a use position. On the other hand, the rotary joints make it possible to move the elongated pieces into different positions and back and forth between the positions. In this way, the elongated pieces of the obstacle can be arranged in desired positions for transportation, storage, and use. In the use position, the obstacle can be deployed for protecting a target, such as an area or buildings, whereby passage of vehicles and / or persons to the protected target can be blocked. In its use position, the obstacle can be arranged to stand on a surface, such as a floor or the ground. For efficient protection of the target, several obstacles can be arranged in a formation. The formation covers a larger area than a single obstacle for blocking passage to the target. In the formation of obstacles, the obstacles can be spaced from each other by a distance sufficient to block passage between the obstacles to the target. In the use position, the obstacle is supported by the tips of the elongated pieces, i.e. legs, to the ground.

[0019] In the transport position, or storage position, the space taken by the obstacle is significantly smaller than in the use position. In the transport position, the legs are parallel to each other, and the obstacle can be supported flat, i.e. by the longitudinal walls of the legs, on the ground.

[0020] The obstacle is designed to provide efficient protection for areas, and it can be used in a number of situations, such as in military areas or in other security uses. The obstacles may be part of a larger protection system, and they can be easily transported and assembled by using, for example, a container, such as a freight container, containing several obstacles in transport position. The obstacle can be locked in the use position by a locking mechanism or locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms may be operated by a manual tool, such as a cordless screw-driver, which facilitates rapid assembly and disassembly of the obstacle.

[0021] Figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1d illustrate an example of an obstacle according to an embodiment in different positions. The obstacle 100 comprises three elongated pieces or legs 102, 104, 106. The legs are fastened to each other by rotary joints so that the position of the legs with respect to each other can be changed by swivelling around the axis 108, 110 of each rotary joint. When the legs are swivelled with respect to each other, the legs can be arranged to be parallel in their longitudinal directions. On the other hand, by swivelling the legs, the legs can be arranged to cross each other in their longitudinal directions. The angle between the longitudinal directions of the legs may be, for example, a straight angle.

[0022] Fig. 1 a shows the obstacle 100 in a transport position which may also be called a storage position. In the transport position, the legs 102, 104, 106 are parallel with each other in their longitudinal directions. In the transport position, the obstacle is arranged in a small space, whereby a large number of obstacles can be stored or transported in an efficient way.

[0023] In an embodiment, the legs 102, 104, 106 of the obstacle are substantially parallel, equal in length, and the tips of the legs are aligned with each other in the transport position of the obstacle. In this way, several obstacles can be stacked in a container for storage and / or transport.

[0024] Preferably, a rotary joint 108 between the leg 102 and the leg 106 makes it possible for the legs 102, 106 to swivel with respect to each other in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the leg 104 and the leg 106 are swivelled with each other by a rotary joint 110. Thus, in the transport position of the obstacle, the legs form a shape whose a crosssection resembles the letter L in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, enabling the effective placement of several obstacles in the space available, for example in a container, for transport or storage. The shape resembling the letter L comprises a horizontal part and a vertical part which are connected to each other, forming an angle. On the other hand, in the use position of the obstacle, the obstacle constitutes a steady barrier in which the legs are supported to each other forming supporting points for the obstacle, whereby the obstacle can be oriented in at least three different directions from which passage to the protected target is to be blocked.

[0025] In an embodiment, the second leg 102 is swivelled in the first plane with respect to the first leg 106, and the third leg 104 is swivelled in the second plane with respect to the first leg 106, in the use position of the obstacle.

[0026] Figure 1 b shows the obstacle 100 in which the second leg 102 is diverted from the transport position by swivelling the leg around the axis 108 of the rotary joint. In this way, the longitudinal direction of the leg 102 has been diverged from the longitudinal direction of the first leg 106 connected to it by the rotary joint. The other legs have not been moved. The situation of Fig. 1 a can be achieved when the obstacle is being taken out of storage for use and its legs are being moved from the transport position to the use position.

[0027] Figure 1 c shows the obstacle 100 in which the movement of the second leg 102, illustrated in Fig. 1a, has been continued by swivelling the leg further to a greater angle with respect to the first leg 106, to which the leg to be moved is connected by a rotary joint. In this way, the position of the leg 102 with respect to the leg 106 has been brought to the use position of the obstacle. Further, the third leg 104 has started to be moved from the transport position by swivelling the leg around the axis 110 of the rotary joint. Thus, the longitudinal direction of the third leg 104 has been diverted from the longitudinal direction of the leg 106 connected to it by the rotary joint.

[0028] Figure 1 d shows an obstacle 100 in which the movement of the third leg 104 illustrated in Fig. 1 c has been continued by swivelling the leg further to a greater angle with respect to the first leg 106 to which the leg to be moved is connected by the rotary joint. Thus, the position of the leg 104 with respect to the leg 106 is also brought to the use position of the obstacle. The swivelling of the longitudinal directions of two legs with respect to the leg 106 connected to them by rotary joints is sufficient for bringing the obstacle rapidly from the transport position to the use position in which it can be efficiently used as a barrier when its legs are supported to the ground or another base.

[0029] In an embodiment, the second leg 102 comprises at least one wall which is perpendicular to said first plane, and said wall comprises one or more light sources. Thanks to the light sources, it is possible to detect the obstacle from different directions and to perceive a function relating to the number, colours, brightness, brightness variation, positions, and / or patterns of the light sources. A function of the light sources is also to improve the detectability of the obstacle in darkness, fog or reduced visibility.

[0030] In an embodiment, the third leg 106 comprises at least one wall which is perpendicular to said first plane, and said wall comprises one or more light sources. Thanks to the light sources, it is possible to detect the obstacle from different directions and to perceive a function relating to the number, colours, brightness, brightness variation, positions, and / or patterns of the light sources. A function of the light sources is also to improve the detectability of the obstacle in darkness, fog or reduced visibility.

[0031] It should be noted that the series of movements of the legs between the transport position and the use position, illustrated in Figs. 1a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d, can also be performed in the reverse order, that is, from the use position to the transport position, whereby the directions of rotation illustrated by the arrows in the figures are reverse.

[0032] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate examples of obstacles according to some embodiments. The obstacle is illustrated with reference to the objects presented in connection with Figs. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1d. The obstacles 200, 210, 220 are shown in the use position, whereby the legs of the obstacles are supported to a surface, such as the ground or a floor. In the use position, the legs of the obstacles constitute supporting points for triangular areas on the ground, illustrated by broken lines. Further, in addition to the tips of the triangle, the legs are supported to each other at a fourth point which is above the triangular area and which is formed by two crossing legs and a third leg supported on top of or below the cross formed by these. Thus, in the cross formed by the legs, each leg is supported to two other legs. For example, when the legs are made of an elongated metal profile, for example a rectangular metal profile, two adjacent sides of each leg are supported to different legs, and at different points in the longitudinal direction of the leg. In this way, the cross can be formed at a distance from the tips of the legs, for example at the approximate centres of the legs, whereby the legs constitute protrusions extending away from the obstacle, and supports to the ground. In the use position, the obstacle efficiently blocks passage to the target protected by the obstacle in its location. For example, in the use position, the obstacle can be oriented in a desired direction so that a side of the triangle formed by the legs is oriented in a direction from which passage to the protected target is to be blocked. The orientation of the obstacle can be performed by directing at least one of the sides of the triangle in a direction from which passage to the protected target is to be blocked. The orientation of each side can be achieved by means of the normal of the side of the triangle. For each side of the triangle, a normal is illustrated by a broken line equipped with an arrow. The normals indicate the direction away from the obstacle. For example, a force effective from the direction of side a to the legs 102 and 106 of the obstacle is supported to the leg 104 extending from the ground towards the fourth supporting point in the direction of the normal of the side a. In a corresponding way, a force effective from the direction of side b to the legs 102 and 104 of the obstacle is supported to the leg 106 extending from the ground towards the fourth supporting point in the direction of the normal of the side b. Correspondingly, a force effective from the direction of side c to the legs 106 and 104 of the obstacle is supported to the leg 102 extending from the ground towards the fourth supporting point in the direction of the normal of the side c.

[0033] Figure 2a shows an obstacle 200 arranged in the deployment position and having no light emitting components in the legs 102, 104, 106.

[0034] Figures 2b and 2c show obstacles 210, 220, in which the legs 102, 106 are provided with light sources 212, 214. The light sources may be, for example, components emitting visible light, such as LED components, LEDs and LED matrices. A LED matrix may consist of, for example, one or more LEDs arrayed in rows and columns in a plane. These planes may be, for example, substantially parallel with at least one of the elongated planes of the legs, and suitable for reproducing e.g. various patterns by single LEDs set to different brightness. Further, the leg 104 is provided with an energy source 216, for example a solar panel, a battery, and / or a connection to an external power source, such as a plug 218, which may be electrically connected to a power source. The power source may receive electric energy and supply it to the light sources 212, 214. Further, the power source may supply the energy source, such as a battery, with energy obtained from an external power source via a connection 218, and thereby recharge the battery.

[0035] The light sources 212, 214, the energy source 216, and the connection 218 are preferably arranged in the obstacle so that the legs 102, 106 shade the solar panel 216 arranged in the leg 104 as little as possible in a situation where the solar panel collects light from light emitted substantially above the horizon. In an example where the power source is a battery, it may be arranged within one or more of the legs 102, 104, 106 of the obstacle. Further, the connection to the external energy source 218 is preferably placed on such a side of the leg 104 which is free from the power source 216 and is free when the obstacle is placed in a transport position. Further, the light sources 212, 214 in the legs 102 and 106 are preferably arranged on such sides of the legs that face substantially upwards from the horizontal plane, to improve visibility, and whose surfaces are free from locking components and / or parts thereof. The light sources are arranged in the legs 102, 106 so that they are arranged inside the leg pointing substantially in a direction A and thereby illuminating in the direction A. The direction Amay be, for example, a direction, from which oncoming traffic is to be blocked by the obstacle. The light sources 212, 214 may comprise, for example, LED matrices which may be arranged to emit various patterns and / or different colours, for example to convey a message defined case by case. The energy source, such as a solar panel, may be arranged within the leg 104 so that its plane faces upward from the ground horizon, such as the plane ABC, to capture energy from e.g. solar light more efficiently. The legs 102, 104 and 106 may also comprise conductors for transfer of electricity between the light sources 212, 214 and the energy source 216, 218 power source. The conductors may be connected between the different legs, for example via the rotary joint between the legs.

[0036] The light sources 212, 214 may be placed on at least one of the sides of the profile of the leg 102, 104, for example so that an opening for a light source is made on the side of the profile where the light source is to be installed. The light source 212, 214 may be installed within the leg and supported to the inner wall of the leg, to cover the opening of the leg at least partly. When the light source is installed in the leg, the opening can be filled with a material 302 transparent to visible light for protecting the light source in the leg and for filling the opening so that the surface of the material forms a surface substantially flush with the edges of the opening. A similar implementation can be also be reproduced for the power source 216, such as a solar panel. The material for filling the opening may be, for example, cast resin, such as epoxy resin or polyurethane resin.

[0037] Although one example presented above was of the leg 102 comprising a light source 212, of the leg 106 comprising light sources 214, and of the leg 104 comprising a power source 216, such as a solar panel, it should be noted that in some uses, it may be preferable to provide some of the legs or each leg with one or more light sources, one or more energy sources, such as a solar panel, a battery, and / or one or more connections to an external energy source.

[0038] In an embodiment, the obstacle comprises means, such as a push button 219, for switching on one or more light sources. For example, the push button can be placed on such a side of the leg 104 that is free from the power source 216 and is free when the obstacle is arranged in the transport position. Thus, the push button can be used irrespective of the position of the obstacle. In an embodiment, the operation of the push button, i.e. touching of the push button by a user, makes the power source 216 supply electric current to one or more light sources 212, 214 connected to it, whereby said one or more light sources 212, 214 will emit light. In this way, the obstacle can be illuminated to redirect and / or block passage. For example, the obstacle may comprise a processor and a memory functionally connected to the power source and the push button, and a program code to be run by a processor is stored in the memory, whereby after the processor has received information indicating that the push button 219 connected to the processor has been operated, the processor can control the power source to supply electric current to said one or more light sources. Together with the power source, the processor and the memory can be arranged in the leg 104.

[0039] In an embodiment, the operation of the push button 219 of the obstacle, i.e. touching of the push button by the user, makes the power source 216 supply electric current to one or more light sources 212, 214 connected to it, and one or more light sources are controlled to form an illumination pattern indicating the charge level of the battery of the obstacle. For example, the obstacle may comprise a processor functionally connected to the power source and the push button, and a memory, and a program code to be run by the processor is stored in the memory, whereby after the processor has received information indicating that the push button 219 connected to the processor has been operated, the processor can measure the charge level of the battery and determine, on the basis of the measurement result of the charge level of the battery, the illumination pattern to be used for one or more light sources, and control the power source to supply electric current to said one or more light sources to produce the defined illumination pattern. Together with the power source, the processor and the memory can be arranged in the leg 104. In an example, the charge level of the battery may be 100% or full, wherein the processor may control the power source to supply electric current to said one or more light sources so that the light sources are fully illuminated. If the light source is a LED matrix, all the light diodes are illuminated. In an example, the charge level of the battery may be 0% or empty, wherein the processor may control the power source to supply electric current to said one or more light sources so that the light sources are not illuminated or the light sources are blinking. In an example, the charge level of the battery is not full, wherein the light sources are partly illuminated. If the light source is a LED matrix extending in the length direction of the leg, the LED matrix can be illuminated in its length corresponding to the charge level of the battery, that is, only partly.

[0040] In an embodiment, the illuminating pattern indicating the charge level of the battery in the obstacle is changed or the light sources are turned off after a predetermined time, for example 5 s or 10 s, from the operation of the push button. Thus, the push button 219 can be operated to check the charge level of the battery before one or more light sources of the obstacle are controlled to form another illumination pattern. The illumination pattern can be defined by software as desired.

[0041] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate an example of a supporting structure 300 for an obstacle according to an embodiment, for receiving a light source and / or an energy source. Figure 3a shows a cross-section of the leg 102 in a longitudinal direction, wherein the profile of the structure is visible. The structure 300 is provided with a protective panel 302 for a light source 212, transparent to light, and a conductor 304. Figure 3b shows the structure 300 in a cross-section in the width direction of the leg 102. In an embodiment, at least one supporting structure 300 is arranged within the leg 102 or the leg 106, or both, of the obstacle, and is arranged to receive a light source 212 or several light sources 214. The leg 106 can be equipped with several light sources 214 to maximize the illuminating power in the leg which is partly covered by another leg in the illuminating direction and / or comprises a rotary joint. The light source of the leg 102 may also extend over the rotary joint of the leg when the light emitting component is arranged on a different side of the leg from the rotary joint.

[0042] In an example, the supporting structure 300 may be an elongated structure adapted to the dimensions of the cross-section of the leg. The length dimension of the supporting structure may be selected to be suitable, for example, on the basis of some of the following: length dimension of the light sources; length dimension of the energy source, or size of the light source, size of the energy source; or length dimension of the leg.

[0043] Figure 4 illustrates an example of rotary joints and locking mechanisms in an obstacle according to an embodiment. The obstacle is illustrated with reference to the objects presented in connection with Figs. 1a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d. The obstacle 400 is shown from a direction in which the longitudinal direction of one leg 106 is perpendicular to the page. Figure 4 illustrates the rotary joints 402, 404 to the other legs 102, 104, and the locking mechanisms 412, 414 of the rotary joints, arranged within said leg. By means of the rotary joints 402, 404, the legs 102, 104 can be connected to the leg 106 so that the legs 102, 104 can be rotated in planes T1 and T2 which are perpendicular to each other. By means of the rotary joints, the legs are continuously connected to each other. Thus, in the storage position, the legs of the obstacle are always in their correct locations for bringing them to the use position. By means of the rotary joints, the obstacle is brought from the storage position to the use position without a separate step of engaging single detached legs to each other. The rotary joints thus make it possible to easily bring the obstacle from the storage position to the use position. Locking mechanisms 412, 414 are provided in connection with the rotary joints 402, 404. By the locking mechanisms, the legs 102, 104 can be locked to the leg 106 so that the obstacle can be locked in the use position. As a combined effect of the rotary joints and the locking mechanisms, a system is provided which makes it possible to bring the obstacle quickly and easily from the transport position to a stable use position. In an example, the rotary joint 204, 404 of the legs of the obstacle 400 is a shaft. The shaft can be provided by means of a metal bar which is connected to the walls of the legs facing each other and extends between them. The shaft enables the rotation of the legs with respect to each other, whereby the legs can be swivelled with respect to each other to positions corresponding to the transport position and the use position of the obstacle. The shafts of the obstacle can be arranged in directions perpendicular to each other, whereby the planes are also perpendicular, and the paths of movement of the elongated pieces can be arranged different from each other. For the shafts, boreholes may be made in the walls of the legs, whereby the shafts can be placed in and connected to the holes made by drilling, for connecting the legs to each other by the shafts.

[0044] In an example, a locking mechanism 412, 414 is provided in connection with each rotary joint 402, 404 of the legs of the obstacle 400. The locking mechanism can be implemented in each rotary joint by drilling a hole for the locking mechanism in the wall of a leg. The hole to be drilled for the locking mechanism is arranged in walls facing each other and provided with the rotary joint connecting the legs. For example, one of the legs 106 may be provided with boreholes for the locking mechanism in connection with each rotary joint by which the leg is connected to another leg 102, 104, whereby the position of the leg can be locked with respect to the other legs of the obstacle.

[0045] In an embodiment, locking mechanisms 412, 414 are provided in connection with the first rotary joint 108 and the second rotary joint 110 of the obstacle 400, for locking the elongated pieces in the use position of the obstacle.

[0046] In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 412 comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first leg 106, and a receiving element provided in the second leg 102. In an example, the locking element may be a bolt or a pin whose one end has a head to be driven by a manual tool, such as a cordless screwdriver. The head may be, for example, a Torx® head, a cross head, or a flat head. A sleeve with inner threads may be arranged in a hole extending through the leg 106 in the direction of the cross-section. The locking element may have outer threads matching with the inner threads of the sleeve. In this way, the locking element can be arranged in the sleeve and moved by rotating in the direction of the cross-section of the leg 106.

[0047] In an example, the locking mechanism 412 may comprise a locking element movable through the leg 106, and a receiving element provided for the locking element in the leg 102. For the locking mechanism, a hole for the locking element can be drilled through the leg 106, that is, from the outer surface of a wall of the leg to the outer surface of a wall on the opposite side, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the leg. The hole thus extends from the wall of the leg 106 on the side opposite to the leg 102, and further through the leg 106, whereby the outlet of the hole is in the wall of the leg 106 facing the leg 102. For the locking mechanism, a hole can be drilled in the wall of the leg 102 facing the leg 106. Thus, the hole drilled through the leg 106 and the hole drilled for the locking mechanism in the wall of the leg 102 are aligned when the legs are arranged in a position according to the use position of the obstacle. A sleeve with inner threads can be arranged in and fastened to the hole drilled in the leg 102. The locking element can be arranged in the sleeve. The locking element may be, for example, a bolt 413 with outer threads. In the transport position of the obstacle, preferably the whole locking element is inside the leg 106 so that it does not take space and thereby hamper the stacking of the legs. In the use position of the obstacle, the legs are locked with respect to each other by rotating the locking element inside the leg 106, whereby the locking element extends from the leg 106 to the leg 102, and the swivelling of the legs with respect to each other can be prevented.

[0048] In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 414 comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first elongated piece 106, and a receiving part provided in the third elongated piece 104. In an example, for locking the leg 106 to the leg 104, the above-presented principle for the locking mechanism of leg 102 can be followed. In an example, the locking mechanism 414 may comprise a locking element movable through the leg 106, and a receiving element provided for the locking element in the leg 104. For the locking mechanism, a hole for the locking element can be drilled through the leg 106, that is, from the outer surface of a wall of the leg to the outer surface of a wall on the opposite side, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the leg. The hole thus extends from the wall of the leg 106 on the side opposite to the leg 104, and further through the leg 106, whereby the outlet of the hole is in the wall of the leg 106 facing the leg 104. The hole for the locking mechanism in the leg 104 can be drilled in the wall of the leg 104 facing the leg 106. Thus, the hole drilled through the leg 106 and the hole drilled for the locking mechanism in the wall of the leg 104 are aligned when the legs are arranged in a position according to the use position of the obstacle. A sleeve with inner threads can be arranged in and fastened to the hole drilled in the leg 104. The locking element can be arranged in the sleeve. The locking element may be, for example, a bolt 415 with outer threads. In the transport position of the obstacle, preferably the whole locking element is inside the leg 106 so that it does not take space and thereby hamper the stacking of the legs. In the use position of the obstacle, the legs are locked with respect to each other by rotating the locking element inside the leg 106, whereby the locking element extends from the leg 106 to the leg 104, and the swivelling of the legs with respect to each other can be prevented.

[0049] Figure 5 illustrates an example of the placement of obstacles according to an embodiment in a container. The obstacles may be, for example, obstacles according to Figs. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d. In the container 500, the obstacles are placed in a packing formation in which the available volume of the container can be efficiently utilized for obstacles 501 . The obstacles are shown in transport positions, and the obstacles are distinguishable from each other by pattern fills. A total of 18 obstacles are shown. It should be noted that the presented packaging formation is one possible way of packaging a number of obstacles 501. Consequently, the number of obstacles contained in one container may be larger, for example 22, or smaller, for example 16. The legs of a single obstacle are equal in length and parallel in the transport position. Thus, the obstacles in the transport position can be packed in a packaging formation so that the obstacles are lined up side by side and overlapped. As a result, the obstacles can be packed and transported in a modular and efficient way. The obstacles can be packed in a container so that the obstacles can be transported and / or stored in the container. Such a container may be a freight container designed for cargo handling, to be transported by a vehicle and stored, such as a maritime container or another covered or uncovered container having a volume for freight transportation. The width and the length of the obstacles is adjusted to the height and the width of the container so that the packaging formation is tight and safe. Preferably, the length of the single legs of the obstacles and thereby the total length of the obstacle in the transport position is adjusted to the depth of the container, whereby the volume of the container can be efficiently utilized for the obstacles. The packed obstacles can be easily unpacked by removing entire obstacles from the packaging formation. Unpacked obstacles are ready to be assembled as well as to be placed and locked in the use position.

[0050] Figure 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing an obstacle according to an embodiment.

[0051] The method comprises the following steps: a. 602 machining an elongated piece to form a first elongated piece, a second elongated piece and a third elongated piece; b. 604 connecting the first elongated piece, the second elongated piece and the third elongated piece to each other by rotary joints, wherein the first elongated piece comprises a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece, wherein the second elongated piece is movable in a first plane and the third elongated piece is movable in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other.

[0052] For example, the elongated piece, i.e. leg, to be machined in step 602 may be an elongated metal profile. The profile may be, for example, rectangular or square. The elongated piece to be machined may have a length dimension of, for example, 6000 mm, whereby six legs of equal length can be made of one elongated piece to be machined, wherein these can be used further to make a total of two obstacles by making each obstacle of three legs by connecting these to each other by rotary joints. Thus, the length of one leg will be about 1200 mm. Considering the material loss caused by the machining of an elongated piece with a length of 6000 mm, by machining with a cutting edge of e.g. 2 mm, the length of one leg becomes slightly less than 1200 mm, for example 1198 mm. In this way, the whole metal profile of 6000 mm can be utilized, resulting in two obstacles.

[0053] In an embodiment of the method, step 604 comprises providing rotary joints in the wall of the first elongated piece so that the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other.

[0054] In an embodiment of the method, step 604 comprises providing locking mechanisms in connection with the first rotary joint and the second rotary joint, for locking the first, second and third elongated pieces in the use position of the obstacle.

[0055] In an embodiment of the method, step 602 comprises at least one of the following: a. providing one or more light sources in at least one wall of the second elongated piece, the wall being perpendicular to said first plane; or b. providing one or more light sources in at least one wall of the third elongated piece, the wall being perpendicular to said second plane. In an embodiment of the method, in connection with step 602 or 604, or in a separate step, at least one supporting structure is formed in the second elongated piece or the third elongated piece or both, wherein said at least one supporting structure is adapted to receive a light source in said elongated piece.

[0056] Fig. 7 illustrates a method for protecting a target with a formation of obstacles according to an embodiment. The method comprises:

[0057] • 702 providing a container containing several obstacles in a transport position;

[0058] • 704 unpacking one or more obstacles from the container to a number of locations in a formation;

[0059] • 706 in the locations, swivelling the elongated pieces of each obstacle with respect to each other from the transport position to the use position; and

[0060] • 708 locking each obstacle in its use position in the location of the formation.

[0061] According to an example, in step 702, a container, such as a freight container, is loaded with obstacles in transport position as shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] According to an example, in step 704, the container is unloaded manually. On the other hand, the container can be emptied via an opening in the container, for example by tilting the container with a tilting mechanism functionally connected to the container. The tilting mechanism may be a hydraulic or pneumatic system for tilting the container, whereby the obstacles are removed from the container.

[0063] According to an example, in step 706, obstacles can be swivelled as shown in Figures 1 a to 1 d.

[0064] According to an embodiment, in method step 708, each obstacle is locked in the use position by driving the locking mechanisms of the elongated pieces with a manual tool, such as a cordless screwdriver.

[0065] Figures 8, 9a, 9b, 10a, and 10b show an embodiment of a locking mechanism 800 according to an example. The locking mechanism can be implemented, for example, in a cylinder shell 820 arranged in a leg 102, 106, whereby the locking mechanism can be installed as a unit in the leg, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the obstacle. Thus, the leg can be provided with a hole for inserting the locking mechanism in the leg, and the locking mechanism can thus be installed in the leg. Figure 8 shows an example of the locking mechanism 800. Figures 9a and 9b show an example of a situation in which the legs 102 and 106 are turned with respect to each other between the transport position and the use position, whereby the locking mechanism is not in the locked position. The presented embodiment facilitates the arrangement of the obstacle from the transport position to the use position and, correspondingly, from the use position to the transport position. Figures 10a and 10b show an example of a situation in which the legs 102 and 106 are locked in the use position, whereby the locking mechanism is in the locked position. The locking mechanism 800 comprises a locking element 802, a shaft 804, a rocker component 806, a rocker shaft 812, connection points 808, 810, a push button 814 for the shaft, a spring 816, and a through hole 818 for the locking element of the leg 102. The through hole 818 can be arranged in such a wall of the leg 102 that faces a wall of the leg 106 in the obstacle. Further, the locking mechanism comprises a first mating component 902 for the locking element of the leg 106, a second mating component 902 for the locking element of the leg 106, and a guide groove 904 for the locking element. The locking mechanism makes it possible to lock the obstacle in either the use position or the transport position at a time, and to unlock it for moving the legs by swivelling them with respect to each other. Unlocking is based on the locking mechanism in which, by pressing the push button 814, the shaft 804 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg 102, whereby the rocker component 806 mounted on the rocker shaft 812 will move in a direction opposite to said direction. Thus, the position of the locking element 802 in the leg 102 is moved so that the segment inside the leg 102 is increased with respect to the segment extending outside the leg 102 via the through hole 818. Upon releasing the push button 814, the spring 816 will return the locking mechanism to the locked position. In the locked position, the locking element 802 extends from the inside of the leg 102 via the through hole 818 to a receiving part, such as recess or a hole 902, in the leg 106. Upon unlocking by means of the push button 814, the locking element 802 rises from the recess / hole so that when the legs 102 and 106 are swivelled with respect to each other, the locking element can move into the guide groove 904. The leg 106 may be provided with two receiving parts, whereby the first receiving part is aligned with the locking element 802 when the leg 102 and the leg 106 are in the transport position with respect to each other, and the second receiving part is aligned with the locking element 802 when the leg 102 and the leg 106 are in the use position with respect to each other. The leg 106 may also comprise a guide groove 904 which is a curved groove between the receiving parts 902 of the leg 106. The groove has a smaller depth than the receiving parts 902, and it guides the rotation of the legs 102, 106 with respect to each other when the obstacle is arranged from the transport position to the use position or from the use position to the transport position, by allowing the swivelling of the legs from the locked position in one direction only. In other words, the legs 102 and 106 can only be swivelled from the transport position in a direction which enables pivoting the smallest possible angle to achieve the use position. Correspondingly, the legs 102 and 106 can only be swivelled from the use position in direction which enables pivoting the smallest possible angle to achieve the transport position. The guide groove 904 makes it possible that when the locking is released, the locking element 802 may extend partly outside the leg 102, enabling the swivelling of the legs 102 and 104 with respect to each other in the range defined by the guide groove.

[0066] It should be noticed that even though the preceding example shows the position of the legs 102 and 106, the legs 104 and 106 can be arranged, alternatively or in addition, in a corresponding position as well. Further, the locking mechanism shown between the legs 102 and 106 can be alternatively implemented so that the locking mechanism 800 is placed in the leg 106 and the receiving part is arranged in the leg 102.

[0067] In an embodiment, the obstacle 100 comprises three elongated pieces 106, 102, 104 which are connected to each other by rotary joints, wherein the rotary joints are adjusted for swivelling the three elongated pieces to cross each other in their longitudinal directions, and the three elongated pieces comprise a first elongated piece, which comprises a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece 102 and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece 104, wherein the first rotary joint comprises a first shaft 108 connected to extend between the walls of the first elongated piece and the second elongated piece 102, and wherein the second rotary joint comprises a second shaft 110 connected to extend between the walls of the first elongated piece 106 and the third elongated piece 104, wherein the second elongated piece is movable in a first plane and the third elongated piece is movable in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other for bringing the first elongated piece and the second elongated piece 102 and the third elongated piece 104 crosswise to each other when the first elongated piece 106, the second elongated piece and the third elongated piece are swivelled with respect to each other by means of the rotary joints. In an embodiment, the obstacle 100 comprises three elongated pieces which are connected to each other in the middle and are crosswise to each other to make up a firm structure when the obstacle is standing on a surface.

[0068] The manufacture of obstacles may comprise several steps, for example material working steps, steps of fastening pieces, and steps of forming structures. The material of the obstacle may be metal, such as stainless steel, whose properties, such as strength and weatherproofness, can be selected according to the use. The working of a single obstacle may be started by cutting material, such as a metal pipe, into three elongated pieces, or legs. The legs formed may be fastened to each other by rotary joints so that two legs are fastened to a third leg to be movable in different planes which are perpendicular to each other. The rotary joints can be arranged in the wall of the third leg for fastening the other legs in such a way that the planes become perpendicular. The rotary joints can be implemented, for example, by shafts, whereby the shafts can be arranged in directions perpendicular to each other, whereby the planes are also perpendicular and the paths of movement of the legs can be made different from each other. For the shafts, boreholes and shaft connections can be provided in the legs. The locking mechanism can be implemented in connection with each rotary joint by drilling a hole for the locking mechanism through the leg. The hole drilled for the locking mechanism may be equipped with a threaded sleeve, wherein a bolt is driven through the sleeve. Thus, in the other leg connected to the leg by the shaft, a receiving hole can be drilled on the same side where the shaft connection is arranged. The position of the receiving hole can be selected so that the bolt to be driven through the locking mechanism is driven in the receiving hole when the legs are in a desired position, such as the use position. The locking mechanisms of all the three elongated pieces, or legs, can be implemented as described above. Light sources can be arranged in the obstacles by removing material from the walls of the legs. The light sources can be arranged in the leg by, for example, cutting an opening or openings along a desired length in the outer surface of the wall of the leg. The openings may extend in the longitudinal direction of the leg, transversely or crosswise with respect to the longitudinal direction or, for example, both in the longitudinal direction and in a crosswise direction of the leg. Thus, visible light produced by the light source passes through the opening and is visible when the obstacle is seen from the outside. One or more supporting structures may be arranged in one or more legs of the obstacle. The supporting structure may be adapted to receive a light source in the leg and to support the light source to the opening in the leg so that the light source will emit light the from the inside of the leg through the opening. The supporting structure may comprise, for example, guide rails, on which the light source can be arranged in a desired location inside the leg. The supporting structure may be formed of e.g. a piece of sheet metal whose longitudinal edges are bent towards each other. A central section of the piece of sheet metal is left between these bent elongated edges and may be used as a bottom on which the light source is placed. The supporting structure may comprise an element to which the light source and / or energy source can be supported, wherein the light source and / or energy source can be placed in a desired location inside the leg. The supporting structure may be formed of e.g. a piece of sheet metal whose longitudinal edges are bent towards each other. A central section of the piece of sheet metal is left between these bent elongated edges and may be used as a bottom on which the light source and / or energy source is placed. The placement of the supporting structure within the leg, for example the alignment of the edges bent towards each other with the wall, can be done so that the light source and / or energy source placed in the supporting structure will be oriented away from the obstacle when the obstacle is in the use position.

[0069] In some cases, features presented in this application can be used as such, irrespective of other features. On the other hand, features presented in this application can be combined, where necessary, to make different combinations. Even if some steps or the device have been presented as a whole, they may be divided in parts whereby some steps or parts of the device may be omitted or their order may be changed.

[0070] It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that technological advances will entail a variety of implementations of the basic idea of the invention. Thus, the inventions and the embodiments are not limited by the examples described above, but they can be varied within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims1 . An obstacle comprising three elongated pieces which are connected to each other by rotary joints, wherein the three elongated pieces comprise a first elongated piece comprising a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece, wherein the second elongated piece is movable in a first plane and the third elongated piece is movable in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other.

2. The obstacle according to claim 1 , wherein locking mechanisms are provided in connection with the first rotary joint and the second rotary joint, for locking the elongated pieces in the use position of the obstacle.

3. The obstacle according to claim 2, wherein in the use position, the second elongated piece is swivelled in a first plane with respect to the first elongated piece, and the third elongated piece is swivelled in a second plane with respect to the first elongated piece.

4. The obstacle according to any of the claims 2, 3 or 4, comprising at least one of the following:• the first locking mechanism comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first elongated piece, and a receiving element arranged in the second elongated piece; or• the second locking mechanism comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first elongated piece, and a receiving element arranged in the third elongated piece.

5. The obstacle according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one of the following: the first elongated piece comprises at least one wall which is perpendicular to said first plane, and said wall comprises one or more energy sources; orthe second elongated piece comprises at least one wall which is perpendicular to said first plane, and said wall comprises one or more light sources; or• the third elongated piece comprises at least one wall which is perpendicular to said second plane, and said wall comprises one or more light sources.

6. The obstacle according to claim 5, wherein in the use position of the obstacle, the wall of the second elongated piece, comprising one or more light sources, and the wall of the third elongated piece, comprising one or more light sources, orient the light sources in parallel to each other, away from the obstacle.

7. The obstacle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first elongated piece comprises at least one connection to an external energy source, the connection being arranged on the free side of the first elongated piece.

8. The obstacle according to claim 5, 6 or 7, comprising means, such as a push button, for turning on one or more light sources.

9. The obstacle according to claim 8, wherein an operation of the push button controls one or more light sources to form an illumination pattern indicating the charge level of the battery of the obstacle.

10. The obstacle according to claim 9, wherein the illumination pattern indicating the charge level of the battery is changed, or the light sources are turned off, after a predetermined time from the operation of the push button.

11. The obstacle according to any of the preceding claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein at least one supporting structure is arranged inside the second elongated piece or the third elongated piece, or both, adapted to receive a light source inside said elongated piece, and arranged to direct the light emitted by the light source to the wall of the elongated piece, away from the obstacle.

12. The obstacle according to any of the preceding claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 , wherein at least one supporting structure is arranged inside the first elongated piece, adapted to receive an energy source inside said elongated piece and to orient the energy source away from the obstacle.

13. The obstacle according to claim 12, wherein a bottom part is provided in the profile of said at least one supporting structure, oriented in the profile of the elongated piece of the obstacle in a direction on the opposite side of the wall, away from the obstacle.

14. The obstacle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the transport position of the obstacle, the elongated pieces are substantially parallel, equal in length, and the heads of the elongated pieces are flush with each other.

15. The obstacle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the obstacle comprises at least one locking mechanism for locking the elongated pieces in the use position of the obstacle, and wherein the obstacle comprises at least one of the following:• the first locking mechanism comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first elongated piece, and a receiving element arranged in the second elongated piece; or• the second locking mechanism comprises a locking element movable in the direction of the cross-section of the first elongated piece, and a receiving element arranged in the third elongated piece.

16. The obstacle according to claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a push button functionally connected to the locking element, facilitating the movement of the locking element in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg.

17. The obstacle according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a guide groove for the locking element, to restrict the swivelling of the legs with respect to each other in a single direction from the transport position and the use position.

18. A method for manufacturing an obstacle, comprising:• working an elongated piece to form a first elongated piece, a second elongated piece and a third elongated piece; fastening the first elongated piece, the second elongated piece and the third elongated piece to each other by rotary joints, wherein the firstelongated piece comprises a first rotary joint to the second elongated piece and a second rotary joint to the third elongated piece, wherein the second elongated piece is movable in a first plane and the third elongated piece is movable in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other.

19. The method according to claim 18, comprising:• forming the rotary joints in the wall of the first elongated piece in such a way that the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising:• forming locking mechanisms in connection with the first rotary joint and the second rotary joint, for locking the elongated pieces in the use position of the obstacle.

21. The method according to claim 18, 19 or 20, comprising at least one of the following:• providing one or more light sources in at least one wall of the second elongated piece, the wall being perpendicular to said first plane; or• providing one or more light sources in at least one wall of the third elongated piece, the wall being perpendicular to said second plane.

22. A container comprising several obstacles according to any of the claims 1 to 17 in the transport position, in which transport position of the obstacle the first, second and third elongated pieces are substantially parallel, fitted in their length to the length dimension of the container, equal in length, and the tips of the elongated pieces are flush with each other.

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the elongated pieces of the obstacles are fitted to the height and width of the container.

24. A method for protecting a target with a formation of obstacles, the method comprising:• providing a container containing several obstacles according to any of the claims 1 to 17 in a transport position;• unloading one or more obstacles from the container to several locations in a formation; • swivelling the elongated pieces of each obstacle with respect to each other from the transport position to a use position in the locations;• locking each obstacle in its use position in the location in the formation.

25. The method according to claim 24, comprising: locking the obstacle in the use position by turning the locking mechanisms of the elongated pieces with a manual tool, such as a cordless screwdriver.

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