Foldable Barrier Arms With Locking Spikes for Fast Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable barriers are cumbersome to deploy and require significant space for storage, and their installation into the ground is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A foldable portable barrier system with a base, pivotably coupled arms, and locking mechanisms that allow for rapid deployment and compact storage, featuring a design that includes trapezoidal side arms with upwardly extending spikes for vehicle impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barriers are embedded into the ground or attached to the roadway surface, then stability and protection effectiveness are improved, but deployment cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple segmentable arms (main barrier arm and side arms) that can be independently folded and stored. This segmentation allows the barrier to be quickly deployed and stored without requiring excavation or permanent attachment to the roadway surface, resolving the contradiction between stability and deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier employs pivotable arms with locking mechanisms that transition between stowed and deployed positions. The dynamic structure allows rapid deployment by simply pivoting the arms into position and engaging locks, eliminating the time-consuming excavation process while maintaining stability when deployed.
2Productivity
If portable barriers are designed for easy deployment, then deployment speed is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side arms are designed to nest over the main barrier arm when in the stowed position, creating a compact folded configuration. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces the storage volume required for the portable barrier while maintaining rapid deployment capability through simple pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier uses pivotable arms that can transition between extended deployed positions and folded stowed positions. This dynamic folding mechanism enables quick deployment without requiring large storage spaces, as the arms compact into a small footprint when not in use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple portable barriers are transported to desired locations, then protection coverage is improved, but vehicle requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system consists of modular components (main barrier arm and two side arms) that can be independently folded and stored. This modularity allows multiple barriers to be transported efficiently on standard vehicles without requiring specialized equipment, while still providing extensive protection coverage when deployed at multiple locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid deployment and compact storage, providing effective vehicle barrier protection with minimal space requirements and cost-effective installation.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier arm pivotably coupled to the base for pivoting between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
a first side arm pivotably coupled to the base for pivoting between a stowed position over the barrier arm when stowed and a deployed position
Implementation Method 3
a first locking member coupled to the barrier arm. The first locking member engages with the first side arm when the first side arm and the barrier arm are in the deployed positions for retaining the first side arm and the barrier arm in their deployed positions
Implementation Method 4
the end of each of the first and second side arms is ratcheted defining a series of upwardly extended spikes
Implementation Method 5
In yet a further example embodiment, when barrier arm, the first side arm and the second side arm are in the deployed positions, a distal end of the barrier arm and the ratcheted ends of the first and second side face in the same direction. In one example embodiment, the direction is a direction of expected impact
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable portable barrier includes a base, a barrier arm pivotably coupled to the base for pivoting between a stowed position relative to the base and a deployed position, a first side arm pivotably coupled to the base for pivoting between a stowed position over the barrier arm when stowed and a deployed position, and a second side arm pivotably coupled to the base for pivoting between a stowed position over the first arm when stowed and a deployed position.