Portable security system

Abstract

A portable security system comprises two security units, located on opposite sides of a roadway or other path for vehicles, each consisting of at least two hollow barrier devices filled with a ballast material such as water, sand, chunks of rubber or the like. Adjacent barrier devices in each security unit are interconnected side-by-side using first and second beams, which extend through respective fork lift openings formed in the center of the barrier devices. A gate spans the two security units, and is movable between an open position permitting the passage of vehicular traffic along the roadway and a closed position.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A portable security system, comprising: 
 a first security unit adapted to be located on one side of a roadway and a second barrier unit adapted to be located on an opposite side of the roadway, each of said first and second barrier units including: 
 (i) at least two barrier devices each including a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls collectively defining a hollow interior adapted to receive a ballast material; and  
 (ii) a connector which interconnects said at least two barrier devices;  
   a gate extending between said connector of said first barrier unit and said connector of said second barrier unit, said gate being movable between an open position in which passage between said first and second barrier units is permitted and a closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The portable security system of  claim 1  in which each of said barrier devices is formed with a pair of spaced openings which extend between said opposed side walls through said hollow interior, said spaced openings being adapted to receive the tines of a forklift truck.  
     
     
         3 . The portable security system of  claim 2  in which said at least two barrier devices of each of said first and second barrier units includes a first barrier device and a second barrier device, said connector of each of said first and second units includes a first beam insertable within one of said openings of said first barrier device and one of said openings of said second barrier device, and a second beam insertable within the other of said openings of said first barrier device and the other of said openings of said second barrier device.  
     
     
         4 . The portable security system of  claim 3  in which each of said first and second beams has a reduced diameter section at opposite ends, said reduced diameter sections protruding beyond said side wall of each of said first and second barrier devices when inserted within said openings thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The portable security system of  claim 4  further including an angle bracket mounted to said reduced diameter section of said first and second beams at each of said opposite ends thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The portable security system of  claim 3  further including a plate which spans and is mounted to each of said first and second beams.  
     
     
         7 . The portable gating apparatus of  claim 1  in which said gate comprises a gate arm which carries a cable having opposed ends, one end of said cable being attached to said connector of said first security unit and the other end of said at least one cable being releasably attached to said connector of said second security unit with said gate arm in the closed position.  
     
     
         8 . The portable gating apparatus of  claim 1  in which said gate is a cable having opposed ends, one end of said cable being attached to said connector of said first security unit and the other end of said cable being releasably attached to said connector of said second security unit when in the closed position.  
     
     
         9 . A portable security system, comprising: 
 a first security unit adapted to be located on one side of a roadway and a second barrier unit adapted to be located on an opposite side of the roadway, each of said first and second barrier units including: 
 (i) a first barrier device and a second barrier device each including a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls collectively defining a hollow interior which receive a ballast material, each of said first and second barrier devices being formed with a pair of spaced openings which extend between said opposed side walls through said hollow interior;  
 (ii) a first beam insertable within one of said openings of said first barrier device and one of said openings of said second barrier device, and a second beam insertable within the other of said openings of said first barrier device and the other of said openings of said second barrier device;  
   a gate extending between said connector of said first barrier unit and said connector of said second barrier unit, said gate being movable between an open position in which passage between said first and second barrier units is permitted and a closed position.    
     
     
         10 . The portable security system of  claim 9  in which each of said first and second beams has a reduced diameter section at opposite ends, said reduced diameter sections protruding beyond said side wall of each of said first and second barrier devices when inserted within said openings thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The portable security system of  claim 10  further including an angle bracket mounted to said reduced diameter section of said first and second beams at each of said opposite ends thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The portable security system of  claim 9  further including a plate which spans and is mounted to each of said first and second beams.  
     
     
         13 . The portable gating apparatus of  claim 9  in which said gate comprises a gate arm which carries a cable having opposed ends, one end of said cable being attached to said connector of said first security unit and the other end of said at least one cable being releasably attached to said connector of said second security unit with said gate arm in the closed position.  
     
     
         14 . The portable gating apparatus of  claim 9  in which said gate is a cable having opposed ends, one end of said cable being attached to said connector of said first security unit and the other end of said cable being releasably attached to said connector of said second security unit when in the closed position.