Method and device for the protection of systems and building at risk

Abstract

A method for the protection or defence of moving objects or persons, characterized in that in the case of endangerment, at least one sleeve-type element is inflated from a collapsed space-saving state by means of a gas which is introduced into said sleeve or by means of a gas generated medium to form a barrier. In this way, efficient and flexible protection of systems, buildings or the like can be protected with non-lethal means. As a result, the inventive method or device suitable for carrying out said method can be used in a multiplicity of ways such as to prevent access or influence groups of persons at large public events.

1 . through  53 . cancelled.  
     
     
         54 . A method for creating a barrier, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) erecting a support structure, said support structure comprising a plurality of support columns;    b) disposing an inflatable sleeve between a pair of mutually separated support columns erected in step a) or between one such support column and an additional stationary structure; and    c) introducing a gas or gas generating medium into said sleeve to form a blocking or visual screening element by transforming said sleeve from a collapsed, space-saving state into an erected, inflated state.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said inflated sleeve is structured for defence against or deflection of a moving object and a person.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein at least one of said plurality of support columns is created through extension of telescopic, mutually displaceable structure elements.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein inflation of said sleeve is initiated by a proximity sensor device triggered by said person or object.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said proximity sensor device detects said person or object without contact.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said proximity sensor device is triggered by contact.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said sleeve is inflated at a variable speed.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said sleeve is inflated at an adjustable speed.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein an inflation speed is adjusted in dependence on at least one property of said person or object.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said adjustable speed is determining in accordance with information from at least one contact-free detecting means.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said sleeve is inflated with a hardening substance.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein a self-sealing medium is introduced into said sleeve to seal holes in said sleeve.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said sleeve is inflated by a stationary structure.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said sleeve is inflated from said support structure.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said support structure is attached to a stationary structure prior to introduction of blocking and/or visual screening elements.  
     
     
         69 . A device for creating a barrier, the device comprising: 
 a support structure having a plurality of support columns; and    at least one sleeve, inflated from a collapsed, space-saving state by means of a gas or a gas-generating medium, said at least one sleeve disposed between and cooperating with a pair of mutually separated support columns and/or between a support column and an additional stationary structure to form a blocking or visual screening element.    
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said inflated sleeve is structured for defence against or deflection of a moving object or person.  
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said support structure is a solid support structure.  
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein said support structure is formed from individual, rigid structural elements.  
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 72 , wherein a plurality of said structure elements can move telescopically in mutual pairwise fashion to extend and retract.  
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said support structure is portable.  
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein said support structure comprises mounting means for rigid connection to a stationary structure.  
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein said mounting means comprise connecting means for connection to complementary means on said stationary structure.  
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein said mounting means comprise anchoring means for automatic anchoring in or on said stationary structure.  
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 70 , further comprising a proximity sensor device for initiating an inflation process of said sleeve.  
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein said proximity sensor device is designed for contact-free detection of said person or object.  
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein said proximity sensor device can be triggered by contact.  
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 77 , further comprising control means for controlling an inflation speed of said sleeve.  
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 81 , further comprising at least one detecting means for providing input signals to said control means.  
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein said detecting means is designed for detecting at least one property and/or position of said person or object.  
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein said detecting means is designed for contact-free detection of at least one property and/or position of said person or object.  
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 82 , wherein said control means comprise at least one charge generating gas and an associated ignition unit which can be triggered by said detecting means.  
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein said charge is formed from several parts.  
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein said charge parts can be ignited with time delay.  
     
     
         88 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein said charge parts are disposed in one single housing and have different ignition delay and/or different burning speeds.  
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein each charge part has its own associated ignition unit.  
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 89 , wherein said charge parts are disposed, spatially separated, in one single housing and each ignition unit is disposed in said housing in correspondence with a spatial arrangement of said respective charge part.  
     
     
         91 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein said charge parts consist essentially of a same charge but have different shapes, densities or particle distributions.  
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein said charge exclusively contains components which are non-toxic for persons.  
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein said charge contains organic compounds with a large amount of nitrogen and little carbon.  
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 93 , wherein said charge contains at least one of nitroguandine (NIGU) and guanidine azotetraazolate (GZT).  
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said sleeve is made from a flame-resistant material.  
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said sleeve is formed from a material which is resistant to mechanical damage.  
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein said sleeve has an effective coating, at least in a region of its outer surface facing said person or object.  
     
     
         98 . The device of  claim 97 , wherein at least parts of said effective coating have adhesive properties.  
     
     
         99 . The device of  claim 97 , wherein at least parts of said effective coating have thorn-like tips.  
     
     
         100 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said sleeve can be inflated with a hardening substance.  
     
     
         101 . The device of  claim 69 , further comprising a sealing means for introducing a self-sealing medium into said sleeve for sealing holes in said sleeve.  
     
     
         102 . The device of  claim 101 , further comprising a pressure-measuring means for measuring a pressure in said sleeve and for activating said sealing means.  
     
     
         103 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said support structure has discharge means for non-lethal, active substances.  
     
     
         104 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein said discharge means can be activated through signals of detecting means.  
     
     
         105 . The device of  claim 69 , further comprising a control means for manual or automatic selection of a priority for operation of the device.  
     
     
         106 . Use of the device of  claim 69 , for protecting stationary systems or buildings.  
     
     
         107 . Use of the device of  claim 107 , for protection against groups of persons, airplanes, or vehicles.  
     
     
         108 . Use of the device of  claim 69 , for protection of moving objects.  
     
     
         109 . Use of the device of  claim 108 , for protection against groups of people, airplanes or vehicles.  
     
     
         110 . Use of the device of  claim 69 , for the influencing groups of persons at large public events, at sports events, and at political demonstrations.  
     
     
         111 . Use of the device of  claim 69 , as a mine replacement.