Bollard and cable vehicle barrier

Abstract

A below-grade collapsible bollard and cable vehicle barrier system disposed in a vehicle pathway. The system comprises one or more bollard devices that include a vault located in the vehicle pathway, a rod rotatably mounted inside the vault, a bollard having a first end coupled to the rod, whereby rotation of the rod rotates the bollard to extend the second end thereof above the vehicle pathway. An actuator is secured within the vault for rotating the rod and thus raising the bollard. A cable is disposed perpendicular to the vehicle pathway with each end thereof affixed to anchors on either side of the pathway. The middle of the cable is affixed to the second end of the bollard. When the bollard is raised the cable is stretched across the pathway forming a barrier to traffic.

1 . A below-grade collapsible bollard and cable vehicle barrier system disposed in a vehicle pathway comprising: 
 a. a vault having a top, a bottom, two ends, an approach side and a shoulder side, said vault being located near the center of said vehicle pathway;    b. a rod rotatably mounted inside said vault, said rod extending perpendicular to the direction of traffic movement;    c. a bollard having a first end and a second end, said bollard being coupled to said rod substantially near said first end, whereby rotation of said rod rotates said bollard to extend the second end thereof above said vault in a vertical direction, hereafter raised position;    d. an actuator having a first end secured within said vault and a second end coupled to said rod through an arm, said actuator being disposed for rotating said rod; and,    e. a cable having each end thereof affixed to deadweight anchors on either side of said vehicle pathway, and said cable being disposed perpendicular to said vehicle pathway, said cable also being affixed near the second end of said bollard, whereby when said bollard is in said raised position said cable is stretched across said vehicle pathway and when said bollard is in a lowered position said cable is relaxed on said vehicle pathway.    
   
   
       2 . The system as in  claim 1  further comprising a sleeve disposed for removably receiving said bollard near said first end thereof, said sleeve being secured to said rod by means of at least one bracket welded to both said sleeve and said rod, said bollard being removably secured to said sleeve by means of a removable pin.  
   
   
       3 . The system as in  claim 1  further comprising at least two split bushings secured within said vault on either side of said bollard so as to rotatably mount said rod.  
   
   
       4 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein said actuator is driven by an electric motor driving a worm gear.  
   
   
       5 . The system as in  claim 4  wherein said actuator is flexibly secured to said arm by means of a pin through a clevis mounted to said arm.  
   
   
       6 . The system as in  claim 1  further comprising a stop anchored to the bottom of said vault for engaging the first end of said bollard when said bollard is in said raised position.  
   
   
       7 . An automatic self-contained below-grade collapsible bollard and cable traffic barrier system disposed in a vehicle pathway comprising: 
 a. a vault having a top, a bottom, two ends, an approach side and a shoulder side;    b. a rod rotatably mounted to support members inside said vault, said rod extending across said vault from end to end and perpendicular to traffic flow;    c. a bollard having a first end and a second end, said bollard being coupled to said rod substantially near said first end, whereby rotation of said rod rotates said bollard so as to extend the second end thereof above said vault in a vertical direction, hereafter raised position;    d. a sleeve for removably receiving said bollard near said first end thereof, said sleeve being secured to said rod by means of brackets welded to both said sleeve and said rod, said bollard being removably secured to said sleeve by means of a removable pin;    e. an actuator having a first end anchored within said vault and a second end coupled to said rod by means of an arm, said actuator being disposed for rotating said rod; and,    f. a cable having each end anchored on either side of said vehicle pathway, said cable being disposed perpendicular to said vehicle pathway, said cable also being affixed near the second end of said bollard, whereby when said bollard is in said raised position said cable is s stretched across said vehicle pathway and when said bollard is in a lowered position said cable is relaxed on said vehicle pathway.    
   
   
       8 . The system as in  claim 7  further including a stop anchored to the bottom of said vault for engaging the first end of said bollard when said bollard is in said raised position.  
   
   
       9 . The system as in  claim 7  further including a strong-back member disposed above said rod for added stability to said system.  
   
   
       10 . The system as in  claim 7  wherein said support members comprise a plurality of steel I-beams disposed between said approach side and said shoulder side of said vault.  
   
   
       11 . The system as in  claim 7  wherein said actuator is operated by an electric motor driving a worm gear.  
   
   
       12 . An automatic self-contained below-grade bollard and cable traffic control apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
 a. a plurality of bollard devices spaced across a vehicle pathway, each device comprising; 
 i) a vault adapted for being placed transverse said vehicle pathway and in the pavement thereof, said vault having a top, a bottom, two ends, an approach side and a shoulder side;  
 ii) a rod rotatably mounted to support members inside said vault, said rod extending across said vault perpendicular to the direction of traffic movement;  
 iii) a bollard having a first end and a second end, said bollard being coupled to said rod substantially near said first end thereof, whereby rotation of said rod rotates said bollard so as to extend the second end thereof above said vault in a vertical direction, hereafter raised position;  
 iv) an actuator having a first end anchored within said vault and a second end coupled to said rod by means of an arm, said actuator being disposed for rotating said rod; and,  
   b. a cable stretched across said vehicle pathway and being coupled near the second of each of said bollards, whereby when said bollards are in said raised position said cable is stretched across said vehicle pathway and when said bollards are in a lowered position said cable is relaxed on said vehicle pathway.    
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said support members comprise a plurality of steel I-beams disposed between said approach side and said shoulder side of said vault.  
   
   
       14 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said top of each of said vaults comprises sheet steel having anti-skid treatment thereon for exposure to traffic.  
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said actuator is operated by an electric motor driving a worm gear.  
   
   
       16 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said electric motor is controllable by a switch coupled to a source of electricity.  
   
   
       17 . The device as in  claim 12  electric motor is controllable by a remote control switch.  
   
   
       18 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein each of said vaults includes water drainage openings.  
   
   
       19 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said bollard device further includes a stop anchored to the bottom of said vault for engaging the first end of said bollard when said bollard is in said raised position.  
   
   
       20 . The device as in  claim 12  wherein said cable comprises more than one steel cable affixed at points along an edge of each of said bollards.