Barrier

Abstract

The present invention provides a barrier comprising a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement and a relatively rigid energy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality, such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units. Also provided is the use of such a barrier to resist vehicle ramming attacks, a method of deploying such a barrier and a kit containing the components of such a barrier.

1 . A barrier comprising a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement and a relatively rigid energy transfer means
 wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality   such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer means comprises a rod or other elongate structure. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer means extends along the front and/or along the back of the plurality of individual barrier units. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier according to  claim 3 , wherein the barrier comprises one energy transfer means along the front of the plurality of individual barrier units and a second energy transfer means along the back of the plurality of individual barrier units. 
     
     
         5 . The A barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting means that connect the individual barrier units in the plurality to at least one adjacent individual barrier unit. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is surface mounted. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual barrier units comprise gabions including wire mesh side walls. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the energy transfer means extends through the holes in the wire mesh of the gabion side wall and is connected to each gabion using a plate positioned between side walls of adjacent gabions, through which the energy transfer means extends, with a nut included on the opposite side of each of the gabion side walls. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier according to  claim 7 , wherein the gabion comprises a flexible bag, positioned towards the rear of the gabion. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement, extending parallel to the first plurality and in contact with the rear of the first plurality. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of individual barrier units is staggered compared to the first plurality of individual units, such that the connections between adjacent individual barrier units within each plurality do not fall at the same points along the length of the barrier. 
     
     
         12 . The A barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of individual barrier units is connected to the first plurality of individual barrier units. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one individual barrier unit includes a friction increasing means on the base of the barrier unit, which can interact with a surface on which the barrier is placed to increase the friction between the barrier and the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the friction increasing means comprises bolts or a metal grid. 
     
     
         15 . A method for resisting vehicle ramming attacks, comprising:
 deploying the barrier of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         16 . A method of deploying a barrier comprising the steps of:
 deploying a plurality of individual barrier units in a linear arrangement to form a barrier; and   connecting the plurality of individual barrier units with a relatively rigid energy transfer means;   wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member extending along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units that is connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality.   
     
     
         17 . A kit comprising a plurality of barrier units that can be positioned in a linear arrangement having a length, and a relatively rigid energy transfer means wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one continuous member that can extend along the length of the plurality of individual barrier units and that can be connected to each individual barrier unit in the plurality such that when a force is applied to one individual barrier unit in the plurality, the energy transfer means transfers part of the energy associated with the applied force to other individual barrier units in the plurality of individual barrier units.