Crash resistant and rapid deployment security fence

Abstract

A bullet resistant security fence resists impacts from objects, such as vehicles, impacting the fence. A configuration of a bullet resistance security fence can be rapidly assembled and deployed as a riot fence that can be disassembled and subsequently repositioned. The riot fence is stabilized by securement devices that pull adjacent ballistic panels toward intermediate support posts and by adjustably positionable stabilizers that can engage the ground surface in front and in rear of the riot fence, even if mounted on steps. Alternative security fence configurations provide more economical manufacturing and installation by having a ballistic panel between thin front and rear shells. The ballistic panel can be formed of aluminum plate or from multiple layers of ballistic fabric. A ballistic panel can be formed from strips of aluminum plate welded together to form seams that are covered by lathe formed from aluminum plate to maintain ballistic integrity.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crash resistant and bullet resistant security fence, comprising:
 at least two support posts spaced apart a predetermined distance;   a plurality of horizontally extending, bullet resistant formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts, each said intermediate panel having a tongue and groove configuration formed at both a top portion and a bottom portion of said intermediate panel to engage tongue and groove configurations on adjacent panels and provide interlocking panels;   selected ones of said panels being provided with a cable passing horizontally through said selected panels; and   a tensioning mechanism connected to opposing ends each said cable to induce tension in said cable, said tensioning mechanism being operable to absorb kinetic energy from an object impacting said cables.   
     
     
         2 . The security fence of  claim 1  wherein said tensioning mechanism includes a linear actuator movable between an extended position and a collapsed position at each end of each cable, said extended position corresponding to said induced tension in said cables. 
     
     
         3 . The security fence of  claim 2  wherein each said linear actuator is anchored on the adjacent support post and oriented to extend a telescopic rod pinned to said cable away from said adjacent support post. 
     
     
         4 . The security fence of  claim 3  wherein each said cable is anchored at each opposing end thereof to an anchoring post positioned remotely from said adjacent support post. 
     
     
         5 . The security fence of  claim 4  wherein each said cable includes a slack portion between each said telescopic rod and the corresponding said anchoring post when the corresponding said linear actuator is in said extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The security fence of  claim 5  wherein said slack portion is taken up when the corresponding said linear actuator is moved into said collapsed position from an object impacting the corresponding said cable. 
     
     
         7 . The security fence of  claim 6  further comprising a fixed length cable extending through the uppermost panel and being anchored at the opposing ends thereof at the anchoring posts. 
     
     
         8 . A rapid deployment bullet resistant security fence, comprising:
 a plurality of support posts including end support posts and intermediate support posts between said end support posts, adjacent support posts being spaced apart a predetermined distance, each said support post having an upright H-beam formed with a web member and a stabilizing apparatus operable to keep the H-beam in an upright orientation;   a plurality of horizontally extending formed panels arranged vertically between adjacent support posts from a lowermost panel to an uppermost panel with intermediate panels therebetween to define a bullet resistant portion of said security fence, each said panel having a length dimension corresponding to said predetermined distance so that said panels can extend between said adjacent support posts; and   a securement device corresponding to each said intermediate support post to engage a panel on each opposing side of said intermediate support post and to pull the opposing said panels toward the corresponding intermediate support post.   
     
     
         9 . The security fence of  claim 8  wherein at least one of said stabilizing apparatus is formed as an elongated base member oriented with said support post being substantially in the center thereof, said base member including a web member extending upward from said base member on opposing sides of said support post and being secured to the corresponding side of said support post. 
     
     
         10 . The security fence of  claim 8  wherein at least one of said stabilizing apparatus is formed with a pair of adjustable length telescopic legs pivotally connected, respectively, to opposing sides of said support post. 
     
     
         11 . The security fence of  claim 10  wherein each said telescopic leg is connected to a stabilizing arm pivotally attached to the corresponding side of said support post. 
     
     
         12 . A bullet resistance security fence comprising:
 opposing vertically oriented support posts having slots formed therein;   a ballistic core extending between adjacent support posts and being supported thereby; and   a front shell and a rear shell formed from an aluminum sheet and being positioned on opposing sides of said ballistic core.   
     
     
         13 . The security fence of  claim 12  wherein said ballistic core is formed from an aluminum plate. 
     
     
         14 . The security fence of  claim 12  wherein said ballistic core is formed of ballistic fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The security fence of  claim 14  wherein said front and rear shells are formed with spaced apart indents forming gaps between the respective shell and the ballistic core and extending between adjacent indents, said gaps being filled with a foam material to keep the ballistic core centrally located between the front and rear shells.