Vehicle security barrier and system for hostile vehicle mitigation

Abstract

According to various aspects, the invention provides a vehicle security barrier apparatus ( 100; 200; 300; 400 ) comprising: (i) a support structure ( 50; 150; 250; 350 ) for being disposed at least partially below ground, the support structure having a below ground aspect ( 70; 170; 270; 370 ) and an above-ground aspect ( 60; 160; 260; 360 ); (ii) a track ( 55; 155; 255; 355 ) provided at least in part within the support structure; (iii) at least three upright bollards ( 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d; 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, 120 d; 220 a, 220 b, 220 c, 220 d; and 320 a, 320 b, 320 c, 320 d ) mounted to or partially within the support structure, wherein two bollards ( 20 a, 20 d; 120 a, 120 d; 220 a, 220 d; 320 a, 320 d ) of the at least three bollards are rigidly fixed to the support structure and at least one of said bollards ( 20 b, 20 c; 120 b, 120 c; 220 b, 220 c; 320 b, 320 c ) is movably coupled to the support structure; and (iv) a mounting structure ( 80; 180; 280; 380 ) anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure and comprising a series of coupling members extending outward of the below-ground aspect of the support structure. The at least one moveable bollard being movably coupled to the track such that the at least one movable bollard is moveable relative to the two fixed bollards between a closed position, wherein the movable bollard is disposed between said two fixed bollards for inhibiting the passage of a vehicle therebetween; and an open position.

1 . A vehicle security barrier apparatus comprising:
 (i) a support structure for being at least partially below ground, the support structure having a below ground aspect and an above-ground aspect;   (ii) a track provided at least in part within the support structure;   (iii) at least three upright bollards being mounted to said support structure, two of the at least three bollards being rigidly fixed to the support structure and at least one of said bollards being movably coupled to the support structure; and   (iv) a mounting structure anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure and comprising a series of coupling members extending outward of the below-ground aspect of the support structure;   the two fixed bollards being spaced apart from one another and defining a first axis therebetween; said at least one moveable bollard being movably coupled to the track such that the at least one movable bollard is moveable relative to the two fixed bollards between a closed position, wherein the movable bollard is disposed between said two fixed bollards for inhibiting the passage of a vehicle therebetween; and an open position, wherein said moveable bollard is moved along said first axis to a location along said track that is closer to one of the fixed bollards for permitting the passage of a vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support structure is a box-channel comprising a bottom wall, a first side wall a second side wall, first and second end closures and a top structure, wherein the first side wall is in opposing spaced relationship with the second side wall; wherein the below ground aspect of the support structure comprises the bottom wall, and at least a portion of the first and second side walls of the box channel; and wherein said series of coupling members of the mounting structure extends outwardly of the first and/or second side walls. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said coupling members of said series each comprise a plate comprising apertures for receiving or having received therein reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling members are adjoined to the below ground aspect of the support structure and extend outward thereof at an angle of between about 45° and about 135° relative to said first axis. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said coupling members of said series, each extend through a slot in the support structure and into an interior of the box channel, such that the coupling members have an outer portion that extends outwardly of the first and/or second side walls and an inner portion that extends into the box channel. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least some of said coupling members are plates formed of metal and comprise at least two apertures for receiving or having received therein reinforcing bars of steel which extend in a direction parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said series of coupling members comprises at least two coupling members and wherein a reinforcing bar of steel extends through an aperture in a first coupling member; and extends through an aperture in a second coupling member in a direction parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the mounting structure anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure further comprises at least one footing plate adjoined to multiple ones of said coupling members. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said coupling members are provided with a slot into which a footing plate is received for engagement of the coupling members to the footing plate; and wherein the coupling members are adjoined to the footing plate by being welded thereto. 
     
     
         11 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  1 , wherein said at least one moveable bollard is affixed to a carriage, which carriage engages said track within the box channel such that the moveable bollard is linearly moveable bi-directionally along said first axis. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said carriage comprises at least two spaced carriage plates, the carriage plates for coupling to the track provided at least in part within the box channel. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the two spaced plates comprise a first carriage plate and a second carriage plate; and wherein the first carriage plate is disposed at an elevation that is above an elevation at which the second carriage plate is disposed such that the first carriage plate is further from the bottom wall of the box channel than the second carriage plate. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the first carriage plate has a first width in a lateral direction between the first and second side walls of the box section; and wherein the second carriage plate has a second width in a lateral direction between the first and second side walls of the box section; and wherein the first width is less than said second width. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the track comprises a first track section comprising a first guide means and a first translating means; and wherein first side portions of the first and second carriage plates are disposed at least partially within said first track section such that the first side portion of the first carriage plate is coupled to the first guide means; and such that the first side portion of the second carriage plate is coupled to the first translating means. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the first side portion of the first carriage plate includes a first edge of the first carriage plate; wherein said first guide means comprises at least one wheel; and wherein said first edge of the first carriage plate contacts a circumferential surface of said at least one wheel for guiding the carriage and thereby the moveable bollard when the moveable bollard is transitioned between said open and closed positions. 
     
     
         21 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first side portion of the second carriage plate includes a first underside portion of the second carriage plate proximate to said first edge; wherein said first translating means comprises at least one roller; and wherein said first underside portion of the second carriage plate contacts a circumferential surface of said roller for guiding the carriage and thereby the moveable bollard when the moveable bollard is transitioned between said open and closed positions. 
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to claim  16 , wherein the track comprises a first track section comprising a first top wall, which first top wall forms part of said top structure of the box channel; wherein a first roller assembly is attached to said moveable bollard and is coupled to the said first top wall such that said first top wall of the first track section contacts a circumferential surface of said first roller assembly for guiding the moveable bollard when the moveable bollard is transitioned between said open and closed positions. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to and  claim 16 , wherein a number of said coupling members of said series, each extend through a slot in the support structure and into an interior of the box channel, such that said coupling members have an outer portion that extends outwardly of the first side wall and an inner portion that extends into the box channel; wherein said first track section is disposed alongside and/or comprises a portion of said first side wall of the box channel; and wherein said inner portion of the said coupling members is disposed immediately beneath and supports said first track section. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A kit of parts for assembling the vehicle security barrier apparatus of  claim 1 , the kit comprising:
 (i) a support structure for being disposed at least partially below ground, the support structure having a below ground aspect and an above-ground aspect;   (ii) a track provided at least in part within the support structure;   (iii) at least three upright bollards for being mounted to said support structure, two of the at least three bollards for being rigidly fixed to the support structure and at least one of said bollards for being movably coupled to the support structure; and   (iv) a mounting structure for being anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure and comprising a series of coupling members extending outward of the below-ground aspect of the support structure;   where, in an assembled state, the two fixed bollards are spaced apart from one another and define a first axis therebetween; said at least one moveable bollard is movably coupled to the track such that the at least one movable bollard is moveable relative to the two fixed bollards between a closed position, wherein the movable bollard is disposed between said two fixed bollards for inhibiting the passage of a vehicle therebetween; and an open position, wherein said moveable bollard is moved along said first axis to a location along said track that is closer to one of the fixed bollards for permitting the passage of a vehicle.   
     
     
         31 . The vehicle security barrier apparatus according to  claim 1 , when installed at a site perimeter, the support structure being disposed at least partially below a ground level; the mounting structure being anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure and comprising a series of coupling members extending outward of the below-ground aspect of the support structure; a series of reinforced steel bars extending through said coupling members; and the mounting structure being embedded below ground by means of a concrete or suitable hardening resin compound.