GB2073799A - Security barriers - Google Patents

Abstract

In a security barrier, an elongate member (1) is adapted to be mounted to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, such as on a shaft (2), and a plurality of substantially U-shaped elements (5), preferably pointed at their ends, are secured to the outer surface of the elongate member with the free-end portions of each element (5) extending away from the longitudinal axis of the member (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security barrier This invention relates to security barriers of the kind in which an elongate member is adapted to be mounted to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and is provided with a plurality of elements extending outwardly from the member.

Security barriers of this kind are known. For example, in British Patent Specification No.

612265 an apparatus for preventing or obstructing the scaling of walls, fences and like barriers is described, in which a cage-like cylindrical body is mounted for rotation on top of a wall or fence, and may be provided with sheet metal cladding from which spiked projections are stamped.

The barriers of the prior art are of considerable size, and in situations where appearance is of importance, aesthetic considerations or planning regulations may preclude their being installed. In addition, their size is such that they can be costly to produce.

Accordingly, there is a need for a security barrier of the kind described which will be relatively inexpensive to produce, preferably making use of readily available components.

According to the invention, a security barrier comprises an elongate member adapted to be mounted to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and a plurality of substantially U-shaped elements, secured to the outer surface of the elongate member with the free-end portions of each substantially U-shaped element extending away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

In a preferred embodiment, the substantially U-shaped elements are pointed at their ends and are formed from wood staples, secured by welding to the outer surface of the elongate member. The free end portions of each element may extend substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and the plane defined by the free-end portions of each element may be parallel to the said axis. The elements may be arranged in rows parallel to that axis, the elements of each row being axially spaced apart, and the rows being circumferentially spaced apart around the member. Each row may be displaced by one-half of the pitch of the element with respect to the adjacent rows. The elongate member may be hollow and mounted on a coaxial elongate shaft. Both member and shaft may be cylindrical.The shaft may be mounted on a wall, or may comprise a member of a gate or the like. The elongate member may comprise two portions, which can be secured together, along an axial plane, e.g. by welding, to surround and enclose the elongate shaft, thus facilitating installation of the barrier or an existing gate or the like.

The barrier may be manufactured by arranging a plurality of U-shaped elements in a row, each in a similar orientation, holding an elongate member against the closed ends of the elements, and welding the elements to the member. A jig may be used to arrange the elements in the row.

The security barrier according to the invention is compact and unobtrusive, and does not conflict with most planning authorities' requirements in regard to appearance. It can be mounted in a variety of positions on a wall or the like, and in the embodiment in which the elongate member comprises two portions, joinable along an axial plane, it can be fitted to existing gates, fences or the like, with a minimum of alteration to the original installation.

It is cheap and convenient to manufacture, and uses readily available materials and components.

Embodiment of security barriers according to the invention are hereinafter described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a security barrier according to the invention, mounted on top of a wall; Figure 2 is a part-sectional elevation of the security barrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the security barrier of Figure 1, on the line A-A of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an alternative form of U-shaped element; Figures 5, 6 and 7 show other positions in which security barriers according to Figure 1 can be mounted; Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of security barrier according to the invention, for mounting on a gate; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the security barrier according to Figure 8.

The security barrier shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 consists of a cylindrical member 1 formed from a section of gun-barrel tubing, mounted to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis on a further cylindrical member 2, also formed from a section of gun-barrel tubing, and non-rotatably mounted on top of a wall 3 or a fence by means of a pair of supports 4, which are secured to the wall or fence.

U-shaped elements 5, consisting of wood staples with pointed ends, are secured to the outer surface of the member 1 by welding. The plane defined by the free-end portions of each U-shaped element is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member 1. Four rows of staples are welded to the member, and the elements are spaced-apart in each row at a constant pitch, but the elements of each row are displaced by one-half the pitch distance with respect tathose of the adjacent rows.

In a particular construction, member 1 consists of 1*" gun-barrel tubing, and member 2 of 1" gunbarrel tubing. 13" wood staples are used, at 23" spacing. The barrier is made up in modules or sections, of 3 feet or one metre length.

The staggering of the rows is not essential, but is a preferred feature, and adds to the difficulties of a would-be intruder in trying to gain a grip on the barrier. The rotatable mounting of the member 1 means that even should such a grip be gained, it is extremely difficult to retain a hold on the barrier.

The security barrier is mounted on the wall with the longitudinal axis of the member 1 parallel to the top of the wall, or to the surface of the wall, and the axis is positioned at a distance from the wall such that that is insufficient clearance between the top or surface of the wall and the U-shaped elements, for an intruder to place a hand and possibly gain a grip.

Wood staples are readily and cheaply available, and their ends are sharpened, which adds to the deterrent when they are welded to the member 1 to form a security barrier according to the invention. They are available in different sizes, and partial protection against corrosion may be provided by their being galvanised.

Other types of U-shaped elements may also be used in the security barrier according to the invention, and an example of a suitable element is shown in Figure 4, the shape of the element being rather more rectangular than the shapes of those of Figures 1 and 2, but of general U-form.

The security barrier is shown mounted on top of a wall in Figure 1, but other positions of mounting are also possible and some example are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, being respectively: on the outside of a wall, near the top; on the inside of a wall, near the top; on the inside of a wall, some distance below the top.

The last-mentioned position of mounting is intended to deter a would-be intruder, who has mounted the wall, from entry, by placing an obstruction in the way of his exit. Such a position may be necessitated by considerations of appearance, or by planning regulations.

In a further embodiment, shown in Figures 8 and 9, the member 1 consists of two semicylindrical portions 1 a and 1 b, which are welded together about a member 6 of a gate or fence.

Thus the member 6 corresponds to the member 2.

of the embodiment previously described. This embodiment is used when it is required to provide a security barrier on an existing gate or fence, without fitting on an additional fixed member, such as would be constituted by member 2 of the first embodiment.

The member 6 is shown as being of circular cross-section, but may also be of square or rectangular cross-section. The member 1 is manufactured to be of such a size as will be freely rotatable when mounted on the member 6.

While the rotatable feature prevents a wouldbe intruder from gaining a grip on the security barrier itself, the outwardly-facing spikes constituted by the wood staples also provide a deterrent in this embodiment, to the intruder who attempts to cross the gate without grasping or coming into contact with the barrier. It is known to deter intruders by wrapping barbed wire around a member or members of a gate, but this embodiment provides an equal deterrent, with the additional feature of being rotatable, and can be fitted to a gate more quickly and cheaply than barbed wire can be wrapped around it.

The deterent can be enhanced by providing security barriers according to the invention on several members of a gate, e.g. on the three topmost transverse members of a gate with parallel transverse bars.

The embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 is also suitable for use on electricity towers and the like.

The member 1 can be secured about members of the tower, both horizontal and vertical, and also those inclined to the vertical.

In one method of manufacturing a security barrier according to the invention, staples are laid out in a row along the edge of a bench, with their closed ends projecting over the edge of the bench.

A plate is laid over the row, and then clamped to the bench to hold the staples aligned in the row.

The member 1 is then applied against the closed ends of the staples and they are welded to the member.

The use of a consumable electrode with arc welding is envisaged, but other forms of welding may also be employed. Production may be speeded by the use of a jig, into which the staples may be dropped to be either horizontal or vertical and correctly positioned and spaced for welding.

Claims (6)

1. A security barrier comprising an elongate member adapted to be mounted to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and a plurality of substantially U-shaped elements, secured to the outer surface of the elongate member with the free-end portions of each substantially U-shaped element extending away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

2. A security barrier according to claim 1, wherein the substantially U-shaped elements are wood staples.

3. A security barrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substantially U-shaped elements are arranged in rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the elements of each row being axially spaced apart, and the rows being circumferentially spaced apart around the outer surface of the elongate member.

4. A security barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is hollow and is mounted to be rotatable on an elongate shaft, the longitudinal axis of which is substantially coaxial with that of the elongate member.

5. A security barrier according to claim 4, wherein the elongate member comprises two portions, which can be secured together along an axial plane or planes to surround and enclose the elongate shaft.

6. A method of manufacturing a security barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of substantially U-shaped elements are arranged in a row, each in a similar orientation, an elongate member is held against the closed ends of the elements, and the elements are welded to the member.