WO2023139077A1

WO2023139077A1 - Surface mount security gate system

Info

Publication number: WO2023139077A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/051042
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Gerrard; Marcus Gerrard
Original assignee: Gme Springs Ltd
Current assignee: Gme Springs Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-18
Filing date: 2023-01-17
Publication date: 2023-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-18
Also published as: GB2614745A; GB2614745B; EP4466405A1

Abstract

This invention presents a surface mount security gate system which has a first gate support (12), a second gate support (14), and a gate (16). The gate (16) has a first end (18) that is connected to the first gate support by a pivot pin (20) about which said gate is pivotable and a second end (22) that is selectively connectable to the second gate support (14) by a fastening pin (60). The first and second gate support each comprise a freestanding mass (42, 44) comprising concrete and have a mass in excess of two tonnes. The gate (16) is movable, in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which it is located, in an arc from a closed position in which it extends between the first (12) and second (14) gate support, and an open position.

Description

SURFACE MOUNT SECURITY GATE SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a surface mount security gate system, in particular a security gate for mitigating against hostile vehicle penetration.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide security gates that mitigate against hostile vehicle penetration. Known gates typically require large underground footings, usually made of concrete to secure the gate in place. While these types of gates are suitable for permanent installation, in situations where temporary installation of the gate, for example a Christmas fair or festival, or where it is undesirable to excavate foundations for the underground footings.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a surface mount security gate system comprising a first gate support, a second gate support, and a gate; wherein: the gate has a first end that is connected to the first gate support by a first attachment means comprising a pivot pin about which said gate is pivotable, and the gate has a second end that is selectively connectable to the second gate support by a fastening means; the first and second gate support each comprise a freestanding mass comprising concrete and having a mass in excess of 2 tonnes; and the gate is movable, in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which it is located, in an arc from a closed position in which it extends between the first and second gate support, and an open position.

The gate of the invention provides a temporary gate that can be installed in a short time frame as part of a security cordon to prevent protection against hostile vehicles, yet which can be easily opened to allow traffic to pass through.

The first and second gate support may each have an impact facing end, the impact facing end being an end which, in use, faces the direction from which impact prevention is desired, and wherein the gate is pivotally connected to the first gate support, and is selectively connectable to the second gate support, at a location towards the impact facing end from the centre of mass of the said first and second gate supports. This results in any force attempting to penetrate the barrier exerting a push force as opposed to a pull force on the gate supports and assists in transferring an impact force into the centre of mass of the gate support.

In a preferred embodiment the first gate support has a first gate bracket extending therefrom, said first gate bracket comprising a first upper bracket plate and a first lower bracket plate, each having an opening therein, said first end located between said first upper and said first lower bracket plate. Preferably the pivot pin extends through the first upper bracket, said first end, and said first lower bracket plate. The first upper bracket plate and said first lower bracket plate may each comprise a bracket section and an attachment section extending from the bracket section, said freestanding mass of the first gate support having an upper bracket hole and a lower bracket hole extending therethrough, the attachment section of the each of the first upper and first lower bracket plates extending through the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole of freestanding mass of the first gate support respectively. The upper and lower bracket plate may each be provided with an attachment opening at the distil end of their attachment section, wherein the distil ends of the attachment sections containing said attachment openings extend from the freestanding mass of the first gate support, and the first upper and first lower bracket plate are prevented from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass by a fixing pin passing through their respective attachment openings.

In this manner the bracket plates each extend through the freestanding mass, preferably as unitary objects, and are secured from being drawn back through by the fixing pin. This results in compressive loads rather than tensile loads within the freestanding mass which assists in maintaining the integrity of the barrier under impact. In addition, this enables a good transfer of force as the gate mounts pass through the support as opposed to an alternative where they are just attached to one side thereof.

One or more spacers may be located between the fixing pin and the freestanding mass, said one or more spacer determining the separation of the opening in said upper and lower plate from the freestanding mass. The spacers can be used to move the position of the bracket plates relative to the freestanding mass which can assist in correcting small misalignments of the gate supports when the gate is installed. In addition, the use of a different sized spacer for the first upper and first lower bracket plates enables the vertical axis through which the pivot pin passes to be altered, which can correct for small ground slopes of the surface on which the gate is being located, e.g., if on a cambered road surface,

Optionally the bracket sections may be asymmetrical and have the opening towards the impact facing end and an extended portion extending in a direction away from the impact facing end. In a preferred embodiment the second gate support has a second gate bracket extending therefrom, said second gate bracket comprising a second upper bracket plate and a second lower bracket plate, each having an opening therein, said second end of the gate located between said upper and lower bracket plate when the gate is in the closed position.

The second gate bracket may further comprise a middle bracket plate having an opening therein, said second end of the gate comprises an upper section located between said second upper bracket plate and the middle bracket plate, and a lower section located between the middle bracket plate and the second lower bracket plate when the gate is in the closed position, said fastening means, in use, passing through the second upper bracket plate, the upper section, the middle bracket plate, the lower section, and the second lower bracket plate. It will be appreciated that the provision of a third bracket plate in the middle improves the strength of the connection between the opening end of the gate and the second gate support.

Optionally the second upper bracket plate, said second lower bracket plate and optionally said middle bracket plate, each comprise a bracket section and an attachment section extending from the bracket section, said freestanding mass of the second gate support having an upper bracket hole, a lower bracket hole, and optionally a middle bracket hole, extending therethrough, the attachment section of the each of the second upper bracket plate, the second lower bracket plate, and optionally said middle bracket plate, extending through the upper bracket hole, the lower bracket hole, and optionally said middle bracket hole, of the freestanding mass of the second gate support, respectively.

The second upper bracket plate and the second lower bracket plate, and optionally the middle bracket plate, may each have an attachment opening at the distil end of their attachment section, and the distil ends of the attachment sections containing said attachment openings extend from the freestanding mass of the first gate support, and the second upper bracket plate, the second lower bracket plate and optionally the middle bracket plate are prevented from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass by a fixing pin passing through their respective attachment openings. Optionally one or more spacer is located between the fixing pin and the freestanding mass, said spacer determining the separation of the opening in said second upper bracket plate, said second lower bracket plate, and optionally said middle backet plate, from the freestanding mass.

In one embodiment the first gate support comprises a first metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said first metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said first metal plate having an upper hole and a lower hole therethrough, said upper hole and said lower hole aligned with said upper and lower bracket holes respectively Alternatively or in addition the second gate support may comprise a first metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said first metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said first metal plate having an upper hole, a lower hole and optionally a middle hole therethrough, said upper hole, said lower hole, and said optional middle hole aligned with said upper bracket hole, said lower bracket hole, and said optional middle bracket hole, respectively. The first metal plate of either the first or second gate support may comprise a support bracket extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom adjacent a lower edge of the lower hole, said support bracket received in the lower hole. When the gates are under impact these plates assist in spreading any forces imparted onto the gate supports through the gate brackets over a larger surface area of the freestanding mass, and the support bracket assists in aligning the bracket with the holes through the block. Preferably the plates are fixed to the freestanding mass of the first and second bate support, for example by bolts or other known fastening means.

Preferably the first gate support comprises a second metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said second metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole on a side opposite the first attachment means, said second metal plate having an upper hole and a lower hole therethrough, said upper hole and said lower hole aligned with said upper and lower bracket holes respectively. In addition, or alternatively, the second gate support may comprise a second metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said second metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said second metal plate having an upper hole, a lower hole, and optionally a middle hole therethrough, said upper hole, said lower hole, and said optional middle hole aligned with said upper bracket hole, said lower bracket hole, and said optional middle bracket hole, respectively.

The gate may comprise a bearing assembly at the first end thereof, the bearing assembly comprising an upper bearing at an upper end thereof and a lower bearing at a lower end thereof and wherein said pivot pin passes through the upper and lower bearing.

In a preferred embodiment the gate comprises an elongate hollow member. Optionally the elongate hollow member comprises a first tube at its first end, said first tube vertically positioned between an upper surface thereof and a lower surface thereof, said tube receiving said pivot pin. The second end of the gate may comprise an upper hollow section and a lower hollow section separated therefrom, the upper and lower hollow sections comprise a vertically positioned upper tube and a lower tube respectively, the upper tube extending from an upper surface of the upper section to a lower surface of the upper section, and the lower tube extending from an upper surface of the lower section to a lower surface of the lower section, and wherein when the gate is in the closed position the fastening means passes through the upper tube and the lower tube.

In an embodiment the gate comprises at least one sling comprising a loop, or having a loop at either end, said sling located in said elongate hollow member and extending around the pivot pin at one end and around the fastening means at the other end such that the fastening means is movable through said sling. Preferably the loop of the at least one sling passes around the first tube at the first end and at least one of the upper and lower tubes at the second end. In an embodiment the at least one sling comprises a plurality of slings, and the plurality of slings passes around the first tube at the first end thereof and at least one of said plurality of slings passes around the upper tube, and at least another of said plurality of slings passes around the lower tube, at the second end.

Under extreme impact, for example if struck by a moving vehicle it will be expected that the elongate hollow member will deform. It will be understood that it is advantageous for the mass of gates which are pivotally connected at one end to be kept as low as possible to reduce the forces on their pivot mechanism. The use of a hollow member is therefore advantageous, albeit at the expense of structural strength when compared to a solid member. The provision of a sling with the hollow member provides a secondary force path between the pivot pin and the bolt at either end of the gate, thereby allowing the use of a lighter weight gate material.

The first and second gate support may each have an anti-rotation hole extending therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to the gate when in its closed position, said anti-rotation holes located between the centre of mass of said first and second gate supports and the end opposite the impact facing end, the system further comprising at least one flexible anti-rotation member extending through said anti-rotation holes so that it extends between the first and second gate supports. Preferably a retention pin extends through each end of said anti-rotation sling to prevent it from being withdrawn through said anti-rotation holes. The anti-rotation sling may extend along a ground surface between said gate supports.

Under impact, the transmission of force from the gate to the gate supports will tend to exert an outward rotation of the end of the gate supports furthest from the impact receiving end. This is due to deformation in the gate and the resultant direction of forces that are exerted on the gate supports. By tethering the gates with the anti-rotation member on the opposite side of the centre of mass from the gate attachments, they resist the rotation of the gate supports, thereby maintaining the integrity of the barrier under impact. By running the anti-rotation member along the ground, it can be maintained in place without hindering permitted vehicular or pedestrian traffic past the gate.

In a preferred embodiment the freestanding mass each comprise a metallic ballast, one or more steel tube sections and rebar reinforcement encapsulated in concrete, the steel tube sections opening at the edges of said gate supports so as to form holes therethrough.

A particularly beneficial advantage of the present invention is that it can be completely free standing on the surface on which it is installed. In particular, when installed, the lowest point of the gate support, i.e. , the lower surface of the concrete mass, is level with or above the surrounding surface. Unlike some other so called “surface mount” barriers the present invention does not need to be recessed into the surface on which it is located, neither does it require any attachment thereto. This is particularly advantageous as it enables the present invention to be simply and easily installed and removed as necessary in any location without any prior preparation or treatment of the underlying surface.

In addition, the fact that the present invention is freestanding on top of its installation surface also enables thin packing elements, or sheets, to be placed below each block. These may serve two purposes, Firstly, they may protect an underlying surface, for example if the barrier is temporarily installed on a natural stone surface, and secondly, by using a different number of packing sheets on each side, small discrepancies in the if the level of the surface on which the barrier is installed can be accommodated. It will be appreciated that the packing sheets need not necessarily extend under the full width of the block, or may be tapered, to allow discrepancies in the slope of the surface on which each gate support is located.

Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a surface mount security barrier according to the invention;

Figure 2 s shows a top view of a surface mount security barrier according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged front view of a one end of the surface mount security barrier Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged front view of the other one end of the surface mount security barrier Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the bracket plates of the first gate support of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the bracket plates of the second gate support of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a front and side view of a metal plate used on the invention;

Figure 8 shows a partially cut away view of the gate of the invention;

Figure 9 shows a detailed view of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a side view of a fixing pin used for securing the gate of Figure 1; and

Figures 11 and 12 show the internal structure of the first and second freestanding masses respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A surface mount security gate system in accordance with the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, a surface mount security gate system 10 is shown. The system 10 has a first side support 12 and a second side support 14 spaced from one another across an opening. A gate 16 extends between the first and second side supports. The gate 16 has a first end 18 that is connected to the first gate 12 support by a first attachment means comprising a pivot pin 20 about which said gate 16 is pivotable, and a second end 22 that is selectively connectable to the second gate support 14 by a fastening means which is described in more detail hereinbelow. The gate 16 is movable, in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which it is located, in an arc, from a closed position in which it extends between the first and second gate support 12, 14, and an open position. It will be understood that in the closed position the gate 16 closes the opening between the gate supports thereby preventing vehicular passage therethrough and that in the open position gate 16 is pivoted out of the way of the opening so that vehicles can be allowed to pass.

The first 12 and second 14 gate support each comprise a freestanding mass 42, 44 comprising concrete having a mass in excess of 2 tonnes. It will be appreciated that for a surface mounted system such as that of the invention, the magnitude of impact that the system can resist will depend upon the total mass of the gate supports. As such it is anticipated that typical masses of each gate support will be in the region of 5-9 tonnes, however masses in excess of 2 tonnes may be useful for protecting against smaller vehicles travelling at lower speeds. The structure of the masses is described in more detail below.

The first and second gate supports 12, 14 each have an impact facing end, the impact facing end being an end which, in use, faces the direction from which impact prevention is desired. The direction of an impact from which the gate is intended to protect is shown by arrow “A”. The gate 16 is pivotally connected to the first gate support 12, and is selectively connectable to the second gate support 14, at a location towards the impact facing end from the centre of mass of the said first and second gate supports. Under impact this arrangement results in a push force on the blocks towards their centre of gravity, rather than a pull force away from their centre of gravity, enhancing their resistance to movement.

The first gate support 12 has a first gate bracket 26 extending therefrom, the first gate 26 bracket has a first upper bracket plate 28 and a first lower bracket plate 30, each having an opening therein (see Figure 5). The first end of the gate 18 is located between said first upper and said first lower bracket plate 28, 30 and the pivot pin 20 extends through said first upper bracket 28, the first end 18 of the gate 16, and the first lower bracket plate 30.

A shown in Figure 5, the first upper bracket plate 28 and the first lower bracket plate 30, which are identical, each comprising a bracket section 32 and an attachment section 34 extending from the bracket section 32. The bracket section 32 contains the opening 36 therein through which the pivot pin 20 passes. The first upper bracket plate 28 and the first lower bracket plate 30 are each fabricated from 50mm steel plate. As shown the bracket section 32 is asymmetrical. The opening 36 is located towards one side, which is the side towards the direction from which an impact will occur, and the bracket plate has an extended section 38 away from the impact facing direction. Under impact, any rotational movement of the bracket section 23 about the end of the attachment section 34 will cause the extended section to bear on the freestanding mass 42 (or the plate attached to it) to assist in transferring impact loading from the gate into the freestanding mass. At the opposite end of the attachment section 34 to the bracket section 32, the upper and lower bracket plate each have an attachment opening 40, the use of which is described in more detail below.

The freestanding mass 42 of the first gate support 12 has an upper bracket hole and a lower bracket hole, both extending therethrough. The attachment section 34 of the each of the first upper and first lower bracket plates 28, 30 extend through the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole of freestanding mass 42. To retain the first upper and first lower bracket plates 28, 30 in place a fixing pin 46 is passed through their respective attachment openings 40. The fixing pin 46 has a threaded end and is secured in place by a nut 47. This prevents the first upper and first lower bracket plates 28, 30 from being pulled out of the freestanding mass 42 under impact.

In the example embodiment a spacer 48 is located between the fixing pin 46 and the freestanding mass. The spacer 48 can be provided in the form of a small plate with a hole therethrough, through which the end of the attachment section 34 passes, so as to retain it in place. Spacers of varying size can be provided. This can be achieved as either a plurality of different sized spacers, from which the most appropriate one is selected, or as a series of spacer shims, from which the requisite thickness of spacer can be built up, or a combination of both. The spacers can be used to vary the position of the opening 36 in the bracket plates 28, 30 from the freestanding mass, or may simply be used to ensure that the bracket section 32 abuts the mass tightly to maximise impact transfer into the mass.

The second gate support 14 has a second gate bracket 24 extending therefrom. The second gate bracket 24 has a second upper bracket plate 50, a second lower bracket plate 52, and a middle bracket plate 54, each having an opening therein. The second end of the gate 22 has an upper section 56 located between the second upper bracket plate 50 and the middle bracket plate 54, and a lower section 58 located between the middle bracket plate 54 and the second lower bracket plate 52 when the gate is in the closed position. When the gate 16 is in the closed position the fastening means is passed through the second upper bracket plate 50, the upper section 56, the middle bracket plate 54, the lower section 58, and the second lower bracket plate 52 so as to retain the gate 16 in the closed position. The fastening means may be a fastening pin 60 as described below. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the middle bracket plate 54 may be omitted, although its inclusion increases the strength of the gate and enables higher impacts to be withstood.

In a similar manner as described above in relation to the first gate support, and as illustrated in Figure 6, the second upper bracket plate, said second lower bracket plate and optionally said middle bracket plate are identical and each comprise a bracket section 62 and an attachment section 64 extending from the bracket section The bracket section 62 contains the opening 66 therein through which the fixing pin 90 passes to secure the gate 16. The second upper bracket plate 50 and middle bracket plate 54 and the second lower bracket plate 52 are each fabricated from 50mm steel plate. At the opposite end of the attachment section 64 to the bracket section 62, the upper, middle and lower bracket plate each have an attachment opening 68, the use of which is described in more detail below.

The freestanding mass 42 of the first gate support 12 has an upper bracket hole and a lower bracket hole, both extending therethrough. The attachment section 34 of the each of the first upper and first lower bracket plates 28, 30 extend through the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole of freestanding mass 42. To retain the first upper and first lower bracket plates 28, 30 in place a fixing pin 46 is passed through their respective attachment openings 40. This prevents them from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass under impact.

In a similar manner to that of the first gate support described above, wherein the distil ends of the attachment sections 64 containing said attachment openings 68 extend from the concrete mass of the second gate support 14, a fixing pin 70 is passed through their respective attachment openings 68 which prevents them from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass 44. The fixing pin 70 has a threaded end and is retained in place by a nut 71 attached to its lower end. One or more spacer 72 is located between the fixing pin 70 and the freestanding mass. The spacer 72 determines the separation of the opening 66 in second bracket plates from the freestanding mass.

The first and second gate support 12, 14 may each comprises a first metal plate 74, 76 adjacent and attached to their respective freestanding masses. As shown in detail in Figure 7, the metal plates 74, 76 surround the bracket holes through the freestanding masses on the face adjacent the gate and have holes therethrough which align with each of the through holes in the freestanding masses. As such the metal plate associated with the first gate support may have two holes therein and the metal plate associated with the second gate support may have three holes in. Equally it will be appreciated that both metal plates may be provided with three holes therein so a common part can be used, in which case the middle hole of the metal plate used on the first gate support will be redundant. The plates 74, 76 each have a support backet 78 which extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom at a location adjacent a lower edge of the lower hole 80. The support bracket 78 is attached to the plate 74, 76 by conventional means, for example by welding. In use the plate can be located on its gate support such that the support bracket is received in the lower hole thereof. Once such located the plates can be fixed in place by any conventional means, for example by using bolts through holes 82 in the plates. The plates 74, 76 and bracket 78 are preferably made of a metal of sufficient durability and strength to assist in transferring loads into the freestanding masses, for example 10mm steel plate.

The first and second gate supports may also each comprises a second metal plate 84 adjacent and attached to their respective freestanding masses. The second metal plates also surround the bracket holes in the freestanding mass and are located on the face of the freestanding mass opposite the gate 16.

Turning now to Figures 8 and 9, the gate 16 comprises an elongate hollow member. Preferably the gate is made of a steel box section having a wall thickness in the range of 6mm to 12 mm. At the first end 18 of the gate a pivot arrangement is provided. A 120mm hole is cut in the top face 84 and bottom face 86 of the gate adjacent one end thereof. A bearing retainer is fabricated by locating a hollow stop tube 88 inside a bearing retainer tube 90 which is passed through the 120mm hole in the top face 84 and bottom face 86 of the gate 16 and is welded in place. Reinforcement plates 93 may optionally be welded around the hole in the upper and lower plate to reinforce the box section in the area of the bearing. An upper and lower bearing 92 are then inserted into the bearing retainer tube 90 and retained therein. The bearings 92 and retainer tube 90 may be dimensioned such that the bearing is a push fit, interference fit, or other suitable fit with one another so that additional retention is not necessary. Alternatively, or in addition, clip rings etc may be used to retain the bearings 92 in place. In use the pin 20 passes through the bearings so that the gate 16 is pivotal thereabout.

As shown, the second end of the gate 16 has an upper section 94 and a lower section 96 separated therefrom. The upper and lower section are formed by cutting a slot 99 from the second end of the gate 16. As they are cut from the box section it will be appreciated that the upper and lower sections 94, 96 are substantially hollow. A rectangular hole 100 is cut into the upper face 84 and the lower face 86 and short sections of rectangular box section 102 are welded therein. A plate 104 is welded to the second end of the gate surrounding the end of the box sections 102 inside the slot 98. When the gate 16 is secured in the closed position the second end of the gate is locates such that the upper section 94 locates between the second upper racket plate 50 and the middle bracket plate 54 and the lower section 96 is located between the middle bracket plate 54 and the lower bracket plate 52. The fixing pin 60 then passes through the openings 66 in the upper middle and lower bracket plates, and through the holes 100 and the box sections 102 in the second end 22 of the gate 16. By using rectangular box sections 102 for receiving the fixing pin 60 small tolerances in the separation of the first and second gate support can be accommodated by the design. A handle 101 may also be provided on the second end of the gate 16 to facilitate its movement.

The gate 16 is provided with a number of slings 106 internally within it. The slings 106 may be manufactured of any suitably strong material however preferred embodiments use either webbing straps, polymer or reinforced polymer rope, or steel wire. In a preferred arrangement the slings may have a ten-tonne working rating. The slings 106 are either formed as loops or are made with a loop in either end. At the first end 18 the loops pass around the retainer tube 90 and at the second end 22 the loops pass around the box sections 102, in the upper or lower section 94, 96. It will be appreciated that to manufacture the gate 16, the slings 106 are located within the gate member before the retainer tube 90 and the box sections 102 are passed through the loops and are welded in place. A preferred design uses four slings 106, two passing around the upper section 94 and two passing around the lower section 96. In use, when the gate is subjected to a substantial impact in the closed position, the elongate hollow member of the gate 16 will deform away from the impact and the force of the impact will be taken up by the slings 106 within the gate. These will in turn bear upon the pivot pin 20 and the fixing pin 60 via the bearing retainer tube 90 and the box sections 102 respectively, thereby translating force into the freestanding masses of the first 12 and second 14 gate supports, via their respective bracket plates. It will be appreciated that different strengths and numbers of slings may be used in the invention dependent upon the force of impact against which the barrier is intended to protect.

The first additional feature is the provision of an anti-rotation force transmission member 108, that extends between the first 12 and second 14 gate supports at a position away from the impact facing end, i.e., the end away from which protection is required, thereof. Specifically, the anti-rotation holes are located between the centre of mass of the first and second gate supports 12, 14 and the end opposite the impact facing ends thereof. The anti-rotation transmission member 108 comprises a webbing sling (but may also comprise a steel cable or a rope) having a loop at either end thereof. The sling may have a load rating of 10 tonnes. The anti-rotation force transmission member 108 extends along the ground between the first and second gate supports 12, 14 and passes through an anti-rotation hole, in the form of a passageway through each gate support 12,14 in a direction substantially parallel to the gate when in its closed position. It is secured in place on the outer side faces (l.e. the faces opposite to the face on which the gate 16 is located) by a retention pin in the form of a steel bar 112 that passes through the loop at the end of the sling 108 to prevent it from pulling back through the passageway. The steel bar 112 may have a small mounting plate attached to at least one of its ends that can be affixed to the freestanding mass to hold the steel bar 112 in place, preferably a small plate is provided at either end of the steel bar 112 so that the bar can be affied to the freestanding mass at either end, thereby retaining the loop of the sling 108 in a manner that prevents it from being removed therefrom. It will be appreciated that the force transmission member 108 may be attached to the weights in any suitable manner that will prevent it from pulling therefrom under impact of the gate. In use the anti-rotation force transmission member may be covered with a suitable covering, for example a ramped heavy duty cable protector 110 as known in the art. Although it is not necessary to cover the antirotation force transmission member 108, doing so will protect it against wear and reduce any trip hazard it may pose. In use, when the gate 16 is impacted, as the central portion of it between its two ends 18, 22 will deform in the direction of travel of the vehicle. This results in the force being transmitted to the gate supports 12, 14, imposing a rotational force thereon. While for slow speed or lighter vehicle impacts this rotation may be substantially prevented by the mass of the gate system, the use of the anti-rotation force transmission member 108 effectively tethers the freestanding masses to one another towards their ends away from the impact, transferring any opposing rotational force between them so as to prevent or mitigate rotation of the first and second side support under impact of the gate 16.

The freestanding masses of the first gate support and the second gate support each comprise an internal metal structure which is encased in concrete. Figures 11 and 12 show the internal structure 118, 120 of the freestanding mases of the first gate support and the second gate support respectively each comprise a rebar reinforcement 122, 124, 126 arranged on the bottom and at least the front (i.e., impact facing) and rear side faces of the freestanding mass. The rebar 122 on the bottom may be provided with a plurality of feet or studs 144 extending downward therefrom. Additional rebar reinforcement (omitted for clarity) can be provided along the side faces of the freestanding mass. Steel billets which act as ballast are placed in a lower layer 128 over the rebar 122 on the bottom face of the freestanding mass. Two steel box sections 130, 132 are then located over the lower layer 128 which extend across the freestanding mass from one side to the other. Once formed the box section 130 forms the lower bracket hole and the box section 132 forms the anti-rotation hole. An upper layer 134 of steel billets acting as further ballast is added over the box sections 130, 132. On top of the upper layer 134 is a spacer 136 and another box section 138. The box section 138 forms the upper bracket hole of the first gate support. Referring to Figure 12, as can be seen, the upper layer 134A of ballast has a recess therein which receives a further box section 140 and the spacer 136 and box section 138 are located above this. The box section 140 forms the middle bracket hole of the second gate support. To manufacture the freestanding mass the ends of the box sections are covered, and the structure as described is assembled in a mould 142 into which concrete is poured.

It will be appreciated that an advantage of the present invention is the ease with which it can be assembled in place, and subsequently removed. This makes it particularly useful for application in temporary settings, for example Christmas Markets, where there will be a necessity for selective vehicular access to be granted for supply vehicles that need access to deliver goods, but for which it is also important to be able to prevent vehicular access so as to provide hostile vehicle attacks on pedestrians visiting the event. In such circumstances it is an advantage of the present invention that it is quickly and easily installed. The freestanding masses of the gate supports 12, 14 are placed in spaced relationship to one another separated by a measured distance. If there is a vertical difference between them one or the other of them can be raised by inserting heavy duty polymer mats thereunder. The first and second gate brackets are then installed by sliding them into the freestanding masses, placing the spacers over their ends and then inserting the pins 48, 70 to fix them in place. The gate 16 is then located in place and secured with the pivot member and fixing pin 60. The assembly of the surface mount security gate system can be installed and removed within two hours and, as it is a surface mount system, providing the surface is substantially flat, requires no surface preparation prior to installation and no resurfacing after removal.

The arrangement of the invention allows for the temporary security gate system to open horizontally inwards, which is additionally advantageous over horizontally pivoting gate systems which typically open outwards as, especially in restricted areas like city environments, where the gate is needed to be located where the access way that it is closing opens onto a road, the inwards opening design avoids the need for a gate to swing outwards from the access way, potentially into the flow of traffic of the road. This avoidance of outward opening of the gate, avoids the need for the gate system to be set back from the entrance to the access way.

In use, when the gate is secured in its first position, i.e., it is closed and the fixing pin 60 is passed through the second end 22 of the gate 16, the gate system prevents or substantially mitigates against, penetration by a moving vehicle from a direction of attack. The fixing pin 60 is be removed from the gate 16 to allow it to be opened and closed. The fixing pin 60 is provided with a collar 113 towards its upper end to prevent the fixing pin 60 from passing through the second end of the gate 16, and its lower end has a hole therethrough for receiving a locking pin 114 to retain it in the end of the gate 16. The fixing pin 60 may be provided with a handle 115 to assist in its removal when opening the gate 16. The locking pin 114 may be attached to the handle by a chain or other suitable means to prevent it from becoming separated therefrom. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1 . A surface mount security gate system comprising a first gate support, a second gate support, and a gate; wherein: the gate has a first end that is connected to the first gate support by a first attachment means comprising a pivot pin about which said gate is pivotable, and the gate has a second end that is selectively connectable to the second gate support by a fastening means; the first and second gate support each comprise a freestanding mass comprising concrete and have a mass in excess of 2 tonnes; and the gate is movable, in a plane substantially parallel to the surface on which it is located, in an arc from a closed position in which it extends between the first and second gate support, and an open position.

2. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second gate support each have an impact facing end, the impact facing end being an end which, in use, faces the direction from which impact prevention is desired, and wherein the gate is pivotally connected to the first gate support, and is selectively connectable to the second gate support, at a location towards the impact facing end from the centre of mass of the said first and second gate supports.

3 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 2 wherein the first gate support has a first gate bracket extending therefrom, said first gate bracket comprising a first upper bracket plate and a first lower bracket plate, each having an opening therein, said first end located between said first upper and said first lower bracket plate

4 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 3 wherein said pivot pin extends through said first upper bracket, said first end, and said first lower bracket plate.

5 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the first upper bracket plate and said first lower bracket plate each comprising a bracket section and an attachment section extending from the bracket section, said freestanding mass of the first gate support having an upper bracket hole and a lower bracket hole extending therethrough, the attachment section of the each of the first upper and first lower bracket plates extending through the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole of freestanding mass of the first gate support respectively.

6 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 5 wherein the upper and lower bracket plate each have an attachment opening at the distil end of their attachment section, wherein the distil ends of the attachment sections containing said attachment openings extend from the freestanding mass of the first gate support, and the first upper and first lower bracket plate are prevented from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass by a fixing pin passing through their respective attachment openings.

7 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 6, further comprising one or more spacer located between the fixing pin and the freestanding mass, said spacer determining the separation of the opening in said upper and lower plate from the freestanding mass.

8 The surface mount security gate system according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said bracket sections are asymmetrical and have the opening towards the impact facing end and an extended portion extending in a direction away from the impact facing end.

9. The surface mount security gate system according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the second gate support has a second gate bracket extending therefrom, said second gate bracket comprising a second upper bracket plate and a second lower bracket plate, each having an opening therein, said second end of the gate located between said upper and lower bracket plate when the gate is in the closed position.

10 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 9 wherein the second gate bracket further comprises a middle bracket plate having an opening therein, said second end of the gate comprises an upper section located between said second upper bracket plate and the middle bracket plate, and a lower section located between the middle bracket plate and the second lower bracket plate when the gate is in the closed position, said fastening means, in use, passing through the second upper bracket plate, the upper section, the middle bracket plate, the lower section, and the second lower bracket plate.

11 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the second upper bracket plate, said second lower bracket plate and optionally said middle bracket plate, each comprising a bracket section and an attachment section extending from the bracket section, said freestanding mass of the second gate support having an upper bracket hole, a lower bracket hole, and optionally a middle bracket hole, extending therethrough, the attachment section of the each of the second upper bracket plate, the second lower bracket plate, and optionally said middle bracket plate, extending through the upper bracket hole the lower bracket hole respectively, and optionally said middle bracket hole, of the freestanding mass of the second gate support, respectively.

12 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 11 wherein the second upper bracket plate and the second lower bracket plate, and optionally the middle bracket plate, each have an attachment opening at the distil end of their attachment section, wherein the distil ends of the attachment sections containing said attachment openings extend from the freestanding mass of the second gate support, and wherein the second upper bracket plate, the second lower bracket plate and optionally the middle bracket plate are prevented from being withdrawn from the freestanding mass by a fixing pin passing through their respective attachment openings.

13 The surface mount security gate system according to claim 12, further comprising one or more spacer located between the fixing pin and the concrete mass, said spacer determining the separation of the opening in said second upper bracket plate, said second lower bracket plate, and optionally said middle backet plate, from the freestanding mass.

14. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 5, or any claim depending therethrough, wherein the first gate support comprises a first metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said first metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said first metal plate having an upper hole and a lower hole therethrough, said upper hole and said lower hole aligned with said upper and lower bracket holes respectively

15. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 11 , or any claim depending therethrough, wherein the second gate support comprises a first metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said first metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said first metal plate having an upper hole, a lower hole and optionally a middle hole therethrough, said upper hole, said lower hole, and said optional middle hole aligned with said upper bracket hole, said lower bracket hole, and said optional middle bracket hole, respectively.

16. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the first metal plate comprises a support bracket extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom adjacent a lower edge of the lower hole, said support bracket received in the lower hole.

17. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 5, or any claim depending therethrough, wherein the first gate support comprises a second metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said second metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole on a side opposite the first attachment means, said second metal plate having an upper hole and a lower hole therethrough, said upper hole and said lower hole aligned with said upper and lower bracket holes respectively

18. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 11 , or any claim depending therethrough, wherein the second gate support comprises a second metal plate adjacent and attached to its respective freestanding mass, said second metal plate surrounding the upper bracket hole and the lower bracket hole adjacent the first attachment means, said second metal plate having an upper hole, a lower hole, and optionally a middle hole therethrough, said upper hole, said lower hole, and said optional middle hole aligned with said upper bracket hole, said lower bracket hole, and said optional middle bracket hole, respectively.

19. The surface mount security gate system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gate comprises an elongate hollow member.

20. The surface mount security gate system according to any preceding claim wherein the gate further comprising a bearing assembly at the first end thereof, the bearing assembly comprising an upper bearing at an upper end thereof and a lower bearing at a lower end thereof and wherein said pivot pin passes through the upper and lower bearing.

21. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 19 or 20 wherein said elongate hollow member further comprising a first tube at its first end, said first tube vertically positioned between an upper surface thereof and a lower surface thereof, said tube receiving said pivot pin.

22. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 19, or any claim depending therethrough, wherein the second end of the gate comprises an upper hollow section and a lower hollow section separated therefrom, the upper and lower hollow sections comprise an upper tube and a lower tube respectively, the upper tube extending from an upper surface of the upper section to a lower surface of the upper section, and the lower tube extending from an upper surface of the lower section to a lower surface of the lower section, and wherein when the gate is in the closed position the fastening means passes through the upper tube and the lower tube.

23. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 19, the system further comprising at least one sling comprising a loop or having a loop at either end, said sling located in said elongate hollow member and extending around the pivot pin at one end and around the fastening means at the other end such that the fastening means is movable through said sling.

24. The surface mount security gate system according to claims 21 , 22 and 23 wherein the loop of the at least one sling passes around the first tube at the first end and at least one of the upper and lower tubes at the second end.

25 The surface mount security gate of claim 24 wherein said at least one sling comprises a plurality of slings, and wherein the plurality of slings passes around the first tube at the first end thereof and wherein at least one of said plurality of slings passes around the upper tube, and at least another of said plurality of slings passes around the lower tube, at the second end.

26. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 2, or any claim dependant thereon, wherein the first and second gate support each have an anti-rotation hole extending therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to the gate when in its closed position, said anti-rotation holes located between the centre of mass of said first and second gate supports and the end opposite the impact facing end, the system further comprising a flexible antirotation member extending through said anti-rotation holes so that it extends between the first and second gate supports.

27. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 26 further comprising a retention pin extending through each end of said anti-rotation sling to prevent it from being withdrawn through said anti-rotation holes.

28. The surface mount security gate system according to claim 26 or claim 27 wherein said anti rotation sling extends along a ground surface between said gate supports.

29. The surface mount security gate according to any preceding claim, wherein the freestanding mass each comprise a metallic ballast, one or more steel tube sections and rebar reinforcement encapsulated in concrete, the steel tube sections opening at the edges of said gate supports so as to form holes therethrough.