Redeployable barrier fence system

Abstract

A redeployable security barrier system and methods for using the same are disclosed, the barrier system comprising an assembly of individual foundation barrier units or structures, which provide a vehicle-impact resistant foundation portion, and an upper, generally visually transparent, personnel-scaling resistant fence portion that spans the assembly of barrier units.

1 . A barrier fence system comprising a ground-level vehicle-resistant barrier portion made up of a plurality of adjacent foundation barrier units in combination with an above ground-level fence portion supported by a structural framework, held in place by being secured to and/or embedded in the barrier units. 
   
   
       2 . A barrier fence system comprising in combination:
 (a) an assembly of foundation barrier units positioned side-by-side abutting or in close proximity to an adjacent unit;   (b) a post-and-rail framework comprising a plurality of generally vertically-extending post members and a plurality of generally non-vertically-extending rail members, wherein each post member comprises a post foot portion secured to and/or embedded in a foundation barrier unit and a post support portion extending above the foundation barrier unit, and also wherein each rail member spans and is fastened to the post support portions of two or more post members; and,   (c) fencing comprising expanded metal fence fabric that spans and is fastened to the post support portions of two or more post members and also to two or more rail members, forming a continuous fence along the tops of the foundation barrier units.   
   
   
       3 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 2  wherein each foundation barrier unit comprises an open-top box-like structure having an interior region, the structure being of suitable size and strength to provide motorized vehicle impact resistance. 
   
   
       4 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 3  wherein a foundation barrier unit is made of steel, concrete or a comparably strong material. 
   
   
       5 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 3  wherein a foundation barrier unit is of a generally rectangular shape and comprises at least four steel side panels assembled and fastened to one another to form the outer walls of the box-like structure. 
   
   
       6 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 3  further wherein the hollow interior region of a foundation barrier unit is filled with soil, sand or a comparable buffer filler material. 
   
   
       7 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 3  wherein a foundation barrier unit ranges from about 20 to 50 feet in length, about 3 to 10 feet in width, and about 3 to 8 feet in height. 
   
   
       8 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 7  wherein the fencing extends about 5 to 15 feet above the tops of the foundation barrier units. 
   
   
       9 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 5  further comprising one or more crosstie panels spaced at periodic intervals in the interior region of a foundation barrier unit. 
   
   
       10 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 2  wherein at least some of said post members are secured to side walls or to tie walls of a foundation barrier unit by a U-shaped fastener system. 
   
   
       11 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 2  wherein the metal fence fabric is secured to at least some of the post support portions and to at least some of the rail members by a U-shaped fastener system. 
   
   
       12 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 10  wherein said U-shaped fastener system comprises fastening bolts with heads that cannot be grabbed or turned from one side of the barrier fence system. 
   
   
       13 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 11  wherein said U-shaped fastener system comprises fastening bolts with heads that cannot be grabbed or turned from one side of the barrier fence system. 
   
   
       14 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 2  wherein the expanded metal fence fabric comprises expanded metal sheets with openings shaped and sized to provide visibility through the fence but without providing a hand-hold that would assist in scaling the fence. 
   
   
       15 . A barrier fence system according to  claim 14  further wherein the surfaces of metal components of the barrier fence system are treated for corrosion protection. 
   
   
       16 . A method of erecting a redeployable barrier fence system comprising the steps of:
 (a) assembling a plurality of foundation barrier units, each comprising front and back wall panels and left-side and right-side wall panels, each such wall panel being fastened to adjacent wall panels to form the outer walls of a box-like structure having an interior region;   (b) positioning the assembled foundation barrier units side-by-side abutting or in close proximity to an adjacent unit and generally in alignment to form a ground-level barrier structure having front and back faces;   (c) securing a plurality of generally vertically disposed post members to wall panels of the foundation barrier units such that the post members are generally in alignment along the barrier structure;   (d) filling the interior region of a foundation barrier unit with soil, sand or a comparable buffer filler material;   (e) either before or after step (d), securing a plurality of rail members to the post members to form at least upper and lower lines of rail members that span the barrier structure and, in combination with the post members, comprise a post-and-rail framework;   (f) securing overlapping panels of expanded metal fence fabric to the post-and-rail framework to form a continuous fence structure spanning the region above the barrier structure.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the front and back wall panels and the left-side and right-side wall panels are pre-cut steel panels of suitable sizes for forming a generally rectangular structure when assembled. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein a post foot portion of a post member extends to the bottom of a foundation barrier unit and becomes securely embedded in soil, sand or comparable buffer filler material when the unit is filled. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein at least some of the post members are secured to wall panels of the foundation barrier units by a U-shaped fastener system. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the metal fence fabric is secured to at least some of the post support portions and to at least some of the rail members by a U-shaped fastener system. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein said U-shaped fastener system comprises fastening bolts with heads that cannot be grabbed or turned from at least the front or the back face of the wall structure. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein said U-shaped fastener system comprises fastening bolts with heads that cannot be grabbed or turned from one side of the barrier fence system. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 16  further including the step of positioning crosstie wall panels inside one or more of the foundation barrier units as part of the assembly of step (a), and wherein in step (c) post members are secured to at least some of those crosstie wall panels. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 16  further comprising the step of disassembling the barrier fence system for redeployment to another location by the added steps of:
 (g) removing the panels of fence fabric from engagement with the post-and-rail framework;   (h) removing the rail members from engagement with the post members;   (i) at least partially emptying the filler material from the foundation barrier units to expose lower portions of the post members;   (j) removing the post members from engagement with the wall panels of the foundation barrier units; and,   (k) disassembling the wall panels of the foundation barrier units;   all of steps (a) through (k) being performed with little or no damage to the component parts of the assembly such that those component parts can be reused.