Vehicle Arresting Device

Abstract

A vehicle arresting device ( 1 ) comprises a net ( 2 ) of circular or polygonal planform adapted to lie flat on the ground in the path of a vehicle ( 14 ) to be arrested, with one or more rows of upwardly-directed spikes ( 6 ) attached to the net around its outer periphery. When a vehicle runs over the device, from any relative angle of approach, some of the spikes become imbedded in its front tyres and the net is caused to, wrap around the front wheels, the portion of the net between those wheels being pulled tight under the vehicle so that the tension in the net prevents further rotation of the wheels and the vehicle is brought to a stop. A deployment method for the device is also described where it is dropped in a folded condition from a helicopter or other aircraft or from a road vehicle into the path of a target vehicle and unfolds automatically on the ground.

1 . A vehicle arresting device comprising a flexible substrate adapted to lie flat on the ground in the path of a vehicle to be arrested, with one or more rows of upwardly-directed spikes attached to the substrate around substantially the whole of its outer periphery. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said substrate is of circular or polygonal planform. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said substrate is in the form of a net. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein the loops of the net are of elongate form and with the longer dimension of the loops generally in the radial direction of the device. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1  comprising a system whereby the device can open automatically from a compacted condition so that the substrate lies flat on the ground with said spikes directed upwardly. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5  comprising a system for opening the device by use of an expanding gas and/or stored strain energy. 
     
     
         7 . A method of arresting a vehicle which comprises deploying a device according to  claim 1  on the ground in the path of a vehicle such that when the front tyres of the vehicle run over the outer periphery of the device one or more said spikes become embedded in each said tyre, the substrate becomes wrapped around the front wheels of the vehicle, and the portion thereof between those wheels is pulled tight under the vehicle, thereby preventing further rotation of those wheels. 
     
     
         8 . A method of deploying a device according to  claim 1  which comprises dropping or lowering the device to the ground from an aircraft or road vehicle at least initially in a compacted condition, and causing the device to open automatically so that the substrate lies flat on the ground with said spikes directed upwardly. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1  comprising a central aperture in said substrate. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein said system includes a self-righting mechanism.