Barbed Tape Stack and Apparatus for Deploying Barbed Tape Stack

Abstract

Some embodiments can include a barbed tape stack formed from a planar strip of flexible material and comprising a plurality of barbs disposed therealong, said barbs being sufficiently resilient so as to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an object therepast. The tape is folded in concertina-like folds to form a stack. Apparatus for deployment of barbed tape stacks is also disclosed.

1 . A barbed tape stack formed from a planar strip of flexible material and comprising a plurality of barbs disposed therealong, said barbs being sufficiently resilient so as to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an object therepast, the tape incorporating concertina-like folds such that it is arranged in a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         2 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1  which comprises a micro barbed tape, wherein said barbs are sized so as to entangle a person coming into contact therewith without causing serious injury to said person. 
     
     
         3 . A barbed tape according to  claim 1 , the tape comprising;
 a central portion having first and second parallel side edges;   a plurality of barbs disposed at spaced locations along at least one of said side edges, each of said barbs comprising at least one spike which projects in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the tape.   
     
     
         4 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein each barb comprises a pair of spikes, said pair of spikes extending in respective opposite directions from one another. 
     
     
         5 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spike or said pair of spikes project from a connecting portion which extends laterally from said at least one side edge. 
     
     
         6 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of barbs are disposed at regularly spaced locations along both of said first and second edges. 
     
     
         7 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacing between adjacent barbs on said at least one or each side edge is approximately equal to the length of each barb in the lengthwise direction of the tape. 
     
     
         8 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a metal or a plastics material. 
     
     
         9 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 8 , wherein the material is stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 250-500 microns. 
     
     
         10 . A barbed tape stack according  claim 1 , wherein the tape comprises a coating which includes at least one of ultra-violet reflective matter and infra-red reflective matter. 
     
     
         11 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , in which a barb guard disposed between adjacent layers of the barbed tape to prevent contact therebetween 
     
     
         12 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1  in which the tape is arranged such that adjacent layers of tape have barbed and unbarbed portions, and the barbed portion in one layer is arranged to overlie an unbarbed portion in adjacent layers. 
     
     
         13 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 1 , wherein the tape comprises a central portion with substantially parallel side edges having an undulating profile, the central portion being of substantially constant width, and the profile being such that barbs are arranged in the dips of the undulation such that they do not protrude beyond the adjacent peaks of the undulations. 
     
     
         14 . A barbed tape stack according to  claim 13  in which the folds are such that the undulations on adjacent layers are 180° out of phase with one another. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for deploying a barbed tape comprising;
 a stack of barbed tape formed of a length of barbed tape folded with concertina-like folds;   first and second members, each of said members being attached to respective ends of the length of barbed tape; and   an enclosure member,   wherein the apparatus is adapted to be configurable in a stowed state in which the stack of barbed tape is enclosed by the enclosure member, the first member and the second member and relative movement between the first and second members is prevented, and a deployed state in which relative movement between the first and second members is permitted.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein one of said first and said second members is formed integrally with said enclosure member. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein one or both of said first and second members comprises attachment means for securing said member or said members to a surface. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  in which the enclosure member is formed of a frangible material. 
     
     
         21 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  in which the enclosure member is coated with a water resistant layer 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  in which at least one of the first and second members comprises a lanyard 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)