U.S. patent application number 14/399452 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for barbed tape and apparatus for deploying a barbed tape.
The applicant listed for this patent is QINETIQ LIMITED. Invention is credited to David Banks-Fear, Philip John Dandy, Brett Robert Lowery, Sean William Murray, Simon Thomas Parker, Kenneth Andrew Pink.
Application Number | 20150122932 14/399452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49551387 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150122932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pink; Kenneth Andrew ; et
al. |
May 7, 2015 |
Barbed Tape and Apparatus for Deploying a Barbed Tape
Abstract
In some embodiments, a barbed tape can be formed from a planar
strip of flexible material and include a plurality of barbs
disposed therealong, the barbs being sufficiently resilient so as
to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an
object therepast. Apparatus for deployment of barbed tape is also
described.
Inventors: |
Pink; Kenneth Andrew;
(Fareham, GB) ; Dandy; Philip John; (Farnborough,
GB) ; Banks-Fear; David; (Christchurch, GB) ;
Parker; Simon Thomas; (Farnborough, GB) ; Lowery;
Brett Robert; (Staines, GB) ; Murray; Sean
William; (Bisley, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINETIQ LIMITED |
Hampshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
49551387 |
Appl. No.: |
14/399452 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2013/000205 |
371 Date: |
November 6, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61654172 |
Jun 1, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/405 ;
256/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/04 20130101;
B21F 25/00 20130101; F41H 11/10 20130101; E04H 17/04 20130101; B65H
35/002 20130101; B65H 75/30 20130101; E04H 17/268 20130101; E04H
17/266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/405 ;
256/6 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/04 20060101
E04H017/04; B65H 75/30 20060101 B65H075/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2012 |
GB |
1208078.4 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
GB |
1304636.2 |
Claims
1. A barbed tape 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, wherein said
barbs are sized so as to entangle a person coming into contact
therewith without causing serious injury to said person.
2. 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.
3-6. (canceled)
7. A barbed tape according to claim 1, wherein the material is a
metal or a plastics material.
8. A barbed tape according to claim 7, wherein the material is
stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 250-500
microns.
9. A barbed tape according to claim 1, wherein the tape comprises a
coating which includes at least one of ultra-violet reflective
matter and infra-red reflective matter.
10. (canceled)
11. A barbed tape according to claim 2, wherein the central portion
with substantially parallel side edges has 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.
12. An apparatus for deploying a barbed tape comprising; a coil of
barbed tape; first and second members, each of said members being
attached to respective ends of the coil of barbed tape; and an
enclosure member, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be
configurable in a stowed state in which the coil 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.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one of said first
and said second members is formed integrally with said enclosure
member.
14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one or both of said
first and second members comprises attachment means for securing
said member or said members to a surface.
15-23. (canceled)
24. An apparatus for deploying a barbed tape comprising; a
container enclosing a reel of barbed tape, the container having an
opening through which an end of the reel extends; and first
attachment means disposed at said end of the reel, external to the
container, and adapted to secure the end of the reel to a
surface.
25-28. (canceled)
29. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the reel of barbed
tape is disposed on a spool, which is rotatably mounted within the
container.
30. An apparatus according to claim 29 in which the reel of barbed
tape contains multiple layers of material.
31. An apparatus according to claim 30 in which the multiple layers
of material comprise layers of barbed tape interspersed with layers
of unbarbed material.
32. An apparatus according to claim 30 in which the multiple layers
of material comprise layers of barbed tape which are arranged such
that barbs on a first layer do not overlie barbs on adjacent
layers.
33. (canceled)
34. An apparatus for dispensing barbed tape according to claim 1;
the apparatus comprising; punching means for punching out the
profile of the barbed tape from a strip of un-profiled tape;
feeding means for feeding the un-profiled tape past the punching
means.
35. (canceled)
36. A handheld device comprising the tape dispensing apparatus of
claim 34, the device further comprising control means and trigger
means wherein the control means is operable to control the tape
dispensing apparatus to dispense barbed tape in response to a user
activating the trigger means.
37. A device according to claim 36, wherein the tape dispensing
apparatus comprises cutting means for cutting off a length of
dispensed tape.
38-41. (canceled)
42. Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the container carries a
power supply for powering operation of the handheld device.
43. An apparatus for deploying barbed tape comprising; a container
enclosing one or more coils of barbed tape, the container
comprising a top, a base and a wall portion engaged by the top and
the base when the apparatus is in an un-deployed state, the wall
portion surrounding the barbed tape so as to prevent deployment
thereof when engaged by the top and the base; biasing means for
biasing the top and the base out of engagement with the wall
portion; restraining means adapted to coupled the top to the base
and prevent relative movement therebetween when the apparatus is in
the un-deployed state; and release means for decoupling the
restraining means from at least one of the top and the base so as
to enable deployment of the barbed tape.
44-46. (canceled)
47. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the top and the
base are circular and each comprises an annular wall for engaging
with respective opposite ends of the wall portion
48-49. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a barbed tape and apparatus
for deploying a barbed tape.
[0002] There are many situations in which there is a need to deny
and/or secure access to a region of a building, an aircraft, a
train, a town, a field, etc. This may be, for example, to
temporarily secure a `cleared` area in a combat zone, or to control
the movements of individuals or crowds, for example during a riot.
It may also be desirable to suppress and curtail fleeing combatants
in a non-lethal manner. To this end, it is known to use barbed wire
in order to form a perimeter fence around an area or to form a
barrier at a point of entry to a building, etc.
[0003] However, conventional barbed wire is slow and difficult to
deploy and can be logistically difficult to carry by dismounted
troops or other users. Furthermore, it can be too aggressive for a
given situation and can cause significant injury. This may be
highly undesirable, for example, when the barbed wire may be
encountered by a civilian population.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a barbed
tape and apparatus for deploying the same which substantially
overcomes or mitigates at least some of the above-mentioned
problems.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a micro barbed tape.
[0006] The term `micro barbed tape` is used herein to refer to
barbs which are smaller, and therefore less injurious, that current
barbed wires or tapes.
[0007] In particular, a micro barbed tape according to the
invention may be produced from a stock tape of around 5-20 mm in
width. Further, micro barbed tape according to the invention is
preferably relatively thin, for example between 100-1000 microns,
and more preferably 100-600 microns. The length of each barb is
preferably between 2 mm to 30 mm
[0008] In one embodiment, the tape is formed from a planar strip of
thin 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.
[0009] Thus, the invention provides a low-risk and novel approach
to the concept of barbed wire, which in this invention is scaled
and packaged to form a non-lethal counter personnel capability for
entry point control.
[0010] Related ideas are set out in our co-pending applications,
which bear reference numbers P7878, P7879 and P7880. These
applications are incorporated herein by reference to the fullest
extent allowable.
[0011] Barbed tape according to the first aspect of the invention
may be designed to be non-lethal and inflict only light injuries
but presents an entanglement feature that inhibits free passage of
a person through a doorway or along a passage.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for deploying a barbed tape comprising;
[0013] a coil of barbed tape, which is preferably barbed tape
according to the first aspect of the invention; [0014] first and
second members, each of said members being attached to respective
ends of the coil of barbed tape; and [0015] an enclosure member,
wherein the apparatus is adapted to be configurable in a stowed
state in which the coil 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.
[0016] Thus, the barbed tape is easy to deploy without the need for
it to be handled directly by a person deploying the tape.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for deploying a barbed tape comprising;
[0018] a container enclosing a reel of barbed tape, the container
having an opening through which an end of the reel extends; and
[0019] first attachment means disposed at said end of the reel,
external to the container, and adapted to secure the end of the
reel to a surface.
[0020] Thus, the barbed tape is easy to deploy without the need for
it to be handled directly by a person deploying the tape.
Preferably the reel of barbed tape is barbed tape according to the
first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the reel is lightweight
and compact, making the container easy to stow and carry.
[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided an apparatus for dispensing barbed tape, which may be
barbed tape according to the first aspect of the invention; the
apparatus comprising; [0022] punching means for punching out the
profile of the barbed tape from a strip of un-profiled tape; [0023]
feeding means for feeding the un-profiled tape past the punching
means.
[0024] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the fourth aspect
for dispensing the barbed tape according to the first aspect can be
lightweight, compact and readily transportable. Because the tape
may be relatively thin and flexible, the power required to feed and
punch the tape is relatively low. Accordingly, there is preferably
provided a handheld device comprising the tape dispensing apparatus
of the fourth aspect; the device further comprising control means
and trigger means wherein the control means is operable to control
the tape dispensing apparatus to dispense barbed tape in response
to a user activating the trigger means.
[0025] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention an
apparatus for deploying barbed tape comprising; [0026] a container
enclosing one or more coils of barbed tape, the container
comprising a top, a base and a wall portion engaged by the top and
the base when the apparatus is in an un-deployed state, the wall
portion surrounding the coil of barbed tape so as to prevent
deployment thereof when engaged by the top and the base; [0027]
biasing means for biasing the top and the base out of engagement
with the wall portion; [0028] restraining means adapted to couple
the top to the base and prevent relative movement therebetween when
the apparatus is in the un-deployed state; and [0029] release means
for decoupling the restraining means from at least one of the top
and the base so as to enable deployment of the coil(s) of barbed
tape.
[0030] Thus, the fifth aspect of the present invention
advantageously provides a barbed tape `grenade`.
[0031] Preferred and/or optional features of the first to fifth
aspects of the present invention are recited in the claims appended
hereto.
[0032] Embodiments of the invention may be employed to provide
micro barbed tape across points of access to snag the clothing of
anyone (or the coats of animals) passing it. Deployment methods
(which could be used with other tape, including un-barbed tape or
traditional barbed tape) are also described.
[0033] Containers for the barbed tapes described herein are
preferably arranged to safely contain the tape until the point of
deployment. The container(s) shall preferably be easily transported
and can be safely carried by tactical dismounted troops (pocket
sized up to back pack size), disposable and readily deployable.
[0034] Apparatus described herein is preferably as light and as
small as practical and the container profiled such that it can be
easily carried by a combat soldier without affecting the soldier's
mobility.
[0035] Apparatus described herein is preferably arranged such that
it does not adversely react too, or interact with, the kit
currently being carried or used by a soldier.
[0036] Apparatus described herein is preferably designed and
manufactured from materials to have a long shelf life and not
require servicing. Preferably, production systems should be sealed
to prevent ingress of moisture or dirt.
[0037] In some embodiments, the apparatus shall preferably not
contain any ordnance, pyrotechnics, chemical propellants or
batteries. However, in other embodiments, powered deployment may be
desirable.
[0038] In apparatus which include automatic or powered deployment,
the system will preferably have safety features such that no
un-commanded deployment of the barbed tape occurs.
[0039] Preferably, in keeping with standard military protocols the
user must undertake two different actions before the system
activates, e.g. remove cap, pull cord; remove pin, lift trigger
etc. In some examples, there is preferably a short delay from
triggering the device to it opening, this would allow the user to
throw the device such that it deploys at a short remote distance
from him or her.
[0040] It may be desirable for apparatus to be quiet or near silent
in operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which;
[0042] FIGS. 1A and 1B are top plan views of a strip of barbed tape
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a section of the barbed tape
shown in FIG. 1;
[0044] FIGS. 3A-3C show respective methods and apparatus for
restricting access to a point of entry using the barbed tape shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0045] FIGS. 4A and 4B show views of barbed tape according to a
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIGS. 5A and 5B show views of barbed tape according to a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of
an apparatus for deploying the barbed tape;
[0048] FIG. 7A, B and C show views of a deployment apparatus
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of an
apparatus for deploying the barbed tape;
[0050] FIG. 9 shows an alternative component of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 8;
[0051] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
apparatus for deploying a barbed tape;
[0052] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a trigger
mechanism of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10;
[0053] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper end of
the apparatus of FIG. 10 with part of the casing removed;
[0054] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower end of
the apparatus of FIG. 10 with part of the casing removed; and
[0055] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a coil of barbed tape for
use in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, when in a deployed
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a barbed tape 1 is formed from a
substantially planar strip of flexible material. In the presently
described embodiment, the barbed tape 1 is punched from a strip of
stainless steel having a nominal width of 10 mm and a nominal
thickness of 500 microns. In alternative embodiments of the present
invention, the barbed tape 1 may be formed from, for example, mild
steel or other metals including non-ferrous metals, polymers or
plastics materials, and/or may have a nominal thickness of 250
mm.
[0057] The strip of barbed tape 1 is formed with a continuous
central portion 2, which has first and second parallel edges 3, 4.
A plurality of barbs 5 are disposed at regularly spaced locations
along each of the first and second edges 3, 4. Each of the barbs 5
is formed as a `double barb` having a T-shape and comprising a
connecting portion 6 which projects laterally from the respective
edge 3, 4 of the central portion 2 of the strip. A pair of arms 7,
8 are disposed at the distal end of the connecting portion 6,
furthest from the central portion 2 of the strip. The arms 7, 8
extend in respective opposite directions from the distal end of the
connecting portion 6 parallel to the lengthwise direction of the
adjacent central portion 2 of the strip. The arms 7, 8 terminate
with a respective pair of spikes 9, 10. Each of the spikes 9, 10 is
substantially triangular in shape having a pointed tip which is
defined by an acute angle between the two major sides thereof. The
connecting portion 6 of each barb 5 acts to space the pairs of
spikes 9, 10 from the central portion 2 of the strip. Furthermore,
each spike 9, 10 is shaped such that it tapers away from the
central portion 2 of the strip.
[0058] Exemplary dimensions of the above-described features of the
barbed tape 1 are shown in millimetres in FIG. 1B.
[0059] The use of a relatively thin material is advantageous as it
means that the resulting barbed tape 1 is lightweight and can be
easily stowed. Furthermore, the flexibility of the barbed tape 1
ensures that it can deform around an object which it comes into
contact with so as to ensnare the object. The barbed tape 1 is also
conveniently designed (such as shown in FIG. 2) so as to limit the
injurious effects of the tape as the spikes 9, 10 are too short to
penetrate deeply into skin. Preferably, the barbed tape 1 is no
more injurious than natural brambles.
[0060] Trials conducted by the Applicant have found that barbed
tape 1 according to the presently described embodiment, which has a
thickness of, say 250 or 500 microns, has a tensile strength and
profile which means that it cannot readily be pulled apart by hand.
The distribution of the barbs 5 along each edge 3, 4 of the barbed
tape 1 is such that they are closer together than the span of a
typical human hand. Accordingly, a person cannot hold onto the tape
at any point in an attempt to tear it apart without being impinged
on at least one set of spikes 9, 10.
[0061] The `double barbed` design of the presently described
embodiment, while not essential, advantageously ensures that that
clothing, etc. caught thereon is thoroughly ensnared. The location
and spacing of the barbs 5 is set so as to take advantage of the
reaction of a body to being impinged by a spike 9, 10 (either
directly or through clothing), which is to withdraw from the point
of pain. The rapid withdraw reaction has the effect of impaling the
offending part of the body onto the adjacent spike. Thus, the "pull
away" response from the first contact with the barbed tape 1 is
likely to cause greater contact with an adjacent spike 9, 10. The
only way to stop this sequence is to halt all violent action and
remain still. Once stopped one can then slowly withdraw each spike
9, 10, and it is this action that creates the hindrance to free
movement.
[0062] As mentioned above, the barbed tape 1 may conveniently be
formed by being punched out of a strip of material, such as
stainless steel. The Applicant has discovered that an advantageous
consequence of the punching process is that the tips of the spikes
9, 10 are sharpened as the material bends, whereas the rest of the
barb 5, i.e. the arms 7, 8 and connecting portion 6 has a
substantially square cut profile and is not therefore sharp. This
is useful because it means that, whilst the barbs 5 remain
effective at, for example, snagging clothing, they do not have
sharpened, bladed edges (as is the case with conventional `razor
wire`) and so the chance of causing severe injury to a person
encountering the barbed tape 1 is reduced. Furthermore, with a
barbed tape 1 of the above described configuration it is possible
to adjust the severity of the effect provided by the tape (in
accordance with the intended use) by selecting the appropriate
geometry and scale of the barbs 5 when the tape is formed. For
example, the more acute the angle at the tip of each spike 9, 10,
the greater the ability of the spike to penetrate the clothing of a
person coming into contact with the tape.
[0063] The barbs 5 of a plurality of strips of the above-described
barbed tape 1 may `tessellate` to save on material. The profile of
the barbed tape 1 has been designed for mass production such that,
while it is possible to punch out a single strip, it is also
possible to punch out numerous strips side by side on a single pass
through a punch machine. This is achieved by setting the gap
between opposed spikes 9, 10 of adjacent barbs 5 on each edge 3, 4
of a strip to be as long or longer than the length of the barb
assembly 5 itself (measured between the tips of each spike 9, 10 of
the barb assembly 5). This allows the barb 5 of one strip of tape
to be punched into the space between barbs 5 on an adjacent strip
of tape thus saving material and speeding production with minimal
waste product.
[0064] When the barbed tape 1 is made of natural stainless steel it
has a high reflection index. Accordingly, the barbed tape 1 may be
treated such that it exhibits a lower reflectivity, making it
harder to see. For example, the barbed tape may be painted matte
black. Moreover, the barbed tape 1 may optionally contain markers
which can readily be picked up by friendly forces. For example, the
barbed tape 1 may be treated with infra-red (IR) and/or ultra
violet (UV) reactive paints which are visible to troops using night
vision goggles or special eyewear or using dedicated (IR/UV)
illumination torches. In one example, the tape may incorporate
Black Heat (Oxidizing) IR elements into the tape pack that activate
on tape deployment to provide a `warm` tape that can be easily
distinguished using specialised cameras. The tape may also be
brightly coloured so as to provide a clear visual deterrent.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 3A, one or more strips 11 of the barbed
tape 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used
to secure or hinder the passage of a person through a point of
entry, such as a doorway 12. Strips 11 of the barbed tape 1 may be
affixed to opposite sides and/or other points of the doorway 12
using any suitable means, e.g. adhesive, hooks, pins, nails, etc so
as to form a barrier to entry. In particular, a strip of barbed
tape 1 may be used to form a trip wire by fixing across the doorway
12 at a low level above the floor.
[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pocket sized
container is made in two or more parts, at least one of which is to
be secured to door hard points/surrounds by spikes, hooks, adhesive
pads etc. Other parts of the container may be attached to the other
side of a door, or may be allowed to fall to the floor, or the
like. In such an embodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, the container 300
comprises a first cylindrical member 302 and a second cylindrical
member 304. Each member 302, 304 carries an adhesive pad 306,
initially covered with a removable release layer 308. A length of
tape 50 is coiled into the first cylindrical member 302, and the
second cylindrical member 304 fits over the outside of the first
cylindrical member 302 as lid with a tight fit to initially prevent
relative movement therebetween. One end of the tape 50 (in this
example, the middle of the coil) is attached to the first member
302 and the other is attached to the second member 304 by a tab
310. The first member 302 part of the container 300 may be attached
(for example to a door frame as shown in FIG. 3C) and then manually
separated from the other member to reveal the barbed tape 50. In
this example, although not essential, container 300 also encloses a
supporting wire 312 which can extend across a doorway.
[0067] Referring also to FIG. 3C, the container 300 may be used to
create a spiral of barbed tape 50. The supporting wire 312 attached
at either end to one of the respective attachment parts (i.e. the
two members 306) is stretched across the doorway 12 (preferably,
the user uncovers the adhesive pad 306 on the first member 302
secures the first member to one side of the door, then pulls off
the lid formed by the second member 304, allowing relative movement
between the first and second member 302, 304, then stretching the
supporting wire 312 across the doorway 12 and pulling out coils of
tape 50). The arrangement is such that a length of barbed tape 50
is wrapped around the supporting wire 312 along its length such
that, when deployed, a spiral of barbed tape 50 hangs from the
wire. In this way, a barrier to a point on entry, such as a
doorway, may be created.
[0068] Such a container could also include guard tapes and/or
self-guarding tape designs, which are discussed in greater detail
below. Of course, the coil of tape 50 need not be circular: it
could be square, ovoid or any other shape.
[0069] A single strand of barbed tape across a doorway could serve
as a trip wire (which may delay an intruder due to entanglement).
Multiple strands (such as are shown in FIG. 3C) could serve to
provide further delay or deterrent.
[0070] The above-described deployment systems could be used in
conjunction with a non-barbed net to form a temporary door
block.
[0071] An alternative tape design is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. This
tape 401 is barbed along one side only, with barbs 405 similar to
those described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 above. Further, in
this embodiment, the tape comprises `sprocket holes" 410, i.e.
slots of removed material intended to receive a pin or peg (of
which, for clarity, only an exemplary few are labelled). This
allows the tape 401 to be driven, in a manner of cine film through
a projector (as will be familiar to the skilled person, in such a
device, a wheel with spaced projections is rotated such that the
projections engage with and drive the film, or in this example,
tape 801). This could also provide an indication of the amount of
tape left within the deployment device or the amount already
discharged by counting sprocket holes 410.
[0072] In this embodiment, the arrangement is such that the
sprocket holes 410 do not lie in line with the base of a barb
assembly to avoid producing a weakness in the tape 401.
[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the slots are
towards at one side of the central portion and the barbed
projections are arranged towards a second side.
[0074] As shown in particular in FIG. 4B, tape can be laid down in
a two layer structure in which the layers are relatively rotated
along the longitudinal axis of the tape 401. As will be apparent,
this allows the unbarbed edge of a length of tape 401 in a first
orientation to act as a barrier between layers of tape 401 in the
second orientation. The arrangement is such that barbs on one layer
do not overlie barbs on adjacent layers, and thus layers of tape
401 built up using alternate orientations will not entangle prior
to deployment.
[0075] Further, the arrangement is such that that, when the barbs
405 are arranged to lie along the edge of an adjacent layer, the
sprocket holes 410 are exposed on both layers.
[0076] The sprocket holes 410 can thus also serve to ensure that
that the lay between the two tapes is maintained. This can be used
to form a coil of the tape 401, for example wound about a spiked
central drum or capstan, in which the spikes securing the first few
layers of tape 401 in both orientations through the sprocket holes
410 to allow easy coiling without slipping.
[0077] As will be immediately appreciated by the skilled person, as
layers are built up, the sprocket holes 410 will become misaligned.
However, if the material is thin (e.g. 250 microns), as described
above, the effect of such misalignment is not great, and the holes
410 will still overlaps for at least the initial few coils, which
is enough to allow the rest of the tape 401 to be loaded on to a
reel without slipping. The length of the sprocket holes 410 could
be increased if it was desired to directly secure more layers of
tape 401. Indeed the sprocket holes 410 could be useful in other
tape designs, including those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0078] Of course, this tape 401 could also be made without the
sprocket holes 410, and would still have the advantages associated
with alternating layers described above. In such examples, it may
be desirable to secure the tape 401 to a drum or the like with
adhesive, or other fixings, to prevent slipping.
[0079] A further alternative tape design is shown in FIGS. 5A and
5B. This tape 501 is barbed along both sides, with barbs similar to
those described in relation to FIG. 1 above. Once again, the tape
501 comprises sprocket holes 510.
[0080] In this embodiment, the substantially parallel side edges
503, 504 of a central portion 502 follow an undulating path, the
central portion 502 being of substantially constant width (i.e.
with the tape 501 laid flat, the undulations are in the plane of
the tape 501). Moreover, the barbs 505 are arranged in the `dips`,
i.e. along portions of the side edges 503, 504 which lie close to a
central axis 512 of the tape 501, rather than those portions which
lie further away from the central axis 512. The undulations are
such the maximum distance from the longitudinal central axis 512 to
the outer edge of the barbs 505 is approximately the same as the
maximum distance of a side edge 503, 504, i.e. the barbs 505 are
arranged in the `troughs` of the waves of the undulating profile,
and are substantially contained between the `crests` of the
waves.
[0081] Expressed another way, a length of the tape 505 would be
fully enclosed by a rectangle, where a side portion 503, 504
extends approximately to the edge of the rectangle at the same
point along its length as a barb 505 extends approximately to the
opposite edge of the rectangle. This means that, by aligning layers
of the tape 180.degree. `out of phase` (i.e. aligning a peak of one
undulation with a barb arranged in the trough of another
undulation), the tape 501 can itself again provide a barrier
between barbs on alternate layers. The arrangement is such that
that barbs on one layer do not overlie barbs on adjacent layers,
and thus layers built up using offset undulations will not entangle
prior to deployment. This is shown in FIG. 5B
[0082] As with the tape described in relation to FIG. 4, the
sprocket holes 510 are preferably exposed on both layers of tape
501 and could be used to help locate the tape 501, for example on a
spiked drum or capstan.
[0083] Of course, this tape 501 could also be made without the
sprocket holes 510, and would still have the advantages associated
with alternating layers described above (although the alignment may
be harder to maintain).
[0084] Further, the undulations may vary in shape from those shown
and may be more angular, or smoother than those illustrated while
still achieving the same effect.
[0085] A "tape measure dispenser" type embodiment of the present
invention will now be described.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of an apparatus for
deploying the barbed tape described above is similar to a container
for a retractable tape measure. The apparatus comprises a casing
600 which holds a reel of barbed tape 602. The casing 600 includes
an opening 605 in a side wall thereof through which one end 603 of
the reel of barbed tape 602 extends. An attachment part 608 is
disposed on the end of the barbed tape 63 which protrudes from the
opening 605. The attachment part 608 is sized such that it cannot
pass through the opening 605, thus preventing the end of the barbed
tape 603 from falling back inside the casing 600.
[0087] The attachment part 608 may be provided with an adhesive pad
609 having a removable release tab 610 so as to enable the
attachment part 608 to be affixed to a surface such as a doorway
surround. Furthermore, the attachment part 608 may be releasably
mounted on the casing (for example, by a low-tack adhesive layer
provided on the surface of the casing 600 adjacent to the opening
605 to which the attachment part 608 adheres, and/or other
selectively releasable attachments) such that, in a stowed state,
the attachment part 608 is coupled to the casing 600 in order to
prevent the barbed tape 602 from being deployed.
[0088] In order to deploy the barbed tape 602, the attachment part
608 is decoupled from the casing 600 and the release tab 610 is
removed so as to expose the adhesive pad 609. The attachment part
608 is then fixed to a desired surface by means of the adhesive pad
609 and a user then moves the casing 600 away from the attachment
part 608 causing the reel 603 to unwind and the barbed tape to be
deployed. In the case that a user wishes to deploy the tape
vertically, such that it is suspended from the top of a doorway,
they may simply drop the casing 600 once the attachment part 608
has been secured to the doorway and the reel 602 will unwind under
the force of gravity as the casing 600 falls to the ground.
[0089] In one embodiment, the reel of barbed tape 602 may be
mounted on a spool 612 within the casing, the spool 612 being
rotatably mounted within the casing 600, on an axle or otherwise,
so as to facilitate the deployment of the barbed tape from the
casing 600. The body of the casing 600 could itself be provided
with attachment means for attaching the casing 600 to, for example,
the other side of a door way. A guard, for example a paper or
plastic guard strip, may be wound into the reel to separate layers
of tape and prevent their mutual entanglement. Alternatively, a
double ribbon of `self-guarding` tape, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5 could be used.
[0090] A further embodiment which functions in a similar manner to
the device shown in FIG. 6 (or indeed any other deployment method
described herein) could induce an electric shock in a person who
encounter the tape, in a similar manner to an electric fence or a
`Taser` style stun gun. A similar circuit to that used in a Taser,
which produces a stunning electrical shock, could be incorporated
into a container, and, in a preferred example, triggered by the
combatant pulling on or interacting with the deployed tape. In such
an example, the tape assumes a "ready" state, once it has been
released from the container, but is not energised and would hang to
present a possible ensnaring trap. However once a person or animal
has been ensnared and make positive active action to free
themselves by pulling on the tape. The action of pulling may
activate the circuit further enticing the combatant to remain
passive and still.
[0091] A further embodiment of a barbed tape dispensing apparatus
700 is shown in FIGS. 7A-C. In this embodiment, tape 701 is housed
coiled on a reel in a container/enclosure member comprising a
stowage cassette housing 702 (shown separately in cross section in
FIG. 7C), and the cassette housing 702 is attached to a `staple
gun` or upholstery style stapler 704. Tape 701 is fed from the
cassette housing 702 past a slide plate 706 such that it exits the
slide plate 706 at the front of the stapler 704. As it passes
beyond the end of the slide plate, it passes under a cavity that
houses the stapler action. As in a convention stapler (and
therefore not described in detail herein), a staple is propelled
under the action of a sprung hammer on activation of a handle
708.
[0092] In use, the stapler 704 is held against a substrate (which
may, in practical examples, be a door frame or the like) and the
handle 708 is activated. This propels the staple into the
substrate, trapping the tape 701 in the process. Inside the
cassette housing 702, a spool 709 is mounted such that it can turn
about a mounting axle 710. In this example, there is an
interference fit between the spool 709 and the mounting axle 710
such that it turns only when a reasonable amount of pressure is
applied to the tape 701, to prevent accidental deployment of any
tape 701. However, in other examples this need not be the case, or
else there may be an additional or alternative means of preventing
accidently deployment, such as a locking device which is activated
by a user when deployment is required.
[0093] In this example, the spool 709 bears a number of protrusions
712 (and therefore acts as a sprocket), which engage the first few
coils of tape 701 through sprocket holes formed therein. However,
this need not be the case in all embodiments.
[0094] Drawing the apparatus 700 away from the substrate discharges
a length of tape 701 from the front of the apparatus 700. At any
suitable point the operative can retrigger another staple to secure
the tape 701 in place. In this example, as the tape comes to an end
it is without barbs, which allows the user to see that the tape 701
is due to run out, allowing the user to staple the tail of the tape
701 before it expires completely. Therefore, the tape 701 is drawn
away from the first member, provided by the spool 709, once a
portion thereof is stapled. The staple therefore acts as a second
member of a deployment device, or else as a first attachment means
which is adapted to secure the end of a reel to a surface.
[0095] In this embodiment, the cassette housing 702 may be
replaced, such that a user can load the cassette housing 702 onto
the stapler 704 and deploy the first section of tape 701 from the
cassette housing 702. Further, in this example, this leading
section is without barbs and can be handled.
[0096] Further, in this embodiment, the cassette holds a `double
ribbon` of material, one of which is barbed, and the other of which
is a barrier layer, made in this example of paper. However, in
other embodiments, alternative designs could be used, for example,
those illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0097] Alternatives and enhancements will occur to the skilled
person. For example, alternative embodiments of the apparatus 700
may incorporate a tape cropper/cutter facility to allow the user to
determine the length of tape 701 being used. In use of such an
apparatus, a user may dispense tape 701 and fix this to a substrate
until the desired length of tape 701 has been dispensed. The staple
gun could be replaced with similar known apparatus, such as a nail
gun or the like.
[0098] An alternative cassette housing 802 is shown in FIG. 8A (in
which a cassette 804 is loaded into the housing 802, shown with a
side removed) and 8B (which shows the cassette 804 with its cover
removed and without tape.) In this example, a free spool 806 which
holds the tape rotates around a central core 808. Further, the
cassette housing 802 includes a guide roller 810 situated near the
exit of the housing 802, which ensures that there is no change of
the tape angle relative to the exit due to a reduced radius in the
core as the bulk of the tape is extracted. The roller 810 also
flattens any protruding barb prior to it exiting the cassette
housing 804. This may result in smoother running of the tape. It
will also be noted that, in place of the protrusions 712, the spool
804 incorporates an angled notch 812. The arrangement is such that
tape is fed into the notch 812 and is held securely by layer(s) of
tape wound onto the spool 804
[0099] Of course, any of the cassette housings 600, 702, 802
described in relation to FIG. 6, FIG. 7C and FIG. 8A and B may
alternatively or additionally have any of the features described in
relation to any other cassette housing/reel container.
[0100] In addition, more than one coil of tape could be included in
a cassette housing/reel container, and in such examples, each
coil/reel may have a separate or shared associated attachment
means. One or more parts of a cassette housing/reel container may
act as a weight to assist in deploying the tape. A cassette
housing/reel container, or elements thereof, may be incorporated
into other structures or fittings, which could be arranged in a
possible deployment location for a long period of time, perhaps
permanently. Although various means of releasing the tape have been
disclosed herein, in other examples, deployment could be provided
by a hinged lid or cover, which may be manually or automatically
opened.
[0101] As mentioned previously, conventional barbed wire has been
used to control the movement of animals and humans for over a
hundred years. However, to date the barbed wire has always been
fabricated elsewhere and transported as a spiky load prior to
deployment. This means that coils of barbed wire are preformed in
stock lengths and rapid deployment (often during high stress
situations) is difficult.
[0102] In view of the above, a further embodiment of the present
invention comprises a "barbed tape gun" for dispensing barbed tape,
which may be micro barbed tape of the kind described above with
reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.
[0103] The barbed tape gun may comprise a hard enclosed backpack to
be worn by a user on a person's back like a rucksack for storing a
supply of tape to be dispensed or a larger vehicle mounted unit. As
described in more detail later, the tape may be stock tape, i.e.
raw, unpunched tape, pre-profiled tape (i.e. formed with barbs) or
frangible tape.
[0104] The gun may comprise a body having a handle projecting
therefrom to be grasped by a user with a trigger disposed adjacent
to the handle for activating the gun and causing barbed tape to be
dispensed.
[0105] In one example, tape from the backpack is fed to the gun and
dispensed therefrom when the trigger is actuated via, e.g. a
flexible umbilical attaches the backpack to the "Barrier gun"
lance.
[0106] The gun may be provided with a power source, which may
conveniently be housed in the backpack, such as a battery pack, and
drive means, such as an electric motor, which is operable to drive
a tape dispensing arrangement housed in the body of the gun.
Alternatively, the barbed tape gun may be mains powered, or even
hand powered. In the case that the gun is powered by hand, the
handle and trigger may be formed such that pressure exerted by a
user's hand, e.g. a squeezing action, causes relative movement
between the handle and trigger which is transmitted to the tape
dispensing arrangement so as to dispense the barbed tape. In a
further example, it may be possible to attach an end of the tape to
a fixed object or structure, and the act of pulling away from that
point draws tape into though the mechanism.
[0107] In one example, the tape dispensing mechanism comprises one
or more pair(s) of counter rotating rollers or drums between which
the tape to be dispensed is fed. Such rollers or drums may comprise
cutting drums, twisting means and/or may be arranged to draw the
tape therebetween, driving it through the mechanism. Alternatively
or additionally, as explained in more detail below, a punch and
anvil arrangement may be provided. In further examples, also
described below, the tape is pre profiled so need not be punched to
form barbs.
[0108] The gun will typically be provided with control circuitry
for controlling operation of the tape dispensing mechanism in
response to a user pulling the trigger. The gun may have a safety
cut off to prevent accidental operation and, in use, the gun will
discharge tape at a speed relative to the pulled position of the
trigger. Whenever the trigger is released the tape will be cropped
off and discharged from the gun. Display means may be provided to
show the available tape remaining in the container and/or the state
of the battery pack and/or power system.
[0109] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the tape fed to the gun
is a stock (i.e. un-profiled) tape, the tape dispensing arrangement
200 comprises a first pair of tape drive rollers 202 disposed
upstream, in a tape feed direction, from a pair of pre-profiling
rollers 204, which flatten the tape. Downstream from the
pre-profiling roller 204 is disposed, respectively; a profile punch
205 and an anvil 206, and pairs of tape drawing drive rollers 208,
210. The punch 205 and the anvil 206 are disposed on opposite sides
of a tape feed path. A cam 212 is arranged adjacent to the profile
punch 205, such that rotation of the cam 212 when driven by a motor
(not shown) causes reciprocating movement of the profile punch 205
toward and away from the anvil 206.
[0110] Downstream from the rollers 208, 210, there is disposed a
tape cutting mechanism 214 and tape twisting means 215. The tape
cutting mechanism 214 comprises an anvil block 216, a blade 217, a
cutter drive motor 218, a gear box 219, a cam 220 and a slide anvil
221. The anvil block 216 and the blade 217 are disposed on opposite
sides of the tape feed path. The cutter drive motor 218 drives
rotation of the cam 220 via the gearbox 219. In turn, the cam 220
causes reciprocating movement of the slide anvil 221 forcing the
blade 217 against the anvil block 216 to cut the tape.
[0111] Operation of the tape dispensing mechanism will now be
described in more detail, in an embodiment arranged to produce a
tape as shown in FIG. 1. Raw, un-profiled tape 230 is drawn from
the backpack through the umbilical and into the tape dispensing
mechanism by the tape drive rollers 202 and the tape drawing drive
rollers 208, 210. In this example, the speed of the tape drive
rollers 202 is regulated and different to the following tape
drawing drive rollers 208, 210. Although this is not essential, the
differential speed has the effect of straightening the coiled tape
and ensures that tape ready for the punch process. As the tape
passes between the profile punch 205 and the anvil 206, the barbs 5
are formed into the tape 230 and the residue is discarded as short
swarf or a long string. The tape is discharged through the cutter
mechanism 214 which chops off the tape whenever the gun's trigger
is released. Before finally leaving the gun, the tape passes
through the (optional) tape twisting means 215 which forms the
dispensed tape into a spiral body ensuring that it does not just
lay flat on the floor.
[0112] In one variation of the above-described embodiment, the
supply of tape which is fed to the gun may be pre-profiled with the
barbs, i.e. as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. As mentioned above,
when pre-profiled tape is wound into a reel for storage in a
container, such as a backpack, there may be a risk that the barbs
of overlying sections of the reel of tape will become entangled
with one another, thereby inhibiting or preventing the reel from
being unwound and dispensed by the gun. In this case, the barbed
tape may be provided with a guard tape in order to facilitate
dispensing tape, or double ribbons of `self-guarding` tape
embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, may be used.
[0113] The guard tape may be in the form of a U-shaped channel in
which the barbed tape rests. Alternatively, the guard tape may
comprise a planar backing tape with an adhesive coated on one
surface thereof, such that the barbed tape is adhered to the
surface of the guard tape prior to being dispensed. In this case,
the tape dispensing mechanism may comprise means for separating the
adhesive guard tape from the barbed tape at a location upstream of
the drive rollers, such that the guard tape is stripped away from
the barbed tape prior to the barbed tape being dispensed. However,
such adhesive is not essential and the guard tape could be loosely
wound into the coil of barbed tape.
[0114] When the tape is pre-profiled with the barbs, the gun does
not need to incorporate the separate punch 205 and anvil 206, which
reduces cost and simplifies construction of the gun. The gun may
still include the tape twisting means 215, as the pre-profiled
barbed tape stored in the container preferably has a flat planar
cross-section to make it easier to wind/unwind.
[0115] In a further variation of the above-described embodiment,
the reel of tape may comprise a frangible tape formed with interior
barbs and smooth outer edges. For example, the frangible tape is
similar to the pre-profiled tape described above, except that the
residue of the profiling/punching process is not removed prior to
the tape being stored in the container for use with the gun.
Rather, the outline of the barbed tape profile is stamped/punched
in a plain tape with smooth outer edges, which is then wound into a
reel for storage in the backpack container. This is advantageous
because the barbs 5 are not exposed, so there is no need for a
guard tape (or else the use of double ribbon of `self-guarding`
tape) to prevent entanglement of the barbed tape on the reel.
Furthermore, the punch 205 and anvil 206 may be omitted from the
gun. Instead, the gun is provided with means for stripping away the
residue/swarf from the outer edges of the tape so as to reveal the
barbed profile prior to the tape being dispensed from the gun. To
this end, the gun may include means for flexing the tape so that
the residual portions become separated from the barbed tape. This
may be creating one or more meanders in the tape feed path between
the tape drive rollers 202 and the cutting mechanism 214, for
example, by offsetting one or more of the intermediate sets of
rollers 204, 208, 210 so that the tape is made to flex/bend as it
travels through the gun. Alternatively, or in addition, the tape
feed path may include a resilient member in the tape feed path
which forms a lip around which the tape is fed, such that the
residual outer portions of the frangible tape are caused to break
away as they traverse the lip.
[0116] In an alternative embodiment, one length of un-barbed tape
may be dispensed as two lengths of barbed tape by providing a
frangible portion in the centre thereof. The tape would therefore
be broken in two to reveal a barbed side (the external edge
remaining barb-free).
[0117] The bobbins of ribbon strip which are currently available
provide over 250 m of banding within a relatively small volume, and
can easily be carried, for example in a rucksack. This would make
carriage and transport easy. This means that a single person can
carry and deploy a significant amount of barbed barrier tape yet be
agile enough to react to crowd conditions. Having the capability to
immediately deploy a barbed barrier also allows the security forces
to block off roads, passageways and street thus allowing them to
route or guide crowds or combatants. Thus, with the barbed tape gun
described above, it is possible in situations such as crowd and
riot control to lay down a fence of barrier wire where and when
required.
[0118] It may also be desirable to fill an area with a `bush` of
barbed tape. These could be used to temporarily inhabit access to
or through a doorway or the like. The bush of tape may, in one
embodiment, when deployed, form a bush approximately a metre high,
and one to two metres in diameter. The tape may form into a
plurality of tangled pyramidal type structures in its unfolded
state that is difficult to walk through without it becoming
entangled about the person. When wanting to cover larger areas,
such as a wide corridor or doorway then more than one such bushes
may be deployed, as required. Such embodiments may be deployed from
a tube, a hand thrown `grenade` or other type of launcher. In some
examples, such launchers may be arranged such that the operative
opens the container and throws it into the e.g. doorway where it
self deploys. Other examples may be jack-in-the-box' style
launchers, for example with pop-tops or ring pulls, which contain a
mechanical or chemical propellant and are simply aimed towards the
desired location before being released. Such launchers could be
used in conjunction with a non-barbed net to form a temporary door
block.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 14, a `grenade` type embodiment of
the present invention will now be described.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 10 a barbed tape grenade 100 generally
comprises a container having a top and a bottom end cap 101, 102.
Each end cap 101, 102 is formed as a disk 103 with an annular wall
104 extending perpendicularly from the outer circumference of the
disk. A cylindrical wall extends between the top and bottom end
caps 101, 102 and is formed from a plurality of "petals" 106 that
forms a casing which fragments when the grenade 100 is deployed.
The fragmenting container is designed to safely constrain coiled
spring barbed tapes as will be described in more detail below.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 11, the top end cap 101 is used to mount a
trigger mechanism 110 which comprises a release lever 112 which is
pivotable about a fulcrum 113. The release lever 112 is generally
L-shaped and comprises a first portion 112a which extends parallel
to the cylindrical wall of the container when the grenade 100 is in
an un-deployed state, and a second portion 112b which is coupled to
the upper surface of the top end cap 101 at the fulcrum 113.
[0122] A pair of parallel flanges 114 are provided on the upper
surface of the top end cap 101, the flanges 114 being disposed on
opposite side of the second portion 112b of the release lever 112
and oriented parallel thereto. The fulcrum 113 is formed by a
spindle which passes through respective holes formed in each of the
flanges 114 and the second portion 112b of the release lever 112.
In the un-deployed state, the lever 112 is held in place and
prevented from tilting about the fulcrum 113 by a ring pull and
locking pin 115, which passes through both the flanges 114 and the
second portion 112b of the release lever 112 at a position spaced
from the fulcrum.
[0123] The end of the second portion of the release lever 112 is
provided with a U-shaped recess 117. In the un-deployed state, the
arms of the U-shaped recess 117 supports a head portion 122
disposed at the upper end 120 of a restraining rod 118.
[0124] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the restraining rod 118 extends
between the top and bottom end caps 101, 102 and is co-axial with
the disk portions 103 thereof. The restraining rod 118 is fixed to
the bottom end cap 102. A compression spring (not shown) is
disposed around the restraining rod 118 along its length. In the
un-deployed state, the spring is compressed such that it exerts a
biasing force which acts to push the top and bottom end caps 101,
102 away from each other. The engagement of the second portion 112b
of the release lever 112 with the head portion 122 of the
restraining rod 118 prevents relative movement between the end caps
101, 102. A pair of hollow tube members 125, 126 surround the
spring and retaining rod. One end of the first tube member 125 is
coupled to the top end cap 101. Similarly, one end of the second
tube member 126 is coupled to the bottom end cap 102. The diameter
of the first tube member 125 is slightly larger than that of the
second tube member 126 such that the end of the second tube member
126 opposite to the bottom end cap 102 can be received within the
first tube member 125 when the grenade is in the un-deployed state.
Each of the petals 106 which for the container wall comprise a tab
128 at each end which overlaps with the respective annular walls
104 of the top and bottom end caps 101, 102.
[0125] When the grenade 100 is in the un-deployed state, a
plurality of coils of barbed tape 130 are wound around the first
and second tube members 125, 126 in a stacked arrangement, as shown
in FIG. 14. To deploy the grenade 100, a user pulls the ring pull
to remove the locking pin 115 while holding the first portion 112a
of the release lever 112. On being thrown by the user, the release
lever 112 tilts which moves the arms of the U-shaped recess 117 at
the end of the second portion 112b of the release lever 112 out of
engagement with the head portion 122 of the restraining rod
116.
[0126] Release of the restraining rod 116 allows the end caps 101,
102 to expand apart under the influence of the internal spring as
it expands. Once the end caps 101, 102 have moved such that the
annular wall 104 of each has move past the respective tabs 128 at
the ends of each petal 106, there is no more constraint on the
petals 106 and they fall away releasing the contents of the grenade
in a 360 degree arc, as the coils of barbed tape unwind themselves.
The construction can be such that the tapes (and its supporting
frame where provided, see below) are not deployed instantly and
there is delay while the end caps travel which allows the operator
to distance him or herself from the device.
[0127] While a single grenade 100 may secure a doorway, larger
areas can be secured by the use of multiple units.
[0128] As described previously, the barbed tape 1 is made from a
relatively thin, flexible material and, as such, will not generally
be self supporting. Accordingly, the barbed tape grenade 100 may
incorporate an expanding skeleton structure in order to support the
barbed tape so as to form a `bush` of barbed tape when the grenade
100 is deployed. There are a number of possible solutions
including, but not exclusively, having a frame like the rods of a
folding umbrella, providing the wire with a super expanding ball
(e.g. as available as toys), scissor and Easy tong-type fold away
concertina frame (Easy tongs are a series of crossed links that
expand as they open out allowing extended lift of light items,
often used by elderly persons to pick things up from the floor). In
some embodiments, these may be made of light weight T or U channel
shaped material which guards the barbed tape in its stowed
position.
[0129] A further option for the supporting structure is a tri-way
folding spring that opens out in three directions to give a
triangular base. By providing two such springs, one at either end
of a length of barbed tape and displaced relative to each other by
an angle of 60 degrees, a spiral of barbed tape will be formed when
the grenade is deployed and the springs expand, twisting the length
of barbed tape between them.
[0130] It is expected that, while combatants will not be completely
stopped by this `bramble bush`, it will inhibit and delay their
escape long enough for them detected and subsequently confined by
other methods.
[0131] The deployed tape could be arranged to alert people to its
presence, for example including an audible alarm, or a more covert
device such as a micro radio transmitter, which could server to
alert friendly forces by causing a tone to appear in their tactical
headsets if they get close to the deployed tape.
* * * * *