초록 ▼

A portable checkpoint system is disclosed that incorporates a configurable freight container to facilitate transport and conversion for operation. The container is disposable into closed and open configurations. The closed configuration enables the container to be transported. The open configuration

A portable checkpoint system is disclosed that incorporates a configurable freight container to facilitate transport and conversion for operation. The container is disposable into closed and open configurations. The closed configuration enables the container to be transported. The open configuration enables a vehicle to drive therethrough. In the closed configuration, the container forms a quadrilateral set of walls connectable in a rectangular box. A hinge joins two adjacent walls along a pivotable edge and pivots between perpendicular and coplanar positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations. A joint reversibly connects two walls opposite the adjacent walls along a separable edge, disconnecting from a lock position to an unlock position that correspond respectively to the closed and open configurations. The hinge's perpendicular position disposes the two adjacent walls to be mutually perpendicular at the pivotable edge and forms the rectangular box. The hinge's coplanar position disposes the two adjacent walls to form substantially coplanar platforms to each other on which the vehicle can drive. The joint's latch position disposes the two opposite walls to be mutually perpendicular at the separable edge. The joint's unlock position disposes the opposite walls to form substantially parallel barriers to each other that define an inspection zone. The barriers and platforms include sensors for measuring characteristics of the vehicle. The checkpoint includes a communications system accessible to a database having information on vehicle identification, vehicle sensory characteristics, personal identification and facial-recognition photographs for comparison with the vehicle and its occupants.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A configurable freight container disposable into closed and open configurations, the open configuration enabling a vehicle to drive therethrough, the container comprising: a quadrilateral set of walls connectable to form a rectangular box; a hinge that joins two adjacent wall

What is claimed is: 1. A configurable freight container disposable into closed and open configurations, the open configuration enabling a vehicle to drive therethrough, the container comprising: a quadrilateral set of walls connectable to form a rectangular box; a hinge that joins two adjacent walls along a pivotable edge, the hinge being pivotable between perpendicular and coplanar positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations; and a joint that reversibly connects two walls opposite the adjacent walls along a separable edge, the joint being disconnectable between lock and unlock positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations, wherein the perpendicular position disposes the two adjacent walls to be mutually perpendicular at the pivotable edge forming the rectangular box, and the coplanar position disposes the two adjacent walls to form substantially mutually coplanar platforms on which the vehicle can drive, and the lock position disposes the two opposite walls to be mutually perpendicular at the separable edge, and the unlock position disposes the opposite walls to form substantially mutually parallel barriers that define an inspection zone. 2. The container according to claim 1, further comprising: a set of doors that close the rectangular box by latching to an opposing pair of walls, the opposing pair being mutually parallel in the closed configuration. 3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the doors are convertible to ramps from a ground level to a level of the coplanar platforms. 4. The container according to claim 1, further comprising: a cable extending across the opposite walls while disconnecting the joint. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a hydraulic actuator to rotate one wall of the adjacent walls to be substantially coplanar with the other wall of the adjacent walls. 6. The container according to claim 1, further comprising: a bumper along at least one of the barriers on an inside surface; an instrument on at least one of the barriers and the platforms for measuring a characteristic of the vehicle; a light source on at least one of the barriers for illuminating the inspection zone; and a traffic signal on at least one of the barriers to provide instructions for operating the vehicle in the zone. 7. The container according to claim 1, further comprising within one of the barriers: a set of equipment for communication, computation and data storage; a generator to provide electrical power; a fuel supply to provide fuel to the generator; and a power conditioner to regulate the electrical power from the generator. 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the conditioner and fuel supply are accessible from outside the barrier. 9. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the platforms has an adjustable pad on an exterior surface to adjust a ground distance of the platform such that the platforms are substantially mutually coplanar. 10. A portable configurable checkpoint to intercept and inspect an approaching vehicle, comprising: an obstacle to direct the vehicle in traffic flow; and a configurable freight container that includes: a quadrilateral set of walls connectable to form a rectangular box; a hinge that joins two adjacent walls along a pivotable edge, the hinge being pivotable between perpendicular and coplanar positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations; and a joint that reversibly connects two walls opposite the adjacent walls along a separable edge, the joint being disconnectable between lock and unlock positions corresponding respectively to the closed and open configurations, wherein the perpendicular position disposes the two adjacent walls to be mutually perpendicular at the pivotable edge forming the rectangular box, and the coplanar position disposes the two adjacent walls to form substantially mutually coplanar platforms on which the vehicle can drive, and the lock position disposes the two opposite walls to be mutually perpendicular at the separable edge, and the unlock position disposes the opposite walls to form substantially mutually parallel barriers that define an inspection subzone, wherein the obstacle directs the vehicle towards the open container. 11. The checkpoint according to claim 10, further comprising: a deployable sensor grid to detect presence of the vehicle within a checkpoint zone; and a positionable camera to record an image of the vehicle. 12. The checkpoint according to claim 10, further comprising: a building to maintain equipment and personnel for responding to the vehicle within a checkpoint zone; a trailer to house equipment for the open container; and a gate to direct the vehicle after passing through the inspection subzone to one of a detention area and beyond the checkpoint zone. 13. The checkpoint according to claim 10, further comprising: a communications system accessible to a database, wherein the database includes information, on at least one of vehicle identification, vehicle sensory characteristics, personal identification and facial-recognition photographs for comparison with the vehicle and the occupants therein. 14. The checkpoint according to claim 13, wherein the communication system is accessible to another checkpoint at a separate location.