Road structure – process – or apparatus – Traffic steering device or barrier
Patent
1995-05-26
1997-06-17
Lisehora, James A.
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Traffic steering device or barrier
49 35, 49 49, 49131, E01F 1300
Patent
active
056391781
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a vehicle barrier for controlling access to or from a vehicle park, parking space or controlled authorised zone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Parking spaces are frequently controlled by posts hinged to a bracket fixed to the ground. When raised they are sometimes difficult to see when reversing. When lowered they lie above the ground level with their brackets also above the ground which can trip up pedestrians. Such posts also can damage vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle barrier according to the invention comprises a bracket structure, walls of which define a recess, a first arm pivoted at one end to one end of the structure and a second arm pivoted at one end to the outer end of the structure, means for linking the first arm to the second arm, the arms being movable from a stowed position within the recess to an erect position where both arms extend upwards from the structure characterised by further comprising a means to urge at last one arm into the erect position.
Preferably the means for linking the first arm to the second arm is a member pivotally connected to the first arm and pivotally connected to the second arm. The linking member may be arranged to be latched to the second arm when erect and then locked. In the preferred embodiment the arms with linking member assume with the bracket structure a substantially triangular shape when the arms are erect. At least one arm may be provided with means such as a gas spring to urge it into an erect position. In order to relieve the weight of the second arm when unlatching, a counter balance means such as one or two pretensioned springs may be provided so as to act between the bracket structure and the second arm and to bias the second arm upwards.
In a further embodiment the gas spring is replaced by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator so that the barrier can be remotely operated by a car park attendant or authorised driver. The invention is therefore readily adaptable for self operation to control a parking space or remote operation for the entrance or exit to a vehicle park.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned side elevation of a barrier according to the invention in the erect position;
FIG. 2 is a similar elevation of the barrier of FIG. 1 in a partly erect position;
FIG. 3 is a similar elevation of the barrier of FIG. 1 in the stowed position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of a connecting pin for the barrier of FIG. 1.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The barrier comprises a bracket structure 1 having a pair of longitudinal side walls 2 and a pair of end side wails 3 which define a recess 5. A first arm 6 is pivoted at one end of the structure 8 and a second arm 10 is pivoted at the other end of the structure at 12. A linking member 14 connects the arms 6 & 10 pivotally at a point 16 towards the outer end of the second arm 10 and at a point 18 at the outer end of the first arm 6. Connecting pins formed as a male member 70 threaded at 72, and a female member 71 threaded at 73 as shown in FIG. 5 are used to form the pivot at 8 and 12.
Extending from the outer end of the second arm 10 is a latch plate 20 which is accepted when the barrier is erect into a slot 22 in the underside of locking member 14. Within the hollow section of member 14 is a latch 24 which can be locked by means of a lock 26 within the hollow section of member 14, the lock being released by a key 28 inserted through a keyhole in the upper side of member 14.
In order to bias the arms 6 and 10 upwards into the latched position is a gas spring 30, suitably of the type made by Camloc (UK) Ltd. having a force range of 150-1200 Newtons. The gas spring acts between a pivot point 32 on the structure and a pivot point 33 on the first arm. The gas spring is selected from the range of such springs such that it just overcomes the weight of the arms and linking
REFERENCES:
patent: 4490068 (1984-12-01), Dickinson
patent: 4828424 (1989-05-01), Crisp, Sr.
patent: 4934097 (1990-06-01), Quante
White Nicholas John Stewart
Wilson Ian
George Fisher Castings Limited
Lisehora James A.
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