GB1330590A - Automatically operated parking meter - Google Patents

Abstract

1330590 Parking meters TOKYO TRAFFIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION 31 Dec 1971 [29 March 1971] 60930/71 Heading G4V A parking meter comprises a vehicle detecting circuit 200 having a vehicle detecting means which passes current to a time-delay circuit 300 only when a vehicle occupies a parking space; said time-delay circuit passing the current to a clock circuit 400 only if the current from the vehicle detecting circuit is applied continuously for a predetermined time; said clock circuit having clock means 402 and a time elapsed indicator 404, 405. The vehicle detecting means may comprise weight, inductive or reflected infra-red or ultrasonic sensors. In the embodiment described the synchronous electric clock 402 is coupled to a drum 401 and the indicator hand 405 by a relay 403 connected to the time-delay circuit 300. At the end of the timed delay a warning lamp 502 is illuminated and an electromagnet 601 is energized to remove a blocking member 602 from a coin shoot 603 allowing the insertion of a coin. After a "hesitating" time period drum switches 410 and 430 are closed to energize a further warning lamp 501 and alarm buzzer 503. The insertion of a coin closes switch 610 energizing relay 620 to open the circuits to lamps 501, 502 and buzzer 503. At the end of the maximum rental period contacts 442, 443 of drum switch 440, and drum switch 430 open, closing the coin insertion slot and actuating the alarm buzzer 503. At the full scale position of indicator hand 404 drum switch 420 is opened to disconnect the synchronous motor 402 when the vehicle leaves the parking space to the circuit to electromagnetic coupling 403 is opened and the drum 401 returned to its zero position by means of a spring irrespective to whether rented time is still available.