GB2245296A

GB2245296A - Parking post

Info

Publication number: GB2245296A
Application number: GB9108231A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Jessy Lukes
Original assignee: LUKES ENGINEERING CO Ltd
Current assignee: LUKES ENGINEERING CO Ltd
Priority date: 1990-04-17
Filing date: 1991-04-17
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Also published as: GB9108231D0; GB9008596D0

Abstract

A parking post (1) comprises a post (2) pivotally mounted on a mounting plate (3). The post (2) can be raised from horizontal to vertical by a remotely actuable motor (5). The motor (5) is driven by a battery (11) charged by solar cells (24). A latch (10) holds the post (2) in its vertical position and has to be withdrawn to allow the post (2) to be reclined. <IMAGE>

Description

PARKING POST This invention relates to a device for use in preventing access by a vehicle to a particular area.

It is known to have pivotally mounted posts attached to a plate fixed to the ground so the post can be raised or lowered. There are usually means such as a lockable bar or padlock so the post can be fixed in the vertical position. These are used to prevent unauthorised access to parking places, drives, roads and other areas, either all the time or at certain times.

A disadvantage of existing posts is that the person authorised to obtain access needs the appropriate key, which can be lost or easily copied. The authorised person must get out of his vehicle and, if the weather is inclement, it can be uncomfortable to get out of the vehicle and to unlock the post, particularly as the locking device is at the foot of the post and so involves bending or stooping. For elderly or handicapped people this can present serious difficulties. For these and other reasons, such lockable posts are rarely used on an individual basis, e.g., to save an individual's parking place in a car park. These disadvantages have also restricted such use as a safety or anti-theft device for vehicles parked, e.g., in a car park or drive.

The present invention at least in its preferred embodiments, aims to obviate or at least reduce these difficulties.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for inhibiting access by a vehicle to a particular area, which device comprises a mounting plate, a post pivotally mounted on said mounting plate, a motor for raising said post to an upwardly extending position and a receiver which, upon receipt of a signal from a remote signalling device can raise said post from a reclining position to said upwardly extending position.

If desired, said motor can be actuated by said sending means to lower said post.

Advantageously, at least a portion of said post is hollow and said motor is mounted in said portion.

Alternatively, said motor is mounted on said mounting plate.

Advantageously, said device includes at least one spring for urging said post away from an upwardly extending position.

Preferably, said device includes at least one spring to limit the rate of descent of said post.

Advantageously, said device includes a latch for maintaining said post in said upwardly extending position.

Preferably, said device includes means to withdraw said latch.

Advantageously, said means comprises a solenoid or a latch motor.

Preferably, said device includes a limit switch operative to electrically isolate said means when said latch is withdrawn.

Advantageously, said limit switch is arranged to actuate said motor to lower said post.

Preferably, said device includes a battery.

Advantageously, said device includes solar cells operative to charge said battery.

Preferably, said post comprises a first portion and a second portion held together by a spring tensioned so that said second portion will move relative to said first portion on impact and thus inhibit damage to said device.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view at right-angles to the view shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the device shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a simplified circuit diagram of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a device which is generally identified by reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a post 2 which is pivotally mounted on a mounting plate 3 by a pivot 20. The mounting plate 3 is fixed to the ground by bolts 4.

A motor 5 is mounted within the post 2 and a cord 6 is attached to a spindle 7 driven by the motor 5. The other end of the cord 6 is attached to the mounting plate 3. A spring 8 extends between the mounting plate 3 and the post 2 as shown. A compression spring 9 is compressed between the bottom of the post 2 and the mounting plate 3.

A latch 10 operates automatically when the post 2 is in the upright position and can be released by a solenoid (not shown). The operation of the solenoid and motor 5 is controlled by a remotely operated transmitter.

In operation, when the post 2 is in the upright position as shown, a signal operates the solenoid to release the latch 10. The compression spring 9 automatically causes the post 2 to rotate about pivot 20 by a few degrees and then to fall towards the ground under its own weight. The spring 8 limits the rate of descent. The cord 6 causes the motor spindle 7 to turn and this also helps to slow the fall.

When the post 2 is in the lowered position a signal from the transmitter will operate the motor 5 which winds the cord 6 about the spindle 7 and, assisted by spring 8 (now in compression) causes the post 2 to move into the upright position.

As the post 2 reaches the upright position, the post 2 compresses spring 9 and the latch 10 automatically locks the post 2 in the upright position.

The device shown in Figures 3 and 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and similar parts have been identified by the same reference numerals with the addition of an apostrophe.

In addition to the parts shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 1' is provided with a battery 11 which is kept charged by a panel of solar cells 24 mounted in the post 2'. The battery 11 powers the motor 5' and a latch motor 12 associated with the latch 10'.

The base of the post 2' is provided with a bifurcated arm 13 the free end of which is provided with a roller 14 which rests on the top of the latch 10' when the post 2 is upright. Two springs 15 bias the latch 10' towards the base of the post 2.

When a driver approaches his parking space he actuates his transmitter. A receiver 26 actuates motor 12 which rotates an eccentric cam 16 having an arm 17 pivotally connected thereto. As the eccentric cam 16 rotates the arm 12 withdraws the latch 10' from beneath the roller 14.

Once the latch 10' has been withdrawn from beneath roller 15 the compression springs 9' expand and tilt post 2' clockwise as viewed in Figure 3 until the centre of gravity of the post 2' lies outside the area of the base of the post 2'.

At this stage the eccentric cam 16 activates a limit switch 18 which deactuates latch motor 12 and the latch 10' returns to its initial position under the influence of springs 15.

Once it has been displaced by springs 9' post 2' falls under its own weight, the rate of the fall being limited by spring 8 and cord 6' which rotates motor 5' through spindle 7'. If desired a shunt may be placed across the motor 5' to further reduce the rate of descent of the post 2'. Alternatively, the post 2' may be lowered by driving the spindle 7' at a specific rate via the motor 5' and a suitable gearbox.

When it is desired to raise the post 2' the transmitter is activated and motor 5' rotates spindle 7' to coil the cord 6'. As the post 2' approaches its upright position the roller 15 displaces the latch 10' to the right as shown in Figure 3 and 4. This movement is facilitated by providing arm 17 with a slot 19 so that the latch 10' can move without affecting the motor 12. When the post 2' is almost upright the latch 10' returns to the position shown in Figure 3 under the influence of springs 15. The leading edge 39 of the latch 10' is provided with a chamfer to facilitate the return of the latch 10'. Once the latch 10' is in position the motor 5' is deactuated by a limit switch or an overload switch responsive to the tension in cord 6'.

It will be appreciated that the latch 10' will prevent the post 2' being lowered under manual circumstances. However, in order to avoid damage when, for example a car is inadvertently reversed into the post 2', the post 2' preferably comprises a lower section 20 and an upper section 21 connected by a strong spring 22 whose tension can be adjusted by a nut 23.

Figure 5 shows a simplified circuit diagram of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4. The battery 11 is charged by solar cells 24. A diode 25 is provided between the battery 11 and the solar cells 24.

The receiver 26 is arranged to momentarily close switch 26a when the transmitter is actuated. This causes relay 26b to close relay contacts 27 thus actuating motor 12. At the same time relay contacts 29 are opened.

When the latch 10 is fully withdrawn it opens limit switch 28 to de-energize motor 12. Since the post 2' has been displaced by spring 9' the post 2' falls under its own weight against the resistance of springs 8' and the motor 5'. A diode 30 prevents any back emf developed by the motor 5' damaging the circuit.

When the receiver 26 is next actuated switch 26a is momentarily closed and relay 26b closes relay contacts 29 and opens relay contacts 27. Motor 5' is actuated and raises the post 2' until the tension on the cord or a limit switch 31 is actuated. When the receiver 26 is next actuated the first cycle is repeated. It should be appreciated that the circuit diagram has been somewhat simplified in the interests of clarity. Relay 32 acting on relay contacts 32a were included in the prototype to inhibit an unexpected hunting effect caused by the post 2' vibrating and rapidly opening and closing limit switch 31 as it approached its vertical position.

Various modifications to the embodiment described are envisaged. For example, the device shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be provided with a manual override for lowering the post 2' should the electrical system fail.

Such manual override could comprise a key arranged to engage and withdraw latch 10'. Again this is facilitated by the provision of slot 19.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for inhibiting access by a vehicle to a particular area, which device comprises a mounting plate, a post pivotally mounted on said mounting plate, a motor for raising said post to an upwardly extending position and a receiver which, upon receipt of a signal from a remote signalling device can raise said post from a reclining position to said upwardly extending position.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said motor can be actuated by said sensing means to lower said post.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of said post is hollow and said motor is mounted in said position.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said motor is mounted on said mounting plate.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, including at least one spring for urging said post away from an upwardly extending position.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, including at least one spring to limit the rate of decent of said post.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a latch for maintaining said post in said upwardly extending position.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, including means to withdraw said latch.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said means comprises a solenoid or a latch motor.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, including a limit switch operative to electrically isolate said means, wherein said latch is withdrawn.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said limit switch is arranged to actuate said motor to lower said post.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, including a battery.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 12, including solar cells operative to charge said battery.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said post comprises a first portion and a second portion held together by a spring tensioned so that said second portion with move relative to said first portion on impact and thus inhibit damage to said device.

15. A device for inhibiting access by a vehicle to a particular area, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as claimed in, Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.