WO2003048459A1

WO2003048459A1 - Tilting parking barrier with impact sensing

Info

Publication number: WO2003048459A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/005470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Brendan O'mara
Original assignee: Thomas Brendan O'mara
Priority date: 2001-12-05
Filing date: 2002-12-03
Publication date: 2003-06-12
Also published as: GB0129074D0; AU2002365721A1

Abstract

A security post unit (10) comprises a base (12) securable to a surface such as the ground; a post mounted on the base for movement between an in-use and a recumbent position for respectively restricting and permitting passage across the post; an alarm (23) actuable by movement of the post beyond a preset minimum from its in-use position; and a power supply (25) to the post unit enabling the actuation of the alarm to be identified with a specific post unit independently of the actuation or non-actuation of any other adjacent unit.

Description

TILTING PARKING BARRIER WITH IMPACT SENSING

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a security post for controlling access to a defined area and more particularly to a security post to prevent or hinder vehicular passage.

Background of the Invention

It is often necessary or desirable to restrict or control the passage of vehicles or pedestrians for security or safety.

One well known system of restricting vehicular access, in particular, is to install one or more posts, mounted to the ground. The post or posts are positioned close enough to one another or to, for example, walls to prevent vehicular passage. Many such posts include the feature that they can be either removed or laid flat when so required. Often a lock and key mechanism - either by use of an integral lock or padlock and chain - is employed to retain the post in position. This feature enables access across the post to a certain pre-defined group of individuals and so enables, for example, home owners or delivery lorries to enter an area. Such a system of posts has the advantage over fencing that pedestrians or cyclists can pass through the posts. Known security posts have however a number of disadvantages. In particular, there is often no means of constant monitoring whether or not a security post has been tampered with or otherwise damaged. If a post is broken by force - such as having a vehicle drive over it - the lack of monitoring means that a crime can be committed and the perpetrators escaped before anyone becomes aware of that. Alternatively, a post can be accidentally damaged such that it no longer functions adequately. Unless monitoring of the security post occurs regularly then the damage will remain undetected and there will be a point of weakness in the protection for the area.

24-hour personnel-based monitoring is expensive and inevitably subject to human error. It also requires all posts in a given installation to be checked repeatedly to find out if any one of them is malfunctioning. The problem, is how to overcome this in a cost-effective but reliable manner.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a security post unit comprising

a base securable to a surface such as the ground;

a post mounted on the base for movement between an in-use and a recumbent position for respectively restricting and permitting passage across the post;

an alarm actuable by movement of the post beyond a preset minimum from its in-use position; and

a power supply to the post unit enabling the actuation of the alarm to be identified with a specific post unit independently of the actuation or non- actuation of any other adjacent unit.

Such an arrangement enables (for example) a central monitoring station to see immediately that a specific post unit within a line or ring of such units has been damaged; without the need for cyclic tours of inspection of the whole site.

Advantageously a sleeve embraces the post in such a way as to at least hinder movement of the post from its in-use position and in such a way that a predeteπnined unauthorised movement of the sleeve - alone or in conjunction with the post movement - will actuate the alarm.

In such a case the sleeve may cover the post so as to function as a generally protective sleeve as well as an alarm-activating feature.

hi the particular case just defined, the sleeve may protect part or substantially all of the alarm and thereby perform yet another useful function in an overall cost-effective manner.

Conveniently, a tilt switch is mounted within the security post to activate the alarm, the tilt switch being enabled should anyone try to push the security post over. Preferably, the tilt switch is activated by the post being tilted by 5° or more from the in-use position and in particular when a tilt of from 5 to 15° takes place. A predetermined minimum value for activation of the tilt switch ensures that minor variations in the position of the post due to accidental impact or vibrations due to traffic do not activate the alarm.

Preferably, the alarm means is selected from one or more of a visual, audible or electronic type signal. Optionally, the alarm means includes activation of a

CCTV and/or video recording system. As the video system is only operable on activation of the alarm, the common problem of the video tape having run out is reduced.

Conveniently, the alarm means is connected to a security service, remote from the position where the security post is located. Preferably, the alarm means is controlled by a numeric keypad. Conveniently, the numeric keypad is mounted within the upper section of the inner post to reduce the risk of tampering and damage to the numeric keypad.

Additionally, or alternatively, the alarm means is controlled by a pre-set handheld key, which communicates with the numeric keypad via an electromagnetic signal.

Preferably, the unit is linked to a power supply which will prevent the alarm being deactivated if any main external power supply to the unit is cut. That power supply may be a battery, rechargeable or solar powered to minimise maintenance, and may constitute the sole power supply to the unit.

Optionally, the security post includes a light to assist input via the numeric keypad, during darkness or on areas of poor lighting.

Preferably the security post unit includes a damper control unit to smooth the passage of the post between the first and second position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a security post according to the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a security post unit illustrating the internal configuration;

Figures 2a and 2b are respectively a top-sectional and a side-sectional view of an inner post of the unit;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of an outer sleeve of the unit; Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are respectively a top elevational view, a side elevational view and a perspective view of a ground mounting base of the unit;

Figures 5a and 5b are respectively perspective views of the security post in upright and horizontal (down) positions; and

Figures 6a and 6b are respectively the top elevational and side elevational Views of a security bolt of the security post unit.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 4a-c, a security post unit, generally referenced 10, includes an inner post 11 which is pivotally mounted at a first end to a base unit 12. The mounting of the inner post 11 to the base unit 12 is by means of a Pivot member 13. The base unit 12 (illustrated in Figure 4) is secured in position on the ground by means of a number of anti-tamper security bolts 14. The security bolts 14 attach the base unit 12 to a secure base unit mounting (not illustrated) which is set in concrete below the surface of the ground. In use, the inner post 11 is prevented from moving laterally by means of a raised portion 15 in the base unit 12. The raised portion 15 is approximately the same diameter as the inside of the inner post 11. Typically, the inner post 11 is 440mm in length and has an outer diameter of 60-65 mm.

The inner post 11 includes a securing eyelet 16 perpendicularly disposed from the inner post 11. The eyelet 16 is disposed on the inner post 11 such that when the security post 10 is in its normal upright orientation, a padlock or other locking mechanism may be passed through the eyelet 16 and through the aperture 17 of the locking tab 18, thereby securing the inner post 11 to the base unit 12.

A securing washer 19, shown in Figure 2a is located and mounted to the second end of the inner post 11. The washer 19 provides a stable mounting for further components of the security post 10 which will now be described in more detail. A printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a horizontal portion 20 and a vertical portion 21. The horizontal portion 20 of the PCB is mounted to the washer 19 by spacers 22. An anti-tamper mechanism 23 is mounted to the horizontal portion 20. The anti-tamper mechanism 23 is activated should a person attempt to interfere with the security post 10, for example by removing one or more constituents of the post 10. Also mounted to the horizontal portion 20 is a mercury tilt switch mechanism 24. When activated, the tilt switch 24 enables an alarm system should the angle to the vertical of the inner post 11 become greater than a pre-set value. Power for the PCB and the other components is derived from a battery 25 mounted to the vertical portion 21 of the PCB. A keypad 26, also mounted to the vertical portion 21 enables pre-set activation and deactivation codes to be input prior to final assembly of the security post 10. In order to transmit and receive information, a transmitter/receiver 27 is provided, which in the present embodiment is located on the vertical portion 21. The transmitter/receiver 27 enables information from, for example, a key fob to deactivate the security post 10 and also enables the transmission of information from the security post 10 to, an alarm system, for example.

In order to protect the internal components of the security post 10, and to enhance the appearance of the post 10, an outer sleeve 28, shown in Figure 3, is located over the inner post 11. The outer sleeve 28 is connected to the inner post 11 by means of a number of screws which pass through apertures 29, 30 in the outer sleeve 28 and inner post 11 respectively. A further aperture 31 in the inner post 11 enables a rod extending from the eyelet 16 to pass through and be secured to the inner post 11.

In order to secure the spacers 22 to the washer 19, apertures 32 are provided in the 10 spacers 22 and the washer 19 through which screws can be passed. A washer 60, for use in the above-described posts, is shown in more detail in Figures 6a and 6b and includes a chamfered surface 61 which reduces the ease with which the washer 19 can be removed by unauthorised persons. The chamfered surface 61 reduces the area on which purchase may be achieved using, for example, pliers or monkey wrench. The washer 60 becomes thereby difficult to turn and hence unscrew. During initial construction of the post, the pivot member 13 is passed through elongate apertures 33 (shown in Figure 2b) in the inner post 11. The pivot member 13 is then locked into position by turning a locking nut having a head which eventually, upon further turning, shears off leaving the pivot member 13 locked in position. As the locking nut head is no longer present, the pivot member 13 cannot easily be removed, rendering the security post 10 tamper proof in that respect. The elongate aperture is typically approximately 12.5mm in width and 50mm in length.

In order to fit a security post 10, a base unit mounting is cemented into the desired location of the security post 10. The base unit mounting includes one or more anti-tamper bolts, protruding in an upwards direction. The base unit 12 is passed over the bolts, and the base unit 12 secured in position by means of anti-tamper nuts.

The PCB 21, 22 together with the anti-tamper mechanism 23, tilt switch 24, battery 25, keypad 26 and transmitter/receiver 27 is secured to the inner post 11 to produce an inner post assembly. An authorisation code is input by means of the keypad 26. The outer sleeve 28 is passed over the inner post assembly and secured thereto by means of screws passing through apertures in the outer sleeve 28 and inner post 11.

The first end of the inner post 11 is located over the raised portion 15 of the base unit 12 and the pivot member 13 passed through the apertures 31, 33. The pivot member 13 is secured in position by tightening an anti-tamper locking nut. The security post 10 can be secured in an upright orientation by the use of a padlock.

In order to move the post 10 from an upright to a horizontal position as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the anti-tamper mechanism and tilt switch are deactivated. The padlock is removed, and the security post lifted a short distance to bring the base of the inner post 11 clear of the raised portion 15. The post 10 is free to pivot and can be moved to the horizontal position. In order to facilitate deactivation of the post by emergency services, such services could be provided with a general code to deactivate the alarms and enable the post to be brought to the horizontal position. Alternatively, the security services could be provided with a general deactivation code, usable in emergencies.

The alarm system can take a number of forms. For example, should the post be interfered with, then a signal can be set to activate a CCTN and video recording system. As the video system only operates when a potentially illegal act is taking place, the chances of the tape running out are reduced. The alarm could also be connected to a security service - such as a private form or state law enforcement - remote from the site where the post is located. The transmission of a signal to an alarm system can be via an electromagnetic signal or a wire leading from the post 10 to the alarm system.

It is envisaged that an audible signal having a rating of HODb should be sufficient to be output by an in-built alarm. An effective range of 100m for the signal transmission is adequate in most situations.

In order to increase the lifetime of the battery, a solar panel can be included to recharge the battery and so minimise the risk of the security post deactivating. Alternatively, if the battery is running low, the PCB can cause the transmitter/receiver to transmit this information to the user of the post or a security service, so that the battery can be replaced. A light can be included in the post to assist use of the post or to aid repair in areas where the lighting is poor.

A damper control unit can be included to smooth the motion of the post between the upright and horizontal positions. The tilt switch is conveniently situated when the post is tilted at an angle of >50°. The post should be allowed to tilt a minimum number of degrees before an alarm is activated to minimise the risk of the alarm being activated by accident. Activation, when the post is tilted at an angle of from 5° to 15° out of its in-use position has been found to be advantageous. The anti-tamper mechanism is set to activate the alarm when the outer sleeve is lifted from the inner post 11 by more than a preset small amount.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the claims which now follow.

Claims

1. A security post unit comprising a base securable to a surface such as the ground; a post mounted on the base for movement between an in-use and a recumbent position for respectively restricting and permitting passage across the post; an alarm actuable by movement of the post beyond a preset minimum from its in-use position; and a power supply to the post unit enabling the actuation of the alarm to be identified with a specific post unit independently of the actuation or non-actuation of any other adjacent unit.

2. A unit according to Claim 1, wherein a sleeve embraces the post in such a way as to at least hinder movement of the post from its in-use position and in such a way that a predetermined unauthorised movement of the sleeve - alone or in conjunction with the post movement - will actuate the alarm.

3. A unit according to Claim 2, wherein the sleeve covers the post so as to function as a generally protective sleeve as well as an alarm-actuating feature.

4. A unit according to Claim 3, wherein the sleeve protects part or substantially all of the alarm.

5. A security post unit substantially as herein before described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.