Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Entrance Device Having Barrier Arm Unlocking Means
Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to an improved gated entrance device
permitting
passage in one direction and specifically relates to an entrance device having
barrier arm
unlocking means. This invention further relates to a gated entrance device
having a gate
collapsing means for allowing unobstructed traversal of said gated entrance
device in
either direction in case of an emergency. This invention further relates to a
method of
traversing a gated entrance device.
Background of Invention
This invention relates to the art of self-closing gates or barriers that
permit
passage in one direction, but not in the other direction.
For example U.S. Patent No. 5,615,520 granted to John D. McGuire provides for
a one-way gate for allowing passage in one direction whose internal mechanical
works
are concealed within an enclosure, those mechanical works including
independent means
to perform three function of, first, biasing the gate to return to a closed
position; second,
limiting the range of motion of the gate between a closed position and a fully
open stop;
and third, providing a damper to retard the motion of the gate.
Some prior art self-closing gates or barriers permit a person to gain passage
through said one-way gate in a direction opposite to said one direction by
displacing said
gate or barrier said one direction and passing through the resulting
unobstructed
passageway. There is a need therefore for entrance devices which prevent the
one-way
gate or barrier from being "tampered" in this way. For example, WO 93/23799
provides
for at least one entrance gate, and a system for controlling entrance through
said entrance
gates comprising, first, entrance passageway defined by posts on which gates
are
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pivotally mounted; second, a sonar sensor means which functions to detect the
presence
of people and objects in the vicinity of the passageway and to deliver signals
to a control
means for controlling opening and closing of the gate; wherein said sonar
sensor means
includes at least one sonar which is mounted in or in the vicinity of the
passageway.
The prior art entrance device utilizing sonar is complicated in that said
entrance
device requires, first, a sonar emitting device; second, an electronic unit
for amplifying
sonar pulses; third, a microprocessor for sampling said sonar signals; fourth,
a
microprogram operably associated with said microprocessor for processing said
sonar
signals to a further microprocessor which controls opening and closing of the
gates.
Operation of said prior art entrance device utilizing sonar also requires
configuration of
said microprocessors to store input related to a defined external measuring
area within
which objects are detected by said sonar sensing means.
There is a need therefore for an entrance device of simple construction that
is easy
and inexpensive to produce, that can be installed without difficulty, and
which is easy to
operate.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, an entrance device is
provided
having at least two barrier means to permit entrance in one direction
comprising, a first
barrier means manually displaceable from a closed position to an open
position; and
second barrier means manually displaceable from a closed position to an open
position
when said first barrier means is being engaged to achieve said second open
position;
wherein said first and second barrier means are presented by said entrance
device in
sequence.
In another aspect of this invention, an entrance device to permit entrance in
one
direction is provided, said entrance device comprising: (a) at least one
partition member
defining a passageway; (b) first barrier arm assembly mounted on said
partition member,
said first barrier arm assembly comprising, (i) a first barrier arm, and (ii)
first barrier
arm rotor means connected to said first barrier arm and rotatably mounted on
said
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partition member and adapted for manual rotation of said first barrier arm
between a first
closed position and second open position; and (c) second barrier arm assembly
mounted
on said partition member and spaced apart from said first barrier arm
assembly, said
second barrier assembly comprising, (i) a second barrier arm; (ii) second
barrier arm
rotor means connected to said second barrier arm and rotatably mounted on said
partition
member and adapted for manual rotation of said second barrier arm between a
first closed
position and second open position; and (iii) sequential barrier arm rotor
releasing means
comprising, (A) a stopping means comprising, a stopping member presented by
said
partition member adjacent to said second barrier arm rotor means; and stopping
arm
presented by said second barrier arm rotor means and operably associated with
said
stopping member, wherein said stopping means prevents rotation of said second
barrier
arm rotor means from said closed position toward said open position; and (B)
releasing
means for displacing said stopping member, thereby releasing said stopping
means when
said first barrier arm rotor means is rotated from said closed position toward
said open
position, and thereby allowing rotation of said second barrier arm rotor means
from said
closed position toward said open position.
In a further aspect of the invention, one may additionally find a collapsing
means
for manually displacing said first and second barrier arms from said first
closed position
or second open position to achieve a third collapsed position wherein said
first and second
barrier arms permit unobstructed passage through said passageway.
In a still further aspect of the invention, a method of traversing an entrance
device
having at least a first and second manually operable barrier means mounted in
sequence
on at least one partition member comprising the steps of: (a) manually
displacing said
first barrier arm so as to allow passage past said first barrier arm; (b) said
first barrier
arm releasing a blocking means that prevents displacement of said second
barrier arm,
so as to allow passage past said second barrier arm by having displaced said
first barrier
arm; and (c) manually displacing said second barrier arm so as to exit said
entrance
device.
It is yet another aspect to provide an entrance device having at least two
barrier
means to permit entrance in one direction comprising: a first barrier means
manually
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displaceable from a closed position to an open position; and second barrier
means
manually displaceable from a closed position to an open position when said
first barrier
means is being engaged to achieve said second open position; sequential
barrier releasing
means for opening said first and second barrier means in sequence; and
sequential barrier
releasing means including releasing means for releasing at least one of said
barrier arms
for manual displacement from a closed position to an open position.
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Brief Description of Drawins
A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are provided herein below,
by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the access control
device with the casing on.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the access control device shown in Figure 1
with
the casing removed.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one side of Figure 1 with the casing off.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the first barrier assembly.
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the first and second barrier assembly in a
closed
position.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the first and second barrier assembly with the
first
barrier arm in an open position.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the first, second and third barrier arm
assemblies.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the use of the access control device.
Figures 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d are views showing different stages of the second and
third barrier assemblies.
Figure 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 11 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the invention.
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Figure 12 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the access control device in a
collapsed
position.
Figure 14 is a partial vertical cross-section of the access control device.
Figure 15 is a partial perspective view of the access control device
illustrating
structure for collapsing the access control device.
Figures 16a and 16b are partial top plan views illustrating roller frames.
Figure 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the access control device
illustrating
collapsing of the device.
Figure 18 illustrates the access control device with a detecting means.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the access control
device.
Figure 20 is a perspective view of the access control device of Figure 19 in a
collapsed position.
Figure 21 is a side elevational view through a support post of Figure 19.
Figure 22 is a perspective view of a retaining spring.
Figure 23 is a partial perspective view of an arm assembly with retaining
spring
in a rest position.
Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of an arm assembly with the retaining
edge
of the retaining spring contacting the pivot stop bar.
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Figure 25 is a partial perspective view of an arm assembly as shown in Figure
24
with the rotor release block in an at rest position.
Figure 26 is a partial perspective view of an arm assembly as shown in Figure
25
with the barrier arm displaced from its rest position.
Figure 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 28 is a perspective view of the access control device of Figure 27 in a
collapsed position.
In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way
of example. It is expressly understood that the description and the drawings
are only for
the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding and are not
intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out The Invention
In the description which follows, like parts are marked through the
specification
and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are
not
necessarily to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been
exaggerated in
order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a first preferred embodiment of
the
entrance device 10 in which there are three pairs of barrier arms. In this
first preferred
embodiment of the invention, the entrance device comprises a first partition
member 12
and second partition member 14. Each of said first and second partition
members 12,
14 further comprises a top member 16 and pair of support posts 18 for
supporting each
of said top members 16. Each of said first and second partition members 12, 14
further
comprise a first barrier arm 20, second barrier arm 22 and third barrier arm
24 which
are mounted on said top members 16, in a manner made evident below.
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Each of said top members 16 includes a casing 26 for enclosing the mechanism
as shown in the drawings corresponding to each of said first, second and third
barrier
arms 20, 22, 24 and described in detail below.
Each of said supporting posts 18 further comprises a base 28 for fixing each
of
said partition members 12, 14 to the floor or ground by means of an attachment
means,
for example, a flange 17 associated with said supporting posts 18, which
flange presents
holes for receiving screws which are secured into the ground or floor.
Partition members
12, 14 are fixed to the floor or ground spaced apart from each other so as to
delimit or
define a passageway, as shown in Figure 1.
It should be understood that while a pair of supporting posts 18 are
illustrated
herein as means for supporting top member 16, this invention also contemplates
alternate
means for supporting top member 16, such as one support post for supporting
each of
said top members 16, attaching said top member 16 to a support wall extending
all or
substantially all the length of top member 16, or attaching said top member 16
to an
existing barrier such as a wall, using an attachment means such as screws or
the like.
Each of said first and second partition members 12, 14 present the same
mechanical structure when casing 26 is removed, as best illustrated by Figure
2, which
presents a top view of top member 16 of each of said first and second
partition members
12, 14 with casing 26 removed.
Now referring to Figure 3, the various structural elements of each of said
first and
second partition members 12, 14 are illustrated. More specifically Figure 3
shows the
complete third barrier arm assembly 36 including the rotor post reinforcing
bracket 43,
while the second barrier arm assembly 34 has the rotor post reinforcing
bracket 43
removed, and the first rotor arm assembly 32 drawn with phantom lines to
better
illustrate the first rotor post 37. Top member 16 presents main base plate 30,
first
barrier arm assembly 32, second barrier assembly 34 and third barrier arm
assembly 36.
Main base plate 30 presents first, second and third rotor posts 37, 38 and 39.
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Now referring to Figure 4, the structure of said first barrier arm assembly 32
is
represented, which structure is also representative of said second and third
barrier arm
assemblies 34, 36, and also of the arm assemblies which are part of the
various
embodiments of the invention described below. Figs. 4 and 7 show rotor post
reinforcing
bracket 43 in partial cut away view.
Said first barrier arm assembly 32 comprises said first barrier arm 20 which
is
connected to a rotor bottom plate 42 (see Figure 9a) spaced from a rotor top
plate 48 (see
Figure 7). A rotor bearing tube 44 is disposed between the rotor bottom plate
42 and
rotor top plate 48 and receives and rotationally engages rotor bearing 46.
Said rotor
bottom plate 42 and rotor bearing 46 are received by said rotor post 37
thereby
permitting manual rotation of barrier arm 20 about said rotor post 37. The
first, second
and third barrier arm assemblies 32, 34 and 36 also present side covers 31, 33
and 35.
As best shown in Figure 3, each of said first, second and third barrier arm
assemblies 32, 34, 36 further includes a rotor post reinforcing bracket 43
which is placed
on top of barrier arm assemblies 32, 34, 36 so as to prevent them from being
removed
from said rotor posts 37, 38, 39 while permitting rotatable displacement of
said rotor
bottom plate 42 (as shown in Figure 3). Said main base plate 30 further
presents main
support tube 49. Main support tube 49 presents fastening holes 50a, 50b which
communicate with corresponding holes presented by said rotor post reinforcing
bracket
43, whereby said rotor post reinforcing bracket 43 is secured to said main
support tube
49 using fastening means such as nuts and bolts, or the like. The rotor post
reinforcing
bracket 43 reinforces the rotor post in that it restricts deflection of the
barrier arm
assemblies 32, 34 and 36 when for example some one hangs from the barrier arms
20,
22 and 24.
In accordance with the above, said first barrier arm assembly 32 permits
manual
displacement of said first barrier arm 20 from a first closed position to a
second open
position. Referring to first barrier assembly 32, as illustrated in Figure 5,
barrier arm
20 is shown in said first closed position. Now referring to first barrier arm
assembly 32,
as illustrated in Figure 6, barrier arm 20 is shown in said second open
position.
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Now referring to Figure 5, one provides means for resisting or inhibiting
movement of said barrier arm 20 in a direction other than said one direction
(said one
direction being direction "A") when said barrier arm 20 is in said closed
position. In the
embodiments of the present invention described herein, said means for
inhibiting
movement is presented by a base plate stop 52 which is presented by said main
base plate
30, and further by rotor stop block 54 which is presented by rotor bottom
plate 42. As
best shown in Figure 5, said base plate stop 52 comes into contact with rotor
stop block
54 when an attempt is made to rotate said barrier arm 20 in a direction
opposite to said
direction A (direction B) when said barrier arm 20 is in said first closed
position.
As illustrated in Figure 7, the various embodiments of the invention described
herein also provide for a biasing means 41 for said barrier arms 20, 22, 24 to
be biased
toward said first closed position. Said biasing means 41 prevents passage
through said
entrance device 10 in said direction B by ensuring that once a person has
passed through
said entrance device in direction A, said barrier arms 20, 22, 24 return to
said closed
position to obstruct passage through said entrance device 10. In the
embodiments of the
invention described herein, said biasing means 41 is presented by a rotor
return spring
56 which is preferably operably associated with each of said barrier arm
assemblies 32,
34, 36. Said rotor return spring 56 is mounted between a spring pin 58
presented by said
rotor top plate 48, and spring post 60 presented by said main support tube 49.
In order to prevent said barrier arm assemblies 32, 34, 36 to return from said
second open position to said first open position with great force in
combination with said
rotor return spring 56, and thereby possibly causing injury to person
traversing said
entrance device 10 soon after another person, it is desirable to associate
some form of
dampening means with said barrier arm assemblies 32, 34, 36. As best shown in
Figure
7, in the embodiments of the invention described herein, said dampening means
is
presented by a dampening cylinder 62 which is also operably associated
preferably with
each of said barrier arm assemblies 32, 34, 36. Said dampening cylinder 62 is
mounted
to said main support tube 49 and operably connected with said rotor top plate
48, again
as illustrated in Figure 7.
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Figure 8 illustrates said entrance device 10 in operation by reference to the
first
embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, and shows the passage of a
person between
said first and second partition members 12, 14. The entrance device 10
described herein
restricts passage therethrough into passage in said one direction only by
means of a
sequential releasing means. Said sequential releasing means presents means for
permitting displacement of second barrier arm 22 only once said first barrier
arm 20 has
been previously displaced; and of the third barrier arm 24, in turn, only once
said second
barrier arm 22 has been previously displaced.
As particularized below, said sequential releasing means can either be
provided
mechanically or electronically.
Again in reference to Figure 7, said sequential releasing means is illustrated
which
more particularly operates as follows. When said first barrier arm 20 is
displaced, said
second barrier arm 22 is thereby mechanically released by way of said
sequential
releasing means, so long as said first barrier arm 20 has not yet returned to
said first
closed position. Similarly, manual displacement of said second barrier arm 22
in turn
releases said third barrier arm 24 thereby permitting said third barrier arm
24 to be
opened, but only so long as said second barrier arm 22 has not yet returned to
said first
closed position.
The biasing means 41 and dampening cylinder 62 may be adjusted in a manner
well-
known to those skilled in the art, in order to provide for return of said
first and second
barrier arms 20, 22 to said first closed position more slowly than it would
take such
person to make its way from one barrier arm to the next barrier arm so as to
minimize
the chance of the first and second barrier arm 20, 22 returning to the first
closed position
too quickly and before the next barrier arm can be manually displaced.
Moreover, the
length of the arms 20, 22 and 24 tend to contact a user and then swing to the
closed
position once the user has passed through the appropriate position.
Now referring to Figure 9a, a preferred embodiment of a first mechanical
sequential releasing means 64 is illustrated, which in this figure is operably
associated
with said first and second barrier arm assemblies 32, 34. Said first
sequential releasing
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means 64 comprises a rotor release rod 66, pivot cam arm 68, pivot bushing 70,
and
pivot stop bar 72.
Said rotor release rod 66 is pivotally or rotatably connected to said first
rotor
bottom plate 42a by means of rotor release stud 74 presented by the top of
said first rotor
bottom plate 42a and rotor bushing 76. Connected to said rotor release rod 66
at the end
of said rotor release rod 66 opposite to said rotor release stud bushing 76 is
a rotor
release block 78.
Said main base plate 30 further presents a pivot assembly post 80. Said pivot
cam
arm 68 and pivot stop bar 72 are rotatably mounted on said pivot assembly post
80 by
means of said pivot bushing 70, whereby said pivot stop bar 72 can be rotated
from a
first blocking position in which said pivot stop bar 72 blocks said rotor stop
block 54,
thereby preventing rotation of said second barrier arm 22 from said first
closed position
to said second open position; to a second releasing position wherein said
rotor stop block
54 is released thereby permitting manual displacement of said second rotor
bottom plate
42b.
In operation, as best shown in Figure 9b, when said first barrier arm 20 is
manually displaced, said rotor bottom plate 42a is rotated, and thereby said
rotor release
rod 66 is displaced atop said main base plate 30 toward said first barrier arm
assembly
32. Said displacement of said rotor release rod 66 causes said rotor release
block 78 to
displace said pivot cam arm 68 thereby causing pivot stop bar 72 to rotate
away from
said second rotor bottom plate 42b. Rotor stop block 54 is consequently
released,
thereby permitting said second barrier arm 22 to be manually displaced from
said first
closed position to said second open position.
A pivot assembly return spring 71 biases said pivot stop bar 72 toward said
first
blocking position. Consequently, when said first rotor bottom plate 42a
returns to said
first closed position by means of said rotor return spring 56 and dampening
means 62,
said pivot stop bar 72 again blocks said rotor stop block 54, thereby
preventing rotation
of said second rotor bottom plate 42b from said first closed position to said
second open
position.
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Said third barrier arm assembly presents a second releasing means 77 identical
to
said first sequential releasing means 64 for releasing said third barrier arm
24 when said
second barrier arm 22 is manually displaced, as best shown in Figure 9c, 9d.
Also as best shown in Figure 9a, said first barrier arm assembly 32 may also
be
provided with a first rotor blocking means 79 for preventing said first rotor
bottom plate
42a from being rotated from said first closed position to said first open
position. Said
first rotor blocking means 79 is presented by a first barrier stop bar 81
which is mounted
on said main base plate 30 by means of a first barrier post 82, along with
first barrier
bushing 84 to provide for rotatable displacement of said first barrier stop
bar 81 from a
first blocking position in which said first barrier stop bar 81 blocks said
rotor stop block
54, thereby preventing rotation of said first barrier arm 20 from said first
closed position
to said second open position; to a second releasing position wherein said
rotor stop block
54 is released thereby permitting manual displacement of said first rotor
bottom plate
42a.
Further associated with said first barrier stop bar 81 is a rotating arm 85.
Said
rotatable displacement of said first barrier stop bar 81 can be obtained by
providing
various means for engaging said rotating arm 85, such as a turn-key release,
or solenoid
combined with an access card reader or remote activation, connection to fire
alarm
systems, proximity sensors or similar devices.
In a second preferred embodiment of the entrance device described herein, each
of said first and second partition members comprises two barrier arm
assemblies 32, 34
comprising the constituent elements described above, as shown in Figure 10.
In a third preferred embodiment of the entrance device described herein, said
entrance device comprises only one partition member having two barrier arm
assemblies
32, 34 wherein a passageway is defined by said partition member, and an
external barrier
such as a wall or barrier, or handrail mounted on a wall, as shown in Figure
11.
In a fourth preferred embodiment of the entrance device described herein, said
entrance device also comprises only one partition member, but said partition
member
presents three barrier arm assemblies, as illustrated in Figure 12.
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In a fifth preferred embodiment of the entrance device described herein, said
entrance device is provided with barrier arm configurations of either of said
first, second,
third or fourth embodiments of the invention described herein, and an
electronic
sequential releasing means rather than the mechanical sequential releasing
means
described above. Said electronic sequential releasing means consists of a
solenoid
operably associated with said second barrier stop bar 72, and sensing means
for sensing
when said first barrier arm is displaced from said first closed position to
achieve said
second open position, wherein said sensor is activated when said first barrier
arm 20 is
displaced from said first closed position to achieve said second position so
as to engage
said pivot stop bar 72 thereby permitting manual displacement of said second
rotor
bottom plate 42b, as described above. Said sensing means may be provided, for
example, by a photo electric beam. Any subsequent barrier arm assemblies, if
any, are
similarly provided with a sensing means and solenoid.
In a modification to the fifth preferred embodiment sensing means such as a
photo
electric beam or the like could be placed in advance of any barrier arm 20,
22, 24 to
indicate the presence of a person attempting to traverse the entrance device
in the desired
direction "A", whereupon the signal from the beam would activate the solenoid
operably
associated with the barrier arm to which the person is attempting to traverse.
In a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, said
entrance
device is further provided with a collapsing means for displacing said barrier
arms 20,
22, 24 presented by either of said first, second, third or fourth preferred
embodiments
of the invention described above, from said first closed position or second
open position
to achieve a third collapsed position wherein said barrier arms permit
unobstructed
passage through said passageway. Figure 13 illustrates the collapsed position.
The
entrance device could be collapsed in the event of an emergency so as to
prevent
unobstructed passage through the device in both directions in the event of a
fire or the
like.
As best shown in Figure 14, the preferred embodiment of said collapsing means
is provided by a hinge means 86, displaceable locking means 88, wherein said
hinge
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means 86 is presented by a pivot shaft 87 around which said top member 16 may
be
pivoted.
In the preferred embodiment of said collapsing means described herein, said
hinge
means 86 is presented by each of said support posts 18, however said hinge
means 86
could be easily adapted to be presented by a single support post or alternate
means for
supporting top member 16 such as a support wall by fixing said hinge means 86
to the
top of such a support wall using a flange and screws, for example.
As illustrated in Figure 15, said top member 16 and support posts 18 present
said
displaceable locking means 88 by providing a collapsing ramp 92 secured to
post 18.
The collapsing ramp 92 communicates with bottom opening 95 of said main base
plate
30. Said collapsing ramp 92 comprises a ramp edge 94 and locking notch 96.
Said top
member 16 provides a break away roller 98 which is biased to engage said
locking notch
96 and thereby hold said hinge means 86 in place.
Now referring to Figure 16a, the structure providing said displaceable locking
means 88 comprises a roller frame 97a and 97b corresponding to each of said
collapsing
ramps 92 presented by said entrance device 10, depending on the means used to
support
said top member 16, as provided above. As best shown in Figure 15, said roller
frame
97a and 97b each define an opening 99 for receiving a shaft about which break
away
roller 98 rotates within said roller frame 97a and 97b.
Again referring to Figure 16a, each of said roller frames 97a and 97b are
interconnected by means of a pair of rods 100, 102. Top member 16 is also
provided
with a collapsing means release handle 104 which is connected to the adjacent
roller
frame 97a and 97b for engaging said rods 100, 102 to consequently displace
said roller
frames 97, using for example a hinged handle in combination with a clevis 101
for
displacing said rods 100, 102.
Top member 16 also provides two spring mechanisms 1.06 opposite to said
collapsing means release handle 104 corresponding to each of said pair of rods
100, 102.
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Said spring mechanisms 106 present means for biasing said roller frames 97,
and
consequently said break away rollers 98, toward said breakaway ramp 92.
Referring to Figs. 15 and 14a, said barrier arms obstruct traversal through
said
passageway as said break away roller 98 engage said locking notch 96, thereby
preventing said top member 16 from being pivoted to achieve said collapsed
position.
As best shown in Figure 16b, in operation, when said collapsing means release
handle 104 is engaged, said rods 100, 102 cause said roller frames 97a and 97b
to be
displaced, thereby removing said break away rollers 98 from said locking
notches 96,
thereby permitting top member 16 from being pivoted about hinge means 86 to
achieved
said collapsed position. The roller frames 97a and 97b generally move in
unison with
one another to remove the break away rollers 98 from the locking notches 96.
However,
the frames 97a and 97b can move independently of one another since rod 102 is
welded
to frame 97b but traverses through frame 97a (frame 97a has two holes
permitting rod
102 to move freely of frame 97a). In other words, by pulling handle 104 then
97b is
moved by rod 100 while frame 97a is moved by rod 100; but a self adjustment
means
(i.e. locking nuts 103) are provided to allow adjustment so that both frame
97a and 97b
move appropriately in unison.
In order to return top member 16 to said first position wherein said barrier
arms
20, 22, 24 obstruct traversal through said passageway, said top member 16 is
pivoted in
direction C, as shown in Figure 17. As said break away rollers 98 are biased
toward
said collapsing ramp 92, said break away rollers 98 travel up ramp edge 94 to
locate said
locking notches 96 when said top member 16 has been pivoted in direction C so
as to
permit communication between said locking notches 96 and break away rollers
98,
thereby locking said top member 16 in place, as described above.
Other means can be provided to permit the barrier arm to swing out of operable
position in the event of an emergency. For example, the barrier arms 20, 22
and 24 may
be releasably secured to the upper and lower rotor plates 48 and 42 for
rotation as
described. In the event of an emergency the handle 104 could be pulled so as
to release
the arms 20, 22 and 24 for free pivotal movement with respect to the plates 42
and 48.
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In other words, the arms 20, 22 and 24 could freely horizontally swing in
either direction
A or B by manually pushing same. In this case, the handle 104 would release a
pin so
as to disengage the arms 20, 22 and 24 from plates 42 and 48.
An advantage of the present invention over turnstile-type entrance devices is
that
the entrance device disclosed herein can be negotiated by persons using a
wheelchair, in
which case said barrier arms are generally displaced by the shoulders of a
person of
average height, or by a person pushing a shopping cart or stroller. Separate
entrances
are required in these circumstances where an ordinary turnstile-type entrance
is used.
Furthermore, the device may also be used in airports where individuals usually
hold
luggage in their arms. By utilizing the device herein there would be no need
to lift the
luggage over the device but rather to just walk through with the luggage
dangling from
the arms.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention described herein refer to use
of barrier arms as means of obstructing passage through said passageway, it
should also
be understood that alternate means for obstructing passage through said
entrance devices
could be used such as a series of U-shaped gate assemblies, paddles or the
like.
Also, the preferred embodiments of the invention described herein, provide for
each of said partition member to have two or three barrier arms. However, it
is also
possible to provide for four, five or more barrier arms if need be.
Also, in order to achieve the benefits of the invention, said barrier arms
should
be spaced apart along said partition members at a distance that is sufficient
to make it
difficult for a person seeking entrance through said entrance device in said
direction B
by displacing the first barrier arm, and then subsequent barrier arms
sequentially to gain
passage through said last pair of barrier arms.
Said top member can be further provided with a detecting means operably
associated with at least one of said barrier arms for sensing when said
barrier arms are
displaced from said first closed position to said second open position, and
providing
signals to a microprocessor for generating data related to the traffic passing
through said
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
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entrance device, or to a security monitor or camera or other device which
monitors traffic
activity. As shown in Figure 18, said detecting means may be provided, for
example,
by an ordinary solenoid switch 110, having a solenoid connection arm 112. Said
solenoid
switch 110 is operably associated with said rotor bottom plate 42. Said
solenoid switch
comprises a spring means (not shown) which biases said solenoid connection arm
toward
said rotor bottom plate 42. Said solenoid switch is easily adjusted to provide
an
electronic signal when said rotor bottom plate 42 is rotated, as described
above, thereby
engaging said solenoid connection arm 112. A counting means can then be
operably
associated with said detecting means for tracking traffic flowing through said
entrance
device.
It will be understood from the above description, that if a person attempts to
traverse the preferred embodiments of said entrance device presenting said
mechanical
sequential releasing means and it takes more time than was anticipated for
such person
to traverse said embodiment of the entrance device when adjusting said biasing
means and
dampening cylinder, then it is possible that such person may be trapped
between two sets
of barrier means, if the previous barrier means has returned to said first
closed position
before the next barrier means is manually displaced. While it would be
relatively simple
to displace the previous barrier means to release the next barrier means, some
persons
traversing said entrance device may not realize this fact, or perhaps may not
be able to
do so due to physical impediment, for example. To address this eventuality,
said
entrance device may be easily equipped with an alarm means comprising, for
example,
a timer in combination with a solenoid switch which provide an alarm signal if
a person
has traversed, for example, said first barrier means, and a certain period of
time has
elapsed and said second barrier means has not yet been manually displaced.
Said alarm
signal could result in a siren being sounded, for example, either in the
immediate vicinity
of said entrance device or at an administrative office, for example.
The working components of said entrance device are readily available and can
be
assembled in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art. Said main base
plate 30,
support posts and casing 26 may be fashioned from sheet metal, but may also
comprise
some other rigid material such as a rigid plastic polymer or wood.
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
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Further Alternate Embodiments
Further alternate embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 19 -
28
inclusive.
Like parts are marked through the specification and the drawings with the same
respective reference numerals. Accordingly, Figures 19 and 20 are similar to
those
shown in Figure 1 and 13 and illustrate an entrance device 10 having first
partition
member 12 and second partition member 14, each of which comprises a top member
16,
a pair of support posts 18 for supporting each of the top member 16 and first
barrier arm
20, second barrier arm 22, and third barrier arm 24.
Figure 20 illustrates the entrance device 10 in a collapsed position and is
different
from that shown in Figure 13 in that the casing 26 is substantially located
between the
pair of support posts 18 in both of the positions shown in Figures 19 and 20
while Figure
13 shows that the casing 26 protrudes into the passageway in the collapsed
position. In
other words the clearance or distance between the partition members 12 and 14
in the
collapsed position shown in Figure 20 is greater than that shown in Figure 13.
The
entrance device 10 illustrated in Figures 19 - 28 inclusive operates in a
fashion as
described above except as described below.
More specifically, Figure 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the
support posts 18 which has an outer post frame 219 and inner post frame 220
which are
each comprised of stainless steel plate or the like. The top member 16
presents at each
end thereof an end plate 214 fixedly secured to the top member 16 by means of
welding
or the like. At least one of the end plates 214 has secured thereto a top
member pivot
assembly 216 which permits rotation of the top member 16 relative the support
post 18.
The top member pivot assembly 216 includes a threaded pin or shaft welded to
the inner
post frame 220 and a sleeve or bushing 221 welded to the end plate 214 as
illustrated.
A locking nut 223 secures the parts together for relative rotation. As shown
in Figure
21 the thickness of inner post frame 220 is greater than outer post frame 219,
although
this does not need to be the case provided that the frame 220 exhibits
sufficient strength
characteristics.
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
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Figure 21 also illustrates the position of the top member 16 for normal
operation
in a non-collapsed mode or position through the use of a top member locking
pin 212.
Locking pin 212 is displaceable within the locking pin bushing 213. Locking
pin bushing
213 is secured to the inner post frame 220 by means of welding or the like.
The locking
pin 212 securely fixes the post and top member 16 together when locking pin
212 is
received by locking pin tapered hole 215.
The top member 16 may be moved to the collapsed position shown in Figure 20
by placing one's hands or fingers into the release handle opening 202 and
pulling up on
the bottom of the release handle 200 so as to cause the release handle 200 to
rotate about
the release handle pin and bushing assembly 204. Such action places pressure
on the
bottom of a release pivot arm 206 causing the arm 206 to rotate about release
pivot arm
shaft 208 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed in Figure 21. Such
action
generates retracting pressure on release pivot pin 210 so as to withdraw the
top member
locking pin 212 from the locking pin tapered hole 215 thereby allowing the top
unit 16
to rotate about pin 217 and collapse to the position shown in Figure 20.
The release pivot arm 206 is biased to automatically relock the entrance unit
pin
to the operating position shown in Figure 19. This occurs when the collapsed
arms are
lifted up into the operating position, because of the tension from released
pivot arm
return spring 218 acting on release pivot arm 206 which causes the locking pin
212 to
move back into tapered hole 215.
The support posts 18 illustrated in Figure 21 may include an alarm activation
switch 222. The alarm activation switch 222 closes a low-voltage circuit when
depressed
by release pivot arm 206 so as to activate the alarm 224. Once the alarm 224
is activated
an audible noise is emitted to signal staff or management that the emergency
feature of
the unit has been engaged.
Alternatively, the emergency release mechanism described above can be made
inoperable through the use of a release mechanism lock out 226. The release
mechanism
lock out 226 shown in Figure 21 may consist of a cabinet style key activated
lock which
is adapted to be turned or rotated by a key to a locked position so as to move
a locking
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
-21-
plate into the travel path of the top locking pin 212 as illustrated by the
phantom lines so
as to prevent the locking pin 212 from being removed from the locking pin
tapered hole
215.
Figures 22 - 26, inclusive, illustrate means or structure to minimize the
possibility
that a person may be trapped between two sets of barrier means as referred to
earlier.
In other words, the device now has a mechanical means to allow a person to
pass through
a barrier arm provided that the preceding arm has been displaced.
A retaining spring 213 manufactured from spring steel can be utilized so as to
set
a barrier arm in a"released mode" as a result of movement or displacement of a
preceding barrier arm. Such spring 230 would normally only appear on the
second
barrier arm assembly 34 and if installed, barrier arm assembly 36, except
where the first
barrier arm assembly 32 has an installed solenoid used in conjunction with a
remote
release feature such as a card reader or the like, in which event the
retaining spring 230
would also be applicable to the first barrier assembly 32.
More specifically the retaining spring 230 has at one end thereof a flat
securing
face 232 which is adapted to be secured to main base plate 30 by means of
securing
screws 240. The other end of the retaining spring 230 includes a suspended end
246
which is sprung to operate with upward pressure or biasing force as a result
of forces
provided by spring tension area 234. Suspended end 246 includes an opening
ramp face
236, spring top surface 244 and closing ramp face 238 along with retaining
edge 242.
The retaining spring 230 illustrates one type of spring that can be utilized
but should not
be limited thereto as counter balanced type of device or spring loaded form
plate or
various other configurations can be utilized within the scope of this
invention.
Figure 23 illustrates a typical second or third barrier arm assembly 34 or 36
with
the retaining spring 230.
The second or third barrier arms 22 or 24 have been drawn with hidden or
phantom lines to assist in establishing the spatial relationship between the
rotor bottom
plate 42b or 42c along with second and third barrier arms 22 or 24. The rotor
stop block
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
-22-
54 is secured by means of welding or other fastening means to the rotor bottom
plate 42.
However, rotor stop block 54 is shown in solid lines to assist in the
understanding to be
described herein. Figure 23 shows a barrier arm assembly in the normal "at
rest"
position.
The retaining spring 230 is secured to the rotor bottom plate 42b or 42c by
means
of securing screws 240 as shown. For simplicity the base plate stop 52 has not
been
shown in the figures, although the base plate stop 52 is utilized as
previously described.
The suspended end 246 of retaining spring 230 is applying upward pressure on
pivot stop bar 72 as shown in Figure 23. More specifically, Figure 23 shows
that there
is contact between the bottom of pivot stop bar 72 and the spring top surface
244 in the
normal "at rest" position such as shown in Figures 19 and 23.
Figure 24 illustrates a disengaged pivot stop bar 72 position where the rotor
release rod 66 has been activated by movement of a previous barrier arm
whereby rotor
release rod 66 has drawn rotor release block 78 from its rest position as
shown in Figure
23 and caused the pivot cam arm 68 to be displaced and thereby disengage the
pivot stop
bar 72. The rotor bottom plate 42 has not yet moved from its initial position
shown in
Figure 23 since no contact has yet been made with barrier arm 22/24.
The displacement of the pivot cam arm 68 causes the pivot stop bar 72 to
rotate
away from the rotor stop block 54 a sufficient distance to allow the spring
top surface
244 to move upwards thereby permitting retaining edge 242 to move upwards and
alongside or against the pivot stop bar 72. This action assists in minimizing
the
possibility of an individual being accidentally trapped between two sets of
barrier means.
Figure 25 illustrates the return of rotor release block 78 to its original "at
rest"
position when the previous barrier arm returns to a closed position. Figure 25
also
illustrates that the second or third barrier arm 22, 24 continues to be at
rest since it has
not yet been contacted by an individual. However, the pivot stop bar 72 is
held in a
displaced position by retaining edge 242; accordingly pivot cam arm 68 does
not return
to its initial rest position against rotor release block 78. This minimizes
the possibility
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
-23-
of a person being trapped between two sets of barrier means. More
specifically, the
activation or displacement of the prior barrier arm has caused the pivot stop
bar 72 to be
positioned in an unlocking or open position and the retaining spring 230 is
holding pivot
stop bar 72 in such position by means of the retaining edge 242.
It should also be noted that the barrier arm 22 or 24 in both Figure 24 and 25
has
not yet been moved and accordingly the rotor stop block 54 has also not yet
been moved.
However, the spring top surface 244 has moved upwards in both Figures 24 and
25 and
accordingly the distance between the edge 53 of rotor stop block 54 and edge
243 of
spring top surface 244 appears to be and is different in Figures 23 than that
shown in
Figures 24 and 25.
Figure 26 illustrates the access control device when a barrier arm such as
barrier
arm 22 or 24 is displaced from its rest position. As the user moves barrier
arm 22 or
24, rotor bottom plate 42 begins to rotate in a clockwise direction when
viewed in Figure
26 so as to rotate and bring the rotor stop block 54 into contact with opening
ramp face
236 of the retaining spring 230. As the rotor stop block 54 continues to
rotate, the
suspended end 246 of the retaining spring is depressed to the extent that
retaining edge
242 drops below the pivot stop bar 72 thereby allowing pivot stop bar 72 to
come into
contact with the end of rotor stop block 54 because of the biasing force
generated by
spring 73. The bottom of rotor stop 54 is slightly lower than the bottom of
the pivot stop
bar 72 so that the rotor stop block 54 may push down on the spring top surface
244.
As the barrier arm 24 or 24 continues to be displaced or rotated in a
clockwise
fashion, the rotor stop block 54 continues to rotate so as to travel across
the spring top
surface 244, and then down the closing ramp face 238 of the retaining spring.
As this
occurs, pivot stop block 72 moves to its normal at rest position as shown in
Figure 23.
More specifically as barrier arm 22 or 24 returns back to its normal rest
position,
rotor stop block 54 travels across suspended end 246 of retaining spring 230
in a counter-
clockwise direction. As the rotor stop block 54 travels across suspended end
246 of
retaining spring 230, it applies pressure on the various faces and the
suspended end 246
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
-24-
is displaced downward and allows the rotor stop block 54 to return to its
original rest
position as shown in Figure 23.
As the barrier arm 22 or 24 moves to its closing position, rotor stop block 54
passes by and displaces pivot stop bar 72 when it is returning to its rest
position. The
displacement of pivot stop block 72 is not sufficient to allow the suspended
end 246 to
rise up and allow the retaining edge 242 to again hold pivot stop bar 72 in a
preset
condition. Spring 73 biases the pivot stop bar 72 towards rotor stop block 54.
Figure 27 illustrates a further alternate embodiment of the access control
device
10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 27 a protruding rail 250 having a
generally
U-shaped configuration is used in place of the guide rail 19 shown in Figure
12. The
collapsible rail 250 is secured to the top member 252 such that when moving
the access
control device shown in Figure 27 to the collapsed position of Figure 28 the
clearance
between the partition members is sufficient to meet code requirements such as
handicap
code requirements or fire exits requirements. Under normal circumstances the
three
barrier arms on one partition shown in Figure 27 is sufficient to allow
passage of
pedestrians, wheelchairs, strollers and in some cases shopping carts, without
the need to
collapse rail 250.
The collapsible rail partition 254 operates in the same manner as the standard
barrier arm partitions with respect to the collapsing means shown in Figures
19, 20 and
21. Top member 252 is free to rotate in the manner similar to that shown
Figure 21 by
engaging collapsible rail handle 256 as previously described. However, the
other
methods of achieving the rotational displacement of the collapsible rail may
be utilized
by a multitude of means for releasing the top member 252 in a rotational
fashion about
pin 217.
One advantage of utilizing a collapsible rail partition as shown in Figure 27
relates
to its simplicity of manufacture thereby being less expensive to produce than
any regular
barrier arm configurations shown in the previous drawings. However, all of the
features
of the regular barrier arm system as described herein will accommodate the
passage of
most patrons.
CA 02282036 1999-09-10
-25-
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since
changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made
without
departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is
not to be
limited to said details. Specifically, suggested components assembled in
suggested
mechanical relationships have been described herein to obtain the benefits of
the
invention, however, it should be understood that various different components
and
alternate modes of assembly may be used to achieve the benefits of the same
invention
without diverging from the invention disclosed herein.
