Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTROLLED GATE SYSTEM WITH
ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCKING MECHANISM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a controlled gate system for use in a
restricted passage having an entry end and an exit end with a barrier gate
provided at the
exit end and wherein mechanisms are provided to permit evacuation from inside
an
establishment through the restricted passage by automatically disconnecting
the barrier
gate causing it to swing freely.
BACKGROUND ART
Reference is made to our related U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.
12/471,440, filed on May 25, 2009, and entitled "Gate System With Automatic
Locking And
Unlocking Feature", which describes a controlled gate system with automatic
locking and
unlocking features. These controlled gate systems with restricted passage are
installed at
the entry doors of an establishment and in many cases, are located far from
the exit doors
where the checkout counters and registries are located. It is at the exit end
of an
establishment, such as grocery and other merchandising shopping establishments
where
the majority of employees are located. Accordingly, theft or illegal exit from
the
establishment occurs at the entry end where, for example, a person can jump
the barrier
gates or an adjacent fence with stolen goods. Also a person inside the
establishment can
pass merchandise to another person who is in the passageway in front of the
barrier gate
to steal merchandise.
There is also a need, in emergency situations such as during a fire alarm, or
other emergency situations to disconnect the barrier gate at the entry end of
an
establishment to permit evacuation from the establishment. These emergency
situations
are usually controlled by designated personnel of the establishment who have
keys to
unlock the barrier gates. There is also a need for unlocking the barrier gate
locally by
anyone by actuating panic switch means on the barrier arm which at the same
time
produce audible and/or visual alarms to signal to others that the switch means
has been
activated and the gate opened.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a controlled gate system
which satisfies the above-referenced needs and overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a controlled gate
system which has an electrically actuable arresting means to prevent the
controlled gate
from being displaced inward of a restricted passageway under normal conditions
and
wherein an electromagnetic mechanism is automatically actuable to permit the
barrier gate
to swing inwardly into the passageway during predetermined detected events by
a control
circuit.
According to another feature of the present invention there is provided a
panic switch associated with the barrier arm on the barrier gate to disengage
the barrier
gate and simultaneously generate an alarm condition.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention
provides a controlled gate system for use in a restricted passage having an
entry end and
an exit end. The system comprises a barrier gate secured to a pivotal support
assembly at
the exit end to permit the barrier gate to pivot from a closed position,
obstructing the
restricted passage, to an open position, outwardly of the restricted passage.
Electrically
actuable arresting means lock the barrier gate at the closed position.
Detection means
detects the presence of a person at the entry end. Control circuit means is
provided for
receiving an entry signal from the motion detection means to condition the
electrically
actuable arresting means to unlock the barrier gate during a predetermined
time period
after receiving the entry signal to permit passage through the barrier gate.
Electromagnetic connection means is provided to connect the barrier gate to
the pivotal
support assembly. Disconnect means is provided to disengage the
electromagnetic
connection means and the electrically actuable arresting means to permit the
barrier gate
to pivot outwardly and inwardly of the restricted passage to permit passage
from the exit
end to the entry end and vice-versa during predetermined detected events by
the control
circuit means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a controlled gate
system
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a barrier gate constructed
in accordance
with the present invention and secured at an exit end of a restricted passage;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stationary vertical shaft as used in the
pivotal support assembly described herein;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship of a
slope formation
secured at the top end of the stationary vertical shaft and disposed in
frictional contact with
a stationary ramp formation held captive inside a vertical tubular support
member;
FIG. 5 is a simplified, partly sectioned view, showing the construction of
the barrier arm secured to the vertical tubular support assembly and
illustrating the position
of the electromagnet assembly;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom support bracket
assembly
which is provided with a solenoid which operates an arresting latch and
constituting an
electrically actuable arresting means for the barrier gate;
FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the bottom support
bracket with
the solenoid and latch showing the arresting latch in a disengaged position;
FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing the construction of
the pivotal
support assembly of the barrier gate of the present invention as seen from
inside the
passageway;
FIG. 9A is a simplified cross-section view showing the
pivotal support
assembly when the barrier gate extends in a closed position;
FIG. 9B is a cross-section view similar to Figure 9A but
showing the
barrier gate in an emergency exit position where the barrier gate is displaced
inwardly of
the restricted passageway;
FIG. 9C is a simplified top view of the pivotal support
assembly showing
the construction of the arresting element secured to the first vertical
tubular support
member to prevent the barrier gate to be displaced rearwardly within the
restricted
passageway during normal operation of the barrier gate;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control system and its peripheral
circuitry, sensors and components;
FIG. 11 is a side view of the barrier gate showing a further
embodiment
wherein the barrier gate automatically opens during an alarm condition not to
obstruct the
passageway;
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FIG. 12
is a top view of the barrier showing its displacement by the
torsion spring; and
FIG. 13
is an enlarged view showing the connection of the torsion spring
across the electromagnet and its metal plate.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, there is
shown generally at 10 a controlled gate system constructed in accordance with
the present
invention. The controlled gate system as herein illustrated is comprised of
two barrier
gates 11 and 11' secured in side-by-side alignment at an exit end 12 of a
restricted
passageway 13 defined between an entry end 14 and the exit end 12. The
controlled gate
system is installed in an establishment next to the entry doors thereof (not
shown).
Although the controlled gate system herein illustrated has two barrier gates
11 and 11', it is
contemplated that it may have a single gate 11 and operate in the same fashion
as
described herein.
Motion detectors are provided at the entry end 14 and may be comprised of
electronic motion detectors 15 using logic to detect the presence of a person.
The
detector is disposed within vertical posts 16 at the entry end of the
passageway. The
motion detector may also consist of pivotal gates 17, herein shown in phantom
lines, which
upon displacement thereof, transmits an entry signal to a control circuit 25,
as shown in
Figure 10. It is also foreseeable that in certain applications where the
control gate is used
to provide passage of authorized personnel only, such as in airports, the
detector at the
entry end 14 may consist of ID card readers. Authorized ID cards would be
programmed
and permit passage through the exit end 12.
A key cylinder 9 is provided a post 19 and is operable by a key to activate or
deactivate the system. An LED (light emitting diode) light 8 indicates the
operative
condition of the system.
As hereinshown, top and bottom side horizontal bars 18 and 18',
respectively, are secured to the vertical post 16 at the entry end and the
vertical post 19 at
the exit end of the restricted passage. A plurality of electronic motion
detectors 20 are
secured in the bottom side horizontal bar 18', and could also be secured in
the top bar 18,
to detect the direction of displacement of a person entering into an
establishment from the
entry end 14 to the exit end 12. These motion detectors 20 detect the movement
of a
person in a direction towards the barrier gates 11 and 11'. Once a person has
passed
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through the barrier gates and no one is in the restricted passage, the gates
relock in their
closed position. If the gates are maintained opened by the person entering
the
establishment and no one is in the restricted passage, an alarm is actuated.
The alarm
stops when the gates are re-closed after a time delay. The alarm is both
visual and
audible. If the detectors 18 are on both sides of the restricted passageway
and detect a
motion in the reverse direction, then an alarm is sounded indicating that a
person has
entered into the restricted passageway and exited the passageway through the
entry end
of the passageway before entering the establishment indicating a possible
theft situation.
If the person enters the passageway and exits the passageway prior to reaching
a certain
number of detectors 20, for example three of them and decides to exit through
the entry
end, then an alarm will not be sounded as this is an indication that a person
has decided
not to enter into the establishment. The distance between the entry end and
the motion
detector permitting exit to the entry end is such as to prevent another person
into an
establishment being capable of passing goods to that person inside the
restricted
passage. These detectors also prevent a person from jumping over the gates 11
and 11'
or crawling under them. It can also detect a situation where a person exits
the restricted
passageway 13 as a person enters the passageway.
As illustrated in Figure 1 there are two barrier gates 11 and 11' and these
are constructed and supported identically to one another. Accordingly only one
of these
will be described herein and the same applies to the motion detectors in the
vertical posts
16 at the entry end. With respect to the motion detectors, it is noted that
detectors 15 are
provided at two levels to ascertain that indeed it is a person that is
entering into the
restricted passageway.
Each of the barrier gates is provided with a pivotal support assembly as
described in detail in our aforementioned U.S. Patent Application and will
again be
described but only briefly herein with reference to Figures 3 to 7. As shown
in Figure 3,
the pivotal support assembly 22 comprises a stationary vertical shaft 26 which
is
immovably secured at a bottom end 27 in a support bracket 28, see Figure 6,
and at a top
end secured in attachment bracket 29. A threaded bore 30 provides for the
immovable
securement. A stationary ramp formation 31 is immovably secured to the
stationary
vertical shaft 26.
A first vertical tubular support member 32 is axially rotatable about the
stationary vertical shaft 26 and has a ramp follower member 33 secured thereto
by welding
34 or solider whereby when the first vertical tubular support post is axially
rotated, the
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ramp follower member 33 will slidingly engage stationary ramp formation 31
immovably
secured to the shaft 26 and will cause the support 32 to move upwardly and
fall back to it
initial position by gravity when the barrier arm 21 of the gate is released by
a person
entering an establishment through the passageway 13. The initial position of
the barrier
arm 21 is normally in a closed position as shown in Figure 1, transverse to
the
passageway 13 preventing entry into the establishment. The operation of the
ramp system
is clearly described in my afore-mentioned U.S. Patent Application.
With reference now to Figures 6 and 7, there is illustrated an electrically
actuable arresting means secured on the support bracket 28 and it is comprised
of a
solenoid 35 which operates a latch linkage 36 to displace an arresting latch
finger 37 from
an engaged position to a disengaged position whereby to arrest the first
vertical tubular
support member 32 during a normal obstructing position where no one has
entered into
the restricted passageway. As hereinshown, the first vertical tubular support
member 32 is
provided with a stopper ring 38 at a lower end thereof which is engageable by
the arresting
latch 37 of the solenoid 35. As soon as a person enters into the restricted
passageway
and its presence is detected by the motion detectors 15 or 17, the solenoid is
operated by
the control circuit to disengage the latch from the first vertical tubular
support member 32
causing that member to rotate axially but only in the direction from its
closed position, as
shown in Figure 1, to a position outwardly of the restricted passageway in a
direction of
arrow 41 inside the establishment, as illustrated in Figure 9C. As shown in
Figure 90, the
first vertical tubular support member 32 is provided with an arresting element
such as a
steel projecting finger 39 extending horizontally therefrom and disposed to
abut against a
stopper member 40 secured to a stationary element, herein the vertical support
post 19,
whereby to prevent the barrier arm 21, represented by the phantom line 21',
from swinging
inwardly within the passageway. Accordingly, the inner vertical tubular
support member 32
can only swing outwardly in the direction of arrow 41.
As shown in Figure 8, the pivotal support mechanism 22 is further
comprised with a second vertical tubular support member 45 axially rotatable
about the
first vertical tubular support member 32 and spaced therefrom by bushings 46.
An
electromagnet 49 of an electromagnetic disconnect means is secured to the
first vertical
tubular support member 32, at a lower end thereof, by suitable connecting
means such as
bracket 50. An armature member 47, see Figure 9B, is secured to the first
vertical tubular
support member 32 and is aligned for facial displacement with the
electromagnet 49 and
this is illustrated by phantom line in Figure 8. The electromagnet 49 is
secured to the
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second vertical tubular support member 45 by suitable means such as bracket 50
welded
thereto as mentioned above. As hereinshown, both the steel plate 47 and the
electromagnet 49 have a flat contact surface 47' and 49', respectively,
oriented vertically
for juxtaposition with one another when the electromagnet is energized by an
electrical
supply connected to the electromagnet 49 through switch means (not shown but
obvious
to a person skilled in the art) operated by the controller 25, as shown in
Figure 10. The
wiring for the electromagnet 49 is disposed within the annular space 51, as
shown in
Figure 8, between the first and second vertical tubular support members.
The
electromagnet 49 is normally energized thereby connecting the first and second
vertical
support members together by its magnetic engagement with the armature member
47
During normal operation, the electromagnet is energized and moves with the
tubular
member 32 and 45 as the gate 21 swings from its closed position to its open
position, as
shown in Figure 9A. During emergency situations or events, the switch means
operated
by the controller 25 will be operated to disconnect or cut-off the electrical
supply to the
electromagnet 49 and the solenoid 35 thereby disconnecting the first and
second vertical
tubular support members from one another permitting the gate 21 to swing in
and out of
the passageway 13. Figure 9B shows the electromagnet and the gate 21 displaced
inside
the passageway 13. However, the armature member 47 connected to the first
tubular
member 32 cannot be displaced inwardly due to the arresting element 39 but
will swing
outwardly in the direction of arrow 41 due to the fact that the latch of the
electromagnet is
disengaged.
As also shown in Figure 8, there is further provided a third external vertical
tubular member 55 which is immovably secured to the second vertical tubular
support
member and spaced therefrom by spacing bushings 56. The external vertical tube
is
immovably secured by welds 57 or other suitable means. This third vertical
tubular
member is provided to create an internal passageway 58 by the annular space
between
the third external vertical tubular member 55 and the second vertical tubular
support
member 45 whereby wiring 59 can extend therethrough and be concealed. As
illustrated,
the vertical tubular members are shown as being of different lengths to
accommodate the
displacement of the electromagnet. However, the third tubular member 55 in
reality
extends much lower and has openings to permit displacement of the bracket 50
when the
gate is displaced inwardly in the restricted passage, and the passage of the
bracket 48.
The wiring 59 as hereinshown is that of an emergency exit switch assembly
60 which is actuated by depressing an emergency exit instruction panel 61
formed of
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flexible plastic material or other suitable material and secured to the
barrier arm 21 of the
barrier gate 11. As shown in Figure 2, this panel 61 is secured to the barrier
arm 21 and
accessible and actuable exteriorly of the barrier gate 11 inside an
establishment. The
emergency exit switch 60' is connected to the controller 25 which actuates a
timer. The
switch panel must remain depressed for three seconds and upon expiration of
this time
delay stored in the memory 81 of a microprocessor 82 of the controller 25 and
a visual and
audible alarm 83 will sound and flash. The timer continues its count for a
remaining 15
second delay and disengages the barrier gates 11 and 11', as illustrated in
Figure 1.
Accordingly, the control circuit operates a switch means to disconnect the
electrical supply
to the electromagnet 49 and solenoid 35 causing the barrier gate 21 to pivot
freely about
the vertical shaft 26 with the first vertical tubular support member 32 having
been
disconnected from the solenoid and the disconnection of the electromagnet 49
with the
armature member 47 being displaceable with the member 32, permitting the
barrier gate
11 to swing into the restricted passage towards the entry end 14 to permit
evacuation from
the establishment through the restricted passageway 13. It is pointed out that
in order for
the controller 25 to detect an evacuation alarm signal, it is necessary that
the panel 61 in
the barrier arm 21 be maintained depressed for a short programmed period of
time, herein
3 seconds, in order for the control circuit to establish an alarm condition at
the gate. This
prevents accidental operation of the alarm panel. As illustrated in Figure 8,
the barrier
gate 11 is immovably secured to the third external vertical tubular member by
weld
connection 62 or other suitable connecting means.
As shown in Figure 2, two LED lamps 6 and 7 are mounted on the panel 61
of the barrier arms 21. One LED lamp 6 is a green LED and when lit designates
that the
barrier gate has been deactivated thus requiring a key to be inserted in the
key cylinder 9
to reactivate the system. The other LED 7 is a red LED and when lit indicates
that the gate
was open but is not in the proper closed position and must be displaced for
the magnet to
lock. A position switch (not shown) in Figure 2, detects the position of two
adjacent tubular
support members 55 and 45 to indicate if the barrier arm 21 is in the closed
position and
lights the LED 7 when not in position. After 10 seconds, audible beeps will
sound to inform
people to place the gate back in the locked position, i.e., magnet engaged.
When the red
LED 7 flashes, it is an indication that the gate is in the proper closed
position. When it is
"ON" and not flashing, it indicates that the gate is not in the closed
position and the
electromagnet needs to be reactivated.
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It is also pointed out that if the gate 11 or 11' is forced open by a person
overpowering the magnetic retention force of the electromagnet 49, the control
system will
operate the alarms 83 during one minute and automatically reactivates itself
after that time
delay. The gate may then have to be re-closed if it has not done so by itself.
The alarm
condition can also be stopped by placing a key in the key cylinder 9 to reset
the system.
In order to manually deactivate the system, it is necessary to place a key in
the key cylinder 9 and position it in the horizontal position. When the system
is
deactivated, the LED 8 in the vertical post 19 is lit and the green LED 6, see
Figure 2, on
the panic panel 61 is lit. The gates 11 and 11' can then be open in both
directions. In
order to reactivate the system, it is necessary to turn the key in the
cylinder to the vertical
position. When the system is armed, the LEDs 8 in the vertical post 16 are not
lit but the
red LEDs 6 on the panic panel 61 will flash. If the LEDs on one or both of the
panels 61
remain lit and do not flash, it is an indication that the barrier gates 11 or
11' are not in their
closed position and it is therefore necessary to simply pull the gates back in
such a way to
engage the electromagnets. However, if one of the gates is not in position
after a delay of
about 10 seconds after the system has been armed, an audible alarm will sound
in one of
the posts 19 associated with the gate that is not in the proper closed
position and this
alarm will stop after the gate is placed back to its proper closed position.
It is pointed out
that when the system is armed both gates are locked and cannot be displaced in
either an
inward or outward position with respect to the passageway.
With reference to Figure 10, it is pointed out that when there is an alarm
condition in the central alarm system 73, the gates automatically disengage
instantly and
the arms can be swung in either direction to permit evacuation. In order to
reactivate the
system after such an alarm, it is necessary that the central alarm system be
deactivated
and that a key be placed in the key cylinder with the key slot in a horizontal
position and
brought back to the vertical position in order to reset the system.
Thereafter, the key is
displaced through its armed horizontal position.
It is also pointed out that when there is an electrical power failure, the
gates
also automatically unlock and the gates can swing in either direction. Once
the power is
reestablished, the gates reactivate themselves automatically after a five
minute time delay
programmed to automatically reactivate themselves. It is possible that in such
a situation
that the gates may have to be manually repositioned to their closed position
if they are still
in an open position. It is also possible to manually reactivate the system by
placing a key
in the cylinder and resetting the system as above-described.
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When the system is deactivated by the key cylinder, the LED lamp 8 on the
respective posts 19 is permanently lit. If the system has been deactivated by
a fire alarm,
this LED lamp 8 will have one pulsation at intervals. If the system is
deactivated by a
power failure, then the lamp will have two pulsations at intervals. In a
situation where the
system has been deactivated by the panic switch or panel 61 having been
depressed, the
LED lamp 8 will have three pulsations at intervals but will only be activated
after a delay of
a minute. When the light has four pulsations at intervals it indicates that
there is no supply
to either the coils 35 or the electromagnets 49 and a verification of their
connection is
therefore necessary. When this LED lamp 8 pulsates five times at intervals, it
indicates
that there is a loss of communication between the two controllers associated
with the two
gates 11 and 11'. When such a situation occurs, the gates are automatically
deactivated
and a verification of the wiring between the two controllers is necessary. In
all of these
error codes generated by the LED lamps 8, it is necessary to reset the system
by the use
of the key in the key cylinder.
With reference to Figure 10, it can be seen that the key-operated cylinder 9
is connected to the control circuit 25 which upon actuation by a key under the
control of
designated personnel, causes the control circuit to open the switch means to
cut-off the
electrical supply to the electromagnet and solenoid to permit the barrier gate
to pivot freely
for evacuation through the restricted passage. It is pointed out that there
are two
controllers 25 and 25' each associated with a respective one of the gates 11
and 11' and a
controller 25" which receive signals from the detectors 20 to control the
gates and the
alarm dependent on the sequence of the signals received from the detectors 20
indicative
of the activity or motion of one or more persons in the restrictive passage.
The controllers
and 25' communicate with one another through a link line 79. Controller 25"
25
communicates with the controller of gate 11 as the detectors 20 are provided
on one side
only of the restricted passage. The key-operated cylinder 9 is mounted in a
secured box
attached to one of the support posts at the exit end of the restricted
passage. Also, the
controller 25, 25' is connected to the electrical supply 75 of the
establishment and upon a
power failure condition, power is automatically cut-off from the
electromagnets 49 and the
solenoids 35 to permit evacuation. The establishment, herein represented by
the block
reference number 72, has a central alarm system 73 which is permanently
connected
through an NC contact or other switch means directly to the controller 25, 25'
whereupon
detection of a general alarm or other alarm conditions causes the controller
25, 25' to
operate the switch means to cut-off the electrical supply to the
electromagnets and
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solenoids. As hereinshown, the power supply 71 of the establishment is
connected to an
AC to DC converter 75 to feed a supply of 12 volts to the controller 25, 25'
through the
supply line 76. As also shown in Figure 10, a position sensing switch 74 is
provided to
detect the position of both barrier gates 11 and 11' to inform the control
circuit 25, 25' of
their closed or open positions. Audible and visual alarms 83 and 83' are
mounted in
respective posts 19 of the gates 11 and 11'.
As previously described and illustrated in Figure 1, the barrier gates 11 and
11' can only be swung internally of the passageway as shown by arrows 78 when
the
electromagnets 49 are de-energized. As shown in Figure 1, the electromagnets
49 of the
gates are located in housings 79 at the base of the pivot support assembly 22.
Referring now to Figures 11 to 13, there is shown a further embodiment of
the present invention wherein the barrier gate 11 automatically assumes an
open position
when there is an alarm condition. As hereinshown, the pivotal support assembly
22 does
not include the gravity return mechanism as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5.
Other suitable
gate return systems, herein schematically illustrated at 95, can be used to
return the gate
to its closed position during normal operation of the gate 11. As hereinshown,
the pivotal
support assembly 22 is pivotally retained between a pair of pillow blocks 90
and 90'
secured respectively to the vertical post 19. For emergency conditions, a
torsion spring 91
is disposed about the first vertical tubular support post 32 with a first end
92 of the torsion
spring 91 being secured to the bracket 50 of the electromagnet 49 and the
second end 93
of the torsion spring being connected to the plate 48 of the steel plate 47.
The force of the
torsion spring 91 is selected to be overpowered by the force of the
electromagnet when
energized but when de-energized has sufficient restoring force to move the
barrier gate 11
from its closed normal position as shown in Figure 12, to its open position 94
as
thereinshown wherein the gate does not intrude within the passageway.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious
modifications of a preferred embodiment described herein provided such
modifications fall
within the scope of the appended claims. For example, detectors may also be
mounted on
the posts 16 and/or 19 slightly above the floor to prevent passage of objects
slid under the
gates 11 and 11'. Further detectors or programmed functions may be
incorporated in the
system to count the number of persons that have passed through the restricted
passage
and also the number of shopping carts.
