Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SPEED BUMP
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an adjustable speed bump for controlling
speed of
vehicles when placed on roadways and for serving as a barrier when used for
blocking
restricted areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Speed bumps are used for discouraging drivers from driving vehicles with
excessive
speed. These are typically comprised of concrete or solid humps that form a
transverse
ridge in the road and are generally above the road surface. The vehicles while
passing
over the hump undergo a jolt, hence the drivers are discouraged from traveling
at high
speed. Dynamic speed bumps are designed to get activated only if a vehicle is
travelling above a certain speed, such that other vehicles will not experience
the
discomfort of the speed bump. Similarly, dynamic speed bumps may also allow
emergency vehicles to pass at higher speeds, by the use of speed sensors.
Retractable speed bumps are also common for being mounted in a street to
provide
different elevations for a selected section, such as in the patent US
4342525A. This
discloses a generally rectangularly-shaped encasement containing upper and
lower,
relatively movable, wedge-shaped members that are slidably fitted in the
encasement
and are configured to cooperate by means of friction-reducing means such as
ball
bearings, to selectively raise the top of the upper member above street or
road level.
The raise is responsive to activation of a hydraulic cylinder attached to the
encasement
and the lower member.
US 5267808A discloses a selectively retractable and extendable electronically
controlled vehicle speed bump. It includes a sensor for detecting or sensing
vehicle
speed, a microprocessor responsive to the sensor for generating a signal to
activate the
speed bump, and an actuator for extending and retracting the speed bump.
Another design of a retractable speed bump is in the patent US 7011470 B 1 A.
A
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housing is either buried in the roadway or is placed into a ramp that seats on
top of the
roadway. The housing has a retractable canister extending above the housing in
response to the speed of a vehicle as detected by a speed sensor.
US 2003053860 Al discloses a fluid-filled retractable speed bump that
transfers fluid
between a reservoir volume and an active volume to present or withdraw
impedance to
motor vehicles using a retractable restriction surface.
A variable speed bump apparatus comprising a pivoting ramp element hinged at
one
end is disclosed in US 6010277A. At least one piston and cylinder assembly
supports
the pivoting ramp element and a flow control valve. The flow control valve
operates to
control the response of the pivoting ramp element.
US 2002001505 Al discloses an automatic speed sensitive speed bump having a
base
plate, a front plate hingedly connected to the base plate, and a spring that
biases the
front plate toward a raised position. A lock mechanism locks the front plate
in the
raised position when impacted by a vehicle tire traveling at a speed at or
above a
predetermined speed. When the vehicle travels below the predetermined speed,
the
front plate is not locked in the raised position and collapses to a horizontal
position
such that the vehicle does not experience a bump.
As in the aforementioned discussions, various designs of speed bumps are
available,
for controlling traffic speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the invention, a height adjustable speed bump is
proposed, for controlling the speed of vehicles when placed on roadways and
for
serving as a barrier when used for blocking restricted areas. The speed bump
comprises a portable body. An elevation of the body is adjustable in
dependence upon
the usage as a speed bump or a barrier. The speed bump can be set up or
removed
easily.
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According to a preferred embodiment, the speed bump further comprises at least
one
sensor coupled onto the body, for tracking a number of objects passing over
the sensor,
the sensor thereby compiling a tracking information. This information can be
utilized
for several applications such as for analyzing how busy the traffic is, for
controlling a
vehicle parking area, and the like.
According to an embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor.
In yet another embodiment, the sensor is an optical sensor.
In yet another embodiment, the sensor further comprises a remote electronic
receiving
means for wirelessly receiving and storing the tracking information for
further usage.
In a preferred embodiment, the body is modular for adjusting the elevation. At
least
two side portions mate with a middle portion while in use, the mating being
through
projections and holes between the two side portions and the middle portion.
The two
side portions are at a fixed distance apart and with the middle portion
accommodated
in between them. The middle portion has a first face more outwardly protruded
than an
opposite second face and is capable of mating with the two side portions with
either
face facing upwards, such that when the body is seated on the bottom layer
with the
first face facing upwards, the elevation is higher than when the second face
is facing
upwards. This arrangement provides a simple mechanism of achieving different
elevations, depending on the requirement. The modular structure may be helpful
while
carrying and for storage.
In yet another embodiment, the middle portion may be elevated by changing the
mating between the projections and the holes. The holes accommodated on each
of the
side portions are quantifiably more than the projections of the middle
portion, by at
least one, in order to raise the middle portion by a plurality of levels.
In yet another embodiment, the modular body comprises at least two side
portions and
a middle portion. The two side portions are at a fixed distance apart and with
the
middle portion accommodated in between them, when in use. At least one
jackscrew
that is operable by a leadscrew is provided within the middle portion with the
middle
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portion resting on a top node of the jackscrew, such that the middle portion
can be
raised or lowered independent of the two side portions by turning the
leadscrew.
Raising the middle portion higher would help in order to force vehicles to
slow down
faster. All these can be done by a switch of the control equipment inside. And
at the
same time the middle portion can also be returned to its original position by
pushing
another switch. When being used as a barrier, typically, more the elevation,
better is
the protection of the restricted area.
Another embodiment of raising the middle portion is achievable by a pneumatic
lift
mechanism.
Yet another embodiment of raising the middle portion is achievable by a spring
and
cable mechanism.
In yet another aspect, a method of controlling a vehicle parking area using
the speed
bump is proposed. The method comprises the steps of laying the bump cum
barrier at
the entrance of the vehicle parking area and tracking the number of objects
such as
vehicles passing over the sensor. A vacancy status of the vehicle parking area
is
indicated by an indicating means in the parking area.
In yet another embodiment, a method of monitoring a traffic at a specific
location by
using the speed bump is proposed. The speed bump is laid at the specific
location for
tracking the number of objects such as vehicles passing over it and analyzing
the
tracking information for implementing improvement measures for the traffic.
The present invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of
parts
hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and
particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that
various
changes in the details may be possible without departing from the scope of the
invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
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According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an adjustable
speed
bump for controlling speed of vehicles when placed on roadways and for serving
as a barrier
when used for blocking restricted areas, comprising: a portable body, wherein
the body is
modular for adjusting the elevation and has: a middle portion having a
plurality of holes and
further having a first face protruding from a first end and an opposite second
face protruding
from a second end, wherein the first face is more outwardly protruded from the
first end than
the opposite second face is outwardly protruded from the second end; and
whereby the
middle portion is adjustable in height relative to the at least two side
portions between at least
a first position with the first face facing upwards and the second face facing
downwards and
having a first height sufficient to block traffic, and a second position with
the second face
facing upwards and the first face facing downwards and having a second height
sufficient to
slow traffic; wherein the speed bump is portable such that the speed bump can
be carried
and/or stored when not in use.
=
=
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following drawings, same reference numbers generally refer to the same
parts
throughout. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, instead emphasis is
placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. The various embodiments and
advantages
of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with
respect to
the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings
wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of the speed bump, according to an embodiment of
the
invention.
Fig.2a and 2b illustrate a cross-sectional view of the speed bump along the
cut-line X-
X' of Fig.1, according to an embodiment, showing a first arrangement for
adjusting the
elevation.
Figs. 2c and 2d illustrate a cross-sectional view of the speed bump along the
cut-line
X-X' of Fig.1, according to another embodiment, showing an alternative to Fig.
2a and
2b.
Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate cross-sectional views of the speed bump along the
cut-line
Y-Y' of Fig.1, according to an embodiment, showing a second arrangement for
adjusting the elevation, with at least one jackscrew.
Fig.4a illustrates a cross-sectional view of the speed bump along the cut-line
X-X' of
Fig.3a, when there is no elevation caused by the jackscrew.
Fig.4b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portable speed bump along the
cut-line
X-X' of Fig. 3b, when there is elevation caused by the jackscrew.
Fig. 5 illustrates a third arrangement for adjusting the elevation, using a
pneumatic lift
means.
Fig. 6 illustrates a fourth arrangement for adjusting the elevation, using a
spring and
cable mechanism.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description presents several preferred embodiments of the
present
invention in sufficient detail such that those skilled in the art can make and
use the
invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the
present
invention, it should be noted that all of the figures are drawn for ease of
explanation of
the basic teachings of the present invention only. The extension of the
figures with
respect to the number, position, relationship and dimension of the parts of
the
preferred embodiment will be within the skill of the art after the following
teachings of
the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact
dimensions
and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and
similar
requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following
teachings of
the present invention have been read and understood.
As in Fig.1 a top view of the speed bump, according to an embodiment of the
invention, is illustrated. Fig.2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the
speed bump
along the cut-line X-X' of Fig.1, according to an embodiment, showing a first
arrangement for adjusting the elevation. As illustrated, the speed bump shows
a
portable body (100). An elevation (290) of the body (100) is adjustable in
dependence
upon the usage as a speed bump or a barrier. In an embodiment, at least one
sensing
means (130) is coupled onto the body (100), for tracking a number of objects
passing
over the sensing means (130) and compiling a tracking information. The sensing
means (130) may be a pressure sensor or an optical sensor, or any other type
of sensor
that can detect objects passing over it. The sensing means (130) may further
comprise
a remote electronic receiver for wirelessly receiving and storing the tracking
information. The tracking information can be redirected by radio waves to any
designated location or station for analyzing or evaluating how busy a
particular road is
in order to determine improvement measures.
Preferably, the body (100) is modular for adjusting the elevation (290). The
modularity
may be achieved by a first mechanism as shown in Fig.2a to Fig. 2d. At least
two side
portions (110a, 110b) mate with a middle portion (120) while in use. The
mating is
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through projections (270) and holes (275) between the two side portions (110a,
110b) and
the middle portion (120). The two side portions (110a, 110b) are at a fixed
distance apart and
with the middle portion (120) accommodated in between them. The middle portion
(120) has
a first face (250) more outwardly protruded than an opposite second face (260)
and is
capable of mating with the two side portions (110a, 110b) with either face
facing upwards,
such that when the body (100) is seated on the bottom layer with the first
face (250) facing
upwards, the elevation (290) is higher than when the second face (260) is
facing upwards as
shown by Fig. 2b. This is a very simple arrangement for manually changing the
orientation of
the middle portion (120) in order to achieve two different elevations for use
with two different
applications. Different elevations are chosen for restricting incoming vehicle
speed by
different extent. Similarly, different elevations are also required for
restricting protected areas
by varying extents. Different pieces of the middle portion (120) providing
different elevations
(290) may also be used for the body (100).
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention according to Fig. 2a and
2b, the middle
portion (120) may be elevated by changing the mating between the projections
(270) and the
holes (275) as portrayed by Fig. 2c and Fig. 2d. In this embodiment, the holes
(275)
accommodated on each of the side portions (110a, 110b) are to be quantifiably
more than
the projections (275) of the middle portion (120), by at least one, in order
to raise the middle
portion (120) by at least one level. The embodiments of Fig. 2a - 2d are
achievable by
enabling the the side portions (110a, 110b) to be retractable, preferably by
means to facilitate
movement of the side portions (110a, 110b), to adjust the mating between the
projections
(270) and the holes (275).
A second arrangement for adjusting the elevation is shown in Figs. 3a and 3b.
Herein, cross-
sectional views of the speed bump along the cut-line Y-Y of Fig.1 are
presented, wherein the
elevation (290) is adjusted with at least one jackscrew (410). Fig. 4a
illustrates a cross-
sectional view of the speed bump along the cut-line X-X' of Fig.4a, when there
is no elevation
caused by the jackscrew, while Fig. 4b illustrates the case when there is
elevation caused by
the jackscrew. As illustrated in Figs.3a and 3b, the elevation (290) in the
modular body (100)
is adjusted by at least one jackscrew (410) operable by a leadscrew (420). The
jackscrew
(410) is provided within the middle portion (120), with the middle portion
(120) resting on a
top node (430) of the
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jackscrew (410) such that the middle portion (120) can be raised or lowered
independent of the at least two side portions (110a, 110b), by turning a knob
(440),
connected to the leadscrew(420). The knob (440) may be turned by manual or
automatic means. The height of the middle portion (120) is thus variable
consistently
based on the pitch of the leadscrew (420). Every rotation of the knob (440)
cause a
linear change in the height of the middle portion (120). The knob (440) may
also be
associated with a gear system (not shown) that is constructed from gears of
different
gear ratio to allow speed variations in linearly adjusting the height of the
middle
portion (120). The gear system (not shown) may be associated with a plurality
of
jackscrew (120) to adjust the elevation of different parts of the middle
portion (120).
With the gear system, a more continuous height variation of the speed bump is
achievable.
Raising the middle portion (120) higher would help in order to force vehicles
to slow
down faster. All these can be done by a switch (not shown) of the control
equipment
inside. And at the same time the middle portion (120) can also be returned to
its
original position by pushing another switch (not shown).
In another embodiment of the invention, the middle portion (120) may be raised
to a
much higher level than the height of a speed bump, thus, used as a barrier to
prevent
vehicle entrance or exit. The height of the middle portion (120) is
substantially higher
than the height of the side portions (110a, 110b) and may be embedded into the
ground
prior to elevating the middle portion (120). Such elevation of the middle
portion (120)
is achievable by the jackscrew (410) mechanism as described in the previous
paragraphs. Other means of achieving a higher elevation of the middle portion
is by
using a pneumatic lift mechanism (500) or a spring and cable mechanism (600)
as
shown by Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.
The spring and cable mechanism (600) is constructed from a plurality of
resilient
means (610), preferably compression spring to force the middle portion (120)
upwards. An electric motor (630) is mechanically coupled to a pulley (640) to
adjust
the length of a cable (620). The cable (620) which is preferably stainless
steel wire
cable, is attached to the middle portion (120) to hold it against the biasing
of the
resilient means (610). The height of the middle portion (120) in this
embodiment is
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thus determined by the length of the cable (620) released from the pulley
(640) as
illustrated by Fig. 6.
The speed bump may be used for controlling a vehicle parking area, by laying
the
same at the entrance of the vehicle parking area for tracking the number of
vehicles
passing over it as sensed by the sensing means (130). A vacancy status of the
parking
area is indicated by an indicating means in the parking area. Likewise, the
speed bump
may be used for monitoring a traffic at a specific location for analyzing the
compiled
tracking information, particularly for implementing improvement measures for
the
traffic. The speed bump can be used for various applications as a barrier,
like as a 'no
parking' barrier for private parking lots or as road dividers or for
redirecting traffic or
for protecting secured areas. The elevation can be adjusted as required,
manually or by
using remote control, such as when stopping a fleeing car. In private use,
major car
park owners can monitor the number of cars that are going into their car park
area and
leaving therefrom, and from there they can redirect the signal to certain
signboards to
inform car park users of how many car parks are still available, etc.
As to further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present
invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no
further
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
While the foregoing description presents preferred embodiments of the present
invention along with many details set forth for purpose of illustration, it
will be
understood by those skilled in the art that many variations or modifications
in details
of design, construction and operation may be made without departing from the
present
invention as defined in the claims. The scope of the invention is as indicated
by the
appended claims and all changes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
