Traffic calming device
First Claim
1. A traffic calming device comprising a moveable obstacle and a retraction mechanism for moving the obstacle when a vehicle is brought into contact with the obstacle, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a release system for moving the obstacle at a predetermined speed,wherein the predetermined speed is variable so that a user may set the predetermined speed in dependence on a speed limit,wherein the obstacle comprises a cradle for engaging with one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the cradle is engaged with the retraction mechanism, the retraction mechanism comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, the cradle being adapted for pivotal movement relative to a surface upon which the wheel proceeds, wherein the cradle is engaged with the at least one hydraulic cylinder so that the pivoting movement of the cradle commensurate with the forward direction of the vehicle compresses the at least one hydraulic cylinder, the release system further comprising a release valve engaged with the at least one hydraulic cylinder so that the at least one hydraulic cylinder has a maximum rate of operation, and so that the pivoting movement of the cradle is limited by the maximum rate of operation of the at least one hydraulic cylinder andwherein the cradle includes first and second arms with a flat middle surface between the first and second arms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A traffic calming device comprising an obstacle which is placed on a road, the obstacle being moveable or deflateable at a predetermined speed or rate so that the obstacle presents a smaller profile to a vehicle driving at or below the speed limit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A traffic calming device comprising a moveable obstacle and a retraction mechanism for moving the obstacle when a vehicle is brought into contact with the obstacle, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a release system for moving the obstacle at a predetermined speed,
wherein the predetermined speed is variable so that a user may set the predetermined speed in dependence on a speed limit, wherein the obstacle comprises a cradle for engaging with one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the cradle is engaged with the retraction mechanism, the retraction mechanism comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, the cradle being adapted for pivotal movement relative to a surface upon which the wheel proceeds, wherein the cradle is engaged with the at least one hydraulic cylinder so that the pivoting movement of the cradle commensurate with the forward direction of the vehicle compresses the at least one hydraulic cylinder, the release system further comprising a release valve engaged with the at least one hydraulic cylinder so that the at least one hydraulic cylinder has a maximum rate of operation, and so that the pivoting movement of the cradle is limited by the maximum rate of operation of the at least one hydraulic cylinder and wherein the cradle includes first and second arms with a flat middle surface between the first and second arms.
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9. A method for calming traffic including calming movement of a vehicle having wheels proceeding on a surface, the method comprising:
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providing a moveable obstacle, the moveable obstacle being movable at a predetermined speed when the vehicle is brought into contact with the movable obstacle, the movable obstacle including a cradle having first and second arms with a flat middle surface between the first and second arms, the cradle being pivotably mounted relative to the surface, the cradle being adapted to engage with at least one wheel of the vehicle, providing a retraction mechanism comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder for moving the obstacle when the vehicle is brought into contact with the obstacle, wherein the cradle is engaged with the at least one hydraulic cylinder so that a pivoting movement of the cradle commensurate with a forward movement of the vehicle compresses the hydraulic cylinder, providing a release system including a release valve engaged with the hydraulic cylinder so that the at least one hydraulic cylinder has a maximum rate of operation, and so that the pivoting movement of the cradle is limited by the maximum rate of operation of the hydraulic cylinder, setting a rate at which the release system will operate to set the predetermined speed, the predetermined speed being based upon a speed limit, and moving the obstacle at the predetermined speed when the vehicle is brought into contact with the obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification