Dual-action breakaway gate safety system

• US 20080085149A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The State Of Florida Department Of Transportation
• Original Assignee: The State Of Florida Department Of Transportation
• Inventors: Gamache, Louis A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,814,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/54
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/04 Gates for level crossings
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/06 by swinging into open position about a vertical or horizontal axis parallel to the road direction, i.e. swinging gates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32008 Plural distinct articulation axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32016 Three or more parallel axes

Abstract

A safety system for use with a boom gate. The boom gate includes a boom and a boom moving means for moving the boom between a down position and an up position. The safety system also has a boom deflection detector for detecting deflection of the boom, such as deflection caused by collision of the boom with a vehicle. A control system is provided for actuating the boom moving means to move the boom to the up position whenever deflection is detected.

In the preferred embodiment a combination hinge is used to permit the boom to deflect in both a horizontal and vertical direction. The combination hinge includes a horizontal pivot joint and a vertical pivot joint. The combination hinge joint is spring biased to retain the boom in a normal, undeflected position. The spring also acts to return the boom to the normal, undeflected position after the boom has been deflected. In the preferred embodiment the boom deflection detector is configured to detect both horizontal deflection and vertical deflection of the boom.

Claims

1. A safety system for use with a boom gate, said boom gate having a boom and a boom moving means for moving said boom between a down position and an up position, said safety system comprising:

a. a combination hinge, including

i. a horizontal pivot joint, configured to allow said boom to deflect in a vertical direction;

ii. a vertical pivot joint, configured to allow said boom to deflect in a horizontal direction;

iii. wherein said combination hinge is spring biased to retain said boom in a normal, undeflected position and return said boom to said normal, undeflected position after said boom is deflected;

b. a boom deflection detector for detecting deflection of said boom, such as deflection caused by collision of said boom with a vehicle.

2. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a control system for actuating said boom moving means to move said boom to said up position whenever deflection is detected.

3. The safety system of claim 1, wherein said boom deflection detector is configured to detect horizontal deflection of said boom.

4. The safety system of claim 1, wherein said boom deflection detector is configured to detect vertical deflection of said boom.

5. The safety system of claim 3, wherein said boom deflection detector is further configured to detect vertical deflection of said boom.

6. The safety system of claim 2, wherein said control system is configured to actuate said boom moving means to move said boom to said up position whenever said boom deflection detector detects angular deflection of said boom in the horizontal direction by approximately fifteen degrees or more.

7. The safety system of claim 6, wherein said control system is configured to actuate said boom moving means to move said boom to said up position whenever said boom deflection detector detects angular deflection of said boom in said vertical direction by approximately fifteen degrees or more.

8. The safety system of claim 1, said combination hinge further comprises an outside pivot plate and a magnet attached to said outside pivot plate.

9. The safety system of claim 1, said boom deflection detector further comprises a magnet and a magnetically reactive element.

10. The safety system of claim 1, wherein said combination hinge further comprises:

a. an inside pivot plate, said inside pivot plate coupling said horizontal pivot joint to said vertical pivot joint; and

b. an outside pivot plate attached to said horizontal pivot joint.

11. The safety system of claim 10, further comprising

a. a spring housing attached to said combination hinge opposite said outside pivot plate, said spring housing having a first side proximal said combination hinge, said first side having a first surface facing toward said combination hinge and a second surface facing away from said combination hinge;

b. a first bore passing through said first side of said spring housing; and

c. a second bore passing through said inside pivot plate.

12. The safety system of claim 11, further comprising:

a. a spring, said spring positioned within said spring housing, said spring having a first end and a second end, said first end of said spring positioned to mate with said second surface of said first side of said spring housing, and said second end of said spring extending away from said first side of said spring housing;

b. a cable, said cable having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion therebetween, wherein said first end of said cable is operatively attached to said second end of said spring, and said second end of said cable is operatively attached to said outside pivot plate so that said medial portion of said cable passes through said first bore and said second bore.