Road Gantry

• US 20120092188A1
• Filed: 03/17/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanef (Atlantia SpA)
• Original Assignee: Sanef (Atlantia SpA)
• Inventors: Gielblat, Jacques, Reinold, Lionel
• Granted Patent: US 8,816,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/928
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/696 Overhead structures, e.g. gantries; Foundation means specially adapted therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a road gantry comprising a horizontal beam (2), the upper surface (21) of which constitutes a passageway for service personnel to cross, the gantry being characterised in that it comprises arms (25) for bearing apparatuses (30) for monitoring road traffic, electronic toll collection, or signaling, wherein said arms are pivotably attached to the horizontal beam so as to be able to move from a first position, in which the arms extend towards the road, into a second position for stowage on said passageway, and vice versa. The passageway may comprise protection guardrails (22, 23) in which openings (24) are formed, said openings being shut by door panels (24) arranged so as to enable the passage of said arms (25) from said first position to said second position and vice versa. The invention also relates to a barrier-free electronic toll collection station including at least one such gantry.

Claims

1. A road gantry comprising a horizontal beam suitable for extending transversely over a road, said beam having a top surface constituting a gangway along which maintenance personnel can pass;

the gantry comprising at least one arm adapted to carry a traffic surveillance, electronic toll collection, or signaling device, said or each arm being pivotally fastened to said horizontal beam so as to be capable of passing from a first position in which it extends towards the road, to a second position in which it is retracted onto said gangway, and vice versa.

2. A gantry according to claim 1, also including railings for protecting said gangway, at least one opening being provided in said railings to enable said arm(s) to pass from said first position to said second position, and vice versa.

3. A gantry according to claim 2, also including one or more opening panels for closing said opening(s) formed in said railings.

4. A gantry according to claim 2, wherein said gangway and said railings are adapted to prevent any items falling accidentally onto said road.

5. A gantry according to claim 1, wherein the or each arm includes a lug suitable for co-operating with a separate lever arm to enable the arm to be pivoted from said first position to said second position.

6. A gantry according to claim 1, wherein said or each arm includes an actuator to enable it to be pivoted automatically from said first position to said second position, and vice versa.

7. A gantry according to claim 1, wherein said or each arm includes a swivel platform arranged at its distal end to enable a traffic surveillance, electronic toll collection, or signaling device to be fastened thereto.

8. A gantry according to claim 1, including a plurality of said arms fastened to at least one side of said horizontal beam.

9. A gantry according to claim 8, wherein said arms carry devices for detecting and/or identifying vehicles, suitable for implementing a free-flow electronic toll collection station.

10. A free-flow electronic toll collection station including at least one gantry according to claim 9.