Vehicle parking barrier

• US 5,711,110 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: J. Marlis Williams
• Original Assignee: J. Marlis Williams
• Inventors: Williams, J. Marlis
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/702,007
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 49/35, 49/49, 49/25, 49/131, 404/6, 404/9
• US Class Current: 49/35
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/085 specially adapted for individual parking spaces

Abstract

A parking barrier permanently installed in vehicle parking surface, which has a base (20), with legs (22) embedded within the surface. A hinge plate (28) is attached to the base and allows the barrier to be rotated to a horizontal position permitting a vehicle to safely pass over the collapsed barrier. A channel shaped post (34) is pivotally attached to the hinge plate and a rigid strut (40) is retained on one end within the post and, on the other, to the hinge plate. The strut forms a right angle triangle with the post. A pull pin (46) holds the upper end of the strut in place and when removed, permits the barrier to be rotated horizontally removing the obstruction. A second, or electromechanical, embodiment utilizes a linear actuator (84) for the strut. An electronic controller (100) receives a signal through a coded radio frequency transmitter (102) and receiver (104) and, in turn, energizes the actuator to rotate the barrier into a horizontal position. Limit switches (120) and (122) control positioning and indicator lights (108) and (110) denote the barriers position. The electrical system operates on low voltage direct current supplied by a D.C. power supply (114).

Claims

1. A vehicle parking barrier permanently installed within a parking surface for withholding access and maintaining security of a motor vehicle comprising;

a base having downwardly extending angular legs permanently embedded within a parking surface,

hinge means attached to the base for allowing the barrier to be rotated downwardly from an obstructive vertical position,

a pivotal barricade post swivelly attached to the hinge means,

a structurally sound strut having a first end and a second end, with the first end slideably retained within the post, and the second end attached to the hinge means, also the post, base and strut arranged in a form of a right angled triangle with the strut constituting a hypotenuse, and

locking means disposed between the post and the strut for removably capturing the strut within the post for inflexible vertical securement while permitting authorized access to pivot the post into a horizontal position by sliding the strut therewithin.

2. A vehicle parking barrier permanently installed within a parking surface for withholding access and maintaining security of a motor vehicle comprising;

a rigid base having a plurality of downwardly extending angular legs permanently embedded within a parking surface,

a hinge plate attached to the base for allowing the barrier to be rotated downwardly from an obstructive vertical position,

a channel shaped, pivotal barricade post swivelly attached to the hinge plate,

a rigid structurally sound strut having a first end and a second end, with the first end slideably retained within confines of the channel shape of the post, and the second end pivotally attached to the hinge plate, also the post, base and strut arranged in a form, of a right angled triangle with the strut constituting a hypotenuse, and

a lockable pull pin disposed between the post and the strut for removably capturing the strut within the post for inflexible vertical securement while permitting authorized access by removing the pin and pivoting the post into a horizontal position sliding the strut within the post.

3. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 2 further comprising a handle attached to the barricade post on an uppermost end, for manually lowering and raising the barrier.

4. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 2 further comprising a warning mast fastened to the barricade post on an end opposite that which is swivelly attached to the hinge plate for cautioning vehicle drivers of the barriers presence.

5. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 2 further comprising a resilient bumper attached to the post for cushioning when the barrier has pivoted and is resting in a horizontal position.

6. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 2 wherein said lockable pull pin further comprises a bent pull pin retained by a captivating lanyard attached to the post, unitedly penetrating both the post and strut to form a secure connecting link therebetween, said pin further having a truncated end and a groove therein for locking.

7. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 6 further comprising a keyed tumbler lock with a rotatable pawl securely disposed within the post adjacent to the pull pin with the pawl engaging the groove in the pull pin such that it is securely detained in place until released by a person authorized to move the barrier onto a parking surface.

8. A vehicle parking barrier permanently installed within a parking surface for withholding access and maintaining security of a motor vehicle comprising;

a rigid base having a plurality of downwardly extending angular legs permanently embedded within a parking surface,

a hinge plate attached to the base for allowing the barrier to be rotated downwardly from an obstructive vertical position,

a channel shaped pivotal barricade post swivelly attached to the hinge plate,

a structurally sound retractable strut having a first end and a second end, with the first end retained within confines of the channel shape of the post, and the second end pivotally attached to the rigid base, also the post, base and strut arranged in a form of a right angled triangle with the strut constituting a hypotenuse,

a lockable pull pin disposed between the post and the strut for mechanically capturing the strut within the strut within the post and permitting manual authorized alternative access by removing the pin and pivoting the post into a horizontal position, sliding the strut within the post, and

remote controlled retractable strut actuation means in electrical communication with the retractable strut permitting those authorized to remotely initiate pivoting the post into a horizontal position by electromechanically retracting the strut within the post.

9. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 8 further comprising a handle attached t0 the barricade post on an uppermost end, for manually lowering and raising the barrier.

10. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 8 further comprising a combined radio antenna and warning mast fastened to the barricade post on an end opposite the hinge plate pivotal attachment for receiving radio transmission signals from the remote actuation means and for cautioning vehicle drivers of the barricades presence.

11. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 8 further comprising;

a bent pull pin retained by a captivating lanyard attached to the post, unitedly penetrating both the post and strut to form a secure connecting link, also said pin having a truncated end and a groove therein for locking, and

a tumbler lock with a rotatable pawl securely disposed within the post adjacent to the pull pin with the pawl engaging the groove in the pull pin, such that it is securely detained in place until released by one authorized to move the barrier.

12. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 8 wherein said retractable strut further comprises an electromechanical linear actuator having a gearmotor, single lead lifting screw, enclosed in a protective tube, clevis, trunnion, extension arm and limit switches.

13. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 12 wherein said strut actuation means further comprises an electronic controller and associated coded radio receiver for actuating the retractable strut to an appropriate position when remotely directed by a radio frequency signal.

14. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 13 further comprising a hand held, remote, programmable radio frequency transmitter, containing a plurality of security code selections for emitting a radio frequency signal to the radio receiver and electronic controller for energizing the strut actuation means.

15. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 12 further comprising visual flashing indicating lights denoting barrier position by color illumination and intermittent energization.

16. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 15 further comprising a warning strobe light for visual indication of the barriers presence.

17. The vehicle parking barrier as recited in claim 16 further comprising a direct current power supply for furnishing electrical power to the electronic controller, radio receiver, indicating lights and linear actuator.