Traffic access control system
First Claim
1. A traffic barrier control apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through at least one traffic lane under the control of at least one actuating element, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a barrier connecting member for connecting thereto a traffic barrier;
b) a housing;
c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and attached to the barrier connecting member for rotating the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions;
d) a reversible electric motor connected to a reduction gear mechanism, the motor provided with an electric power supply;
e) an adjustable slip clutch mechanism connecting the reduction gear mechanism to the drive shaft such that manual movement of the barrier will rotate the drive shaft but not the reduction gear mechanism;
f) position sensor means coupled to the drive shaft for sensing the open and closed conditions of the drive shaft and the barrier attached thereto;
g) an electronic control means for controlling the electric power supply, the control means connected to the position sensor means, and the electric power supply; and
h) the electronic control means cooperating with the electric power supply to control the motor speed to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft at different positions of the barrier connecting member and to actuate the apparatus when called upon by an actuating element to rotate the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through one or more traffic lanes includes a member that attaches to a traffic barrier such as a bar, a gate, or door. Under the control of an actuating element such as a control card, code entry, or manual switch, the member is rotated by an electric motor that drives a reduction gear connected through an adjustable slip clutch to a drive shaft connected to the member. The motor provides variable speed of rotation to the member so that the member will move more slowly at the beginning and end of its movement between open and closed positions of the barrier for safety of operation. The motor function is controlled by a microprocessor or microcontroller. The motor speed control may be by use of a DC motor powered by a current of DC pulses with variable pulse width. Alternatively, motor speed control may be by use of an AC motor with variable AC frequency power.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A traffic barrier control apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through at least one traffic lane under the control of at least one actuating element, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a barrier connecting member for connecting thereto a traffic barrier;
b) a housing;
c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and attached to the barrier connecting member for rotating the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions;
d) a reversible electric motor connected to a reduction gear mechanism, the motor provided with an electric power supply;
e) an adjustable slip clutch mechanism connecting the reduction gear mechanism to the drive shaft such that manual movement of the barrier will rotate the drive shaft but not the reduction gear mechanism;
f) position sensor means coupled to the drive shaft for sensing the open and closed conditions of the drive shaft and the barrier attached thereto;
g) an electronic control means for controlling the electric power supply, the control means connected to the position sensor means, and the electric power supply; and
h) the electronic control means cooperating with the electric power supply to control the motor speed to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft at different positions of the barrier connecting member and to actuate the apparatus when called upon by an actuating element to rotate the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A traffic barrier control apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through at least one traffic lane under the control of at least one actuating element, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a barrier connecting member for connecting thereto a traffic barrier;
b) a housing;
c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and attached to the barrier connecting member for rotating the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions;
d) a reversible electric motor coupled to a worm, the motor provided with an electric power supply;
e) a worm gear rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and constructed for cooperation with the worm;
f) a slip clutch means mounted on the drive shaft for releasably coupling the worm gear to the drive shaft at preset torque levels such that manual movement of the barrier will rotate the drive shaft without rotating the worm gear;
g) position sensor means coupled to the drive shaft for sensing the open and closed conditions of the drive shaft and the barrier attached thereto;
h) an electronic control means for controlling the electric power supply, the control means connected to the position sensor means, and the electric power supply; and
i) the electronic control means cooperating with the electric power supply and the position sensor means to control the motor speed to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft at different positions of the barrier connecting member and to actuate the apparatus when called upon by an actuating element to rotate the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
a plurality of barriers for controlling flow of traffic through a plurality of traffic lanes;
at least one actuating element associated with each lane for ordering opening of a barrier to traffic flow through that lane; and
the electronic control means provided with means for storing an order for opening a second barrier while a first barrier is open, and then executing the stored order for opening the second barrier after the first barrier closes.
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13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for holding the barrier open or opening the barrier when a fire signal is received.
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14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:
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a standby power supply battery;
charge sensing means for sensing the charge on the battery; and
means for opening the barrier when the power has failed and the charge on the battery falls below a preset value as indicated by the charge sensing means.
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15. A traffic barrier control apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through at least one traffic lane under the control of at least one actuating element, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a barrier connecting member for connecting thereto a traffic barrier;
b) a housing;
c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and attached to the barrier connecting member for rotating the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions;
d) a reversible electric motor coupled to a worm, the motor provided with an electric power supply;
e) a worm gear rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and constructed for cooperation with the worm;
f) a slip clutch means mounted on the drive shaft for releasably coupling the worm gear to the drive shaft at preset torque levels such that manual movement of the barrier will rotate the drive shaft without rotating the worm gear;
g) position sensor means coupled to the drive shaft for sensing the open and closed conditions;
h) an electronic control means for controlling the electric power supply, the control means connected to the position sensor means, and the electric power supply; and
i) the electronic control means cooperating with the electric power supply and the position sensor means to control the motor to actuate the apparatus when called upon by an actuating element to rotate the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions.
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Specification