Barrier gate arm assembly and methods for use thereof

• US 6,460,292 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carlos A. Rodriguez, Robert E. Castaneda
• Original Assignee: Carlos A. Rodriguez, Robert E. Castaneda
• Inventors: Castaneda, Robert E., Rodriguez, Carlos A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Curtis A.
• Application Number:
  US09/350,866
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 49/49, 49/9, 492/46, 492/47, 492/26, 162/97, 163/20
• US Class Current: 49/49
• 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

Abstract

The present device is directed to a new and improved barrier gate assembly which comprises an automatic vehicle gate operating mechanism and a barrier arm assembly. The barrier arm assembly, attached to the automatic vehicle gate operating mechanism, comprises of a bracket assembly with a hinge assembly attached thereto. The hinge assembly, having a pivot axis transverse to the bracket assembly, pivotally joins the bracket assembly to a plate assembly permitting pivotal movement of the plate assembly away from the bracket assembly. The plate assembly is fixedly attached to the hinge assembly for securing and holding a barrier arm. The barrier arm longitudinally extends from the plate assembly. A magnet-type device is provided on the bracket assembly in alignment with the plate assembly to hold both the plate assembly and the barrier arm in place next to the bracket assembly while preventing pivotal movement of the hinge assembly and thereby the extended barrier arm. Additionally, the hinge assembly is mounted at a transverse angular pivot axis such that whenever the barrier arm is impacted by a vehicle, the barrier arm retracts to it'"'"'s normal operating position by the force of gravity acting on it. A method for use of the new and improved barrier gate assembly is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A vehicle barrier gate comprising:

(a) an automatic gate operating mechanism comprising;

an electrical motor, a control mechanism operatively associated with the electric motor, a gear mechanism operatively associated with the electric motor, and a pivoting member operatively associated with the gear mechanism; and

,

(b) a barrier arm assembly operatively associated with the pivoting member for blocking vehicular movement through a restricted when the barrier arm assembly is positioned in a relatively horizontal position while allowing vehicular movement through the restricted area when the barrier arm assembly is pivoted to a relatively vertical position; and

,

(c) wherein the barrier arm assembly comprises;

an elongate metal bracket fixedly attached to the pivoting member;

a hinge assembly fixedly attached to the elongate bracket such that the longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly is at a relatively transverse angle of between 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate bracket;

an elongate metal plate fixedly attached to the hinge assembly such that the longitudinal axis of the elongate plate is at a transverse angle of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly;

a hinge stop mechanism located on the hinge assembly such that the elongate plate is prevented from hinge rotation greater than 120 degrees relative to the elongate bracket;

a magnet fixedly attached to the elongate bracket for holding the elongate bracket and the elongate plate in adjoining alignment; and

an elongated barrier arm fixedly attached to the elongate plate.

2. A method for regulating vehicular traffic through a restricted area, wherein the method comprises:

(a) operating an automatic gate operating mechanism to raise a barrier arm assembly to a relatively vertical position from a resting horizontal position to thereby allow vehicular traffic through the restricted area and to lower the barrier arm assembly to the resting horizontal position to thereby prevent vehicular traffic through the restricted area;

(b) wherein the automatic gate operating mechanism comprises;

an electrical motor, a control mechanism operatively associated with the electric motor, a gear mechanism operatively associated with the electric motor, and a pivoting member operatively associated with the gear mechanism;

(c) wherein the barrier arm assembly is operatively associated with the pivoting member to thereby pivotably raise and lower the barrier arm assembly; and

(d) wherein the barrier arm assembly comprises;

an elongate metal bracket fixedly attached to the pivoting member;

a hinge assembly fixedly attached to the elongate bracket such that the longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly is at a relatively transverse angle of between 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate bracket;

an elongate metal plate fixedly attached to the hinge assembly such that the longitudinal axis of the elongate plate is at a transverse angle of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly;

a hinge stop mechanism located on the hinge assembly such that the elongate plate is prevented from hinge rotation greater than 120 degrees relative to the elongate bracket;

a magnet fixedly attached to the elongate bracket for holding the elongate bracket and the elongate plate in adjoining alignment; and

an elongated barrier arm fixedly attached to the elongate plate.