Integrated rapid access entry/egress system

• US 6,745,520 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John L. Puskaric
• Original Assignee: Frank C. Yesh, John L. Puskaric
• Inventors: Yesh, Frank C., Puskaric, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amiri, Nahid
• Application Number:
  US10/143,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 52/64, 521/74, 52/29, 49/68, 491/42, 491/43, 491/44, 49/24, 493/24
• US Class Current: 52/64
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 5/003 Entrance control E05G5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 5/02 Trapping or confining mechanisms, e.g. transaction security boothsthief or burglar incapacitating means in general G08B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/116 for sluices
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

An integrated rapid access entry/egress apparatus, system, and method for controlling and directing the movement of people or objects between unsecured and secured areas using a plurality of panels is provided. Sensors detect a person'"'"'s approach and entrance into the system or apparatus. An approval means alerts a processor as to whether the person is approved or not approved. The panels move to direct approved persons to a secured area and not approved persons to an unsecured area so as not to impede the flow of traffic through the apparatus or system. The apparatus accommodates bi-directional traffic and provides an effective and efficient access system.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first pair of end barriers defining an entrance, said first pair of end barriers movable between a first position in which said entrance is open and a second position in which said entrance is blocked;

a second pair of end barriers defining an end egress located opposite and spaced apart from said entrance so as to define a walkway therebetween, said second pair of end barriers movable between a first position in which said end egress is open and a second position in which said end egress is blocked;

a first side barrier defining a first side egress relative to said walkway, said first side barrier movable between a first position in which said first side egress is open and a second position in which said first side egress is blocked; and

a support structure for holding all of said barriers an upright manner and for facilitating movement of all of said barriers between said barriers'"'"' respective first and second positions, wherein at least one of said barriers is a panel and wherein said support structure includes one or more channels operable to constrain the movement of said panel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second side barrier defining a second side egress opposite from said first side egress relative to said walkway, said second side barrier movable between a first position in which said second side egress is open and a second position in which said second side egress is blocked.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one approval means carried by said support structure so as to be located proximate to said walkway.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one approval means located between said first pair of end barriers and said second pair of end barriers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said approval means is one of a metal detector, an explosives detector, a biometrics reader, physical recognition technology, an electronic key lock, a mechanical key lock, a card reader, a finger print reader, facial recognition technology, a hand reader, a vapor analyzer, a spectrophotometric technique, and an iris scanner.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

at least one position sensor located prior to said entrance;

at least one position sensor located along said walkway;

at least one position sensor located beyond said first side egress; and

at least one position sensor located beyond said end egress.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one barrier drive unit for moving at least one of said first pair of end barriers, said second pair of end barriers, and said first side barrier.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a processor connected to said approval means, said position sensors, and said at least one barrier drive unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising an auxiliary barrier drive unit for moving at least one of said first pair of end barriers, said second pair of end barriers, and said first side barrier.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising at least one feedback device connected to said processor and to said at least one barrier drive unit for determining the position of all of said barriers.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said position sensor located beyond said end egress includes active laser curtain sensors.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first flooring located immediately prior to said entrance;

a second flooring located immediately beyond said first side egress; and

a third flooring located immediately beyond said end egress.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

at least one position sensor located in said first flooring;

at least one position sensor located in said walkway;

at least one position sensor located in said second flooring; and

at least one position sensor located in said third flooring.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is secured to a floor using a plurality of anchors.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of said barriers are comprised of a polycarbonate laminate.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of said barriers are transparent.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of said barriers are constructed of a bullet resistant material.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of said barriers are constructed of an explosion resistant material.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display located in said walkway for providing instructions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said display includes fiber optic illuminated signs.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for securing all of said barriers in their respective second positions.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors located on one or more edges of at least one barrier.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said walkway is a conveyor belt.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transparent separator located along a side of said walkway opposite said first side barrier, and spanning at least the length of said apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support structure is comprised of one of a thermoset polymer composite, an elastomeric polymer composite, a thermoplastic polymer composite, a non-reinforced polymer, and a metal-plastic hybrid.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is used in an outdoor environment.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

a first pair of panels defining an entrance, said first pair of panels movable between a first position in which said entrance is open and a second position in which said entrance is blocked;

a second pair of panels defining an end egress located opposite and spaced apart from said entrance so as to define a walkway therebetween, said second pair of panels movable between a first position in which said end egress is open and a second position in which said end egress is blocked;

a support structure for holding said first pair of panels and said second pair of panels in an upright manner and for facilitating movement of said first and second pairs of panels between said first and second pairs of panels'"'"' respective first and second positions, wherein said support structure-includes one or more channels operable to constrain the movement of at least one of said first pair of panels and said second pair of panels;

a first side panel defining one edge of a first side egress from said walkway, said first side panel movable between a first position in which said first side egress is open and a second position in which said first side egress is blocked; and

means for supporting said first side panel in an upright position.

27. A system comprising:

a first pair of end barriers defining an entrance, said first pair of end barriers movable between a first position in which said entrance is open and a second position in which said entrance is blocked, said first pair of end barriers connecting a walkway with a first unsecured area;

a second pair of end barriers defining an end egress located opposite said entrance at the end of said walkway, said second pair of end barriers movable between a first position in which said end egress is open and a second position in which said end egress is blocked, said second pair of end barriers connecting said walkway with a secured area; and

a first side barrier defining one edge of a first side egress from said walkway, said first side barrier movable between a first position in which said first side egress is open and a second position in which said first side egress is blocked, said first side barrier connecting said walkway with a second unsecured area, wherein the movement of at least one of said first pair of end barriers, said second pair of end barriers, and said first side barrier is constrained by one or more channels.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a means for approving a person while said person is in said first unsecured area.

29. The system of claim 27, further comprising a means for approving a person while said person is on said walkway.

30. The system of claim 27, further comprising a means for securing said barriers in their respective second positions, thereby trapping a person within said barriers.

31. The system of claim 27, further comprising a means for scanning items carried by a person, said means for scanning located along the side of said walkway opposite said first side egress.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a transparent separator located between said walkway and said means for scanning said separator spanning at least the length of said walkway.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said barriers are one of a panel, a door, a turnstile, a revolving door, a moving bar, and a gate.