Retractable fluid-filled speed bump/vehicle restrictor

• US 7,476,052 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brett Osmund Hall
• Original Assignee: Brett Osmund Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Brett Osmund
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann; Gary S
• Application Number:
  US10/247,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20030053860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,307 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/15, 404/16, 404/11, 404/10
• US Class Current: 404/15
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/529 specially adapted for signalling by sound or vibrations, e.g. rumble strips; specially adapted for enforcing reduced speed, e.g. speed bumps

Abstract

Primary vehicle impedance is provided when an actuator exerts a rigid object against a envelope of enclosed fluid to activate the restriction surface by pushing the fluid from the reservoir to the supporting side of the restriction surface. Reversal of the actuator withdraws the rigid object from the enclosed fluid volume, allowing the fluid to return from supporting the deployed restriction surface back to the reservoir. Secondary vehicle impedance is provided when the vehicle'"'"'s tires traverse a predetermined contoured shape of the restriction surface. Continuous contact between the radial tire surface and the ends of the restriction surface is maintained by tapering the ends. Static structural components support the fluid and distribute the forces to the ground as the impact and weight of the vehicle'"'"'s tires are applied to the restriction surface.

Claims

1. A vehicle restrictor system for the impedance and control of vehicle movement, said system comprising:

a restriction surface to propose an impact to the vehicle'"'"'s suspension system resulting from the contact between said restriction surface and the vehicle'"'"'s tires;

an arrangement comprising a volume of fluid sustaining said restriction surface, and a flexible fluid reservoir in communication with said volume of fluid, said flexible fluid reservoir having a region for pressing, and an object for pressing, positioned proximate to said region for pressing, and a bidirectional actuator, operative to bi-directionally actuate said object for pressing.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more structural members to confine said volume of fluid and said flexible fluid reservoir.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller to govern the rate and amount of fluid sustaining said restriction surface whereby the height and activation speed of the restriction surface is controlled.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein forces resulting from the vehicle'"'"'s contact with said restriction surface are transmitted by said volume of fluid sustaining said restriction surface to one or more support components.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein some portion of said restriction surface is tapered to maintain predominant contact with the outer rim surface of the tire.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said restriction surface has a predetermined shape to invoke a specific type of vehicle impedance.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a covering surface dimensioned to fit over or on said restriction surface to provide resistance to wear or modular maintenance.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a means for indicating the extent of wear associated with said covering.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one seal carried in close proximity to system components to provide resistance to the penetration of contaminants.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising illuminative indications of the vehicle restrictor'"'"'s presence or operation.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein height of said restriction surface is measured positively or negatively from the ground surface on which the vehicle'"'"'s tires travel.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said arrangement instead comprises a volume of fluid substantially sustaining said restriction surface, a fluid reservoir in communication with said volume of fluid, said fluid reservoir having a fluid inlet, and a pump.

13. A vehicle restrictor system for the impedance end control of vehicle movement, said system comprising:

a surface to provide an impact to the vehicle'"'"'s suspension system resulting from the contact between said surface and the vehicle'"'"'s fires, said surface having an upper portion, a lower portion and a length;

a first volume of fluid underlying said lower portion of said surface end extending approximately said length of said surface such as to provide a distributed support for said surface at a degree of height, wherein said first volume of fluid sets and generally maintains said surface a degree of height impedance through said distributed support;

a second volume of fluid in communication with said first volume of fluid, wherein said second volume of fluid acts sea reservoir to said first volume of fluid;

a fluid transfer means by which the setting of a degree of height impedance of said surface by said first volume of fluid can be varied through fluid transfer with said second volume of fluid said fluid transfer means comprising at least one plunger positioned approximate to said second volume of fluid and an actuator for pressing said at least one plunger.

14. A method for impeding and controlling vehicle movement comprising:

a) bi-directionally actuating an object for pressing positioned proximate to a flexible reservoir volume;

b) varying the amount of fluid between said flexible reservoir volume and volume sustaining a restriction surface and

c) setting amount of fluid within said volume sustaining said restriction surface to produce a height of said restriction surface.