AU4532897A - Device for controlling access to accessways and limited areas - Google Patents

Description

IrUU/U 1 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO ACCESSWAYS AND LIMITED

AREAS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO ACCESSWAYS AND LIMITED AREAS This invention relates to a device for controlling access to accessways such as roadways or limited areas such as a parking area or loading dock, also known as a "bollard".

Australian Patent No. 581950 is directed to a device which, in the operative position, is locked in a vertical orientation and which may be unlocked and lowered to lie on the ground or accessway in a horizontal orientation to provide access to or from the accessway or limited area.

However, in some situations, it is more convenient that the device, which may be described as a barrier-specifically in the form of a retractable barrier be moved clear of the surface of the accessway or limited area rather than left lying on the surface where it may prove to be a hazard to pedestrian traffic.

Accordingly, in our Australian Patent No. 644864, the barrier is retractable, projecting above the surface of the accessway or limited area in an operative position, for example, preventing passage of a vehicle into or out of the area. Alternatively, the barrier may be stored below the surface of the accessway or limited are when not required. This prevents hazards to pedestrian traffic and allows protected storage of the barrier when not in use and provides pleasing aesthetics when not in use.

This kind of barrier is raised into its operative position by a tool, a clutch key, which is inserted into a corresponding slot to engage with and operate a locking means to unlock the barrier from its storage position and enable it to be brought into the operative position.

25 Such a device has a number of applications, especially allowing controlled parking but also enabling protection of warehouse and retail outlets from attack by ram-raiding of vehicles.

Due to the limited number of key tool lock combinations suited to the use of this rugged key tool, where super security of the retractable bollard barrier is required, this addition provides for a controlled locking closure of access of the operating key tool.

It is desirable to achieve this objective in as simple yet rugged, convenient and cost effective manner as possible.

With the above object in view the present invention provides a retractable bollard comprising: a retractable elongate barrier member slidably mounted within an outer casing, the barrier member including a locking means for locking the barrier member in a storage position or an operative position; the locking means including a locking member located adjacent the lower end of the barrier member and rotatable into, or out of, locking engagement with the casing; a passage extending through the barrier member from an upper end thereof to the locking member, the locking member being accessible for movement between locked and unlocked positions by a tool insertable through the passage; the barrier member further including a blocking means having a portion extendible into the passage for selectively blocking access into the passage.

Conveniently, the blocking means may be operated by a key device to move between a position in which the tool may be inserted into the passage to enable the barrier device to be lowered down from the operative position, and blocking position in which the means prevents access of the tool into the passage. Typically, the blocking position will be adopted when the bollard is in the operative position as this is the occasion when misuse is most likely. The preferred side location of the control lock is only accessible in the operative position.

It may be appreciated that the blocking means may take a number of forms such as a flat plate, protrusion or bolt that blocks either partially, or fully, the passage.

The blocking means key device may be located in an upper portion of the barrier member and located above the surface of the accessway or limited area when in the operative position. A conventional key/lock arrangement is preferably employed to operate the blocking means.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the casing with the bollard retracted into a casing in a storage position; Figure 2 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the bollard showing the arrangement of the key/blocking means arrangement; Figure 3 is a plan view of the upper portion of the bollard showing the key/blocking means arrangement; Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper portion of locking member of the bollard; Figure 5 is a view of a tool to operate the bollard; and Figure 6 is a plan view of a locking member of the bollard.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, the retractable bollard unit 10 comprises two parts: a casing 20; and a barrier member 30. The casing 20 is preferably of metal substantially circular in cross-section fitted at the top with a laterally projecting flange 22 which preferably lies flush with the surface of the area 23 in which the device is installed. The lower end 20b of the casing 20 is provided with a laterally projecting flange 24 which transfers and distributes any thrust force applied to the upper end of the barrier member when in an operating position, to the inground steel casing giving the bollard strength.

A rubber spacer 26 absorbs any shock in movements of the barrier member The casing 20 may be set in any suitable constructional base, concrete, asphalt or the like and anchored therein by concrete or like bonding lugs.

The casing 20 is open at the bottom to facilitate drainage and there is a bore 16 and additional "french" drainway provided below the casing to allow water to drain away.

The retractable barrier member 30, substantially square in cross-section, is located within the casing 20 and is also of metal, possibly painted with a suitable warning colour or other indicia. It will be understood that the retractable barrier member 30 and casing 20 may be of any desired cross-section, the shape being of little importance to the present invention.

The retractable barrier member 30 is so dimensioned that it fits slidably within the casing 20. The barrier member 30 is provided with a top plate 31 which lies flush with the flange 22 on the casing when the barrier member 30 is in the non-operative or storage position.

The top plate 31 is provided with a keyhole slot 32 which is aligned with a tubular passage 40 located within the barrier member 30. A locking member as conveniently shown in Figure 4, is rotatably mounted between plates 36 and 37 which are connected to the bottom of the barrier member 30 by bolts 38 passing through bores 39.

The locking member 50, shown in dashed outline in Figure 4 and more clearly in Figure 6 has a circular portion 50a provided with a number of tabs in the case shown two tabs 50b which cooperate with slots 53 when the barrier member 50 is in its storage position to maintain the flush surface position whilst locked. This can clearly be seen in Figure 4 where tabs 50b are located S' 15 in slot 53. The locking member 50 rotates in a clockwise direction between locked and unlocked positions. It will be understood that the locking member is driven rotationally from key tool engagement lock drive plate 67 via torsion tube 65. The locking member 50 may be of any kind and might, for example, be as described in Australian Patent No. 644864.

In an upper portion 35 of the barrier member 30, at any one side thereof, is located a lock 60 having a blocking member, in the form of a rotating latch 61, which is movable between an unblocked and blocked position by opening/closing of the lock 60. This lock 60 may be of any convenient type, for example, a cam-lock or rotating barrel type. The lock 60 could be located 25 elsewhere but a side location may assist in keeping the lock 60 free of dirt, dust, etc. The lock 60 is inset on an upper portion of the barrier member 30 to allow water carried slimes and dust to run past to drain rather than cause binding or damage to the lock In a blocked position, the blocking member 61 prevents unauthorised attempts to unlock the barrier member.

The locking member 50 is actuated by a tool 90, described hereinbelow, to move it between a stored locked position and an unlocked position in which the barrier member 30 may be raised into its operative position.

Before describing the tool, further reference is made to the retractable barrier member 30. The keyhole slot 32 communicates with a passage which, at an end 41 distal to the keyhole slot 32, is welded to a shroud plate in which is rotatably seated the lock drive plate 67 welded to the upper end of a torsion tube 65. The lock drive plate 67 is rotatable within a cavity of shroud plate 70 to rotate the locking member 50 and is itself hollow, allowing water to drain therethrough.

Lock drive plate 67 is provided with slots on its inner surface extending a distance greater than the inner diameter of the passage 68 passing through the shroud plate 70, such that there is an annular ledge 70 on the underside of the shroud plate 70 upon which the key ball bearings bear to transfer vertical alignment with movement of the key tool The lower end 65b of torsion tube 65 is located in bore 501 in locking member 50 thus connecting torsion tube 65 and locking member The tool 90, which may be described as a clutch key, and shown in Figure 5, has a handle portion 92 connected to a shaft 94, which shaft has an operating portion 96 located below an adjustable locating flange 97 allowing different operating combinations. Through shaft 94 extends a bore 94a in which is located a slidable rod 101 movable in a generally vertical direction by pulling handle portion 93 causing a wedging member 101 to move the ball bearings 98 outward.

At the end of the operating portion 96, remote from the locating flange 97, are provided cavities 99 provided with ball bearings 98 that have a range of 25 transverse movement allowed by provision of a bore 99, within the operating portion within which the bearings may move. Ball bearings 98 might be replaced with slidable pins or other protrusions having a transverse movement.

The ball bearings 98 are movable outward by pulling the handle portion 93, thus to move the ball bearings 98 outward when the rod 101 cores between the ball bearings 98 pushing them apart.

The ball bearings 98, or other protrusions, are placed such that on passing through passage 68 in the flange 42, they are in an inwardly disposed position until that section of the operating portion 96 of the clutch key 90 extends into the slot lock drive plate 67 when they are moved to an outward disposition engaging in slots and annular ledge 70, by operation of handle portion 93.

The operation of the retractable bollard 10 may be described as follows.

The clutch key operating portion 96 is inserted into the key slot 32 until the locating flange 97, having greater area than that of the key slot 32, lies generally flush with the top plate of barrier member 30. In this sense, the locating flange 97, which may be adjusted in position assists in locating the variable depth or combination of clutch key 90. As described above, when the clutch key operating portion 96 has been inserted sufficient distance, the handle portion 93 is pulled upwards, displacing the rod 101 and ball bearings 98 such that the ball bearings or protrusions 98 will engage the slotted drive plate 67 annular ledge 70. The user may then, through a turning and lifting action, move the locking member to an unlocked position and raise the barrier member 30 intothe operative position, into which the member is locked by the locking member An operative position may be achieved by suitable location of tabs 50b within slots 140 to support barrier member 30. Slots may have varied depth location of the shroud plate 42 and thus the position of the key locating flange 97. Tabs of locking member 50 are moved by rotation of the handle portion 92 into engagement with slots 140. The clutch key is then rotated to remove it from the barrier member At this stage, the blocking means lock 60 is locked, with the latch 61 25 closing the passage 40, as shown in Figure 3. Then when it is desired to use the key tool 90 to store the barrier member 30, the lock 60 is opened. The clutch key 90 is inserted, and rotated such that the locking member 50 moves to allow the barrier member 30 to be retracted and stored.

The locking/unlocking step is achieved by use of a torsion tube arrangement. Thus when the clutch key 90 is rotated, the torsion tube 65 is likewise rotated, rotating locking member 50 such that the tabs 51 coincide with the slots 53. In this position, the barrier member 30 may be lifted into its operative position simply by pulling the tool 90 upward.

When the barrier member 30 has been raised into position, the latch 61 is moved by cam lock arrangement, by key or other means, into its blocking position preventing misuse of the bollard.

Similarly, when it is desired to store the barrier 30, the lock 60 is operated to unblock the key slot 32 or tubular passage 40, the tool 90 may be inserted and rotated such that the locking member 50 allows removal of the member from its operative position allowing retractable bollard 30 to be moved into its storage position. At this point, handle portion 93 may be released to allow the ball bearing 98 to recede into the tube bore diameter and release from engagement with annular flange Modifications and variations of the retractable bollard of the present invention may be made. For example, the bollard may be implemented in an 4, embodiment that allows for automatic operation between the operative and storage positions by hydraulic or pneumatic powered means such as cylinder rams.

The bollard member is also able to be power driven to and from its operative position by use of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder rams mounted within the casing 20 and within the barrier member 30, by replacement of the torsion tube 65 and its lower end 65b attachments.

The barrier member could be constructed of a flexible, resilient or elastic polymeric or rubber material which may be more suitable for some constructions. Such constructions may be less expensive.

SThe lock could be located in a portion of the barrier member or casing S 25 other than the upper portion, especially where an automated constructions is contemplated.

Claims (4)

1. A retractable bollard comprising: a retractable elongate barrier member slidably mounted within an outer casing, the barrier member including a locking means for locking the barrier member in a storage position or an operative position; the locking means including a locking member for bringing the barrier member into, or out of, locking engagement with the casing; a passage extending through the barrier member from an upper end thereof to the locking member, the locking member being accessible for rotation between locked and unlocked positions by a tool insertable through the passage at the upper end; the barrier member further including a blocking means having a portion extendible into the passage for selectively blocking access into the passage.

2. The bollard of claim 1 wherein said blocking means is operable by key device between key tool access operative and blocking positions.

3. The bollard of claim 1 or 2 wherein said blocking means is located in an *upper portion of the barrier member.

4. The bollard of any one of the preceding claims wherein the barrier member is driven to and from its operative position by hydraulic or pneumatic means. The bollard of any one of claims 1 to 4 substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to DATED this 11th day of November 1997 EUGENE PATRICK O'CALLAGHAN JOAN GERALDINE O'CALLAGHAN WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 4TH FLOOR, "DURACK CENTRE" 263 ADELAIDE TERRACE PERTH, W.A. 6000 AUSTRALIA VAX DOC 017AU002449. WPC JN:RHB I ft *p