EP2978901A1 - A fold able access control barrier and control thereof - Google Patents
A fold able access control barrier and control thereofInfo
- Publication number
- EP2978901A1 EP2978901A1 EP14720197.4A EP14720197A EP2978901A1 EP 2978901 A1 EP2978901 A1 EP 2978901A1 EP 14720197 A EP14720197 A EP 14720197A EP 2978901 A1 EP2978901 A1 EP 2978901A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- barrier
- access control
- arm
- access
- arm element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05C—ELECTRIC CIRCUITS OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN EQUIPMENT FOR KILLING, STUNNING, OR GUIDING LIVING BEINGS
- H05C1/00—Circuits or apparatus for generating electric shock effects
- H05C1/04—Circuits or apparatus for generating electric shock effects providing pulse voltages
- H05C1/06—Circuits or apparatus for generating electric shock effects providing pulse voltages operating only when touched
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
- A01K15/04—Devices for impeding movement; Devices for impeding passage through fencing, e.g. hobbles or the like; Anti-kicking devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K3/00—Pasturing equipment, e.g. tethering devices; Grids for preventing cattle from straying; Electrified wire fencing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/0005—Stable partitions
- A01K1/0017—Gates, doors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M29/00—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus
- A01M29/06—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus using visual means, e.g. scarecrows, moving elements, specific shapes, patterns or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M29/00—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus
- A01M29/16—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus using sound waves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01M29/00—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus
- A01M29/24—Scaring or repelling devices, e.g. bird-scaring apparatus using electric or magnetic effects, e.g. electric shocks, magnetic fields or microwaves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L29/00—Safety means for rail/road crossing traffic
- B61L29/04—Gates for level crossings
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- E01F13/00—Arrangements for obstructing or restricting traffic, e.g. gates, barricades ; Preventing passage of vehicles of selected category or dimensions
- E01F13/04—Arrangements for obstructing or restricting traffic, e.g. gates, barricades ; Preventing passage of vehicles of selected category or dimensions movable to allow or prevent passage
- E01F13/06—Arrangements for obstructing or restricting traffic, e.g. gates, barricades ; Preventing passage of vehicles of selected category or dimensions movable to allow or prevent passage by swinging into open position about a vertical or horizontal axis parallel to the road direction, i.e. swinging gates
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a barrier and particularly to a foldable barrier for controllably blocking access to and from an enclosure, a venue or other restricted space.
- the present invention relates to a livestock barrier and to a control system therefor.
- the invention particularly relates to the provision of a livestock gate for use in conjunction with an existing enclosure, such as an electric fence, but which facilitates access by vehicle without a vehicle occupant having to manually open the gate.
- the invention relates more particularly to a vehicle access barrier and livestock or crowd control gate in which a barrier boom moves in a restricted vertical plane.
- the invention further relates to the electronic actuation of an access control barrier utilising remote means, barrier movement control, remote monitoring features, the powering of said barrier and the detection of interference with the barrier and deterrent means to prevent or minimise further interference.
- the access control barrier of the invention has application in a number of distinct technical and commercial areas, each of which having its own peculiar drawbacks and problems to be addressed, some of which are common across these distinct areas.
- the present invention seeks to alleviate significant disadvantages in many of these areas, which are discussed in general terms below. Reference to one area should not be taken as limiting the application or utility of the invention in another.
- United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0107049 to BURGIN discloses a blocking element for a gate used as a checkpoint which, in its preamble, is distinguished from traditional turnstiles having a vertical axis of rotation (that is, rotating in the horizontal plane to allow passage therethrough) and from those exemplified by German Patent Publication Nos. 28 25 787 and 44 45 698 where the rotational axis of a blocking unit is tilted 45° and three blocking arms are inclined thereto so that one of the arms is in a horizontal blocking position until released, allowing an individual to pass. A subsequent one of the arms rotates into position behind the individual and locks into the blocking position.
- BURGIN also observes that blocking barriers traditionally used as gates for motor vehicles have been made to a corresponding smaller design for pedestrian gates but that the impact force at the free end of the boom or arm moves relatively quickly and must be damped. Such arguments do not preclude the risk of injury and occupy a large amount of space.
- the solution provided in BURGIN comprises two sector-shaped wing elements which fan out in a blocking mode and are telescopically retracted in an access mode.
- the crowd control barriers referred to above deliberately provide a choke point whereby individuals must form into a line to pass through the barrier. Where there are a large number of people to process, count or register a transaction, the throughput speed becomes critical. Where a number of barriers are presented side-by-side, the space occupied by the barrier support or control housing has an adverse effect on throughput speed. In such scenarios, reliability becomes an issue and due to their relative complexity, many of the prior art systems are prone to failure.
- vehicle access control barriers traditionally of the security type used to allow selectively vehicle access and egress from a parking lot or a secured building or area.
- Exemplifying of this type of vehicle barrier is the security gate of US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0029089 to WENZL et al in which a movable gate arm, pivotally attached at one end to a gate support, is rotated out of a pathway to provide passage of a vehicle.
- the WENZL document is particularly concerned with the geographical location of installation as power supplies operate at different voltages and frequencies requiring selection of components to match with the location power supply.
- Standard barriers require substantial support due to their weight and the manner in which they pivot. Although supported by a post at the pivoting side, there is a significant lever effect when open and particularly if any additional weight is added to the barrier boom arm. With a rising boom barrier, the direction from which force is transferred to the support post requires the post to have substantial and stable footings.
- barrier fails, it is often designed to fail to a "power off position where the barrier is raised to prevent traffic flow restriction, however, whilst this is an important feature, in many instances it is undesirable in others.
- loss of toll or parking fee income may be significant it is generally to be preferred to loss of use of a facility or worse still, a physical imposition to users.
- US Patent No. 6,212,825 to HOPKINS, Jr. is directed to a vertically movable boom gate having an arm adapted to extend across a first lane of an intersection and a secondary barrier arm rotatably attached to the free end of the primary arm so as to obstruct a second lane.
- the actuation of the secondary arm is via a motor provided on the end of the primary arm and consequently, power must be fed along the arm to the motor.
- HOPKINS, Jr. refers to a wiring conduit along the arms to feed signal lamps provided therein, it is silent regarding the wiring necessary for the motor or the consequences of a vehicle striking such a barrier and exposing the wiring.
- the invention may be applied to any animal which is corralled or otherwise enclosed in a pen, paddock or field.
- the invention may further be applied to avian species not only to provide access control for vehicles or keepers but also to prevent ingress by predators or vermin which often are attracted to animal feed.
- any means which decreases the risk of spreading disease or introducing new or untraceable components should be embraced. If an operator or farm worker does not have to get in and out of a vehicle repeatedly (particularly at the point of entry to an enclosure), the risk of carrying water, mud or detritus from one location to another is lessened. Additionally, the accumulation of detritus within the vehicle is best avoided particularly as it can create an unpleasant working environment.
- US Patent No. 2,633,337 to NIEUWENHUIS provides a similar configuration of cattle grid but in which the slats are substituted by electrical conductors connected to an adjoining electric fence to provide an electrical shock to any animal (or trespasser) crossing the grid.
- One of the perceived advantages of this arrangement is that when a vehicle passes over the grid, the wires flex within a grid frame discharging the shock voltage to earth.
- An obvious disadvantage is that discharge will also occur when water, detritus, such as twigs, leaves, mud and snow accumulates on or around the grid. Similar disadvantages may also be associated with electrified barrier mats such as those disclosed in US Patent No. 6,519,131 to BECK and US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0092481 to SPOONER.
- flexible and deflecting barriers including several variants of a whip-aerial type barrier element capable of carrying an electric shock and, more particularly, those which include a series of stock-repelling rods suspended from a primary barrier element or boom.
- the booms are paired, extending towards the centre of the access space from upright support posts defining said space and from which the rods (at least) are electrically isolated.
- Exemplary of the deflecting curtain type gate constructions are the disclosures of US Patent Nos. 2,642,683 to MEYER and 3,293,800 to MARTINMAS S, however, these are only examples of the many variants available in the patent literature.
- the deflecting curtain type gates Whilst addressing some of the disadvantages associated with cattle grids and static gates, the deflecting curtain type gates drag along the sides of vehicles passing therethrough or may swing back against the vehicle if it does not pass through the passageway in the allotted time allowed by the gate process. In some instances, the action of the gate is damaging to a vehicle (particularly when the action is repeated over time) and in others there is a risk of the gate getting caught between a tractor and trailer unit or otherwise within the machinery of the vehicle.
- Existing "bump gates” may force the vehicle operator to push the gate into contact with an animal on the inner side of the gate when moving from a road into an enclosure so as to quickly clear the road.
- the same kind of contact between a gate and animal may occur if the vehicle must get through the gate passageway before the gate swings back onto the vehicle.
- the gate may strike an animal or, if exiting the enclosure, strike a person or vehicle, causing injury or damage.
- the leverage may cause the gate to swing open violently and possibly return equally violently.
- Standard galvanised bar gates require substantial support due to their weight and the manner in which they pivot. Although supported by a post at the pivoting side and an opposite latch receiving post when closed, there is a significant lever effect when open and particularly if any additional weight is added to the gate. When fully open, the force caused by the weight of the gate is applied at 90° from the direction from which it is applied when closed. With a rising boom barrier, the direction from which force is transferred to the support post requires the post to have substantial and stable footings.
- Rising boom type barriers particularly those including a substantially similar curtain arrangement of conductors suspended from one or more booms traversing the fence void address some of the disadvantages presented above.
- United Kingdom Patent Application Publication No. 2 206 906 to MARSON discloses a curtain type control gate having conductive elements suspended from a beam electrically isolated from a primary boom. Although the disclosure is directed predominantly towards a deflecting gate, there is also disclosed a rising barrier.
- United States Patent No. 2,807,107 to GOULET also discloses a rising barrier where the actuation of the mechanism is as a result of a vehicle driving onto an entrance or exit ramp (as reminiscent of the downwardly deflecting barriers). There appears to be no disclosure combining vehicle actuation with rising boom type barriers having a curtain configuration of conductive elements.
- Limited overhead clearance is also a consideration with rising boom barriers, particularly where there is a wide passageway span. Even where a wide span is protected by a pair of opposed barrier booms, there remain situations where overhead clearance remains problematic. As the standard rising boom moves upwardly in a constrained vertical arc, there is an increased chance of collision with surrounding objects. Within buildings, the height reached is of primary consideration as the available height dictates the maximum span of a single barrier. Trees, hedges and overhead cables are of concern when the barrier is provided in an outside setting. Additionally, there are vehicular considerations, for example, with agricultural devices where a front end loader might encroach the space over a boom as the vehicle approaches the barrier.
- shutting gates of deflecting or rising types
- the shutting mechanism or cycling period
- a curious animal may have sufficient time to escape, a pedestrian may duck under a descending barrier arm or a driver may attempt to follow a preceding vehicle without authorisation or allowing sufficient time to clear.
- the time advantage of automating the closing action may be substantially lost.
- the shutting mechanism is too fast, there is a risk of incurring damage or injury by striking a vehicle, an animal or a person.
- drive mechanisms and deflection correction mechanisms for a barrier comprising improved access control and remote activation; a control system with a regulated energising circuit for detecting interference and having controlled delivery of warnings and deterrents (including shock voltages); and computer-implemented access control and a smartphone application program (app).
- the present invention provides an access control barrier of the type used for vehicle access, livestock and crowd control, the barrier comprising: a barrier boom arm mounted for rotation with respect to a support post, the boom arm being movable between a closed blocking position and an open access position in response to a signal, in which the boom arm comprises a first arm element, rotatably driven at one end around a horizontal pivot axis mounted on said support post, and a second arm element pivotally coupled to the other end of the first arm and driven to rotate with respect thereto during the transition between said open and closed positions.
- a drive motor having a drive shaft adapted to rotate the first arm element around said horizontal pivot axis, the second arm element being secured to the first arm element by a drive coupling to which rotational movement is conveyed from the drive shaft via a transmission means.
- the barrier boom arm thus comprises a folding arrangement of the first arm element and the second arm element which is driven on a reduced ratio gear through approximately 180° with respect to the first arm element, so that the arm elements substantially overlie one another in the open position and are in extended longitudinal coaxial relationship in said closed position.
- each barrier arm element comprises a pair of elongate members held in fixed apart relationship, said members being adapted to house the transmission means.
- the transmission means comprises a closed loop drive selected from nylon, wire, toothed belt or chain.
- the transmission means translates rotational motion of the first arm element at the drive shaft to rotation of the second element via the drive coupling so that the second arm element moves simultaneously with the first arm but has a minimal locus of movement.
- the drive motor includes electronic control to decelerate the rotational movement of the drive shaft as the barrier arm approaches its closed/blocking position.
- Feedback torque control is provided to sense an impact and to reverse momentarily the rotational movement.
- the drive coupling includes stops to prevent over-rotation of the barrier arm elements.
- the stops are located 180° apart.
- the drive motor has a rotational limit of 90° to carry the first arm element between its horizontal closed position and its vertical open position.
- the drive motor Whilst the drive motor is stated as having a 90° range of movement, the resultant movement on the first arm element is not so fixed.
- the boom arm is forced, usually by a downwardly force applied to a closed horizontal boom, means are provided, as described in more detail hereinbelow, to allow the arm to move beyond its normal limits.
- the means is facilitated by a mechanism disposed within or adjacent the drive motor and may be selected from a clutch element, a shear pin and a system of springs and/or pivotal mounts to disengage the drive motor from the boom arm.
- the gate arm can be moved below the horizontal where there is a force applied which would otherwise potentially damage the boom arm.
- the mechanism will allow for this movement without incurring damage to the arm or the drive motor.
- the mechanism is self-correcting so that once the force is removed and the drive motor is re-engaged, the horizontal closed position and upright open position are re-established.
- a self-righting deflection mechanism is also provided for instances where there is an impact primarily in a horizontal plane with the barrier of sufficient force to potentially break the boom arm elements.
- the mechanism includes a spring or spring-loaded element biased to return the boom to its central position across the access passageway.
- the transmission means translates the 90° rotational movement of the first element to 180° relative rotational movement of the second arm element.
- the translation is linear, smooth and, from an external perspective, the second arm element appears to move only through 90°, that is, between its vertical orientation, aligned with or overlying the first element, to its horizontal orientation, coaxial with the first arm element, in the closed position.
- the support post includes an enclosure within which the drive motor and electronic controls are constrained.
- the enclosure is fixable at selected intervals along the support post so as to provide height settings for the barrier arm.
- the present invention provides a drive mechanism for an access control barrier, the drive mechanism comprising: an electronically controlled drive motor constrained within a housing secured to the support post positioned at one side of a passageway through which access is to be regulated and coupled to a power source, the drive motor operably rotating a drive shaft which defines the horizontal pivot axis about which the first arm element rotates.
- An electronic controller providing power to the drive motor is configured to ensure the rotation of the drive shaft is regulated to provide the required parameters of access time and its selected use, whilst minimizing the load on the power source.
- the power source comprises a low-wattage (Ampere-hour) battery connected to a recharging circuit which is fed from a renewable source, ideally a solar cell array.
- the array may include means for tracking the sun's path throughout the day, however, optimal positioning of the array can obviate a tracking means.
- the renewable source may comprise a micro wind turbine rotatably mounted to a pole extending from the support post or a pole adjacent thereto and having a wind vane to direct the turbine into the wind. Selection of the most suitable renewable source is dependent on the location and predominant annual weather conditions at the site of the barrier.
- the second arm element is rotatably attached to the first arm element by a drive coupling and driven to rotate with respect thereto by a transmission means, so that the arm elements move synchronously between the closed position where the arms are fully extended horizontally across the access passageway and the open position where the arms are folded together in a vertical overlying position.
- the first and second arm elements ideally each comprise upper and lower tubes having conductive elements adapted to carry a pulse voltage generated by an excitation circuit.
- the tubes are optionally provided with strips of conducting material or the tubes themselves are formed from a conducting carbon fibre composite, aluminum, steel or other suitable conducting material, electrically isolated from the drive mechanism, housing and support post. Additional shock voltage conductors can be suspended from the lower tubes of the first and second arm elements.
- the excitation circuit is disconnected from the conductors when the barrier boom is elevated from the horizontal closed position.
- the barrier drive mechanism includes a spring to balance the weight of the boom in the closed position. As the barrier opening motion commences there is a high degree of self-balancing within the folding action that is not evident in fixed boom barriers.
- the barrier is automatically actuated by a plurality of mechanisms according to the barrier's use.
- automatic actuation opens a normally closed barrier in response to an approaching authorised vehicle and closes again as the vehicle enters the enclosed space.
- the mechanisms by which such activation is initiated is well known from the prior art and will not be examined here in depth. Suffice it to say that in isolated rural areas, replacement of cattle grids or unsecured areas is of great importance.
- actuation signal there are many available systems which may be used to provide an actuation signal to the drive mechanism of the barrier.
- One system not currently in use is where the barrier is automatically actuated in response to an audible signal having a recognizable waveform, such as a vehicle horn.
- Remote control actuation may also be facilitated either by a manually operated transmitter, such as a key-fob transmitter or by mounting a transmitter within the vehicle itself.
- a key-fob or vehicle mounted actuating unit can be uniquely coded, so as to identify or maintain a record of who activated the barrier. Access can also be regulated to within specified hours.
- Similar mechanisms may be used to limit or regulate access, particularly where access is granted based on personal identity, however, where isolation of a farm hand or herdsman is of concern, activation may be timed.
- the barrier optionally includes an access monitoring means which in its simplest form records the period between actuations of the barrier.
- an alarm state may be set if a period between ingress and egress is exceeded. Timing the difference between ingress and egress is important in stock situations for reasons of safety. If a worker is in a yard or enclosure for too long, the worker may have come to harm or be incapacitated.
- Video monitoring systems may also be linked to the barrier so that a visual record of activation or disturbance of the barrier may be made. In some locations, prosecutions based on video evidence, for example, for deliberately stressing animals or animal theft may be initiated.
- Wireless transmission of data from a barrier advantageously provides a number of potential enhanced features.
- a record of barrier activations or interferences (depending on the nature of the activations) or event recording by a central processing unit (CPU) and associated memory can provide useful management and maintenance data.
- Data, including image and video data may be transmitted to and recorded by a mobile (cellular) telephone, a central office computer or video recorder or a screen provided within the cab of a farm vehicle.
- the invention further provides a control system comprising: a plurality of conductors connected to or located on the boom arm of the barrier; interference detection means, being responsive to animal, vehicle or human contact of one or more of the conductors; warning delivery means to disincentivise continued contact; and control means for regulating delivery or warnings, in which the interference detection means determines the nature and duration of interference arising from contact with one or more of the conductors and triggers a response via the control means to deliver a warning against continued interference with the barrier boom arm.
- the warning delivery means is selected from audio output means, light output means and electric shock output means.
- control means regulates the parameters of amplitude, frequency and timing of the warning delivery means.
- the parameters controlled result in a progressively more uncomfortable experience for the driver of a vehicle or an animal or human interfering with or remaining adjacent the barrier, whereby the frequency, amplitude and/or timed pulses of sound, lights or electric shock delivered achieve the desired disincentive to continued interference.
- the warning delivery means comprises shock voltage delivery means associated with shock voltage accumulators to generate a stored charge, wherein shock voltage delivery is initiated, after it is determined by the interference detection means that the barrier boom is being touched by an animal or human, to deliver from the stored charge a first level shock voltage which increases in amplitude in accordance with a predetermined set of parameters including timing and duration.
- control means determines the shock parameters according to the nature and duration of the interference detected and includes means for triggering timed pulses of shock voltages to achieve the desired disincentive to the continued interference.
- shock voltage accumulators are charged or "topped-up" only when a shock response is required.
- the power consumption of the energizing circuit is significantly below that previously achieved.
- continued interference activates an alarm state which triggers an additional response selected from, sounding an alarm, illuminating a light source, initiating movement of the barrier boom, commencing video monitoring and transmitting a signal identifying a fault via radio transmission, mobile telephone network or data link.
- Interference detection is available through the barrier energiser detection circuitry which can in turn be monitored by the barrier control circuit CPU. There are three levels of interference detection/monitoring. From the energiser circuit, any sudden discharges (signifying an earthing of the electrified portion of the barrier) are recorded as interference, which if repeated within in a short time span will indicate tampering or a serious fault. Where the barrier has been knocked away from a set position, where it has been locked by the drive motor, the deflection mechanism associated with the drive motor or gear has a detection sensor associated therewith which provides data to the CPU. Additionally, within the barrier drive motor circuitry, there is provided a power surge detection unit which again can be monitored by the barrier CPU.
- the invention yet further provides a remote computer device onto which is loaded, or a computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform a set of actions including: generating an identification code; transmitting the identification code to a central processing unit (CPU) of a barrier control circuit; receiving an acknowledgement of barrier position status from the barrier control CPU; and displaying barrier status information to a user.
- a remote computer device onto which is loaded, or a computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform a set of actions including: generating an identification code; transmitting the identification code to a central processing unit (CPU) of a barrier control circuit; receiving an acknowledgement of barrier position status from the barrier control CPU; and displaying barrier status information to a user.
- CPU central processing unit
- the actions may further include any one or more of: correlating identification codes with time stamps or location based indicia; validating a request to a barrier control circuit CPU before actuating a change of barrier position; communicating and recording all transactions at a central location; and initiation of one or more additional security features selected from video surveillance, timed activation of barrier, vehicle or personal identification verification and audio/voice verification.
- the barrier includes means to effect communication with a communication device including a processor and associated memory for storing software that causes the processor to execute a series of instructions to effect activation of a barrier.
- the stored software comprises a smartphone application program (app) downloadable from the Internet.
- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a barrier having a first arm element and a second arm element pivotally attached thereto in a closed position
- Figure 2 is a front elevation of a pair of opposed barriers positioned to provide restricted access through a passageway having an extended span;
- Figures 3a to 3e are front elevations of variations of a barrier arm drive mechanism for rotating a horizontally disposed drive shaft;
- Figures 4a to 4d are detailed illustrations of the transmission mechanism to provide synchronous movement of the arm elements between their open and closed positions and illustrations of the relative positions of the arm elements as they move between the open and closed positions;
- Figures 5a to 5f are an alternative drive mechanism for a barrier of the invention having a self-righting mechanism for correcting deflections in a vertical plane and first and second variants of a self-righting mechanism for correcting deflections in a horizontal plane;
- Figures 6a to 6d are a block circuit diagram and component circuit diagrams illustrating the primary control system circuits associated with the drive control circuit, the recharging source circuit, the energising circuit associated with interference detection and deterrent delivery, and a user interface or programming screen and a series of waveform responses, respectively;
- Figure 7a is a first series of screenshots of a user interface or programming touch- sensitive screen connectable to the drive control circuit; and Figure 7b is a second series of screenshots of the interface illustrating functions and information available to the user or programmer.
- the vehicle access and livestock or crowd control barrier of the invention comprises a barrier boom 1 pivotally mounted on a support post 2.
- a base support 3 is anchored to the ground and provides an earthing point 4, where necessary.
- a vehicle detection sensor 5 is optionally provided on the support post to ensure the gate does not close on a vehicle remaining in an access passageway.
- a drive motor 6 is arranged to drive a horizontally disposed drive shaft 7.
- the shaft 7 is coupled to a drive sprocket 9 connected to a primary pivot disc 10 which defines the pivot axis A about which the barrier boom 1 rotates.
- a control system including circuit boards for an energiser 12 and for a motor controller 13, together with a battery 15, the drive motor 6, the horizontally disposed drive shaft 7 and associated components are positioned within an enclosure 17 mounted on the support post 2.
- the length of the support post 2 is adjustable so as to provide barrier installations where the height of the boom arm 1 is selectable. It will be apparent to the reader that different lengths of support post 2 may be provided to achieve the same result.
- the enclosure 17 may be slidably movable along a support post 2 and locked into position to achieve the desired height of barrier boom arm 1. This arrangement is also suited to crowd control barriers where an enclosure can be attached to an existing post.
- the barrier is used with electrified enclosures for particularly chickens, turkeys, game birds and the like, the incidence of attack from predators, including foxes, can be attenuated. Adaptations to deal with potential incursions by larger predators such as coyotes, hyenas or dingoes (as appropriate to geographical location) are within the scope of the invention.
- the barrier is used with electrified enclosures for gated communities, manages estates or high-security premises, the provision of a barrier having monitoring, recording and alerting features enhances the utility of the barrier. Adaptations to deal with forced incursions or escapes (as appropriate to circumstances) are also within the scope of the invention.
- the barrier boom arm 1 is coupled to and driven by the drive motor via the primary pivot disc 10 which rotates a barrier arm element holder 20 adapted to receive and secure the components making up the first arm element 21. Rotation of the holder 20 is communicated through the primary pivot disc 10 which is driven either directly via the drive shaft 7 of the motor or via reduction gears.
- the drive sprocket 9 is provided coaxially with the pivot axis A of the first arm element.
- a secondary arm element 22 is pivotally coupled thereto and driven to rotate with respect to the first arm element by a transmission mechanism (as described in more detail with reference to Figures 4a to 4d) having a drive cable 25 coupled between the primary disc 10 located on the pivot axis of the first arm and a driven pulley wheel located coaxially with the pivotal axis of the second arm 22.
- the effective diameter of the driven pulley is half that of the primary pivot disc 10 located coaxially with the drive sprocket 9 and the pivot axis of the first arm element 21 .
- the drive motor has an effective rotational limit of 90° to carry the first arm element from its horizontal closed position to its vertical open position and by virtue of the 2: 1 ratio of the primary pivot disc 10 and the pulley, the 90° movement of the first arm element is translated into 180° relative movement of the second arm element.
- the second arm 22 appears only to move through 90° between its horizontal closed position extending from the end of the first arm element and its vertical open position where it aligns with the first arm element.
- the driven pulley wheel is normally circular but may be presented as an ovoid so that, where required, the speed at which the second arm 22 extends is adjustable or made independent of the speed of closure of the first arm 21.
- the barrier drive mechanism includes a spring to balance the weight of the boom in the closed position. As the barrier opening motion commences there is a high degree of self-balancing within the folding action that is not evident in fixed boom barriers.
- the drive motor is controlled by an electronic control circuit 13 under management by a control system CPU and powered by a rechargeable battery 15.
- a recharging circuit is fed from an array of solar cells 29 which, in this embodiment, is mounted on a central longitudinal bar provided between the upper and lower tubes 21 a,21 b forming the first arm element 21. Where the requirement of the recharging circuit is low, the position of the array is not critical. Arrangements for the location of the array include mounted on a pole adjacent the support post 2 and may include tracking means to follow the path of the sun. Alternative recharging sources may be considered, depending on prevailing conditions. A micro wind turbine is a viable alternative in many areas.
- Figure 1 illustrates a gate having a closed effective width W and a height H, however, the total height ⁇ of an open gate will not exceed H+1/2 W, as opposed to H + W for a fixed length boom arm.
- Figure 2 illustrates a double span arrangement where two identical single barrier arrangements 1 are provided on each side of an access passageway.
- the barrier arms 21 ,22 are shown at different intermediate positions to demonstrate that the locus defined by the distal end of the second barrier arm 22 is generally identical to the position defined by the distal ends when the barrier is closed, thereby giving an impression that the barrier arm ends open and close along a horizontal path, particularly when used in the paired arrangement of Figure 2.
- the motor controllers can be linked so as to ensure timely communication is made therebetween.
- the significant advantage of the paired closure arrangement is the speed at which the central gap appears to close without having tip speeds which are likely to cause injury or damage. Due to the lightweight construction of the barrier, any impact will be easily deflected and the drive motor control will react accordingly. From the perspective of any person (whether walking or driving) or any animal adjacent or approaching the double span arrangement, the perception of two objects approaching laterally in a pincer movement will have an immediate deterrent impression significantly greater than that of a traditional raised boom barrier where the impression caused by a downwardly approaching barrier element is much delayed or may pass unnoticed until too late.
- a transmitter TX located on a key fob or built-into the driver compartment of a vehicle is provided to activate the barrier remotely.
- a transmitter function can be incorporated into an application program (app) of a smartphone to utilise other communication paradigms.
- Alternative arrangements from the traditional pushbutton operation to audible or visual activation (such as that provided by a recognised sound waveform generated by a vehicle horn or optical input via the vehicle lights) are considered more fully below.
- FIGS 3a to 3 e are a series of simplified schematic elevations of variations of a drive mechanism for imparting rotational movement to the pivot axis A of the first arm element 21.
- each drive motor 6 is positioned so that the drive shaft axis is transversely disposed to the pivot axis A of the first arm element 21. It will be appreciated that neither the position of the motor 6 or the relative positional relationship of the axis of the motor drive shaft 7 to the pivot axis A is of any real concern, the only factor relevant being the controlled rotation of a drive pin, wheel or arm to effect the movement of the arm element holder 20 which then carries the first arm element 21 in a restricted vertical plane.
- a motor having a low revolution per minute (RPM) rating is utilised to obviate the necessity for gearing.
- RPM revolution per minute
- a low revving DC motor under electronic control produces the required speed without reduction. Effective reduction is produced by selecting the thread pitch of the threaded drive shaft 7.
- a first variant of the drive mechanism comprises a DC drive motor 6 having a screw threaded, vertically disposed drive shaft 7 adapted to engage a correspondingly threaded boss 31 to effect a linear actuator.
- the boss 31 is fixed to a lever arm 32 to rotate a pivot shaft 33 disposed coaxially with the primary pivot axis A.
- rotation of the lever arm 32 effects rotation of a primary pivot disc 10 and/or barrier arm element holder 20 (not shown), thereby moving the first arm element 21 between the closed position, illustrated in Figure 3a, and the open position, illustrated in Figure 3b.
- a gate counterweight spring 35 is secured to the lever arm 32 at one end and is fixed to an anchor point on a main support plate 36.
- the energiser 12 and motor controller 13 circuit boards, together with the motor and major actuation components are all mounted on the main support plate which acts as the primary fixing point over which weather proofing is provided before mounting within the enclosure 17.
- the drive motor housing is secured on the support plate 36 by means of a pivot pin 37 which allows an element of movement of the drive motor housing to accommodate lateral movement of the drive shaft 7 as the threaded boss rotates with respect to the pivot axis A.
- the lever arm 32 may be substituted by a pivot disc, such as the primary pivot disc 10 considered with regard to Figure 1 or as illustrated in the drive mechanism variant of Figure 3d. In either respect the efficient movement is the same, to drive the barrier arm tube holder 20 between its open and closed orientations.
- a sensor 49 coupled to the controller CPU detects movement of the drive shaft 7 which is not caused by the motor. If motion from the barrier arms moves the pin 47 within the limitations accommodated by the springs 44,45, it will be carried away from the sensor 49 which is mounted to the support plate 36. This movement may initiate a deterrent response if such a response has not already been initiated by earth detection (as will be detailed hereinafter).
- a micro-switch arrangement is provided to detect movement of the barrier arm other than that caused by the drive motor.
- the micro-switch arrangement detects vertical movement caused by an animal, person or object (such as a branch) resting on the boom arm or an animal or person pushing upwardly in an attempt to raise the barrier or pass underneath the arm.
- the switch arrangement is ideally connected to a warning means or can initiate a small (ideally rapid) up and down movement of the barrier arm to startle the interfering person or animal or to dislodge a branch or other debris resting on the arm.
- the switch arrangement will be used to initiate the deterrent delivery cycle.
- a similar or associated switch is provided to detect unwarranted horizontal movement of the barrier boom arm and can be used similarly to startle or alert any animal or individual resting on or interfering with the gate.
- the horizontal deflection detection switch is ideally disposed between the drive mechanism enclosure and the support post. Activation of the horizontal deflection switch whether by vehicle, animal or person can initiate any one the warning or deterrent means referred to herein.
- FIG 3 illustrates an alternative drive mechanism comprising a drive motor having a main shaft 7 carrying a worm gear 51 engaging a cog wheel 50 (acting in the manner of the primary pivot disc driven via the drive sprocket 9, as previously described with reference to Figure 1).
- the motor 6 is mounted on a hinge 52 so that the drive shaft 7, worm gear 51 and associated bearings 54 and compression springs 55,56 can be brought out of engagement with the cog wheel 50 when an excessive force is applied to the barrier arm 21.
- a pair of hard discs 57 are set at the same pitch angle as the threads on the worm gear so as to act as wear plates when the worm gear 51 is displaced.
- the vertical compression spring 56 acts with the hinged motor housing as an alternative to the shaft and bearing arrangement but can be used also in conjunction with the horizontal compression springs 55. The arrangement selected would shift wear to or from the driving threads on the worm gear 51.
- the worm gear is mounted on a splined or keyed drive shaft 7 secured at one end by the drive motor and by a bearing at its other end.
- the worm gear 51 can move or shuttle back and forth along the shaft against biasing force applied by the two opposed horizontal compression springs 55.
- the cog wheel 50 is attached directly to a barrier boom pinion (coaxial with the pivot axis A) so that if the cog wheel is moved through 90° then the first arm element 21 of the barrier moves from horizontal to vertical.
- the cog wheel 50 is engaged by the worm gear 51 driven by the electric motor 6.
- the cog wheel and therefore the barrier boom can be held at any position by the electric motor which is under electronic control, which may determine exactly where the boom stops and can lock the barrier in any required position within the operational range.
- the motor and drive shaft are hingedly mounted so that if excessive deflecting pressure is applied to the barrier boom, the worm gear will be disengaged from the cog wheel against the biasing force of a vertically disposed compression spring 56, so that the teeth of the cog wheel move over the corresponding teeth of the worm gear until the deflecting force is decreased or removed.
- the spring re-engages the worm gear and the cog wheel and the original position is re-established, as described above.
- the barrier can recover or be manually recovered from a catastrophic event such as an impact in one or both of two planes.
- the spring or clutch mechanism associated with the drive motor described ⁇ hereinabove allows for re-establishment of calibrated control of the barrier in the vertical plane. If the barrier is struck sufficiently hard to knock it horizontally out of the normal vertical plane, springs or torsion bar elements may be used to allow the barrier to be deflected without being damaged and move back to its original position once the deflecting force (or impediment) is removed.
- the horizontal return mechanism may be realised in a number of ways, such as those exemplified in Figures 5e and 5f below, without departing from the general disclosure of the invention. It will also be appreciated that excessive deflecting force will be a rare event and that damage to the drive mechanism caused thereby ought to be minimal.
- the cog wheel 50 is selected having a 150mm diameter, with a worm drive pitch at 1.5 mm, it would take 1 19 turns to rotate the cog through 90°. This translates to a motor drive shaft speed of 950 rpm if the motion is accomplished in 5 seconds, which is possible with a standard DC motor. DC motor speeds are easily controllable to relatively low speeds. If a cog diameter of 175mm is used with a worm drive pitch of 1 mm, a motor speed of 1666 rpm produces the desired opening speed of around 5 seconds. Using a direct drive standard motor with the two horizontal compression springs acting as a buffer facilitates holding the gate at any selected position with motor lock out. As with the other drive mechanisms, the primary advantage of this arrangement is that in a power-off or battery fail situation, the barrier maintains its position, unless pre-programmed to revert to another position.
- Figures 4a to 4d are a series of front elevations of the barrier boom folding mechanism showing the movement between the extended closed position and the folded open position.
- the transmission means ensures rotation from the first drive sprocket mounted on the pivot axis of the first arm element is carried to the driven pulley wheel located on the drive coupling 60 at the opposite end thereof.
- the transmission means is effected by a belt or cable of wire or nylon is threaded through an upper tube ideally of a plastic or insulating material over an upper idler or tensioning roller, around the driven pulley and over a lower idler or tensioning roller to return to the drive sprocket through a lower tube.
- the driven pulley is half the diameter of the drive sprocket
- the belt or cable transmits the movement and rotates the second arm element through an angle twice that of the first arm element.
- Figure 4a is a reverse angle elevation of the drive coupling 60 which comprises two matching cast components, the first 62 having a pair of barrier arm tube receivers 62a,62b spaced so as to correspond to the tube holder assembly 20 driven via the motor, and the second 63 having a further pair of barrier arm tube receivers 63a,63b to carry the upper and lower tubes (not shown in Figure 4a) of the second arm element 22 of the barrier boom.
- the components are rotatable with respect to one another and have a central pivot bearing 65 mounted coaxially with a central driven pulley wheel 67.
- Upper and lower idler wheels (also known as jockey pulleys) 68 are used to direct the drive cable 25 from within the upper 21 a and lower 21 b tubes of the first arm element 21.
- the cable 25 threaded through the upper and lower tubes 21a,21b translates that rotation to the driven pulley wheel 67 of the drive coupling 60 so that, as the first arm element 21 is elevated, the second arm begins to fold.
- the 90° angle subtended by the first arm 21 translates to 180° at the second arm, so that in the open position, the second arm aligns with the first arm.
- the alternative drive mechanism illustrated in Figures 5a to 5d essentially comprises a modification of the mechanism shown in Figures 3a and 3b but including a crash clutch arrangement adapted to correct deflections of the barrier boom in a vertical plane outside the normal operating range.
- the drive assembly includes a drive motor 6, mounted on a crash clutch plate 70 which includes a pair of pivot arms 72 connected to rollers 74 which ride along the edge of the clutch plate where scalloped regions are provided.
- the drive motor 6 turns a threaded shaft 7 which operably moves a lever arm 32 via a threaded boss 31 fixed thereto.
- Linear motion is translated through a pivot shaft 33 to convey rotational motion to the barrier arm holder assembly 20 which includes receivers for the upper and lower tubes of the first arm element 21.
- the weight of the barrier boom is balanced by the counterweight spring 35 connected to the lever arm 32.
- Upper and lower shock absorbing springs 75,76 are provided on the drive shaft 7 on either side of the threaded boss 31.
- the clutch plate engagement rollers 74 are held in biased relation to the edge of the clutch plate 70 by at least one spring 78. In the neutral position shown, one roller opposes any upward movement and the other opposes any downward movement. It is only by exceeding a predetermined force
- a spring damper assembly may also be included in the drive assembly to absorb less intense vibrational forces and to smooth out the motor drive action and the transition between the open and closed barrier positions.
- a spring steel rod 81 depends from the motor enclosure 17.
- a V-shaped rod holder 83 which will accommodate a predetermined amount of horizontal deflection of the barrier boom and return it to its central position in most scenarios.
- annular spring steel element 85 has a first upright 86 which engages the enclosure and a second inwardly facing component 87 adapted to engage a scalloped surface 89 provided on the support post 2.
- a plastics material boss 90 may be provided to isolate the motor enclosure from the earthing point associated with the post.
- Integrated circuit (IC) regulators are used to establish 5V and 3V3 logic voltage rails. Further regulation via a IC rectifier circuit is provided for the microprocessor based central processing unit (CPU).
- the CPU is built around a ATMEGA 163P/AP chip.
- an excitation circuit comprises a power transformer (EFD30) coupled to a high voltage doubler and resonance filter. This discharge voltage is accumulated in a first impulse reservoir and buck bypass circuit switched under CPU control. A second impulse reservoir is provided to accumulate a larger shock voltage which is released via a second impulse discharge switch.
- EFD30 power transformer
- Each tube of the first and second arm elements include electrically conductive components adapted to carry a pulse voltage whereby any animal or person who persistently interferes with the barrier will initiate a warning and/or deterrent means which may include receiving a disincentivising shock.
- the tubes may be provided with strips of conducting material or the tubes themselves may be formed of a conducting carbon fibre composite, aluminium, steel or other suitable conducting material. Additional conducting elements may be suspended from the lower tubes of the first and second arm elements to form a protective curtain to prevent ingress and egress of smaller animals, children or persistent adults ducking under the barrier arms.
- the conducting elements and, where applicable, the tubes themselves are electrically isolated from the drive mechanism, housing and support post.
- the excitation circuit is disconnected from the conductors when the barrier boom is elevated from the closed position. The .
- a warning and/or deterrent whether by sound (such as high intensity or low-frequency sound energy), visual output (including ultra-bright or strobed pulses) or by generation of a shock voltage will be at the choice of the skilled addressee, however, the means by which power dissipation is minimised during the operational cycle is distinguished. It is known that using typical energising circuits (such as those used on livestock electric fences), electrical energy supplied to the conducting parts dissipates over time, resulting in a constant demand to keep the shock voltage accumulators sufficiently elevated to provide a pre-set level shock when discharge is required.
- FIG. 6d is a series of waveform responses where dissipation of a monitoring voltage firstly follows a normal characteristic for which no response is required. The second and third waveforms each initiate a response according to CPU analysis of the waveform.
- the triggered response will often depend on the application to which the barrier is put. Where the barrier is located near a road or other location with easy human access or where crowd control is the primary aim of the barrier, an audible alarm might be sounded or a pre-recorded warning broadcast. Continued interference may activate a discharge voltage to the barrier tubes, commencing with a relatively low-level "kick" but building up to higher levels with further interference. Video monitoring may also be initiated at this stage. Audible and visual warnings and deterrents are also appropriate for vehicle access control as is the recordal of vehicle licence plates which may be processed using an optical character recognition algorithm.
- the response pulse may be between 500V and 3000V and may consist of a combination of pulses of increasing intensity but will be a limited in total number.
- the unit will revert back to the detection mode and pulse voltage.
- the accumulators of the first and second high voltage reservoirs are charged (or topped-up) so that when discharge of the shock voltages are enabled, a shock voltage of between 500V and 1500V is used.
- a first series of one or two 1000V pulses will course through the animal or subject individual. This can be followed by further shock voltages selected either from a second shock response range or by up to five additional pulses at 1 second intervals.
- the second shock response range of between 1000V and 3000V is used.
- the detection mode is then restored and the cycle repeated if interference continues. After a number of cycles, a fault condition may be established and, depending on the functions available, an audible alarm (to frighten a curious animal or to alert an individual of the risk of shock) and/or a video relay may be indicated.
- the functions and response are normally preprogrammed into the controller CPU which determines actions based on sensor input and feedback or according to an algorithm that uses information collected from the energiser circuit.
- a conductor located along the underside of the lower tube may be specifically utilised or monitored for interference characteristics of an animal using the back of its neck to raise the barrier. In such circumstances, a shock in the order of 6000V can be delivered if interference persists, as in many instances lower voltages will not have the required deterrent effect. This higher voltage may also be used when the detection circuit is superseded by a vertical deflection actuator switch, as referenced above.
- the detection pulse may comprise multiple short pulses, for example, five over a l OOmS period.
- the response pulse may escalate at a different rate and to a different level.
- the detection circuit measures the rate of deterioration of a predetermined number of detection pulses and uses this information as the basis for any calculation to determine interference, whether continuously, at fixed intervals or on a pre-programmed schedule of detection pulses. This enables the detection circuit to calibrate the trigger point for rate deterioration that initiates a response cycle allowing it to adapt the changes in external conditions which may affect the manner in which the discharge of shock level voltages is interpreted.
- Figure 7 is a series of diagrammatic representations of a user interface touch- sensitive screen which may also be used as a programmable interface for the primary control circuits, for setting barrier speed, timing intervals, energising circuit response type or intensity level and pulse timing amongst others.
- a system trade mark, company logo or selected screen saver is displayed in the first screen.
- a numeric keypad is presented to the user either to enter a personal identification number for security purposes or selects a number corresponding to the barrier through which access is required.
- buttons are used for accessing a programming menu (not shown) and can be pressed simultaneously to pair a controller with a barrier drive circuit. Once pairing is established the coloured buttons merge to indicate the programming mode where programming is conducted via the numerical keypad only. Holding the pair icon reverts the screen to the normal keypad arrangement.
- the current position of the normally closed barrier is displayed together with three status icons which will be expanded on in more detail below.
- the user presses the pictogram of the gate.
- the pictogram changes to a representation of an elevated and folded barrier together with a HOLD button which may be programmed to ensure the barrier remains open until the HOLD button is pressed to release the barrier (at which time it may change colour or flash) or have a pre-programmed period after which the gate automatically closes unless the button is touched/pressed. Flashing of the button may indicate a change or transition in barrier position or as a warning of the elapsing of the pre-programmed delay period.
- the HOLD button may be utilised as an electronic lock.
- the first sub-screen illustrates the status of battery pack charging and current capacity.
- the output of the array is given, either instantaneously or as an overall indication of system demand against charging capacity. This indication is of particular relevance during continuous low-light conditions (including winter) or where a micro wind turbine is used as the recharging source, the average wind speed as an overall indication of its appropriateness as a recharging source given prevailing conditions.
- a record of temperature is kept and may be displayed as current, average, highest and lowest recorded.
- a MAIN MAIN
- the barrier boom arms include conductors connected to a detection circuit and/or an energising circuit which can be utilised to record the incidence and nature of any interference of the barrier boom.
- An interference count in itself may be useful, however, interference when correlated to time builds a more accurate interpretation of the nature of the interference.
- the detection circuit may also be integrated with a surveillance system having a video recording capability. Additionally, a "last time of interference" indicator should be distinguished from the last time of legitimate access entry or exit.
- the right hand icon on the main screen indicates the status of the detection circuit and energising circuit (or alarm/monitoring circuit) and opens the third sub-screen. Three status conditions are available, the first indicating that both circuits are on, the second indicating that the detection circuit is enabled but that the energising circuit (or alarm/monitoring circuit) is disabled and finally, the third icon indicates that the detection circuit is enabled but that the energising circuit (or alarm/monitoring circuit) is disabled.
- a barrier system which comprises a battery pack having a nominal voltage selected within the range 6 to 24V.
- a 12V battery pack supplemented by a solar panel, is used to drive a barrier boom motor via a controller mounted on a main PCB.
- Additional hardware includes an energiser circuit, an interference detector and a proximity detector.
- a remote control actuator is optionally provided as an alternative to push-button activation and may be presented as a keypad, conveniently with a touch sensitive screen.
- a low power RF signal may be used as an alternative to an ultrasonic, Bluetooth or IR input.
- Basic controller response indicates that the barrier arm should be raised but power demand detection may indicate an obstruction. Where an incremental increase in motor current does not generate a peak in the demand detection circuit, the arm is raised. Where further obstruction is detected, an alarm state is generated.
- a "state of system" display may be provided on the barrier and implemented as simply as a tri-coloured LED or by a simple LED array.
- the pressure sensor and interference sensor circuit may be coupled to provide log or status information. Where the interference sensor circuit is disabled, the presence sensor detects whether a vehicle is within the access passageway and disables the "barrier down" instruction and/or generates an alarm signal.
- each barrier is capable of communicating status information to a paired barrier. This means that barriers may act together or in timed relationship to effect better and more flexible access control. Positioning of paired gates may thus be synchronised.
- a recharging circuit connected to the battery pack monitors the solar panel (or wind turbine) voltage output to ensure there is no overcharging of the battery pack.
- the operator may prescribe whether the calculation of average power consumption against power replenishment is conducted over 1 hour or 1 week to obtain a positive or negative indication of capacity.
- Additional functionality includes monitoring hours (and intensity) of daylight above a threshold level. This may be coupled to an ambient temperature sensor to display easily obtainable weather data and to create a log for optimising the recharging source, for example, by increasing the size of the solar panel, repositioning it or installing tracking means. Where a wind turbine is used, its elevation or output rating may have to be reassessed if recharging output is insufficient, too irregular or cannot meet peak demand.
- the barrier energiser circuit which is installed to be independent from adjacent electrified fences, for example, has a controlled and regulated output based on the nature and duration of any sensed interference. Standard shock voltages may be available, however, power consumption (and « therefore battery pack and recharging source capacity) may be reduced significantly by intelligent control, as described in detail hereinabove.
- the gate is a part of an existing electric fence system then it may make use of that system instead of its own. This may be expedient where the animals are very used to electric fences or where the gate is substituting for a standard electric fence gate.
- barrier activation may be initiated in any number of ways depending on system requirements or on the requirements of the owner/operator. Where access to an enclosure needs to be secure but easily accessible to authorised personnel or vehicles, remote activation is ideally initiated by proximity of the person or a vehicle carrying an RF transmitter. Authentication may be made via a backup signal which may be ultrasonic or infrared based. As indicated above, a touch screen keypad is optionally provided so that a PIN (Personal Identification Number) may be used. Additionally, where a computer network card (TCP/IP), mobile telephony or Wi-Fi Internet connectivity is provided, control of the barrier and access to its security and monitoring functions can be enabled from anywhere with similar wireless or internet connections.
- TCP/IP computer network card
- Wi-Fi Internet connectivity control of the barrier and access to its security and monitoring functions can be enabled from anywhere with similar wireless or internet connections.
- the barrier or each barrier may be activated by generating a signal from a vehicle.
- a vehicle horn By utilising a vehicle horn, a recognisable and distinguishable waveform can be detected and barrier activation initiated.
- a vehicle horn When produced by an adjacent, static vehicle, a vehicle horn will produce a substantially square wave signal.
- a logic circuit will determine the profile of the waveform (possibly by comparing the leading and trailing edge slopes of the waveform) and, where consistent with predetermined parameters, will open the barrier.
- Signal comparisons can be used to measure length, amplitude and any variation in frequency (notably to distinguish from passing traffic) to determine qualifying signals.
- a similar adaptation may be devised for utilising optical signalling from vehicle lights.
- the barrier of the invention addresses many of the short-comings of existing barrier systems and provided a single solution that is adaptable to many common or situation specific requirements. It will also be appreciated that by its nature the barrier may be independent of any other installed system, is self-powered and can easily be integrated into any monitoring system or establish one of its own. As the barrier, power supply and controller is totally self-contained, it is easily transportable form one site to another.
- a movable support and support anchor may be provided, so that the barrier may be provided as ready solution or as an interim replacement for a failed or damaged installation.
- the power requirements of the barrier are minimised.
- the current draw can be reduced to less than 5mA (the fencer unit is 0.25mA possibly but the radio unit and solar control unit take this up somewhat).
- the battery pack can be reduced to a single, low value, 7 Ah or less, 12V sealed unit.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1305706.2A GB2519497A (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2013-03-28 | Foldable barrier and electrical control system |
GB1305703.9A GB2519496A (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2013-03-28 | A livestock barrier and control system therefor |
PCT/GB2014/000127 WO2014155049A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2014-03-31 | A fold able access control barrier and control thereof |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2978901A1 true EP2978901A1 (en) | 2016-02-03 |
Family
ID=50624851
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14720197.4A Withdrawn EP2978901A1 (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2014-03-31 | A fold able access control barrier and control thereof |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2978901A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2519618A (en) |
WO (2) | WO2014155049A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2018011818A1 (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2018-01-18 | Umrawala Mukeshchandra Gamanlal | Multi-purpose roadway divider curtain with mounting assembly |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105648939A (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2016-06-08 | 江苏华海钢结构有限公司 | Adjustable road vehicle height limiting frame |
CN106070181A (en) * | 2016-06-06 | 2016-11-09 | 郑胜 | A kind of efficent electronic pulse scarer |
CN108103997B (en) * | 2018-01-07 | 2020-09-01 | 董礼卓 | Device for preventing car following from running into pole |
US12005945B2 (en) * | 2018-04-12 | 2024-06-11 | Siemens Mobility, Inc. | Highway grade crossing gate system including a gate mechanism to rotate a gate arm with human machine interface and voltage reduction circuit |
CN110073996A (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2019-08-02 | 皖西学院 | A kind of pasture equipment with wireless telecommunication system |
CN110113454B (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2023-10-27 | 海信电子科技(深圳)有限公司 | Intelligent device with comprehensive screen |
US11631329B2 (en) | 2020-07-08 | 2023-04-18 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd | Venue location identification for vehicular access control |
CN112672574B (en) * | 2020-12-31 | 2022-02-18 | 宁波市令通电信设备有限公司 | Intelligent protection type outdoor network assembling cabinet |
CN112950821A (en) * | 2021-01-27 | 2021-06-11 | 上海工程技术大学 | Vehicle entrance guard's device is used in garden |
CN113323561A (en) * | 2021-05-17 | 2021-08-31 | 唐波 | Entrance guard's safety inspection door |
CA3221542A1 (en) * | 2021-07-15 | 2023-01-19 | Nathan Foote | An electric strand gate |
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US345239A (en) * | 1886-07-06 | John a | ||
DE3719912A1 (en) * | 1987-06-15 | 1988-12-29 | Malkmus Doernemann Carola | Barrier having a barrier beam which can be angled over its length |
GB2206906A (en) * | 1987-07-15 | 1989-01-18 | Christopher John Marson | Electrified curtain livestock control gate |
SE522879C2 (en) * | 1998-08-07 | 2004-03-16 | Fogim Hb | Device for an electric fence |
US6147609A (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2000-11-14 | Spies; Bill | Unobstructed fence security system |
CA2269339A1 (en) * | 1999-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | Robert Laurel Sterling | Animal control apparatus |
JP2003055922A (en) * | 2001-08-10 | 2003-02-26 | Takano Co Ltd | Arm type gate |
JP3868291B2 (en) * | 2001-12-26 | 2007-01-17 | リョービ株式会社 | Folding gate bar for switchgear |
GB2404413B (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2007-05-30 | Tamar Designs Ltd | Barrier |
EP1886553A3 (en) * | 2006-08-07 | 2008-12-03 | Nicholas Palmes Bray | Electrified gate |
US7681534B1 (en) * | 2007-02-12 | 2010-03-23 | Niewohner Steven L | Vehicle mounted gate |
NL1034307C1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-03 | Tech Bedrijfsbureau Groningen | Barrier device for swinging gate, has barrier attached around swinging gate, and steering body for moving barrier in predetermined manner, where barrier device is coupled with protective covers |
DE202008018145U1 (en) * | 2008-03-28 | 2011-12-22 | Skidata Ag | Cabinets |
US8661740B2 (en) * | 2010-11-24 | 2014-03-04 | Yo Yuh Inst. Co., Ltd. | Foldable safety handrail assembly |
GB2503201A (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2013-12-25 | Simpson Electronics Ltd | Electric fence having low power detection mode |
-
2014
- 2014-03-31 WO PCT/GB2014/000127 patent/WO2014155049A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-03-31 EP EP14720197.4A patent/EP2978901A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-03-31 GB GB1405726.9A patent/GB2519618A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-03-31 WO PCT/GB2014/000126 patent/WO2014155048A1/en active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
None * |
See also references of WO2014155049A1 * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2018011818A1 (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2018-01-18 | Umrawala Mukeshchandra Gamanlal | Multi-purpose roadway divider curtain with mounting assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2519618A (en) | 2015-04-29 |
GB201405726D0 (en) | 2014-05-14 |
WO2014155048A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
WO2014155049A1 (en) | 2014-10-02 |
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