GB2259318A

GB2259318A - Vehicle access restriction device

Info

Publication number: GB2259318A
Application number: GB9218721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Charles Joseph Greest
Original assignee: GREEST PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: GREEST PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1991-09-06
Filing date: 1992-09-04
Publication date: 1993-03-10
Also published as: GB9119082D0; GB9218721D0

Abstract

A vehicle access restriction device has a base 10 to which a moveable member 18 is pivoted at 19. Movement of the member 18 is restricted by means 20 including a plate 22 pivoted by brackets 30 to member 18 and having a rod 32 engageable with inclined abutments 14a, 16a and with a rib 38 secured to the base 10. The member 18 can be locked in the illustrated raised position by means of a padlock which engages in a slot 40 in rib 38. <IMAGE>

Description

Vehicle Access Restriction Device This invention relates to devices used to restrict vehicle access and more particularly to devices for restricting unauthorised access to parking spaces.

A number of devices are known for restricting the use of parking spaces. Some devices include posts which are positioned in holes in the ground, the posts being removed, retracted into the ground or folded to allow a vehicle to pass. Other devices use ramps which can be lowered into the ground to allow a vehicle to pass.

However, these devices tend to be expensive, and easily damaged if a vehicle is driven into the device when the device is in use preventing unauthorised use of a parking space.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle access restriction device comprising a base, a moveable member pivotally mounted on the base and moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and means for restricting movement of the moveable member, the means for restricting movement of the moveable member comprising a first portion which is pivotally mounted on one of the moveable member and the base, and a second portion which is arranged such that when the moveable member is in its raised position, movement of the moveable member beyond its raised position is restricted by mutual engagement of said first and second portions.

Preferably, said first portion of the means for restricting movement of the moveable member is pivotally mounted on the moveable member and arranged such that, when the moveable member is in its raised position, said first portion of the member engages an abutment or respective abutments provided on the base, said abutment(s) forming said second portion.

Preferably, said first portion comprises a plate and a rod attached to the plate such that when the moveable member is in its raised position, at least one end of the rod engages the abutment(s).

Preferably, the length of the rod is such that the ends of the rod extend beyond the edges of the plate.

Preferably, the base also includes a rib arranged such that when the moveable member is in its raised position, the means for restricting movement of the moveable member abuts the rib thus restricting movement of the moveable member towards its lowered position.

Preferably, the vehicle access restriction device also includes means for locking the moveable member in its raised position.

The invention will further be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a vehicle access restriction device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The device illustrated is for use in deterring vehicle drivers from parking their vehicles in a particular area, for example, a parking space. Similar devices could be used to restrict vehicle access to drives or other routes.

The device comprises a galvanised and/or painted steel base plate 10 for attachment to the ground at the entrance to the parking space. The base plate 10 may be attached to the ground by bolts passing through apertures 12 (only two illustrated) formed in the base plate 10.

Alternatively, the device may be installed when the parking space is being constructed, for example, by providing the base with extensions (not shown) to be buried in the material forming the foundations of the parking space when the foundations are being laid.

The base plate 10 is generally rectangular and includes upstanding portions 14, 16 welded on its long sides. A moveable member 18 is pivotally mounted at 19 to the upstanding portions 14, 16 such that the moveable member 18 can move between a lowered position in which the moveable member 18 lies approximately parallel to the base plate 10 and covers the latter, and a raised position (as illustrated) in which the moveable member 18 forms an angle of about 70 to 800 with the base plate 10.

The moveable member 18 is generally channel shaped and has dimensions of the order of 20cm wide by 38cm long and has a brightly coloured rounded plastics moulding 18a along its pivot remote end to act as a highly visible warning. If a vehicle approaches the device at night, or when visibility is poor, light from the vehicles headlights will be reflected by the moulding 18a thus warning the driver of the vehicle of the position of the device. The driver will then be deterred from parking his vehicle in the parking space.

The device is arranged such that, when in position restricting the use of a parking space, the pivotal connection 19 between the base plate 10 and the moveable member 18 is at the end of the base plate 10 facing towards the parking space.

A movement restriction means 20 has a first portion comprising a rectangular galvanised steel plate 22 along one edge of which is welded a first steel rod 24. The first rod 24 is longer than the plate 22 is wide and so the ends 26, 28 of the first rod 24 overhang the edges of the plate 22. The overhanging ends 26, 28 of the first rod 24 are positioned within U shaped brackets 30 which are welded to the moveable member 18 thus providing a pivotal connection between the moveable member 18 and the movement restriction means 20. A second steel rod 32 (also forming part of the first portion of the movement restriction means 20) is welded to the edge of the steel plate 22 opposite the first rod 24. The second rod 32 is also longer than the plate 22 is wide and includes overhanging ends 34, 36.When the moveable member 18 is in its raised position, the overhanging ends 34, 36 of the second rod 32 engages respective abutments 14a, 16a defined by angled end surfaces of the respective upstanding portions 14, 16. The abutments 14a, 16a constitute a so-called second portion of the movement restriction means 20. These ends surfaces 14a, 16a of the upstanding portions 14, 16 subtend an acute angle with the base such that, if pressure is put on the moveable member 18 to increase the angle between the moveable member 18 and the base plate 10, the ends 34, 36 of the second rod 32 remain in engagement with the end surfaces 14a, 16a of the upstanding portions 14, 16 and restrict movement of the moveable member 18 in the direction in which the angle between the base plate 10 and the moveable member 18 is increased.

In order to restrict movement of the moveable member 18 from its raised position to its lowered position, the base plate 10 is provided with a rib 38. When the moveable member 18 is in its raised position, the second rod 32 of the movement restriction means 20 lies between the end surface 14a, 16a of the upstanding portions 14, 16 of the base plate 10 and the rib 38. Undesirable movement of the moveable member 18 in either direction is thus prevented.

The rib 38 is generally double wedge shaped so that movement of the moveable member 18 from its lowered position to its raised position is not hindered. A slot 40 is provided the rib 38 adjacent one longitudinal edge of the latter. The shackle of a suitable padlock (not shown) can be secured in the slot 40. The slot 40 is positioned such that the presence of the padlock acts to prevent the rod 32 from being disengaged fron the abutments 14a, 16a thereby locking the moveable member in its raised position.

In use, when it is desired to deter vehicle drivers from parking their vehicles in the parking space, the moveable member 18 is moved to its raised position. The second rod 32 slides over the rib 38 and falls into the gap between the rib 38 and the ends of the upstanding portions 14, 16 of the base plate 10. Movement of the moveable member 18 is then restricted in both directions.

The length of the moveable member 18 is such as to prevent most vehicles from being driven over the device without damaging the vehicle. The total height of the device when in the raised position is about 40cm. If a vehicle is driven into the device, the device is arranged such that movement of the vehicle will cause the moveable member 18 to rise up by a small amount. The movement restriction member 20 will be in tension and will not tend to bend. The device is therefore capable of withstanding severe forces without damage to itself, but can inflict a substantial amount of damage to the vehicle.

To lower the moveable member 18, and allow a vehicle to be parked in the space, the movement restriction member 20 is lifted over the rib 38 (after removal of the padlock if used), and the moveable member 18 moved to its lowered position.

Claims

1. A vehicle access restriction device comprising a base, a moveable member pivotally mounted on the base and moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and means for restricting movement of the moveable member, the means for restricting movement of the moveable member comprising a first portion which is pivotally mounted on one of the moveable member and the base, and a second portion which is arranged such that, when the moveable member is in its raised position, movement of the moveable member beyond its raised position is restricted by engagement of the second portions of the element with the other one of the moveable member and the base.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the means for restricting movement of the moveable member is pivotally mounted on the moveable member and arranged such that, when the moveable member is in its raised position, said first portion engages an abutment or a respective abutment provided on the base, said abutment(s) forming said second portion.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first portion comprises a plate and a rod attached to the plate such that when the moveable member is in its raised position at least one end of the rod engages the abutment(s).

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the rod is such that the ends of the rod extend beyond the edges of the plate.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base also includes a rib arranged such that, when the moveable member is in its raised position, the means for restricting movement of the moveable member abuts the rib thus restricting movement of the moveable member towards its lowered position.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further including means for locking the moveable member in its raised position.

7. A vehicle access restriction device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.