NZ579097A

NZ579097A - barrier enclosure with movable barrier arm

Info

Publication number: NZ579097A
Application number: NZ57909709A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Colin Smith
Original assignee: Colin Smith
Priority date: 2009-08-18
Filing date: 2009-08-18
Publication date: 2009-10-30

Abstract

A barrier for selectively preventing vehicular access to unauthorised areas, the barrier includes i) a substantially horizontally extending elongate housing situated on at least one vertical extending support means 15 such that the elongate housing is in a raised position a distance above the surface to which the support means 15 is situated, ii) at least one elongate beam 12 having at least one roller 18 attached to the elongate beam 12 so as to support and allow the elongate beam 12 to slide relative to the elongate housing, wherein the elongate beam 12 is movable between a closed position and an open position such that when the elongate beam 12 is in the open position the elongate beam 12 is fully housed within the elongate housing and when the elongate beam 12 is in the closed position the beam 12 extends longitudinally outwardly from the elongate housing, and iii) a drive means 26 for moving the elongate beam 12 between the closed and open positions.

Description

Patents Form # 5 579097 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE: Barrier I, SMITH, Colin Address: 115 Nelson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, 5012 Nationality:New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: FEE CODE - 1050 579097 Barrier The invention relates to a barrier, typically a slidable barrier, for selectively preventing or restricting vehicular access to unauthorised areas.

Background of Invention In order to prevent or restrict vehicular access to unauthorised areas, such as park grounds, depots reserves either gates, chains, barrier arms or the like are currently used. However the problems with these types of barriers are that they are prone to mechanical breakdown, vandalism or both. Also they require someone to go and arrange access to the areas when 10 required and then to close off access when access is not required, e.g. in respect of parks -opening them up for access during the day and then closing them at night.

Barrier arms are commonly used at railway crossings and at car parks. The barrier arm raises and pivots upwardly in order to allow vehicles to pass and whilst these are effective at 15 controlling vehicular flow and access, the barrier arms are generally lightweight and easily damaged either unintentionally or intentionally.

Sliding gates as opposed to pivoting gates are also known, where the gate slides on a track or tracks or cantilevered between a closed position and an open position. Whilst these sought 20 of gates can be effective, they are generally cumbersome and can easily be damaged or come off the tracks.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a barrier, typically a slidable barrier, for selectively 25 preventing or restricting vehicular access to unauthorised areas that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention In a first aspect the invention resides a barrier, typically a slidable barrier, for selectively preventing or restricting vehicular access to unauthorised areas, the barrier includes: 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 i) a substantially horizontally extending elongate housing having and situated on at least one vertical extending support means such that the elongate housing is raised a distance above the surface to which the support means is situated; ii) at least one elongate beam adapted to fit within and slide with respect to the elongate housing, wherein the elongate beam is movable between a closed position and an open position such that when the elongate beam is in the open position the elongate beam is fully housed within the elongate housing and when the elongate beam is in the closed position the beam extends longitudinally outwardly from the elongate housing; and iii) a drive means for moving the elongate beam between the closed and open positions.

Preferably, the elongate housing and the elongate beam are hollow.

Preferably, the elongate housing is tubular having an opening at one distal end thereof from which the elongate beam is able to move in and out of the elongate housing.

Preferably, the elongate housing has and is supported by two vertical extending support means, wherein the two support means are spaced apart from one another and one of the support means is situated adjacent the distal end with the opening.

Preferably, the elongate housing is a tubular outer beam and the elongate beam is a tubular inner beam.

Preferably, the outer and inner beams are rectangular in cross-section, wherein the inner beam is sized and dimensioned to a leeser extent than the outer beam such that the inner beam is adapted to fit and slide within the outer beam.

Preferably, the inner beam is a cantilevered beam.

Preferably, the inner beam includes at least one roller mounted to the inner beam such that the roller is adapted to allow the inner be to slide within the outer beam. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 Preferably, the inner beam has a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of the inner beam when in a closed position is situated out side of and spaced longitudinally from the outer beam and such that the rear end of the inner beam is always situated within the outer 5 beam irrespective of the position the inner beam relative to the outer beam.

Preferably, the roller is mounted to the rear end of the inner beam.

Preferably, there are two rollers mounted to or adajcent the rear of the inner.

Preferably, the two rollers consist of a lower roller adapted to roll along the inner bottom surface of the outer beam and an upper roller adapted to roll along the inner upper surface of the outer beam.

Preferably, the rollers are attached to and spaced a distance from the rear of the inner beam.

Preferably, the rollers are attached adjacent the rear of the inner beam wherein the rollers extend through a respective slot in the inner beam such that each roller is able to contact with the respective inner surface of the outer beam.

Preferably, the inner beam includes a drive engaging means adapted to engage with the drive means such that inner beam is able to slidingly move between the open and closed positions.

Preferably, the drive engaging means is positioned on the bottom surface of the inner beam.

Preferably, the drive engaging means is a drive rack adapted to co-operate with a drive cog of the drive means.

Preferably, the outer beam has positioned therein guide rollers, wherein the guide rollers are 30 adapted to maintain, align and guide the inner beam within the outer beam as the inner beam slides in and out thereof. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 Preferably, the barrier includes a stabilising roller adapted to stabilise the inner beam as it moves in and out of the outer beam.

Preferably, the stabilising roller is positioned within and adjacent the opening of the outer 5 beam.

Preferably, the stabilising roller is positioned such that the lower surface of the inner slides over the roller as the inner beam moves in and out of the outer beam.

Preferably, the drive means includes a housing in which the drive cog is mounted and a motor, wherein the a motor adapted to drive the drive cog which in turns via the drive rack imparts linear motion to the inner beam to move the inner beam between the open and closed positions.

Preferably, the motor is connected to the drive cog by a chain drive.

Preferably, the motor is either electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or internal combustion motor.

Preferably, the motor is able to be remotely operated.

Preferably, the motor includes a micro-processor such that the motor can be controlled remotely via wireless or by communication cable.

Preferably, the micro-processor allows for the barrier be opened and closed by electronic swipe card, key pad, cellular devices, and/or time lock devices.

Preferably, the stabilising roller includes a channel configured and adapted to allow drive rack to pass over the roller without contacting the stabilising roller.

Preferably, the outer beam has in its under surface a slot configured and dimensioned to allow a portion of the drive cog to extend there through in order impart drive to the drive rack. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 Preferably, the outer and inner beam are made from rigid material such as steel in order to be able to withstand the impact of a vehicle and still be operable.

Preferably, the barrier includes a further guide roller positioned and mounted on and extending through the outer beam such that the further guide roller contacts with a surface of the inner beam in order to assist in maintaining the inner in the correct alignment within the outer beam.

Preferably, the outer roller includes travel limit controls means such that the travel limit control means is adapted to limit the distance the beam extends outwardly from the outer beam.

Preferably, the barrier includes a support post that is spaced a distance from the distal end 15 with the opening that substantial equals the distance to which the inner beam extends from the outer beam when the barrier is in the closed position such that the support post is adapted to securely hold and retain the inner beam whilst in the closed position.

Preferably, the barrier includes safety means adapted to prevent injury from the moving parts 20 of the barrier.

Preferably, the safety means includes pressure sensors or photoelectric sensors that when activated cause the inner beam to either stop extending or retract back into the outer beam.

Preferably, the safety means includes sound alarms and/or flashing lights that are activated when ever the inner beam is moving in and out of the outer beam.

Preferably, there are at least two inner beams, a first inner beam and a second inner beam, the second inner beam is adapted to fit and slide within the first inner beam such that the 30 second inner beam when in a closed position extends longitudinally outward from the first inner beam.

In other aspects herein described. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 Brief Description The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a barrier in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cut-away side view of the barrier shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cut-away front cut away view of the barrier shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the barrier shown in figure 1.

Description of Drawings The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a barrier, typically a slidable barrier, for selectively preventing vehicular access to unauthorised areas. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations 20 and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figures show a barrier 10 for selectively preventing vehicular access to unauthorised areas such as park grounds, fire breaks, car parks, reserves, properties and the like. The 25 barrier 10 has a horizontally extending outer beam 11 situated on vertical extending supports 13 and 14 which position the barrier above the ground or roadway to the area to be bloacked by the barrier. An extendable inner beam 12 fits within and slides with respect to the outer beam 11. The inner beam 12 slides relative to the outer beam 11 to and fro from a closed position and an open position. When the inner beam 12 is an open position the elongate 30 beam is fully housed within the outer beam 11 and when the inner beam 12 is in the closed position (fig 1) the beam extends longitudinally outwardly from the outer beam 11. A drive unit 15 is attached to the outer beam 11 for moving the inner beam 12 between the closed and open positions. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 The inner and outer beams are hollow, tubular and are rectangular shape in cross-section. The two beams extend in the same longitudinal plane and the inner beam 12 is in co-axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the outer beam 11. The inner beam 12 is a 5 cantilevered beam. Both the two beams are made from steel and are able to handle substabtial impact from a vehicle without effecting the operation of the barrier. Other suitable known rigid robust materials can be used.

The outer beam 12 has an opening 11' at a distal end thereof from which the inner beam 12 10 is able to move in and out of the outer beam 11. The inner beam 12 has a front end 12' and a rear end 12" such that the front end 12' of the inner beam when in a closed position is situated out side of and spaced longitudinally from the outer beam 11 and such that the rear end 12" of the inner beam is always situated within the outer beam irrespective of the position the inner beam relative to the outer beam.

The inner beam 12 has attached thereto two rollers 16, 18 rotatably mounted on respective axles 17, 19 spaced from the rear 12" of the inner beam. The lower roller 18 rolls along the inner bottom surface of the outer beam 11 and the upper roller 16 rolls along the inner upper surface of the outer beam 11.

It is envisaged that the rollers 16, 18 could be a part of the the inner beam 12 where the rollers within and adjacent the rear of the inner beam. Each roller extends through a respective slot in the inner beam such that each roller is able to contact with the respective inner surface of the outer beam.

The inner beam 12 includes a drive rack 29 that engages with a drive cog 26 rotatably mounted on a axle attached to the drive unit 15 so that inner beam 11 is able to slidingly move between the open and closed positions.

The outer beam 11 has guide rollers positioned therein, where the guide rollers 20 that maintain, align and guide the inner beam 12 within the outer beam 11 as the inner beam 12 slides in and out thereof. In a preferred form the barrier includes guide rollers 20 adjacent the stabilising roller 32. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 The barrier 10 includes a stabilising roller 32 on an axle 31 rotatably mounted to either the outer beam or the vertical support 14 so as to stablise stabilise the inner beam 12 as it moves in and out of the outer beam 11. The stabilising roller is positioned adj acent the opening 11' 5 of the outer beam 11 so that the lower surface of the inner beam 12 slides over the roller 32. The stabilising roller 32 includes a channel 33 configured and adapted to allow drive rack 29 to pass over without contacting the stabilising roller 32.

The drive unit 15 houses the drive cog 26 and a motor 35 that drives the drive cog 26 which 10 in turns via the drive rack 29 imparts linear motion to the inner beam 12 to move the inner beam 12 between the open and closed positions. The outer beam 11 has in its under surface a slot configured and dimensioned to allow a portion of the drive cog 26 to extend there through in order impart drive to the drive rack 29. The motor is connected to the drive cog 26 by a chain drive 28. The motor is either electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or 15 internal combustion engine. The motor is able to remotely operated and can be controlled by a micro-processor unit such that the motor can be programmed and controlled to set parameters such as time, date, speed, impact, resistance, etc. The microprocessor unit is able to be controlled remotely via wireless or by cable transmission. The micro-processor unit can have card reader to allows\ for the barrier be opened and closed by electronic swipe 20 card, key pad, cellular devices, and/or time lock devices.

The barrier includes a top guide roller 23 on a shaft 24 positioned and mounted on top of and extending through the outer beam 11 such that the top guide roller 23 contacts with the upper surface of the inner beam 12 in order to assist in maintaining the inner beam in the correct 25 alignment within the outer beam. The barrier has on the outer beam includes travel limit controller 21, 22 to limit and control the distance the inner beam 12 extends outwardly from the outer beam 11.

The barrier 10 can include a support post 9 (fig 1) that is spaced a distance from the distal 30 end with the opening that substantial equals the distance to which the inner beam 12 extends from the outer beam 11 when the barrier 10 is in the closed position such that the support post is adapted to securely hold and retain the inner beam whilst in the closed position. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 The barrier can include safety features to prevent injury from the moving parts of the barrier such as pressure sensors or photoelectric sensors that when activated cause the inner beam to either stop extending or retract back into the outer beam. Other safety features can include sound alarms and/or flashing lights that are activated when ever the inner beam is moving in 5 and out of the outer beam.

It is envisaged that the barrier could two or more inner beams for example with two inner beams there is an outer inner beam and an internal inner beam where the internal inner beam fits and slides within the outer inner beam such that the internal inner beam when in a closed 10 position extends longitudinally outward from the outer inner beam.

Advantages a) Barrier arm able to fully enclosed within the barrier housing when not in use. b) Barrier housing (outer beam) can act as further permanent barrier adjacent the area 15 where the barrier arm (inner beam) extends. c) Rigid and robust d) Easy to assembly e) Vandal resistant f) Fully assembled and programmed in the factory and transported to the site. 20 g) Safety features prevent people being jammed by the extending beam.

Variations Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, 25 components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit 30 of this invention as is herein described in the appended claims. 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 ^ece'vec' a* 'PONZ on 8 September 2009 -11 - What I claim is:

Claims

Claim 1: A barrier for selectively preventing vehicular access to unauthorised areas, the barrier includes: i) a substantially horizontally extending elongate housing situated on at least 5 one vertical extending support means such that the elongate housing is in a raised position a distance above the surface to which the support means is situated; ii) at Least one elongate beam having at least one roller attached to the elongate beam so as to support and allow the elongate beam to slide relative to the 10 elongate housing, wherein the elongate beam is movable between a closed position and an open position such that when the elongate beam is in the open position the elongate beam is fully housed within the elongate housing and when the elongate beam is in the closed position the beam extends longitudinally outwardly from the elongate housing; and 15 iii) a drive means for moving the elongate beam between the closed and open positions.
Claim 2: The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate housing and the elongate beam are hollow. 20
Claim 3: The barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongate housing is tubular having an opening at one distal end thereof from which the elongate beam is able to move in and out of the elongate housing. 25
Claim 4: The barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elongate housing is supported by two vertical extending support means, wherein the two support means are spaced apart from one another and one of the support means is situated adjacent the distal end with the opening. 30
Claim 5: The barrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate housing is a tubular outer beam and the elongate beam is a tubular inner beam. 40022SNZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.docAdi author»/Lr Received at IPONZ on 8 September 2009 - 12-
Claim 6: The barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer and inner beams are rectangular in cross-section and the inner beam is sized and dimensioned to a lesser extent than the outer beam such that the inner beam is adapted to fit and slide within the outer beam. 5
Claim 7 The barrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner beam is a cantilevered beam.
Claim 8 The barrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner beam has a front end and 10 a rear end such that the front end of the inner beam when in a closed position is situated out side of and spaced longitudinally form the outer beam and such that the rear end of the inner beam is always situated within the outer beam irrespective of the position the inner beam relative to the outer beam. 15
Claim 9 The barrier as claimed in claim 8, wherein there are two rollers mounted to or adjacent the rear of the inner.
Claim 10 The barrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein the two rollers consist of a lower roller adapted to roli along the inner bottom surface of the outer beam and an upper roller 20 adapted to roll along the inner upper surface of the outer beam.
Claim 11 The barrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rollers are attached to and spaced a distance from the rear of the inner beam. 25
Claim 12 The barrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rollers are attached adjacent the rear of the inner beam, each rollers extends through a respective slot in the inner beam such that each roller is able to contact with the respective inner surface of the outer beam.
Claim 13 The barrier as claimed in any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the inner 30 beam includes a drive engaging means adapted to engage with the drive means such that inner beam is able to slidingly move between the open and closed positions. 40022SNZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi authoro/tr 579097 ^ece'vec' a* 'PONZ on 8 September 2009 - 13 -
Claim 14 The hairier as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the drive engaging means is positioned on the bottom surface of the inner beam.
Claim 15 The barrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the drive engaging means is a 5 drive rack adapted to co-operate with a drive cog of the drive means.
Claim 16 The barrier as claimed in claim 15, wherein the outer beam has guide rollers positioned therein, where the guide rollers are adapted to maintain, align and guide the inner beam within the outer beam as the inner beam slides in and out thereof. 10
Claim 17 The barrier as claimed in claim 18, wherein the barrier includes a stabilising roller adapted to stabilise the inner beam as it moves in and out of the outer beam.
Claim 18 The barrier as claimed in claim 17, wherein, the stabilising roller is positioned 15 adjacent the opening of the outer beam.
Claim 19 The barrier as claimed in claim 20, wherein the stabilising roller is positioned such that the lower surface of the inner beam slides over the roller as the inner beam moves in and out of the outer beam. 20 25
Claim 20 The barrier as claimed in claim 19, wherein, the drive means includes a housing in which the drive cog is mounted and a motor adapted to drive the drive cog which in turns via the drive rack to impart linear motion to the inner beam to move the inner beam between the open and closed positions.
Claim 21 The barrier as claimed in claim 20, wherein the motor is connected to the drive cog by a chain drive.
Claim 22 The barrier as claimed in claim 21, wherein, the motor is either electrically, 30 hydraulically, pneumatically or internal combustion motor.
Claim 23 The barrier as claimed in claim 22, wherein the motor is adapted to be remotely operated. 40022SNZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.doc/«fi author»/tr 579097 ^ece'vec' at 'PONZ on 8 September 2009 - 14-
Claim 24 The barrier as claimed in claim 23, wherein the motor includes a microprocessor such that the motor can be programmed and controlled to set parameters.
Claim 25 The barrier as claimed in claim 24, wherein the set parameters include time, 5 date, speed, impact, resistance.
Claim 26 The barrier as claimed in claim 25, wherein the microprocessor is able to be remotely remotely via wireless or by cable transmission. 10
Claim 27 The barrier as claimed in claim 26, wherein, the micro-processor is adapted to allows for the barrier be opened and closed by electronic means, including swipe cards, key pad, cellular devices and/or time lock devices.
Claim 28 The barrier as claimed in claim 27, wherein the stabilising roller includes a 15 channel configured and adapted to allow drive rack to pass over without contacting the stabilising roller.
Claim 29 The barrier as claimed in claim 28, wherein the outer beam has in its under surface a slot configured and dimensioned to allow a portion of the drive cog to extend there 20 through in order impart drive to the drive rack.
Claim 30 The barrier as claimed in claim 29, wherein the outer and inner beams are made from rigid and impact resistance material. 25
Claim 31 The barrier as claimed in claim 30, wherein the outer and inner beams are made from steel.
Claim 32 The barrier as claimed in claim 31, wherein the barrier includes a further guide roller positioned and mounted on and extending through the outer beam such that the 30 further guide roller contacts with a surface of the inner beam in order to assist in maintaining the inner beam in the correct alignment within the outer beam. 40022SNZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR,doc/«fi author»/tr Received at IPONZ on 8 September 2009 - 15 -
Claim 33 The barrier as claimed in claim 32, wherein the outer beam includes travel limit control means positioned thereon such that the travel limit control means is adapted to limit the distance the beam extends outwardly from the outer beam. 5
Claim 34 The barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the barrier includes a support post that is spaced a distance from the distal end with the opening such that the distance substantially equals the distance to which the inner beam extends from the outer beam when the barrier is in the closed position such that the support post is adapted to securely hold and retain the inner beam whilst in the closed position. 10
Claim 35 The barrier as claimed in claim 34, wherein the barrier includes safety means adapted to prevent injury from the moving parts of the barrier.
Claim 36 The barrier as claimed in claim 35, wherein the safety means includes 15 pressure sensors or photoelectric sensors that when activated cause the inner beam to either stop extending or retract back into the outer beam.
Claim 37 The barrier as claimed in claim 35, wherein the safety means includes sound alarms and/or flashing lights that are activated when ever the inner beam is moving in and 20 out of the outer beam.
Claim 38 The barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein there are at least two inner beams, a first inner beam and a second inner beam, the second inner beam is adapted to fit and slide within the first inner beam such that the second inner beam when in a closed position extends 25 longitudinally outward from the first inner beam.
Claim 39 A barrier as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 30 PIPERS Attorneys for the Applicant SMITH, Colin 35 400228NZ Ps 20050923 1002 TGR.docA<fi author»Ar