US1879438A - Parking device - Google Patents

Description

F. E. OGlLVlE PARKING DEVTCE Sept. 27, 1932.

Filed Sept. 6, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATTORNEY 5 SheetsSheet 2 F E. OGILVIE PARKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1930 54/26/550 f/z/fg r 9 l 2 5 \Q/ hwy fly /I! z\ o 6 l 4 P 5 L. a uull rm a 4 Sept. 27, 1932.

F. E. OGILVIE PARKING DEVICE Sept. 27, 1932.

Filed Sept. 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L INH I v ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1932' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS E. OGILVIE, OF UNIVERSITY, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO "WILLIAM H. SAWYERS, OF HIN'ION, WEST VIRGINIA PARKING DEVICE Application filed September 6, 1980. :Serlal No. 480,224.

My present invention has reference to means for regulating the privilege of street parking of automobiles and like vehicles and is designed for use by cities, towns, villages, and other civic corporations as well as by private persons and corporations and among the objects of the invention is the provision of a parking device for controlling, regulating and limiting the parking of vehicles in legalized and specified areas; for relieving. the congestion incident to the promiscuous and unnecessary parking of vehicles in specified areas; for the detecton of violations of parking regulations and for the collection of revenue for the use of authorized parking space.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompany ng, drawings which form part of the appllca-tlon, with the understanding, however, that the improvementis capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construc tion described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therefrom as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims. I

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved parking device, looking toward the face thereof opposite the space in which a car is to be parked.

Figure 2 is a similar view looking toward the opposite face of the device.

. Figure 3 is a side elevation with parts broken away and parts in section. v

Figure 4 is an end view with parts broken away and parts in section.

Figure 5 is an elevation with the cover plates removed.

Figure 6 is a sectional view approximatelyv on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the plunger.

Figure 8 is a similar view of the trip for p In municipalities the parking spaces ordesignated le alized streets or parking areas are 1nd1cate by markers arranged upon weighted posts. Cars parking .in such spaces or zones either occupy too large or too small a space. In the first instance, they prevent other cars from parking and in the latter instance frequent damage results to the car leaving the parking spaces by contacting with cars in the front and to the rear thereof. The cars are parked at different intervals of time and it is a matter of great difficulty for the ofiicers of the law to have knowledge of the time allowed the several parked cars. The result of this is the chalking of the Wheels of cars which occupy parking spaces when he makes his first round. If such cars still occupy the spaces on his next round a ticket is placed on such cars that requires the owners thereof to appear at a traffic court and pay a fine. This involves a hardship and a loss of time upon the part of the owner of the car and likewise a hardship and a loss of time and duty of the oflicer 0f the law who is frequently called upon to prosecute the offender. In addition to this the municipality receives no revenue for parked cars and this loss reverts on the taxpayers, who are in reality the government,

municipal or State. While, with my im- I proved parking device it will be necessary that the ofiicer of the law patrol his beat as usual, it will relieve him from'the necessity of marking cars and will prove a visible evidence as to whether or not the car is legally or illegally parked, or in other words, that the owner or driver of the parked car has 'the rate of charge.

paid for his parking privilege. Such evidenceis also visible to citizens passing the parking device and as it is to their interest that the parking space be duly paid for, they may impart their knowledge of infractions of the law to the policeman or other proper authority. The parking device should cut down arrests for parking violations and should speed up traliic by relieving congestion, the time of parking being regulated by Also, it will be seen, that while my parking device provides means, in the nature of a visible S1 11EtlWlllCh remains in proper position for a determined period of time, say one hour, the occupant of the in the device which, while permitting of the signal momentarily moving to-non-si naling;

closed by the drawings I employ a 'metal casing 1 which is both dust and water proof. The casing 1 has its main body portion of substantially rectangular formation, its top being arched, as at 2, and one of its corners formed with an extension 3. The casing has what I will term its back open, but this open back is closed by a back plate 4 and a door 5. The back plate 4 and the door 5 are preferably received in notched guide lugs 6, respectively, in the casing 1, and the door is retained closed by a suitable key 0 erated lock whose casing is provided wit bolts movable through the ends thereof and into keepers 6 in the reduced cornerextension 3 of the casing. It is to be. understood that the door 5 must be opened before the back plate 4 can be removed from the casing.

The bottom of the casing is designed to rest on a post, standard or the like which is fixedly embedded in the ground at the curb of a street, roadbed, sidewalk, fence, wall, building or in the ground adjacent any object within the space immediately contiguous to the place where the signals in the parking device are to be displayed. The post or like memher 7 has arranged therear-ound U-bolts 8, and the threaded ends of these bolts enter openings in the inner wall of the corner extension 3 of the casing and the nuts are screwed on the bolts from the inside of the part 34% the casing. Thus it will be noted that the parking device is firmly supported and cannot be accidentally or surreptitiously removed from its support 7.

It-may here be stated that any number of parking devices are arranged in the center of legalized or authorized parking spaces and that one of the parking devices is used by a single car as long as the car occupies such space. Also it is to be stated that the-parking J spaces may and preferably are denoted by parking space is privileged to extend" his time by simply depositing another coin painted lines or like markings and that the cars may park longitudinally, that is, one directly to the rear of the other or at desired and designated angles.

The front and rear of the casing, adjacent to the arched top thereof, have round alining openings therein, which openings are surrounded by frames 9 for transparent discs, and there is arranged in the casing and designed to be brought opposite the said openings and discs either of a pair of spaced translucent signal discs 10' or 11, both of the signaling discs being mounted upon a substantially V-shaped semaphore arm 12. The disc 10 provides what may be termed a danger signal and is preferably colored red, while -the disc 11 provides what may be termed a safety signal and is preferably colored green. vVVhen-theredoolored disc 10 appears III the sight openings in the faces or sides of the casing the parkin space is not occupied or if occupied the po iceman or pedestrians will be acquainted that the said space is ille ally occupied so that proper steps may be taken in apprehending the owner or driver of the vehicle, while when the disc 11 is swung opposite the sight openings, or rather windows 13, (arranged'in' the frames 9) the officer as well as the-pedestrians will have knowledge that the car is entitled to occupy the-parking space. 1

T he-semaphore carrying arm12 is fixed on a shaft 14 that isjournaled in suitable bearings in the casing 1 and on this shaft 14 there is fixed a wheel 15 which has on its periphery a lug 16. Also fixed on the shaft 14 there is a second wheel or roll 17 that is provided with a peripheral notch 18.

Preferably the sha'ft 14 is journaled on a plate or frame 19 that is fixed in the casing and in the side plates ofwhich frame there is journaled the ends of a shaft 20 to which is centrally fixed a peripherally grooved segmental member 21.

There is fixed in the groove of the segment 21 which provides the control element of the improvement one end of a cable 22, the second end of the said cable carrying a block or like element 23 arranged for movement in a suitable guide 24 and the purpose of this element will presently be apparent. While the control segment 21 may be electrically operated, it may be turned by a'weight attached to a cable which is wound around the shaft 20 or by other means. I have in the showing of the drawings, illustrated the turning or operating means for'the segment 21 in the nature ofa clockwork. To one of the plates comprising the frame 19 I secure the frame of the clock; The wheels of the" clockwork are turned by the usual w'ound spring 25 and the train of gears operate a comparatviely large toothed wheel 26 which is fixed on the shaft 20 and'the'said shaft is'fixed to the segment control segment 21 is such that the segment will be turned thereby to a predetermined distance at a predetermined interval of time, say one-hour. or more, and-the control se 'ment when swung to active position will cause the rewindingof the clockwork, weight or other mechanism. g v

The-semaphore arm 12 is influenced by' a sprin "27 to normallyretain the danger or ille'ga parking signal -in-a line with the sight openings in the casing and tonormally retain the stop element lfion the wheel 15 at an angle with respect to the axial plane of the segment 21 and out of but in closeproximity to the periphery-of the said-segment,so that when the segment is turned, -i-n.-a manner which will presently be described a lug 28 thereon willlbe brought against the lug 16 and the reby swin the sema hore 12 to bring the" signal 11 in a ine with t e sight openings in the casing.

Any desired means maybe employed for latching the semaphore arm 12 to hold the signal in signaling position, such means in the showing of the drawings comprising a catch in the nature of a spring arm 29 that has a right angle offset end 30 that is designed to enter the notch 18 in the wheel 17 which is brought to a position to receive the said end or finger 30 when the semaphore 12 is thus turned. The sprin arm 29 has oneof its ends secured to an 0 set portion or block in one of the upper corners of the frame 19. The spring arm of the catchis normally engaged by a dog 31 which-extends from 'a hub 32 that is journaled on a shaft 33 secured betweenthe side plates of the frame 19. The hub 32 has on one of its ends a depending stop finger 34 while its second end is provided with an op positely directed arm or finger 35 towhich is pivoted a link 36 that in turn is ivoted to an arm or finger 37 which projects rom a hub 38 that is fixed on a shaft 39.v The shaft 39 journaled through suitable bearingopenings in the plates of the frame 19, adjacent one edge of the said plates and a distance below the shaft 33. There is fixed on the shaft 39 another hub 40 that carries afoot extension 41 that serves as a stop element for a swingable short lever 42, that is journaled on the shaft 39 and the urpose of this arrangement will presently he apparent. The fixed side or face of the casing 1, adjacent to one of the edges thereof,

is provided with acoin inlet slot 43. This the outer face of the lunger or the said plunger as disclosed by igure 'f of the draw ings ma bein the nature of a cross sectionally T-s aped member and may have its outer face or flange elongated to insure the covering of the slot 46 under all conditions. 'The plun('ger*48 has .on one of its sides anout-' stan ing lug 49 in thepath of contact with the upper-face and end of the block 23. The plunger 48 has on one side of the face thereof received in the casing a plate 50 that has its lower edge notched, as at51, and the upper wall provided by the notch is arran ed at an angle. The plate '50, adjacent to t e upper end thereof is provided with a substantially rectangular opening 52 for the reception of theswm'gable finger or lever 42 for a purpose which will hereinafter be apparent Secured to the to of the plun er 48'there is a cable 53 traine over groove wheels or ing 43 thereis a coin chute 57-. The coin c ute is irregularly shaped, that is, the opposite ends thereof are offset angularl from the center body portion thereof an the outlet end of the chute is arranged in a' line with the upper angle wall 59 provided by the notch 51 in the plate 50 of the plunger. The. lower wall at the outlet of the chute 57 has arranged directly therebeneath afin er 60 that is in the nature'of a stop element, t c said finger bein formed on one end of a rocker arm 61 which is pivotally supported, as at 62, and which has adepending member whose end is offset, as at 63, and arranged directly beneath the plunger 48 and WhlCll SOl'VPS as a stop ele. ment for preventing the downward movement of the plunger until swung away from the said (plunger. The o'fisetstop element 63 is space away from the lower end of the plunger so that when a coin or. the like-rests on the finger .60 and is brought against the angle wall 59 provided by the notch 51 in the plunger the downward movement of the plunger will force the coin away from the outlet of the coin chute 57 to deposit'thecoin in the casing. The rocker lever is'influenced by a coil spring to hold its finger in coin obstructing position.

As far as the description hasprogressed it will be apparent that when the coin or like element rests on the finger 60 andis contacted by the notched-edge of theplate 50 and that when a pressure is exerted upon the operating handle 47 the plunger 48, pressing against thecoin will depress the finger 60 and rotate the arm 61 on the pivot 62fto swing the offset y disposed guide 63 from under the plunger, thereby unlocking the deviceto permit of the operation thereof b a further downward movement of the plunger. Such movement will cause the lug or finger 49 to contact with the block 23 to pull on the cable 22 to turn the segment 21 to the right or in a clockwise direction so that the lug 28 will engage with the lug 16 and swing the semaphore arm 12 to bring the s gnal 11 to signaling position against the inj'b fiuence of the spring 27. The spring catch member will now enter the notch 18 and lock the device in such position.

There is a second lug 65 projecting from the eriphery of the control segment 21 and Q3 whic is spaced a desired distance from the lug 28, while between the arm 37 and the frame 19 there are fixed the ends of a light coil spring 66 for holding the said arm in one position. The swinging of the arm when 9d influenced by the spring is limited by a stop element 67. The safety signal 11 will be held in display position until the operating mechanism for the control segment 21 turns the same in an anti-clockwise direction and Q brings one of the straight edges of the same against a contact lug 68. The return movement of the segment to its normal position in this direction will cause the operation of an alarm such as a bell which is indicated as by the numeral 69 in the drawings. When the segment is thus turned the lug 65 will be'brought into engagement with the finger 34 on the hub 33, swinging the said hub to cause the dog 31 thereon to exert a pressure against the fiat spring arm 29 of the catch member 30, bringing the said catch out of the notch 18 in the roll or wheel 17 and permitting the spring 27 to swing the semaphore to again bring the danger or illegal parking signal to signaling 1position. In the meantime the weight ms returned the plunger to its upper normal position. The device now clearly discloses the fact that the time limit of the parking space paid for by the automobilist has expired. In the event of the automobilist desiring to extend the time of parking his machine for a greater period than he is normally allowed and also before the time limit of his parking has expired, that is, before the segment 21 has fully returned to its initial position under the influence of its turning mechanism, another coin is deposited. The spring catch 30, it is to be understood, is still in the notch 18 and to release the same in a manner as heretofore described and, that is, through the medium of the lug on the segment 21, the said segment must have returned to its initial position, that is, the lug 28 thereof must be brought against the stop element 68. The upward movement of the plunger through the medium of the weight 55 will cause the same to contact with the finger 42 to swing the said finger or lever into the 35 slot or opening 52. The coin has been deposited to operate the coin contact element 60 and the plunger stop element 63 which permits the plunger to be moved downwardy. ThlS' movement will bring the upper wall of the slot or opening 52 into contact with the lever 42, causing the same to engage with the stop element 41 on the turnable shaft 39, which latter swings the arm or finger 29 which im arts a like movement to the arm 35 on the ub 32 and brings the dog 31 against the body 29 of the sprin catch 30, causing the catch to move out 0% the notch 18 and tnomentaril permitting the spring 27 to bring the anger signal 10 opposite the sight openings in the casing but the lug 49 Jon the plunger havin again engaged with the block 23 will turn t e control segment 21 to cause the lug 28 thereon to again contact with the lug 16 on the wheel that-is fixed to the shaft 14 and again swing the semaphore arm to bring the safe or legal signal 11 in signaling position and causing the device to be latched by the spring influenced member 30 and the parts to operate in the same manner as previously described.

The coins will fiow into the reduced portion 3 of the casing and the descent of the I weight 55 will contact with means for operating a disc recorder 56', whereby the number of times which the device has been operated and likewise the number of coins that should be received in the device are accurately recorded. Obviously any suitable recording means may be provided and may be operated in a different manner from that just described.

The construction and operation of the improvement will, it is thought, be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art 10: to which the invention relates. In addition to the advantages of the device heretofore set forth, the improvement will tend to eliminate the aimless jay-rider who has no definite place to go, and who usually over-parks no if there is no immediate check-up it will spot the chronic parking-hog, permit unmolested parking rights for a very modest fee, add to the revenue of the municipality in which it is installed and may readily be electrically 11 wired to a central station to indicate the parking spaces occupied either legally or illegally.

It is within the province of this invention to dispense with the illegal signal lens 12 10, should it be found desirable as a clear light through the windows in the casing will indicate that the parking space is open for parking or that the said space is illegally occupied. Also the device may be electrical- 1535 1y illuminated during the night time. Also tokens, keys or the like purchased from the proper authorities may be employed in lieu of a coin for permitting the downward movement of the plunger.

nevus:

Having described the invention, 1, claim:

' 1. 'A arking device for vehicles, fixed in a line wit the center of the parking space and includingv a casing having windows and having a reduced corner extension, a fixed post contacting with the bottom] of the casing proper and with the inner wall of the. extension, and means engaging the post and concealed in the casing extension for locking the casing thereon, said casing havingone of its sides removed and having one of. itssides open, aside plate for closing said openings, a normally locked door for closing the extension, a signal pivotallv supported in the easing, spring means for holding the signal away from the windows, a' member pivoted in the casing, power storing means for the member for normally holding the same in one position, plunger means for swinging the member to a second position, means between the member and the signal for swinging the sig-- nal to signaling position when the member has been influenced by the plunger, a spring influenced catch, means operated by the mem: ber for normally holding the latch in unlatching position and permitting the latch to engage with the signal to hold the signal in signaling position and said latching means being releasable by the member when the said member has been returned by the power means to its initial position.

2. A parking device for vehicles, fixed at a parking space and including a casing having windows, a signal in the casing, spring means for'normall'y holding the signal away from the windows, a pivotally supported control member, power means influencing and normally holding the member in one position, a finger operated lunger, weighted means normally holding t e plunger in one position. means between the plunger, and the control member for turning the said member against the influence of the power means when the plunger is manually operated, contact elements between the control member and the signal for throwing the signal opposite the windows to signalling position, means also operated by the member for latching the signal in signalling position, means actuated by the member for releasing the latching means for the signal when the plunger is returned to its initial position and when said member has been turned by the power means to its initial position to permit of the signal being moved by the spring means therefor to unsignalling positions.

3. A parking device for vehicles, including a casing having windows, a signal having a shaft journaled in the casing, spring means for swinging the signal away from the windows, an element on the shaft carrying a lug, another element on the shaft having a notch, a pivotally supported segmental control disc having s aced lugs thereon, power mechanism for hol ing the segment in one position, a

able plunger, weighted means influencmgthe plungerto an, upward tion, a In on the plunger arranged over t 0 block and esigned to contact therewith when. the plunger is moved downwardly, to cause the turning of the segment a ainst the influence of the power means and to ring one of its lugs into contact with'the lug' on the shaft of the signal for swinging thesignal opposite the windows-to signa position, a spring influenced latch, means operatedbly. the second In on the segment for normal holding the atch routcof enga ment with the notch in the element on the signal shaft and for releasing said shaft to permitof the samebeingreceived in the notch when the first-named contact on the segmentalinember has thrown the si a1 torsi nailing-position, and theu second ug on t e segmental member designed to operate the latching; means to rfe e athe atch when the segmentalmember ha's'beenreturned by the power means to its initial position.

4. A; parkin device for vehicles; which ineludes, a casin ,having its opposite faces providedawith .a 'ning openings,..a. signal, a

shaft: journaled ,in the casingand to which the signalis fixed,spring means for'swinging a si nal awayfrom the'windows, an element on t eshaft carrying a 1n another element on the shaft having a note a pivotally sup ported segmental control disc havings aced lugs therein, power mechanism for. ho ding the segment in one position, aflexible element on the segment-having a block fixed thereto, a hand operated vertically movable ,-.plunger having a lug that is normally.disposed;above the block, weighted meansfor zsustaining the plunger in raisedposition, and said plunger when moved against the influence of said weighted 'meansdesigned tohave therlug thereon contact with the block to turn the segment against the influence of the, power means to bring one of its lugs. into contact with the lug on the shaft: of the signal for swinging the signfal'opposite. the windows, a spring influenced latch,-means operated by the second lug on the signal for normall holding the latch out of engagement with the notch in the element on} the signal shaft and forreleasing the latch to permit of the same being-received in the notch when the first-named lugon' the segmental member has thrown the signal to signalling position and the second lug on the segmentalmember is brought byits power means --.to release the latch, and to-likewise return the segmental member to its initial position, and means OP? ,erated by the segmental member for sounding an alarm when returned-to its said initial position.- 1 i v 5. A parking device for'evehicles, includin a casing having windows, a signal journale on ashaft inthe casing, spring means for flexible element on the segment havin a I fixed thereto,a-handactuated vertica 1y moYr swin ing the signalawafrom'the windows, an e ement on the sha t I carrying a lug, a second element on the shaft carrying a notch, a pivotally su ported segmental control disc having space lugs thereon, power mechanism for influencing the segmental member to one position, a stop member for holding the saidmember in such'position, a block flexibly secured to the segmental member, a hand op erated vertically movable plunger having a lug that is normally disposed over the block, weighted means for sustaining the plunger in one position and for permitting the movementof the plunger in a downward direction to cause the lug on said" plunger to contact with the block to turn the segment against the influence of the power means and to bring one of its lugs in contact with the lug on the shaft of the signal for swinging the signal opposite thewindows, a spring influenced latch, means operated by thesecond lug on the segment for normally holding the latch out of engagement with the notch in the element on the signal shaft and for releasing K said latch to permit of the same being received in the notch when the first named contact on the segmental member has thrown the signal to signalling position, and the second lugon the segmental member designed to operate the latch holding means to release the latch, when the segmental member has been returned by the power means to its initial position, means operated by the segment for sounding an alarm. and recording means actuated by the plunger for recording the movement of the plunger in a downward direction.

6. A parking device for vehicles fixed in a line with the center of a parking space including a casing having windows in the opposite sides thereof. a substantially V-shaped semaphore arm, a shaft journaled in the casing, and on which the semaphore arm is fixed, difierently colored translucent discs on the arms to indicate respectively legal and illegal parkers, spring means for influencing the arm to bring the illegal signals opposite the windows, spaced wheels on the shaft for the arm, one having a lug and the other having a notch. a pivotally supported segmental memher in the casing having spaced lugs on the periphery thereof. power storing means for influencing the signal member to one position, stop means for holding the signal memher in such position, a spring influenced latch,

a pivoted member having a dog to rest on the latch,and a stop finger. which latter is in the path of engagement with one of the lugs on the shaft, a normally concealed hand operated vertically movable plunger, weighted means for influencing the plunger in an upward direction, a lug on one face of the plunger, and an element carried by the segmental member over which the lug is normal- 1y arranged, and said plunger having an

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