WO1999027510A1

WO1999027510A1 - Signaling and advertising device for vehicle parking spaces

Info

Publication number: WO1999027510A1
Application number: PCT/BR1998/000092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Lima Saraiva
Original assignee: Alberto Lima Saraiva
Priority date: 1997-11-20
Filing date: 1998-11-19
Publication date: 1999-06-03
Also published as: BR9705581A; AU1654399A

Abstract

The invention indicates to the driver when he is parking, the correct moment to stop the vehicle (14), avoiding bumping into or hitting the wall (12) of the car parking space, and in case of open car parks, the correct location to stop, avoiding letting parts of the vehicle (14) protrude out of the limits of the space and affect the access way. The invention comes with a base (5) which can be fixed on a wall (12) of the car parking space with screws (9), a moveable pole (2) fixed to a base (5) by flexible brackets (7), the pole (2) is with a sign plate (1) with information about the invention, its operation and advertising, spring (8) between the flexible brackets (7) and the base (5). By being pushed by the shock-absorber of a vehicle (14), the pole (2) makes a lowering movement, and the compressed spring (8) forces the return of the flexible brackets (7) and the pole (2) when the vehicle (14) leaves the space, meaning that after lowering of the pole (2), appears for the motorist another sign plate (4) fixed to the upper part of the base (5) of this invention, with information about the invention, its operation and advertising, meaning that this sign plate (4) of the base (5) informs the driver that he can stop, park the vehicle (14) at that moment, in that position. With the substitution of the sign plate (4) of the base (5) of the invention by an electronic panel (15), this invention can be utilised not only on walls (12) by also in open car parking spaces, in courtyards, installing electronic sensors (17, 18) of presence and movement on the ground of the space, on posts or side bases and on the very post on which would be installed the electronic illuminated panel (15) in the front of the space, all controlled by an electronic circuit (20) or computer (19).

Description

"SIGNALINGANDADVERΗSINGDEVICEFORVEfflCLEPARK- ING SPACES".

This patent refers to device whichisfixedonthe wall of a parking space for a vehicle, in a way which indicates to the driver when parking, the correct moment to stop the vehicle, avoiding bumping into the wall. The driver, on entry into the parking space will see a sign plate fixed on the pole of the invention with information and figures relating to the invention and advertising. On bumping into and pushing the invention with the vehicle, the driver activates the invention and after some moments, with the vehicle still in movement, appears another sign plate with information about the invention, and that he can stop the vehicle while still contending with this second advertising sign. The invention shows the motorist information about the moment to stop the vehicle and still be sufficiently close and distant enough from the wall not to hit it, and an advertising space.

The various parking spaces or garages (in houses, residential buildings, commercial buildings, shopping centres, airports, bus termini, underground car parks, multi-storey car parks, and supermarket car parks), are in their maj ority , spaces which are designed to obtain the maximum possible number os spaces within the area available for parking. Taking into account that the vehicle has to stop only in its defined limits, given that one of those limits is a wall, it becomes necessary that the driver stops the vehicle well close to the wall in a manner in which the vehicle does not protrude outside the parkinf space. That is to say, on stopping the vehicle with the front towards the wall, he has to park close to the wall. If not, part of the back will be outside the area of the space. Vice versa if he parks with the back to the wall, the front of the vehicle will occupy part of the access way. There are otherreasons why it is necessary to stop well close to the wall.

The space may be used by two cars, or be occupied by two vehicles of the same family or office for example. What this necessitates is that the vehicle stays closer to the wall, for the car that is going to park behind or in front of it, to do so in a space-saving way and not obstruct the access way. Once the spaces have limits for cars occupy only that space, there are cases of garages with tight spaces, badly- positioned space, with posts on the edges of each space - which necessitates a lot of manoeuvring for the driver to enter or leave his space. The cars parked in spaces adjoining these, have to be perfectly parked in their respective spaces, if not, they will be with parts protruding outside their limits and inconvenience the driver who wishes to park.

There are also cases of spaces which are badly-illuminated and signposted which cause more hardship still for the driver. If without an exact notion of the distance between his car and the wall, he runs the risk of hitting the wall, which will result in a scratch or dent on the shock-absorber of the vehicle, causing unnecessary damage.

This invention resolves the problem through sign-posting f r he driver the moment that he can stop the vehicle without hitting the wall, enabling him manoeuvre the vehicle front or back in a space that is known or not, even if he is driving a vehicle he is unaccustomed to, whether it is low or high - and still giving an advertising space in the parking spaces. This device for sign-posting comes with a base which can be glued or fixed with screws on the wall of the car parking space, a movable post attached to a base with flexible brackets (the post is with a sign with information about the invention, its operation or illustrations and advertising), springs between the flexible brackets and the base in a manner pushed by shock-absobers of the car, the post makes a downward movement and the compressed spring forces the return of the flexible brackets and the pole when the vehicle leaves the space. After the pole is lowered, appears another sign on the upper part of the base of this invention, with information about the invention, its operation, or illustrations, or figures, and/or advertising. This sign on the base informs the driver that he can stop and park the vehicle at that moment, in that place. Both the sides the base of the invention and the moveable post, are decorated and marked to draw the attention of the driver to the invention and the advertising on it.

The sign plates on the base and the pole of this invention are to inform the driver how he uses and benefits from the invention and the information to say and demonstrate this can be a simple text or simply figures demonstrating how to use the invention. That is to say representations through diagrams of the motorist parking in a space with the invention without hitting the wall in front of him. The sign plates referred to, or other media of sign-posting or imaging, such as eletronic panel, sounds and text, messaging or imaging on illuminated electronic panel, also offer advertising. That is to say, in addition to alerting the avoidance of hitting a wall, the driver has for him this advertising space, which will be for advertising products, registered names, news, warnings, messages and slogans. In short, an advertising and marketing resource capable of spreading an infinite range of advertising and information. They consist of an electronic or illuminated panel, a panel which emits light pulses or images of definition, the mode in which messages of text can be delivered, numbers and figures, ad ertising with illuminated letters of stadiums, or a screen of images with TV definition, some as electronic billboards which could have liquid crystal screens.

An example of an instrument of marketing for companies, is for the invention to be installed in a supermarket car park. The sign plate of the pole can contain the name of the supermarket doing its advertising, or some product sold by it on the base sign plate, or vice versa.

The invention can be constructed using other electric or mechanical mechanisms. With the pole activated by the vehicle, which makes the brackets work with teeth which in turn activate a part in the form of a fan also with teeth, makes the sign plate of the base appear, with or without an electronic illuminated panel. This also enables the pole when activated, to push a bracket up, raising the sign plate of the base. That is to say, there are different, constructive possibilities of using gears or a combination of movements of rigid parts to achieve the desired effect, but all forms O 99/27510 3

have as objective the mechanical movement of the invention described above. That is to say, the shock-absorber pushes the pole and after some seconds, another sign plate appears for the driver informing him to stop.

With electric activation, the invention can be made using the movement of the pole which electrically activates a solenoid valve which projects up a bracket with the second sign plate, or an illuminated electronic panel with information.

Another constructive aspect of this invention is the installation of presence or movement sensors nearby, on the ceiling, on the ground, or on a wall. When these sensors detect a vehicle entering the car parking space, through an electronic signal, they activate the illuminated electronic panel positioned in front of the vehicle, demonstrating, sign-posting and showing to the driver that he is being helped by the invention to park in the space without bumping into the wall. Of course, it will also give the driver a welcome message to that establishment and advertising. When the vehicle approaches the wall, the sensor for detecting that distance or final position of the car in the space, with a new electronic signal, will give information on the electronic or illuminated panel to the driver for him to slop at that moment, in that position, avoiding a collision with the wall. The panel still continues to transmit other notices or advertising. Upon detecting, through the sensor of the access way, that the vehicle is leaving its space, the electronic panel can show farewell messages, inviting him to return again, showing hours of business, ets. To manage the electronic application of the invention, special software controls and applies the information and advertising. That is to say, electro-mechanical mechanisms can be used, or electronics that reproduce the movement described of this invention, monitored by the software of the computer or by an electronic circuit, which demonstrates to the driverthat before arriving near the end of the car parking space, he is a determined distance from the wall and can see information regarding that distance and advertising. With a movement of his vehicle after bumping into or going through sensors of the invention, will appear new information for him, demonstrating the ideal position for him to stop and contend with the advertising or not This invention can accept on-off keys, positioning sensors, LEDs, micro-switch keys and be connected to an electric electronic system. When the invention is activated by a vehicle, through the information generated by the movement of the invention and switching on and off of the electric/electronic key installed on the flexible brackets on the electric/electronic control panel installed in the car park one can know whether that space is taken, how many spaces are occupied or not, switch on or off the lighting of the establishment and its accesses, or open and close doors and gates.

This invention can be fixed and used not only on walls, but also in open spaces or courtyards, necessitating for this, the installation of posts, structured bases, or small walls which serve as support and fixing for the invention in a way which offers resistance when touched by a vehicle. In the mechanical version, or even if using electronic presence and distance sensors, they need to be installed on the ground of the space, on posts or side bases and on the very post where the the illuminated or electronic panel is installed in front of the space.

The invention can be better undestood through the following detailed description, in conjunction with the figures attached, where:

Figure 1 represents a front view of the invention.

Figure 2 represents a front view of the invention activated.

Figure 3 represents a side view of the base of the sign plate of the post.

Figure 4 represents a view of the sign plate of the base and electronic panel.

Figure 5 represents one of the structural forms of mounting the inven- tion.

Figure 6 represents a side view of the invention fixed on a wall. Figure 7 reresents a side view of the invention installed in a car parking space.

Figure 8 represents a side view of the invention actvated. Figure 9 represents a view of the positions of the sensors and a diagram of the sensors, central computer and electronic panel.

Figure 10 represents a diagram with an eletronic circuit.

With reference to these figures, it can be obseved in figure 1 , front view of the invention, the sign plate (1) attached to the pole (2) which in this position is covering the sign plate (4) of the base (5), in figure 2, the invention activated, showing the information contained in the sign plate (4) of the base (5), in figure 3, the sides (3) of the base (5) with fixing screws (10) in the base (5) and the screws (9) of the base (5) on the wall ( 12) , in figure 4, the sign plate (4) of the base (5) with its fixing screws ( 10) in the base (5) and the fixing screws (9) of the base (5) on the wall (12) and the panel (15) illuminated, electronic, showing the word "ALSIC", in figure 5, the base (5) without sides (3) and the sign plate (4), the pole (2) without a sign plate ( 1 ), the flexible bracktes (7) connected to the base (5) and the pole (2), the springs (8) fixed between the flexible brackets (7) and the base (5), the passage holes of the screws (9) of the base (5) in the wall (12), passage hole of the screws (10) of the sides (3) in the base (5), fixing holes (11) of the sign plate (1) on the pole (2), enabling the base (5), the pole (2) flexible brackets (7) to have other constructive uses. In figure 6, view of the base (5) fixed on the wall (12) a small distance from the ground (13), with the flexible brckets (7), the return springs (8) and the pole (2) in the initial position, the sign plate (1) fixed to the pole (2) covering the sign plate (4) fixed on the base (5). In figure 7, the invention with the pole (2) in the initial position, the vehicle (14) distant from the wall (12), and in figure 8, the invention activated, with the pole (2) in the final position, the vehicle( 14) parking close to the wall and without touching it, and the sign plate (4) in a position visible to the driver.

In figure 9, after the vehicle passes through the sensor (17) which detects its presence and passage, the sensor (17) emits an eletric signal for the central computer (19) which commands (he electronic illuminated panel (15), messages, ~ „„„.,_{« n} PCT/BR98/00

WO 99/27510 _c

information, and advertising to be exhibited, and with the vehicle (14) being detected by the sensor (18), at that moment the sensor (18) sends an electronic signal to the central computer (19) which commands the electronic illuminated panel (15), messages or warnings for the driver of the vehicle (14) to stop at that moment and position.

In figure 10, the electronic circuit (20) commands the electronic illuminates panel (15) and its messages, when activated by electronic signals emitted by sensors (17) and (18) of movement and presence, conforming to the scheme in the diagram. That is to say, the electronic circuit would have operational application similar to that described using a central computer.

The operation of the invention consists of a vehicle pushing with the shock-absorber ( 16) the pole (2) which has messages for the driver to read on the sign plate ( 1 ), as f or example, welcome to the establishment or place, meaning that the pole (2) will make a lowering movement adjusted, in this case, by flexible brackets (7) which press the springs (8) until the final position of the pole (2). At that moment the sign plate (4) which is fixed on the base (5) exhibits information for the driver to stop the vehicle ( 14) in that position or place, sufficiently distant from the wall (12) without damaging the shock-absorber (16) of his vehicle (14), meaning that the sign plate (4) can be substituted for example, by an electronic illuminated panel (15), that would be activated when the pole (2) is reaching its final position through an electric/electronic system, with an on-off key or sensors.

After vehicle (14) leaves the spaces, in this example in reverse, the springs (8) by the pressure which is exercised by flexible brackets (7) make the pole (2) return to its initial position. If this invention is installed in the car parking spaces of a shopping centre, the central computer (19) through its own programme, sends to the electronic illuminated panels (15) which are installed, messages, images, information and advertising to be exhibited, as well as hours of business of the shops, advertising campaigns, etc. The invention can also be used to receive information for transmission of data by magnetic waves or radio frenquency, operating as a panel of messages left for drivers, who await instructions and information, parked in the spaces.

Claims

C L A I M S :

1. "SIGNALING AND ADVERTISING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE

PARKING SPACES", featuring a pole (2) bearing a message-and-ad plaque (1) connected to its base (5) through flexible arms (7) and backup springs (8). Once the pole (2) is pushed, the plaque (4) appears displaying messages and publicity fixed to the base (5).

2."SIGNALING AND ADVERTISING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE PARKING SPACES", pursuant to Claim 1 hereinabove, wherein the pole's (2) plaque (1) and the base's (5) plaque (4) may be replaced by an electronic lighted panel (15) displaying messages and publicity.

3."SIGNALING AND ADVERTISING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE PARKING SPACES", pursuant to Claim 1 and 2 hereinabove, wherein the flexible arms (7) and backup springs (8) may be replaced by hydraulic, eletric or electronic mechanisms, and likewise the pole (2) may be replaced by electronic sensoring (17) and approximation / presence (18) systems, so as to secure the same result as in the use of the invention described herein.

4."SIGNALING AND ADVERTISING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE PARKING SPACES", pursuant to Claim 1, 2 and 3 hereinabove, wherein the invention may be operated through electronic (17) and sensoring (18) mechanims, such electronic triggering thusly allowing the electronic processing of signals via computer (19) programs and database and/or electronic circuit (20), allowing for the display of messages and ads through the lighted electronic panel (15).