WO1999064708A1

WO1999064708A1 - Controlling flow of persons, animals, or objects

Info

Publication number: WO1999064708A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/012598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert R. Hellman, Jr.
Original assignee: Hellman Robert R Jr
Priority date: 1998-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-07
Publication date: 1999-12-16

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus (20) for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects comprising pressurized fluid expandable vessels (38 and 40) to selectively open and close a passageway; and pressure fluid lines (130 and 132) supplying fluid to the expandable vessels (38 and 40).

Description

Controlling Flow of Persons, Animals, or Objects

Technical Field

The present invention relates to passage control generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to novel method and apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects.

Background Art .

Control of the flow of persons, animals, or objects is desirable in a number of situations. In the case of persons, it is desirable to control their passage through an entrance point, for example, to a theater or amusement park ride. There are a number of instances in which persons have been injured or killed because of crowding at an entrance. In the case of animals, it is desirable to control their flow when loading them onto a vehicle, for example. In the case of objects, it is desirable, for example, to regulate the flow of automobiles into parking lots and garages .

In any of these cases, a turnstile arrangement may be employed to control flow. These are relatively complicated devices which must contain means to increment, rotate, and control motion and include a plurality of parts such as arms, a hub, a shaft, a detent mechanism, bearings, etc. Often, electricity is required at the turnstile, thus presenting a safety hazard in some applications. A further disadvantage with turnstiles in the case of person control is that they inherently require vertical space between the arms of the turnstile and the surface on which it is mounted. This presents an unauthorized passageway for children and small persons. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, and objects that are relatively simple. It is a further object of the invention to provide such method and apparatus that are relatively safe.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide such method and apparatus that are simple to control or is self-controlling. It is another object of the invention to provide such apparatus that can be easily and economically manufactured.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures .

Disclosure of Invention The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects, comprising: pressurized fluid responsive means to selectively open and close a passageway; and means to supply pressurized fluid to said pressurized fluid responsive means.

Brief Description of Drawings

Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for controlling the. flow of persons, animals, or objects constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an isometric view of an apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a top plan view showing a variation of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view showing another variation of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of an apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects constructed according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6A and 6B are isometric views illustrating the present invention as applied to an amusement park waterslide.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference should now be made to the drawing figures, on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element (s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element (s) may be seen also on other views.

Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects (none shown), the apparatus being generally indicated by the reference numeral 20. Apparatus 20 includes first and second, parallel elongated housings 22 and 24, the major axes of the housings being parallel to the direction of passage of persons, animals, or objects, the normal direction of passage being indicated by the straight arrow between the housings.

Apparatus 20 also includes first and second doors 30 and 32 pivotally connected at their proximal ends, respectively, to first and second housings 22 and 24. In the positions of first and second doors 30 and 32 shown on Figure 1, the distal ends of the doors are together in a closed position, thus closing the passageway. First and second doors 30 and 32 are urged, respectively, to the closed position shown by means of pressurized expandable vessels 38 and 40 (shown as bellows on Figure 1) pivotally connected to the doors and to first and second housings 22 and 24.

Pressurized fluid, which may be pressurized air, from a suitable conventional source is introduced, respectively, into first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 through supply lines 44 and 46. The pressurized fluid is allowed to exit first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 through, respectively, exit lines 52 and 54, at a controlled rate which may be selected by a restriction (not shown) which may be disposed in the exit lines.

In operation, the rate of passage of persons, animals or objects through apparatus 20 is determined by the rate of exit of fluid from first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 through exit lines 52 and 54, a large rate of flow permitting the distal ends of first and second doors 30 and 32 to be pushed apart relatively quickly, permitting relatively rapid passage, while a slow rate of flow will slow the rate of passage. It is assumed that persons and animals will push against first and second doors 30 and 32 moving them apart while walking, the pushing increasing the level of pressure in first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 to greater than the supply pressure of the pressurized fluid. Objects will, for example, be moving on a conveyor belt or, if apparatus 20 were oriented properly, the objects could pass through first and second doors 30 and 32 by gravity. It will be understood that the rate at which the pressurized fluid is introduced into first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 will determine the rate at which first and second doors 30 and 32 will return from an open position to the closed position shown on Figure 1. The rate of introduction of pressurized fluid into first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 may be constant or it may be manually controlled or it may be variably controlled in response to an external input. In an emergency situation when persons are involved, it is desirable that any doors restricting exit from an area be opened. In that case, first and second supply lines 44 and 46 can be arranged to automatically be connected to a source of vacuum so that first and second expandable vessels 38 and 40 will contract, thus drawing the distal ends of first and second doors apart and permitting persons to exit in the direction opposite to that of the straight arrow. It will be noted that, when first and second doors are in a fully open position, they will be disposed, respectively, in spaces 60 and 62 to permit a clear passageway between first and second housings 22 and 24. Additionally, first and second springs 68 and 70 may be provided, respectively, pivotally connected between first and second doors 30 and 32 and first and second housings 22 and 24. First and second springs 68 and 70 may be arranged to that they either close or open first and second doors 30 and 32. In the former case, exit lines 52 and 54 would be used to permit a fluid, ambient air, for example, to enter expandable vessels 38 and 40 as first and second doors 30 and 32 were closed by first and second springs 68 and 70 and supply lines 44 and 46 would be connected to a source of vacuum to open the doors. The latter case (doors held open) permits the fail safe opening of the doors upon inadvertent or intentional loss of supply pressurized fluid flow.

First and second doors 30 and 32 are preferably rotationally molded of a suitable polymeric material to produce structures that are semi-rigid and somewhat yieldable to protect a person, animal, or object that might otherwise become trapped between the doors. Such method of manufacture is also economical. Other elements of apparatus 20 may be constructed of any suitable materials for the intended environment.

Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects (none shown), the apparatus being generally indicated by the reference numeral 70. Apparatus 70 includes first and second housings 72 and 74 supported at a selected elevation with respect to an underlying area 76 by means of a plurality of supports, as at 78, rising from the underlying area and passing through a plurality of openings, as at 80, defined vertically through the first and second housings. Supports 78 may be horizontally interconnected at an elevation above first and second housings 72 and 74 to provide increased rigidity. First and second housings 72 and 74 include extending therefrom first and second resilient and compressible door members 82 and 84 the distal ends of which approach each other to close off a passageway between first and second housings 72 and 74, the passageway being indicated by the arrow on Figure 2. First and second door members 82 and 84 are filled with an open-cell foam material which give the door members their self-supporting shapes and so that the door members can be relatively easily compressed by a person, animal, or object to move the door members to an open position, thus opening the passageway. To permit first and second door members to be compressed, a restrictive opening, such as small opening 86 defined, for example, in a wall of second housing 74 is provided, the size of the opening determining the rate of passage, similar to the function of exit lines 52 and 54 on apparatus 20 (Figure 1). Once passage has been achieved, air must be introduced relatively rapidly into first and second doors members 82 and 84 to permit the rapid closing of the passageway. This is accomplished by providing a relatively large opening 88 defined, for example, in the wall of second housing 74 and covered internally with a flapper valve 90 to prevent air from exiting the second housing when door member 84 is compressed. In the embodiment shown on Figure 2, it will be understood that the "pressurized fluid: is air at atmospheric pressure. Figure 3 illustrates first and second housings 72' and 74' with, respectively, first and second door members 82 ' and 84 ' the construction and functions of which are similar to those of similar elements in apparatus 70 (Figure 2). Here, however, first and second housings 72' and 74' have, respectively, lines 96 and 98 attached thereto for connection to a source of pressurized fluid to provide the pressurized fluid to first and second door members 82' and 84' for more rapid and more positive closing of the passageway between the first and second door members. First and second lines 96 and 98 may also be used for the exit of pressurized fluid from first and second door members 82' and 84'. Figure 4 illustrates a housing 74" with a door member 84" in a symmetrical arrangement which may be employed to control flow of persons, animals, or objects in either direction. For greater resiliency of door member 84", an opening 104 is provided between the door member and housing 74". Figure 5 illustrates an apparatus constructed according to a further embodiment of the present invention for controlling the flow of person, animals, or objects, the apparatus being generally indicated by the reference numeral 110. Apparatus 110 includes first and second housings 112 and 114 having as "door" members, respectively, first and second resilient membranes 116 and 118. First resilient membrane 116 is attached to first housing 112 by means of stretchable bands 120 attached between the ends of the membrane and the housing. First and second membranes 116 and 118 are moved to their "closed" positions by means of, respectively, expandable vessels 126 and 128 having fluid lines 130 and 132 attached, respectively, thereto. First membrane is shown in its "closed" position by virtue of pressurized fluid being introduced into first expandable vessel 126 through fluid line 130, while second membrane 118 is shown in its "open" position by virtue of pressurized fluid being expelled through line 132. Thus arranged, apparatus 110 can be employed to control passage in either direction through the space between first and second housings 112 and 114. Figures 6A and 6B together illustrate the application of the present invention to an amusement park waterslide, generally indicated by the reference numeral 150. Waterslide 150 includes an inclined, upwardly open trough 152 having a plurality of water jets, as at 154, which discharge water down the waterslide. Persons (not shown) using waterslide 150 would sit in the bottom of trough 152 and slide down the waterslide with the aid of the flowing water. In order to control the passage of persons entering the waterslide, there are provided a number of oppositely disposed, soft, inflatable barriers, as at 160, located in the side walls of trough 152, the barriers being shown deflated on Figure 6A and inflated on Figure 6B, the inflated position being used to ensure that persons enter waterslide 150 singly. Also, barriers 160 may be located somewhat away from the entrance end of waterslide 150 to encourage persons to form a queue. It will be noted that the shapes of barriers 160 are similar to that of door members 82 and 84 on apparatus 70 (Figure 2) and their operation may also be similar, although the inflated barriers may be flexible enough that they only require inflation to a predetermined pressure and are otherwise unconnected to a source of pressurized fluid. Alternatively, barriers 160 may be normally not deployed and only deployed (i.e, inflated) when a crowd develops. Or, the barriers may be alternately deflated and deflated by an operator to assure that persons pass through the barriers singly. The barriers may be easily retrofitted to existing waterslides .

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. The present invention has several advantages over a conventional turnstile. First, the apparatus has a soft exterior, thus minimizing injury in the event of a slip and fall situation. Second, the use of electricity at the apparatus is not required, thus removing a safety hazard, particularly in applications such as waterslides. Third, the apparatus is very simple and requires no complicated control arrangement and, in some cases, is self-controlling. Fourth, the elements of the apparatus can be economically constructed using conventional manufacturing techniques. Fifth, the height of the apparatus is virtually unlimited and can extend to the supporting surface to prevent anyone from passing underneath the apparatus.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects, comprising: (a) pressurized fluid responsive means to selectively open and close a passageway; and (b) means to supply pressurized fluid to said pressurized fluid responsive means.

2. A method of controlling the flow of persons, animals, or objects through a passageway, comprising:

(a) providing pressurized fluid responsive means to selectively open and close a passageway;

(b) supplying pressurized fluid to said pressurized fluid responsive means to close said passageway; and

(c) permitting said pressurized fluid to exit said pressurized fluid responsive means to open said passageway.

3. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid responsive means comprises:

(a) first and second door members having their proximal ends pivotally connected at first stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said passageway, distal ends of said first and second door members, when adjacent, closing said passageway, and said distal ends of said first and second door members, when apart, opening said passageway; and

(b) first and second expandable vessels connected, respectively, between said first and second door members and second stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said said passageway, such that supplying of pressurized fluid to said first and second expandable vessels will cause said distal ends to move to an adjacent position and exhausting of said pressurized fluid from said expandable vessels will cause said distal ends to move to a spaced apart position.

4. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 3, further comprising: first and second spring means connected, respectively, between said first and second door members and third stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said passageway to assist said distal ends to move to said spaced apart position.

5. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 3, further comprising: first and second spring means connected, respectively, between said first and second door members and third stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said passageway to assist said distal ends to move to said adjacent position.

6. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 3, further comprising: means to automatically connect said expandable vessels to a source of vacuum in the event of an emergency so as to rapidly move said distal ends to said spaced apart position.

7. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: rate of flow of pressurized fluid to said pressurized fluid responsive means is selectively controllable.

8. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 3, wherein: said first and second doors are disposed, respectively, in first and second housings disposed on opposite sides of said passageway when said distal ends are in said spaced apart position so as to present an unobstructed passageway.

9. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 3, wherein: said first and second doors are semi-rigid and somewhat yieldable to protect one of said persons, animals, or objects that might become trapped therebetween.

10. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said pressurized fluid responsive means comprises: first and second asymmetrical, resilient, compressible door members disposed on either side of said passageway to permit passage only in one direction, said first and second door members being constructed of an open-cell foam material and having their distal ends adjacent to close said passageway, and said first and second door members being compressible to permit passage of one of said persons, animals, or objects by said one of said persons, animals, or objects bearing against said first and second door members.

11. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said pressurized fluid responsive means comprises: first and second symmetrical, resilient, compressible door members disposed on either side of said passageway to permit bidirectional passage, said first and second door members being constructed of an open-cell foam material and having their distal ends adjacent to close said passageway, and said first and second door members being compressible to permit passage of one of said persons, animals, or objects by said one of said persons, animals, or objects bearing against said first and second door members.

12. An apparatus, as defined in Claim 1, wherein said pressurized fluid responsive means comprises:

(a) first and second resilient door membranes having both proximal ends of each connected, respectively, at first and second stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said passageway, portions of said first and second resilient door membranes, when adjacent, closing said passageway, and said portions of said first and second resilient door membranes, when apart, opening said passageway; and

(b) first and second expandable vessels disposed, respectively, between said first and second resilient door membranes and third stationary points disposed on opposite sides of said said passageway, such that supplying of pressurized fluid to said first and second expandable vessels will cause said portions to move to an adjacent position and exhaust of said pressurized fluid from said expandable vessels will cause said portions to move to a spaced apart position.