U.S. patent application number 14/993019 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-09 for road automatically dividing apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is LINENG-TECH CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chih-Yu Lee.
Application Number | 20170067216 14/993019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55408869 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170067216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Chih-Yu |
March 9, 2017 |
ROAD AUTOMATICALLY DIVIDING APPARATUS
Abstract
A road automatically dividing apparatus comprises a
ground-embedded base, a telescopic tube set, an illuminating
device, and a driving device. The ground-embedded base includes an
accommodating space and an upper opening. The telescopic tube set,
disposed in the accommodating space, includes a plurality of
translucent column tubes which are connected telescopically and are
relatively slidable in such a manner that each translucent column
tube is converted between an expanding position and a collapsing
position. The expanding position allows each translucent column
tube expand from the neighboring one by sliding relatively to each
other. The illuminating device is for emitting light penetrating
the telescopic tube set. The driving device is configured to drive
the telescopic tube set such that the telescopic tube set expands
and collapses between the expanding position and the collapsing
position.
Inventors: |
Lee; Chih-Yu; (Hsinchu City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LINENG-TECH CORPORATION |
Hsinchu City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
55408869 |
Appl. No.: |
14/993019 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 15/006
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/04 20060101
E01F013/04; E01F 15/00 20060101 E01F015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2015 |
TW |
104214446 |
Claims
1. A road automatically dividing apparatus, comprising: a
ground-embedded base, which is embedded under a ground, including
an accommodating space and an upper opening which links the
accommodating space and the outer space; a telescopic tube set,
disposed in the accommodating space, consisting of a plurality of
translucent column tubes which including an outer translucent
column tube and at least one inner translucent column tube
collapsed within the outer translucent column tube thereby enabling
the translucent column tubes to be telescopically and relatively
slidable connected in such a manner that each inner translucent
column tube is converted between an expanding position and a
collapsing position, wherein the expanding position allows each
inner translucent column tube to expand from the neighboring
translucent column tube by sliding relatively to each other such
that the inner translucent column tube is expanded upwards from the
ground-embedded base to a road dividing height through the upper
opening, and the collapsing position allows all neighboring inner
translucent column tubes to slides and collapse to each other such
that each inner translucent column tube is collapsed to the
interior of the accommodating space of the ground-embedded base
thereby enabling a height level of a top portion of the telescopic
tube set to be lower than a height level of the upper opening; an
illuminating device, disposed within the ground-embedded base or
within the telescopic tube set, that emits light to penetrate
through all translucent column tubes to outside of all translucent
column tubes thereby illuminating light from the telescopic tube
set; and a driving device, connected to the telescopic tube set,
configured to drive the telescopic tube set such that the
telescopic tube set expands and collapses between the expanding
position and the collapsing position.
2. The road automatically dividing apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising a timing device electrically connected to the driving
device, wherein the timing device sends a converting signal in a
definite time to the driving device such that the driving device
drives the telescopic tube set to convert between the expanding
position and the collapsing position according to the converting
signal.
3. The road automatically dividing apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising a remote-signal-receiving device electrically connected
to the driving device, wherein the remote-signal-receiving device
receives a converting signal from a remote end so that the driving
device drives the telescopic tube set to convert between the
expanding position and the collapsing position.
4. The road automatically dividing apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the top portion of the telescopic tube set includes a translucent
element through which the light emitted from the illuminating
device penetrates upwards.
5. The road automatically dividing apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the outer edge of the top portion of the telescopic tube set has a
shape corresponding to the inner edge of the upper opening, and the
top portion of the telescopic tube set seamlessly matches the upper
opening when the telescopic tube set is at the collapsing position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic cone, and more
particularly to a road automatically dividing apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A reversible lane is a lane where it allows traffic
direction changed according to a predetermined configuration.
Typically, a reversible lane is chosen as a lane between two lanes
whose traffic directions reverse to each other for improving
traffic flow during rush hours. For notifying drivers of the
reversible lane, prior dividing columns are placed on one edge side
of the reversible lane in a row for separating the reversible lane
and its neighboring lane whose traffic directions are opposite. The
prior dividing columns should be moved by manpower. For example, if
the westward traffic flow is heavier than the eastward traffic
flow, the dividing columns should be disposed between the
reversible lane and the eastward lane by manpower for the purpose
of notifying drivers of westward direction of the reversible lane.
On the contrary, if the eastward traffic flow is heavier than the
westward traffic flow, the dividing columns should be moved to
positions between the reversible lane and the westward lane by
manpower for the purpose of notifying drivers of the traffic
eastward direction of the reversible lane. However, not only it is
inconvenient for the movement of the dividing columns by manpower,
but is dangerous for people who move the dividing columns across
the lanes back and forth. Moreover, the dividing columns are easy
to be toppled down and easy to be removed by the third party or any
other unexpectedly force such as a wind force, by which it not only
causes the dividing columns being ineffective for lane dividing,
but also causes the dividing columns being lost and destroyed. It
thus brings traffic hazard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is for solving the disadvantages as
described above.
[0004] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to
provide a road automatically dividing apparatus which divides roads
without manpower.
[0005] The road automatically dividing apparatus of the present
invention comprises a ground-embedded base, a telescopic tube set,
an illuminating device, and a driving device. The ground-embedded
base, which is embedded under a ground, includes an accommodating
space and an upper opening which links the accommodating space and
the outer space. The telescopic tube set, disposed in the
accommodating space, includes a plurality of translucent column
tubes which are connected telescopically and are relatively
slidable in such a manner that each translucent column tube is
converted between an expanding position and a collapsing position.
The expanding position allows each translucent column tube expand
from the neighboring translucent column tube by sliding relatively
to each other such that the telescopic tube set elongate upwards
from the ground-embedded base to a road dividing height through the
upper opening, and the collapsing position allows neighboring
translucent column tubes slides and collapse to each other such
that the telescopic tube set is collapsed to the interior of the
accommodating space by enabling a height level of a top portion of
the telescopic tube set which is lower than a height level of the
upper opening. The illuminating device, disposed on the
ground-embedded base or the telescopic tube set, is for emitting
light penetrating the telescopic tube set. The driving device,
connected to the telescopic tube set, is configured to drive the
telescopic tube set such that the telescopic tube set expands and
collapses between the expanding position and the collapsing
position.
[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
road automatically dividing apparatus further comprises a timing
device electrically connected to the driving device, wherein the
timing device sends a converting signal in a definite time to the
driving device such that the driving device drives the telescopic
tube set to convert between the expanding position and the
collapsing position according to the converting signal.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
road automatically dividing apparatus further comprises a
remote-signal-receiving device electrically connected to the
driving device, wherein the remote-signal-receiving device receives
a converting signal from a remote end so that the driving device
drives the telescopic tube set to convert between the expanding
position and the collapsing position.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
top portion of the telescopic tube set includes a translucent
element through which the light emitted from the illuminating
device penetrates upwards.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, he
outer edge of the top portion of the telescopic tube set has a
shape corresponding to the inner edge of the upper opening, and the
top portion of the telescopic tube set seamlessly matches the upper
opening when the telescopic tube set is at the collapsing
position.
[0010] By means of the technology of the present invention, the
road automatically dividing apparatus according to the present
invention converts between the expanding position and the
collapsing position. In the expanding position, the telescopic tube
set acts as a barrier and the light emitted from the illuminating
device penetrating the telescopic tube set can warn people. In the
collapsing position, the telescopic tube set is collapsed to the
interior of the ground-embedded base by being hided under the
ground which has benefit to keep the ground flat. Besides, by the
ground-embedded base, the road automatically dividing apparatus is
concretely installed in the ground to overcome the disadvantages of
being toppled down and being moved unexpectedly. As compared with
the prior dividing columns, the road automatically dividing
apparatus of the present invention is more convenient and efficient
eliminating the risk for people who move dividing columns and
ensuring the traffic safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the road
automatically dividing apparatus according to one embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the plurality of translucent column
tubes are at the collapsing position.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the road
automatically dividing apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the plurality of translucent column
tubes are at the expanding position.
[0014] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the road
automatically dividing apparatus applied to a reversible lane
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the road
automatically dividing apparatus according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The embodiments of the present invention are described below
with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. The description is for
describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and
is not intended to limit the way of embodying the present
invention.
[0017] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3B, a road automatically dividing
apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention
includes a ground-embedded base 1, a telescopic tube set 2, an
illuminating device 3 and a driving device 4.
[0018] The ground-embedded base 1, which is for being embedded
under a ground G, is provided with an accommodating space 11 and an
upper opening 12 which communicates the accommodating space 11 and
the outer space.
[0019] The telescopic tube set 2 is disposed in the accommodating
space 11, and includes a plurality of translucent column tubes 21,
22, 23, 24 and 25 which are connected telescopically in a manner of
being relatively slidable between an expanding position and a
collapsing position. As shown in FIG. 1, in the collapsing
position, the plurality of translucent column tubes 21, 22, 23, 24,
and 25 are collapsed to the interior of the accommodating space 11
while a height level of a top portion 251 of the telescopic tube
set 2 is lower than a height level of the upper opening 12 by
sliding to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, in the expanding
position, the plurality of translucent column tube 21, 22, 23, 24
and 25 are expanded o elongate upwards from the ground-embedded
base to a road dividing height H through the upper opening 12 by
sliding relatively to each other. It's worth noting that although
five translucent column tubes have been shown, the present
invention is not limited to this, and the telescopic tube set 2 may
be composed of two translucent column tubes, three translucent
column tubes, four translucent column tubes, or more than four
translucent column tubes. In addition, the translucent column tubes
may be made of transparent material or translucent material.
[0020] In this embodiment, the outer edge of the top portion 251 of
the telescopic tube set 2 has a shape corresponding to the inner
edge 121 of the upper opening 12. In the collapsing position, the
top portion 251 of the telescopic tube set 2 seamlessly matches the
upper opening 12 with an equal altitude to the upper opening 12, as
shown in FIG. 1). As a result, in the collapsing position, the top
portion 251 of the telescopic tube set 2 is at an equal altitude to
the ground G when the round-embedded base 1 is embedded under the
ground G and the upper opening 12 is at an equal altitude to the
ground G.
[0021] The illuminating device 3 is disposed at the ground-embedded
base 1 for emitting light upwards. Since the translucent column
tubes 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are transparent or translucent, the
light emitted from the illuminating device 3 penetrates the
telescopic tube set 2. In this embodiment, the top portion 251 of
the telescopic tube set 2 is also a translucent element through
which the light emitted from the illuminating device 3 penetrates
upwards. As shown as dashed lines in FIG. 2, in the expanding
position, the light penetrates the translucent column tubes 21, 22,
23, 24 and 25. The illuminating device 3 may be a light-emitting
diode(LED) lamp, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, or
a cold cathode fluorescent(CCFL) lamp, and the present invention is
not limited to this.
[0022] The driving device 4, connected to the telescopic tube set
2, is configured to drive the telescopic tube set 2 such that the
telescopic tube set 2 slide relative to each other between the
expanding position and the collapsing position. The driving device
4 may be a device applying a telescopic rod and a motor to drive
the telescopic tube set 2 to elongate or collapse by the motor
rotating forward and reversely. The driving device 4 also may be a
device applying a pulley assembly and a motor to drive the
telescopic tube set 2. The motor provides power for the pulley
assembly to drive the telescopic tube set 2. Alternatively, the
driving device 4 can be a hydraulic device or a pneumatic device.
It's worth noting that, in the embodiment, the driving device 4 is
disposed in the interior of the telescopic tube set 2, but the
present invention is not limited to this. The driving device 4 may
be also disposed at other positions of the telescopic tube set
2.
[0023] The road automatically dividing apparatus 100 according to
the embodiment further includes a timing device 5. The timing
device 5 is electrically connected to the driving device 4 and the
illuminating device 3. The timing device 5 is configured to send a
converting signal T1 in a definite time to the driving device 4
such that the driving device 4 drives the telescopic tube set 2 to
convert between the expanding position and the collapsing position
according to the converting signal T1. The timing device 5 is also
configured to send a converting signal T2 to turn on/off the
illuminating device 3. For example, the timing device 5 may be
configured to send the converting signal T2 to turn off the
illuminating device 3 in the morning and turn on the illuminating
device 3 in the evening.
[0024] The road automatically dividing apparatus 100 according to
the embodiment further includes a remote-signal-receiving device 6.
The remote-signal-receiving device 6 is signal-connected to the
driving device 4 and the illuminating device 3, and is provided to
receive a converting signal T3 from a controlling center 7 via a
wired or wireless transmission. So that the driving device 4 drives
the telescopic tube set 2 to convert between the expanding position
and the collapsing position according to the converting signal T3,
and the illuminating device 3 converts between turning on and
turning off. The controlling center 7 is configured to provide an
interface for users driving the telescopic tube set 2 to convert
between the expanding position and the collapsing position.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3A and 3B, the plurality of telescopic tube
sets 2 and their corresponding ground-embedded bases 1(not shown)
are arranged in dividing lines L1 and L2, and the plurality of
remote-signal-receiving devices 6 are connected to one controlling
center 7. A westward lane A and an eastward lane C are provided
with a reversible lane B therebetween, in which the dividing line
L1 is used to separate the westward lane A and the reversible lane
B, and the dividing line L2 is used to separate the eastward lane C
and the reversible lane B. When the traffic flow in the eastward
lane C is heavy, e.g., in the morning rush hour, the controlling
center 7 sends a converting signal T3 to the
remote-signal-receiving device 6 such that the telescopic tube sets
2 arranged in dividing line L1 convert to the expanding position
and the telescopic tube sets 2 arranged in dividing line L2 convert
to the collapsing position such that the reversible lane B can be
served as an eastward lane for accommodating the heavy traffic flow
in the eastward lane C. On the other hand, when the traffic flow in
the westward lane A is heavy, e.g., in the evening rush hour, the
controlling center 7 sends a converting signal T3 to the
remote-signal-receiving device 6 such that the telescopic tube sets
2 arranged in dividing line L1 convert to the collapsing position
and the telescopic tube sets 2 arranged in dividing line L2 convert
to the expanding position so that the reversible lane B can be
served as a westward lane for accommodating the heavy traffic flow
in the westward lane A. Because the conversion of the telescopic
tube sets 2 are controlled by the controlling center 7, the
converting process of the telescopic tube sets 2 can be operated
unmanned. As a result, the advantages of safety, convenience, and
reducing labor costs are achieved by the unmanned converting
process.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, a road automatically dividing apparatus
100a according to another embodiment of the present invention is
similar to the road automatically dividing apparatus 100 according
to previous embodiment. The road automatically dividing apparatus
100a includes a ground-embedded base 1, a telescopic tube set 2, an
illuminating device 3 and a driving device 4. The main difference
of the two embodiments is that the illuminating device 3 in this
embodiment is disposed at the top of the telescopic tube set 2 for
emitting light downward.
[0027] According to the road automatically dividing apparatus
provided by the present invention, the telescopic tube set 2 is
converted between the expanding position and the collapsing
position by driving device 4 driving the telescopic tube set 2,
replacing the usage pattern of moving dividing columns by manpower
in the prior art. Moreover, the road automatically dividing
apparatus in the present invention is not limit to be applied to
reversible lanes, it is also able to be applied to parking, fields
of gathering, ticket windows, and so on. As a result, the road
automatically dividing apparatus has the advantages of great
versatility, fast to convert, convenience, and safety.
[0028] The above description should be considered as only the
discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
However, a person skilled in the art may make various modifications
without deviating from the present invention. Those modifications
still fall within the spirit and scope defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *