Self-enforcing Parking System

Abstract

A self-enforcing parking system is disclosed herein wherein the motorist must deposit the proper monetary amount in a meter before he can remove his vehicle from the parking stall. The stall comprises a flat plate having wheel guides thereon which aid in properly positioning the front wheels of the vehicle as it is driven into the stall. A front curb is positioned at the forward end of the stall to position the vehicle front wheels on a pair of pressure pads having normally open switches therein. A pair of barrier plates, driven by a hydraulic cylinder means, pivotally move upwardly behind the vehicle front wheels after the vehicle is properly positioned on the pressure pads. When the motorist desires to leave the parking stall, he must deposit the proper amount of coins in the meter to cause the barrier plates to be lowered by the hydraulic cylinder means. The parking charges are directly indicated on the meter to indicate the fee which must be paid.

Description

Conventional parking systems are generally unsatisfactory due to the fact that persons can park in parking spaces utilizing parking meters without depositing money into the meters. The biggest disadvantage in available parking is in the private parking area such as a parking lot having a large number of parking spaces. These areas generally do not come under police jurisdiction since they are for private management. Thus, if parking meters are provided in the parking lot, the drivers sometimes attempt to avoid depositing money in the parking meters since they realize that a ticket for a parking violation will not be issued. The solution to the above problem has been to provide attendants at the parking areas to collect the money for the parking changes. Obviously, such a solution is less than desirable due to the costs and adminstrative details associated therewith.

One means of eliminating the problems enumerated above are disclosed in applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,480 which issued Mar. 31, 1970. The instant invention represents a significant advance in the earlier device since the entire unit is positioned above the ground to facilitate ease of installation and maintenance. Additionally, the instant invention represents a significant improvement over the earlier device due to the improved parking meter and due to the improved barrier plates and electrical circuitry of the instant invention.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a method and means of self-enforcing parking.

A further object of this invention is to provide a means for parking a vehicle utilizing a parking meter wherein the driver pays for the time the vehicle was in the parking space.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing type of enforcing system.

A further object of this invention is to provide a parking system that prevents the vehicle from being removed from the parking space until a predetermined amount of money has been inserted into a parking meter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a parking system which eliminates the need for the driver to insert money into the parking meter in advance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a parking control device which indicates when the vehicle is properly parked in the parking stall.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking device which eliminates the need of a person being in attendance in a parking lot.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system having a barrier plate means provided thereon which compensates for various vehicle sizes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system having a meter which directly indicates the monetary charges on rotating wheels.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system including a stepping motor and gears which drives a rotating charge wheel to indicate the parking charge.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system including limit switches which prevent the charge wheels from rotating past their maximum charge.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system including means for lowering a parking barrier when the indicator charge wheels are zero set through the deposit of coins into the parking meter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system wherein conventional 115 Volt AC power is transformed into 24 Volt DC power to prevent serious shocks to the motorist.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system including a parking stall having guide means thereon to insure that the vehicle will be properly parked thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system which is mounted above ground level to facilitate ease of maintenance and installation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a self-enforcing parking system which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the parking stall:

FIG. 2 is a top view of the parking stall:

FIG. 3 is a top view of the parking stall having the wheel guides and cowl removed therefrom to illustrate the internal components of the system:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the barrier plates:

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the invention:

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded persective view of the meter housing; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the internal components of the parking meter.

The numeral 10 designates a parking stall which is adapated to be placed on any suitable supporting surface usch as concrete, asphalt, etc. The entire stall 10 is above ground to permit ease of installation and maintenance. A parking meter 12 would normally be located adjacent the stall 10 so as to be convenient for the motorist.

Stall 10 comprises a flat base 14 having a flanged cowling 16 (preferably steel) mounted thereon. Curb 18 is provided at one end of the stall 10 to limit the forward travel of the vehicle entering the stall. A pair of flanged guides 20 and 22 are secured to base 14 at the sides thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the base 14 with the cowling 16 and guides 20, 22 removed therefrom. Hydraulic cylinder 24 is secured to base 14 and has its bases 26, 28 in fluid communication with a hydraulic power unit 30 so that the cylinder rod 32 can be selectively moved inwardly and outwardly with respect to the cylinder 24. The outer end of rod 32 is secured to a linkage 34 which is connected to a barrier activating shaft 36. The shaft 36 is rotatably supported in bearings 38, 40, 42 and 44. Barrier plates 44 and 46 are mounted on the shaft 36 for movement therewith. Plate 44 is substantially flat and has outer end portion 48, intermediate portion 50 and inner end portion 52. Plate 46 is substantially flat and has outer end portion 54, intermediate portion 56 and inner end portion 58. Extension of rod 32 causes the shaft 36 to be rotated so that the plates 44 and 46 will be raised with the outer end portions, intermediate portions and inner end portions thereof providing a means for compensating for various car sizes (width, tire size, etc.). As seen in FIG. 1, the shaft 36 extends outwardly through a suitable opening formed in cowling 16 with the plates 44 and 46 being positioned between the cowling 16 and guides 20 and 22 respectively. A pair of pressure pads 60 and 62 are positioned on base 14 in the relationship shown in FIG. 1 and include normally open pressure switches 64 and 66 therein respectively which are closed upon the vehicle wheels driving thereon.

In FIG. 1, the numerals 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 refer to the following elements: main timer, 24 hour-7 day timer, heater, elapsed timer No. 1, elapsed timer No. 2, electrical terminal means, on-off switch, and 24 Volt DC transformer, respectively.

The operating mechanism of the meter 12 is shown in FIG. 7. For purposes of conciseness, the following chart identifies the components of the operating mechanism:

84 -- Coin carrier assembly

86 -- Coin carrier return spring

88 -- Handle shaft pin

90 -- Slot closer screws

92 -- Spring slot closer lock

94 -- Screw

96 -- Slot closer

98 -- Slot closer lock

100 -- Segment screws

102 -- Segment

104 -- Washer

106 -- Mechanism frame assembly

108 -- Coin shield

110 -- Slot block

112 -- Screw

114 -- Spacer washer

116 -- Operating handle

118 -- Ratchet plate

120 -- Secondary flag shaft assembly

122 -- Pivot pin clip

124 -- Pawl retainer link

126 -- Rivet

128 -- Tail spring

130 -- Coin pawl spring

132 -- Ratchet pawl

134 -- Extended coin pawl

136 -- Bushing

138 -- Winding pawl

140 -- Switch mounting plate

142 -- Switch

144 -- Switch

146 -- Switch

148 -- Switch

150 -- Unidirectional gear doll or charge wheel (reversible to zero position)

152 -- Bidirectional gear cent charge wheel

153 -- Charge wheel shaft

154 -- Stepping motor (e.g. Ledex No. 216001-023 Bidirectional Series 50)

156 -- Gear (meshes with 152)

158 -- Gear (meshes with 150)

160 -- Charge indicator wheel - dollar units

162 -- Charge indicator wheel -- 10 cent units

164 -- Switch mounting plate

166 -- Switch (e.g. Licon, No. 16 --044 212)

168 -- Switch (e.g. Licon, No. 16 --044 212)

170 -- Switch (e.g. Licon, No. 16 --044 212)

172 -- Switch (e.g. Licon, No. 16 --044 212)

174 -- Switch (e.g. Licon, No. 16 --044 212)

176 -- Meter housing

178 -- Dome cover

180 -- Dome

182 -- 115 Volt A. C. source

184 -- Indicator light

The normal method of operation is as follows. The vehicle enters the parking stall 10 with the front wheels thereof passing over the lowered barrier plates 44 and 46. The vehicle is driven into the parking stall until the front wheels thereof rest on the pressure plates or pads 60 and 62 and position against the front curb 18. When the vehicle's front wheels are on the pressure pads 60 and 62, the switches 64 and 66 are closed and send an electrical impulse to energize the main timer motor 186. Both of the switches 64 and 66 must be closed before such an electrical impulse will be sent to the main timer motor. The closing of the switches 64 and 66 also causes the red indicator light 184 to be lighted thereby indicating to the driver that the vehicle is properly parked in the parking stall. The closing of the switches 64 and 66 also causes an electrical circuit to be completed through the electrical hydraulic power unit 30 to cause the extension of the cylinder rod 32 for a predetermined distance thereby moving the barrier plate linkage 34 and shaft 36 to raise the barrier plates 44 and 46. The raising of the barrier plates 44 and 46 trap the vehicle's front wheels between the barrier plates and the front curb. The configuration of the barrier plates 44 and 46 is such that they will compensate for various vehicle widths and tire sizes.

An electrical circuit is also made to the 7 day week, 24 hour day timer 70. Timer 70 is energized at all times through its own off-on switch and circuit. When the other electrical circuit is made by the switches 64 and 66 being closed, the pre-set cam switches in the timer 70 energizes either the elapsed time timer 74 or elapsed time timer 76. When either timer 74 or timer 76 is energized, an electrical circuit is completed from timer 74 or timer 76 through the transformer 82 to the stepping motor 154 to indicate an initial charge on the charge wheels 160 and 162. The electrical impulse furnished to the stepping motor 154 causes it to be energized and advances the stepping motor gear 156 for a predetermined distance. The stepping motor gear 156 causes the gear 152 to be also rotated which causes the cents charge wheel 162 to be rotated for a predetermined distance to indicate the amount of the initial parking charge. The elapsed time timers 74 and 76 would ordinarily be pre-set to permit different charges for different days of the week or different hours of the day. The timers 74 and 76 has pre-set predetermined time elapses to enable them to energize the stepping motor for different predetermined lengths of time.

As long as the vehicle remains parked in the parking stall, the energized elapsed time timer would oeprate and at each pre-set, predetermined amount of time elasped, the timer would energize the stepping motor 154 (through the transformer 82) to advance additional charges on the charge wheels 160 and 162. The stepping motor gear 156 engages the cents charge wheel gear 152 as elapsed time charges are being determined by the elapsed time timer. When the cents charge wheel 162 has been advanced by the stepping motor until the charge reaches one dollar, the cents wheel then engages the dollar charge wheel 160 to advance it to indicate a one dollar charge with the cents charge wheel 162 then indicating a 0 cents charge. In the event that the elapsed time timer would continue to advance charges on the charge wheel until a predetermined maximum amount of charges had been reached, levers on the cents and dollar charge wheels would engage the switches 148 and 142 respectively to discontinue the power to the elapsed time timer which would prevent the unit from 0 setting itself.

When the motorist returns for his vehicle, he would read the total amount of charges indicated on the indicator charge wheels 160 and 162. The motorist would then insert coins into the coin slot block 110 to pay for his parking time. The coin handling mechanism operates in the same manner as standard Duncan Model 50, 60 or Model 70 parking meter. The coin is inserted into the coin slot block 110 and falls into the coin carrier assembly 84. The motorist then turns the operating handle 116 so that the coin is carried around the coin carrier until the edge of the coin strikes the coin segment 102. The coin segment 102 causes the coin switch lever to be extended to make from one to five of the switches 166, 168, 170, 172 or 174. The number of switches made would be determined by the types of coins used such as nickels, dimes, quarters. When the coin switches are made, they send an electrical impulse to the stepping motor 154 to energize the same so that it is operated in the reverse direction. The stepping motor gear 156 then turns the cents indicator charge wheel 162 back a predetermined distance. The amount of reverse rotation applied to the wheel 162 would depend upon the number of coins that had been inserted. After enough coins have been inserted to return the indicator charge wheels back to their 0 settings, the hydraulic system is energized by the closing of two switches by the levers on the charge wheels. The energized hydraulic power unit then causes the cylinder rod 32 to be withdrawn into the cylinder to cause the cylinder rod to return to its home position. The withdrawal of the cylinder rod 32 causes the barrier plates 44 and 46 to be returned to their horizontal position. The main timer circuit continues to operate for a predetermined time so that if the vehicle is not removed from the parking stall and the pressure switches 64 and 66 are still closed, it would then re-start the operation. If the vehicle is removed from the pressure plates, the main timer runs for a predetermined time and then shuts down the entire unit until the next vehicle is parked.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely novel self-enforcing parking device has been provided. The device indicates monetary charges on a rotating wheel to indicate to the motorist the exact parking charges. The rotation of the charge wheels are accomplished through a stepping motor and gear arrangement and the reversal of the stepping motor indicates the amount of fee paid. The fact that the 115 Volt power sources transformed to 24 Volts direct current power insures that the motorist will not suffer harmful shock if a malfunction should occur in the system. The entire system is mounted on a metal plate and is encased above ground level to insure ease of maintenance and installation. The guiding system on the device insures that the vehicle will be properly moved into position on the parking stall. Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a parking system,

a parking stall means adapted to accommodate a vehicle including means thereon to position the front wheels of the vehicle thereon,

a parking meter means positioned adjacent said parking stall means,

a barrier means pivotally movably mounted on said stall means adapted to be moved between a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position behind at least one of the vehicle front wheels, said barrier means permitting the vehicle to move onto the parking stall means when in its horizontal position and preventing the vehicle from leaving the parking stall means when in its second position,

a control means operatively connecting said parking meter means and said barrier means, said control means activating said parking meter means after said vehicle moves onto said parking stall means and causing said barrier means to be moved to its said substantially vertical position, said control means causing said barrier means to remain in said vertical position during the time the vehicle is parked in said parking stall means,

said control means adapted to move said barrier means to its horizontal position upon the insertion of a monetary amount into said parking meter means corresponding to the length of time the vehicle was parked on said parking stall means,

said control means including a normally open pressure switch means on said parking stall means which is positioned beneath at least one of the vehicle front wheels when the vehicle is in the proper parked position, said parking meter means being deactivated until after said pressure switch means is closed by the said one wheel driving thereon as the vehicle drives upon the parking stall means,

and guide means on said parking stall means for guiding the vehicle into a proper parked position on said parking stall means whereby the said one vehicle wheel will be positioned on said pressure switch means,

said parking meter means having an elapsed time charge indicating wheel means thereon which indicates to the motorist the monetary amount to be inserted into the parking meter means,

said charge indicating wheel means being driven by a stepping motor means,

said control means having an adjustable elapsed time timer means operatively connected to said stepping motor means so that said stepping motor may be energized for selected predetermined lengths of time.