Parking Barrier And Means For Controlling The Operation Thereof

Abstract

A parking barrier is disclosed together with the means for controlling the operation thereof. The invention comprises a parking stall which is positioned on the parking surface and which includes means for guiding the front tires of the vehicle into the proper position. The left front wheel of the vehicle engages a pressure switch which actuates the parking meter apparatus. The parking meter apparatus includes a gear motor which is connected to a barrier shaft which is positioned behind the front wheels of the vehicle. A plurality of barrier spikes are secured to the barrier shaft and are rotated upwardly and forwardly into position behind the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from being removed from the parking stall until the proper monetary amount is placed in the parking meter apparatus. The upper ends of the barrier spikes have beveled end portions thereon which are substantially parallel to the tire tread when the barrier spikes are in their upwardly extending position. A modified form of the apparatus is also disclosed wherein a key operated actuation means is substituted for the parking meter apparatus. A further modified form of the invention is disclosed and comprises a manually operated barrier shaft having means thereon for locking the barrier shaft between its inoperative and operative positions so that the parking space may be reserved when the vehicle is not positioned in the parking stall. The manually operated apparatus also permits the vehicle to be locked in the parking stall to prevent an unauthorized person from removing the vehicle.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part application of the application, Ser. No. 190,979, filed Oct. 20, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,916.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the co-pending application, a parking system was installed for controlling the operation of a barrier means which was positioned behind the front wheels of a vehicle when the vehicle was parked in a parking stall. The invention of the co-pending application represented a significant advance in the art and this invention represents a significant advance over applicant's previous invention.

Parking stalls have been heretofore provided which included a barrier means which was positioned behind the front wheels of a vehicle. In some of the previous devices, it was possible to remove the vehicle from the parking stall by simply backing the vehicle upwardly over the barrier. Additionally, the prior devices did not provide for any means for operating the barrier by means of a key actuated device. Additionally, the prior devices do not permit the parking stall or space to be "reserved".

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a parking barrier and means for controlling the operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking stall having a barrier provided thereon which will pierce the tires of the vehicle if the vehicle is removed from the stall in an unauthorized manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking stall having a barrier provided thereon which is operated by a parking meter apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking stall having a barrier means provided thereon which is operated by a key actuated means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking stall having a barrier means provided thereon which is manually operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking stall which permits the parking stall to be reserved during the times that the vehicle is removed therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking barrier including means to prevent the parking barrier from being forced to an inoperative position by the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking barrier 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 of this invention:

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the stall of FIG. 1 with a portion of the parking meter housing removed:

FIG. 3 is a partial top elevational view of the parking stall with portions thereof cut-away to more fully illustrate the invention:

FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4 -- 4 of FIG. 4:

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 except that the parking barrier is illustrated in its operative position:

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention:

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the parking stall of FIG. 7 with portions thereof cut-away to more fully illustrate the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The numeral 10 refers to a parking stall comprising generally a base plate 11 having a tubular front tire stop 12 secured thereto by welding or the like and extending laterally therefrom. A tubular left outside tire guide 14 is welded to front tire stop 12 and the base plate 10 and extends rearwardly therefrom. A tubular right outside tire guide 16 is welded to tire stop 12 at one end thereof and extends rearwardly therefrom as seen in the drawings. An angular portion 18 is provided at the rearward end of the guide 16. A tubular left inside tire guide 20 is secured to the stop 12 by welding and extends rearwardly in a spaced apart relationship to the guide 14. Likewise, a tubular right inside tire guide 22 is secured to the stop 12 and extends rearwardly therefrom in a parallel relationship to the guide 20. The numeral 24 refers to a center guide assembly secured to the rearward end of the guides 20 and 22.

Barrier shaft 15 is operatively rotatably secured to the guides 14, 20, 22 and 16. A plurality of spaced apart barrier spikes 26 are secured to the shaft 15 by welding between the guides 14 and 20 and normally extend horizontally rearwardly therefrom. A plurality of barrier spikes 27 are secured to the shaft 15 by welding between the guides 22 and 16 and normally extend horizontally rearwardly therefrom. The barrier spikes 26 and 27 are constructed of a solid tubular steel material and have a beveled end 28 which is cut at approximately 55.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spike as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Shaft bracket 30 is secured to the end of shaft 15 and has a shaft bracket stop 32 provided thereon which is adapted to engage the parking surface to limit the upper and forward pivotal movement of the barrier spikes 26 and 27 as will also be described in more detail hereinafter. Connecting arm 34 is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the shaft bracket 32 and extends forwardly therefrom. Sprocket support 36 is secured to the base plate 10 and has a shaft 38 mounted thereon which supports a sprocket 40. The numeral 42 (FIG. 2) refers to a gear motor which is operatively connected to the sprocket 40 by chain 44. An arcuate switch bracket 46 is welded to the sprocket 40 and is adapted to engage the micro switch 48 at times as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. The forward end of connection arm 34 is pivotally connected to the sprocket 40 by bolt 50. Preferably, the stall is supported slightly above the parking surface by suitable feet or spacers 51. The numeral 52 refers to a housing which extends over the connecting arm and the gear motor. The numeral 54 refers to a parking meter apparatus which is designed to control the operation of the barrier shaft 24. The numeral 56 refers to a pressure switch which is positioned between the guides 14 and 20 as illustrated in the drawings. Pressure switch 56 is electrically connected to the parking meter apparatus 54 and operates in conjunction therewith to control the operation of the parking barrier.

The barrier shaft 24 is normally in the position of FIG. 1 so that the barrier spikes are in a horizontally disposed position. The beveled ends 28 of the spikes 26 and 27 provide a smooth surface for the vehicle's tires as the vehicle is driven into the stall. The vehicle is driven into the stall until the front wheels thereof are positioned against the tubular front tire stop 12. The left front wheel of the vehicle would be positioned on the pressure switch 56 to send the appropriate signal to the parking meter apparatus. The parking meter apparatus 54 then energizes the gear motor 42 which rotates the sprocket 40 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 which causes the connecting arm 34 to be moved forwardly which causes the rotation of the barrier shaft 24. The shaft 24 is rotated until the barrier spikes 26 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the beveled ends 28 of the spikes 26 are approximately parallel or tangent to the tire surface. The movement of the barrier shaft 24 is limited due to the engagement of the shaft bracket stop 32 with the parking surface as also illustrated in FIG. 5.

The fact that the beveled ends 28 of the spikes 26 are substantially tangent to the tire surface prevents damage to the tire if the vehicle should be inadvertently moved slightly rearwardly thereagainst. The beveled ends 28 of the spikes 26 do insure that the vehicle can not be backed out of the stall until such time as the proper monetary amount has been placed in the parking meter apparatus 54 since the spikes will puncture the vehicle tires if the vehicle is attempted to be backed upwardly thereover. The varying length of the spikes permits the stall to accommodate various car sizes.

When the vehicle operator returns to the stall, the parking meter apparatus would indicate the monetary amount which must be deposited thereinto so that the parking barrier will be lowered. When the proper amount of money has been inserted into the parking meter apparatus 54, the gear motor 42 is again energized so that the sprocket 40 is rotated in in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5 which causes the connecting arm 34 to be moved rearwardly so that the shaft 24 will be rotated in a clockwise direction to reposition the barrier spikes in the horizontal position. The switch bracket 46 on the sprocket 40 de-engerizes and engerizes the gear motor 42 upon its engagement with the micro-switch 48.

A modified form of the parking stall is illustrated in FIG. 6 and is referred to by the reference numeral 10'. In stall 10' the parking meter apparatus 54 is replaced by a key actuated means generally referred to by the reference numeral 60. The parking stall 10' illustrated in FIG. 6 operates in the same manner as stall 10 except that the key apparatus 60 controls the operation of the gear motor rather than the parking meter apparatus. Inasmuch as parking stall 10' is substantially identical to parking stall 10, identical structure on parking stall 10' will be referred to by "'". The parking stall 10' can be used in those parking lots wherein the parking space is rented by the month or the like. The parking stall 10' can be used to permit the operator to reserve his parking space in the following manner. When the vehicle is removed from the parking stall 10', the key actuated apparatus 60 can be operated so that the barrier spikes 26' will be moved to their upwardly extending position which will prevent an unauthorized vehicle from entering the parking space. It is not possible for an unauthorized vehicle to drive against the barrier spikes to cause the rotation of the shaft and the barrier spikes thereon since the shaft bracket stop 32' will be in engagement with the parking surface. When the authorized operator desires to use the parking stall 10', the key actuated apparatus 60 is operated to cause the barrier spikes to be lowered. Once the vehicle is in place, the key actuated apparatus 60 is again operated to raise the barrier spikes behind the vehicle front wheels. The parking stall 10' prevents the vehicle from being stolen while in the stall 10' since the spikes will pierce the front tires of the vehicle if the vehicle is attempted to be backed thereover. The position of the key apparatus is such that it may be operated by the vehicle operator without leaving the vehicle.

A further modified form of the parking stall is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is referred to by the reference numeral 10". The parking stall 10" is identical to the other parking stalls disclosed herein with the exception that it is manually operated.

Parking stall 10" is of the manually operable type and is generally similar to the parking stall 10 except that manual control means has been substituted for the parking meter means. Inasmuch as parking stall 10" is substantially identical to parking stall 10, parking stall 10" will not be described in detail but identical structure will be described as """. Shaft bracket 100 is welded to one end of barrier shaft 15" and has a connecting arm 102 pivotally connected thereto as seen in the drawings. The forward end of connecting arm 102 is pivotally connected to a bracket 104 which is welded to an upstanding shaft 106 which is rotatably positioned in tube 108 which is secured to tire guide 14".

A horizontally disposed plate 112 is welded to the upper end of tube 108. The plate 112 is provided with an opening through which the shaft 106 extends. Lever 114 is welded to the upper end shaft 106 for pivotally moving the shaft between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. A pair of L-shaped stops 116 and 118 are secured to the plate 112 to limit the pivotal movement of the lever 114. Plate 112 is provided with a pair of spaced apart openings 120 and 122 formed therein adapted to receive the cylinder bolt of a cylinder lock generally referred to by the reference numeral 124 which is welded to the lever 114.

Thus, the cylinder lock 124 may be unlocked so that the cylinder bolt thereof will be withdrawn from either of the holes 120 or 122. Assuming that the barrier shaft 15" has been pivotally moved to the position so that the spikes 26" and 27" are horizontally disposed, the normal method of operation is as follows. The driver of the vehicle will drive his car into the parking stall 10" until the front tires engage the front tire stop 12" of the parking stall. The cylinder lock 124 would then be unlocked with the lever 114 then being pivotally moved forwardly until it engages the stop 116 which will cause the shaft 15" to rotate to move the barrier spikes to their upwardly extending position. The cylinder lock 124 is then operated to cause the cylinder bolt thereof to move downwardly into the hole 120. The key is then removed from the cylinder lock and taken with the operator when he leaves the parking stall.

The vehicle may not be removed from the parking stall by an unauthorized person since the barrier shaft cannot be rotated until the proper key is placed in the cylinder lock. When the driver wishes to remove the vehicle from the parking stall, it is simply necessary to operate the cylinder lock to withdraw the cylinder bolt from the hole 120 to enable the lever 114 to be pivotally moved rearwardly which causes the barrier spikes to be lowered. The operator may lock the barrier in the inoperative position by causing the cylinder bolt to be moved downwardly into the hole 122.

The most important aspect of the parking stall 10" is that it permits the parking stall to be reserved for the proper person until such time as the proper key is inserted into the cylinder lock 124. In other words, when the vehicle is removed from the parking stall, the driver would operate the cylinder lock 124 and the lever 114 so that the barrier shaft 15" is rotated to move the barrier spikes to their upwardly extending position. The barrier shaft would be locked in this position during the times that the driver is not using the parking stall which will prevent unauthorized persons from driving into the parking stall due to the upstanding barrier spikes. It is not possible for a vehicle to force the barrier spikes forwardly to gain unauthorized admittance to the parking stall since the bracket 104 will be engaging the left outside tire guide 14'. The housing 126 prevents the unauthorized disconnection of the connecting arm 102.

Claims

I claim:

1. A parking stall means comprising,

a guide frame means for accommodating a vehicle therein and including means for positioning the front wheels of the vehicle therein,

a barrier means movably mounted on said guide frame means adapted to be moved between a substantially horizontal position to an upwardly extending position behind at least one of the vehicle front wheels, said barrier means permitting the vehicle to move into the guide frame means when in its horizontal position and preventing the vehicle from entering or leaving the guide frame means when in its upwardly extending position,

control means for controlling the operation of said barrier means,

said control means comprising a linkage means secured to said barrier means and a key actuated apparatus secured to said linkage means.

2. A parking stall means comprising,

a guide frame means for accommodating a vehicle therein and including means for positioning the front wheels of the vehicle therein,

a barrier means movably mounted on said guide frame means adapted to be moved between a substantially horizontal position to an upwardly extending position behind at least one of the vehicle front wheels, said barrier means permitting the vehicle to move into the guide frame means when in its horizontal position and preventing the vehicle from entering or leaving the guide frame means when in its upwardly extending position,

control means for controlling the operation of said barrier means,

said barrier means comprising a barrier shaft rotatably mounted on said guide frame means, and a plurality of spaced apart barrier spikes secured to said barrier shaft.

3. The parking stall means of claim 2 wherein said barrier spikes have beveled end portions.

4. The parking stall means of claim 3 wherein each of said beveled end portions are angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective spike so that said beveled end portion will be substantially parallel to the tread surface of the vehicle front wheel when said barrier means is in its upwardly extending position.

5. The parking stall means of claim 2 wherein a stop means is secured to one end of said barrier shaft for engagement with the parking surface to limit the movement of said barrier spikes.

6. The parking stall means of claim 2 wherein a stop means is operatively secured to said barrier shaft for engagement with said guide frame means to limit the movement of said barrier spikes.

7. A parking stall means comprising,

a guide frame means for accommodating a vehicle therein and including means for positioning the front wheels of the vehicle therein,

a barrier means movably mounted on said guide frame means adapted to be moved between a substantially horizontal position to an upwardly extending position behind at least one of the vehicle front wheels, said barrier means permitting the vehicle to move into the guide frame means when in its horizontal position and preventing the vehicle from entering or leaving the guide frame means when in its upwardly extending position,

control means for controlling the operation of said barrier means,

said barrier means comprising a barrier shaft rotatably mounted on said guide frame means, a connecting arm pivotally connected at one of its ends to one end of said barrier shaft, an upstanding shaft rotatably secured to said guide frame means, the other end of said connecting arm being pivotally secured to said upstanding shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, a lever means secured to said upstanding shaft adjacent the upper end thereof and being movable to cause the rotation of said upstanding shaft and said barrier shaft, and means for locking said lever means so that said barrier means will be locked in its upwardly extending position.

8. The parking stall means of claim 7 wherein a tube means rotatably receives said upstanding shaft, a horizontally disposed plate means secured to the upper end of said tube means, said plate means having a pair of spaced apart openings formed therein, and a key operated bolt means on said lever means for selective engagement with either of said openings in said plate means for locking said lever means in at least two positions of its movement.

9. The parking stall of claim 7 wherein a plurality of spaced apart barrier spikes are secured to said barrier shaft.

10. A parking stall means comprising,

a guide frame means for accommodating a vehicle therein and including means for positioning the front wheels of the vehicle therein,

a barrier means movably mounted on said guide frame means adapted to be moved between a substantially horizontal position to an upwardly extending position behind at least one of the vehicle front wheels, said barrier means permitting the vehicle to move into the guide frame means when in its horizontal position and preventing the vehicle from entering or leaving the guide frame means when in its upwardly extending position,

control means for controlling the operation of said barrier means,

said control means comprising a linkage means secured to said barrier means and a parking meter means secured to said linkage means.