Apparatus for moving toll bars or the like

#The present invention relates to apparatus for moving toll bars or barriers between blocking and retracted positions, especially for moving toll bars between horizontal and vertical end positions. Such bars are utilized at toll gates, for example, on parkways or other toll roads, at the entrances to or exits from parking areas, at entrances to parkways or expressways and for analogous purposes. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus for moving toll bars or analogous barriers between their end positions by resorting to a prime mover.

#Presently known apparatus for moving toll bars normally comprise a motor which transmits motion to the toll bar by way of a combined worm and crank drive which is self-locking in each and every angular position of the bar. The self-locking action is furnished by the worm drive. Such self-locking action is desirable in one or both end positions of the bar, i.e., when the bar extends horizontally across a lane in which vehicles are driven, for instance, into or from a parking area and preferably also when the bar is held in vertical or nearly vertical position to allow the vehicles to pass. Self-locking action in vertical position of the bar is desirable when the apparatus is idle to prevent accidental descent to the horizontal position. Self-locking action in the horizontal position of the bar is desirable to prevent unauthorized lifting of the bar, e.g., by a driver who wishes to drive his or her vehicle into or from a parking area without paying the prescribed amount of money. On the other hand, self-locking action in an intermediate position of the bar is not desirable, especially if the toll booth is unattended which is customary at toll gates that can be passed by drivers having the exact change. For example, if the bar accidentally engages the trunk, roof or hood of a slowly moving vehicle, the driver of the vehicle, another occupant or an attendant should be in a position to lift the bar with a minimum of effort. In many presently known apparatus, the motor which is coupled to the input element of transmission for the bar is automatically disconnected when the bar encounters an obstruction during movement to the one or the other end position. A conventional apparatus then locks the bar in the intermediate position and the driver is unable to immediately lift the bar without the exertion of a substantial effort and/or without damaging certain parts of the apparatus.

#An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the means for moving the toll bar between its end positions is constructed and assembled in such a way that it is self-locking only in the two end positions of the bar so that the latter can be readily moved to an end position by hand when the moving means is arrested before the bar reaches the one or the other end position.

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which embodies the invention, the front part of the housing being broken away and the toll bar being shown in the horizontal or blocking position;

#FIG. 2 shows the structure of FIG. 1, with the bar in an intermediate position;

#FIG. 3 shows the structure of FIG. 1 with the bar in the retracted or vertical position;

#Referring to FIG. 1, the improved apparatus comprises an upright column 1 whose lower end portion is secured to the ground, e.g., adjacent to one side of a lane in which automotive vehicles advance, for instance, in order to enter or leave a parking area. The upper end portion of the column 1 carries a housing 2 which includes a lower portion 3 secured to the column 1 and an upper portion or hood 4 which is separately secured to and overlies the lower portion 3. The column 1 and the housing 2 constitute a composite support for all other component parts of the apparatus. The housing 2 supports two coaxial bearings 5 (only one shown in each of FIGS. 1 to 3) for a horizontal shaft 6 which is turnable back and forth in order to move a toll bar or barrier 8 between a substantially horizontal or blocking position (first end position shown in FIG. 1) and a substantially vertical or retracted position (second end position shown in FIG. 3). The shaft 6 is rigidly connected with a holder 7 for the adjacent end portion of the bar 8. The separable coupling between the bar 8 and the holder 7 includes several (e.g., three) elastic detents in the form of springs 9 which extend into complementary sockets 40 (see FIG. 5) of that end portion of the bar 8 which is received in the holder 7. Thus, the bar 8 can be detached by the simple expedient of expelling the springs 9 from the respective sockets 40, e.g., by exerting on the bar a pull in a direction away from the holder 7 or by pushing the bar in a direction which is parallel to the shaft 6.

#The shaft 6 further supports a swingable frame 10 which comprises two spaced-apart parallel vertical plates 10A and 10B connected to each other by one or more crossheads 32 (one shown). Means (to be described in connection with FIG. 4) is provided for normally holding the frame 10 in the operative or predetermined position which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. A reversible electric motor 11 or another suitable prime mover is mounted between the plates 10A and 10B of the frame 10. The output shaft of the motor 11 is parallel to the shaft 6 and drives a first gear 12 meshing with a larger second gear 13 fixedly mounted on a shaft 14 which is rotatably journalled in the frame 10. The shaft 14 drives a relatively small third gear 15 which meshes with a larger fourth gear 16 rotatably mounted on a shaft 17 which is installed in and cannot rotate relative to the frame 10. The gear 16 is fixedly connected to and transmits motion to a crank arm 18 provided with a crank pin or wiper 19 which extends into the slot of an elongated slide-like follower or crank guide 21. The guide 21 comprises two parallel elongated rods 22 of circular cross-sectional outline, and the crank pin 19 rotatably supports a block 20 having two recesses bounded by concave surfaces which receive portions of the respective rods 22. The crank pin 19 is remote from the shaft 17. The block 20 can be said to constitute a portion of the crank pin 19; for example, the pin 19 can be integral with the block 20 and a portion thereof can be rotatably mounted in the outer end portion of the crank arm 18. When the gear 16 turns the crank arm 18 about the shaft 17, the concave surfaces of the block 20 slide along complementary tracks 23 which are defined by the respective rods 22.

#The shaft 6 supports a stop 24 which extends into the space between the rods 22, i.e., into the path of movement of the block 20 along the tracks 23. That end portion of the stop 24 which is remote from the shaft 6 carries an elastic cushion, e.g., a pad 25 made of rubber or another elastomeric material which can be struck by the block 20 in the two end positions of the bar 8. Instead of or in addition to being located in the path of movement of the block 20, the pad 25 can be positioned in such a way that it is engaged by and arrests the crank arm 18.