US 4,358,909 A · Turnstile

Abstract

A new turnstile is provided which is constructed from a minimum number of different extruded components and includes an improved turnstile control mechanism. The turnstile is comprised of a plurality of upstanding, spaced mounting columns which define a frame-like structure. One mounting column includes a plurality of spaced apart barrier arms extending radially therefrom. Closure means extend between at least a pair of mounting columns which are spaced opposite the one column. A pivot column is rotatably journaled intermediate the one and the at least a pair of mounting columns and includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves. A plurality of pivot column arms associated with each pivot column groove extend radially therefrom at spaced apart intervals to permit free passage between the barrier arms when the pivot column is rotated. Concealed locking pins and extruded spacers are advantageously employed to retain the barrier and pivot column arms in spaced, mounted relationships with the associated one mounting column and the pivot column. A pivot control mechanism selectively controls rotation of the pivot column and includes means to accommodate a plurality of different operational modes. An alternative embodiment comprises two pivot columns spaced apart from the at least a pair of mounting columns.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A turnstile construction adapted to facilitate selective passage between two separated areas, said turnstile comprising:

a plurality of elongated upstanding mounting columns spaced apart from each other to define a frame-like structure at some predetermined location between said areas;
closure means extending between at least a pair of said mounting columns;
an elongated upstanding pivot column spaced from said pair of mounting columns and journaled for selective rotation about its longitudinal axis, said pivot column having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed at spaced intervals therearound;
a plurality of pivot column arms associated with each pivot column groove arranged to extend radially outward of said pivot column, those column arms associated with each groove being spaced apart from each other in a generally aligned relationship with each other over at least a portion of the groove length;
locking means received in each groove in a cooperative locking relationship with one end of the associated column arms;
and,
a pivot control mechanism operatively associated with said pivot column for selectively controlling rotation thereof, said mechanism including a cam having a continuous cam surface with a plurality of detents disposed at spaced intervals therealong for defining a plurality of pivot column home positions, a plurality of cam followers normally urged into engagement with said cam surface for generally biasing said pivot column to one of said home positions and means for determining the general direction of allowable pivot column rotation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Turnstile

Life of this patent

Turnstile

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42