Patent ID: 9272721
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: B61L

Claim Text:
1. A method of controlling a crossing gate comprising: determining if a first crossing gate arm is in a substantially horizontal position; and locking the first crossing gate arm in the substantially horizontal position by activating a braking mechanism when it is determined that the first crossing gate arm is in the substantially horizontal position, the braking mechanism preventing the first crossing gate arm from being raised while the braking mechanism is activated, wherein the step of determining if the first crossing gate arm is in the substantially horizontal position comprises: monitoring an output of a sensor connected to the first crossing gate arm; and determining if a value of the sensor output is indicative of the first crossing gate arm being in the substantially horizontal position, wherein the crossing gate further comprises a second crossing gate arm and said step of locking the first crossing gate arm in the substantially horizontal position simultaneously locks the second crossing gate arm in the substantially horizontal position.