Patent ID: 6179517
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: E01F

Abstract:
A traffic barrier control apparatus for controlling the flow of traffic through at least one traffic lane under the control of at least one actuating element, the apparatus comprising:a) a barrier connecting member for connecting thereto a traffic barrier;b) a housing;c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and attached to the barrier connecting member for rotating the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions;d) a reversible electric motor connected to a reduction gear mechanism, the motor provided with an electric power supply;e) an adjustable slip clutch mechanism connecting the reduction gear mechanism to the drive shaft such that manual movement of the barrier will rotate the drive shaft but not the reduction gear mechanism;f) position sensor means coupled to the drive shaft for sensing the open and closed conditions of the drive shaft and the barrier attached thereto;g) an electronic control means for controlling the electric power supply, the control means connected to the position sensor means, and the electric power supply; andh) the electronic control means cooperating with the electric power supply to control the motor speed to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft at different positions of the barrier connecting member and to actuate the apparatus when called upon by an actuating element to rotate the barrier connecting member between open and closed conditions.