Abstract:
Disclosed is a device for providing a preliminary alert to the driver of a vehicle approaching an overhead obstacle. The inventive concept consists of a vertical mounting post to which is attached a non-marring horizontal height restrictor arm. The position of the height restrictor arm on the vertical post is at the same vertical distance from the roadway surface as is the vertical distance of the specific overhead obstacle for which an alert is provided. The height restrictor arm is affixed to the vertical post by means of a multi-directional pivotal connector comprising a hollow sphere, spring, and chain assembly. The pivotal connector allows the height restrictor arm to move, after contact by a vehicle, in a multitude of directions, fore and aft, up or down.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/192,290 filed on Sep. 17, 2008 and said application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    There is no federally sponsored research or development in conjunction with this application. 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    There has been no joint research performed with respect to this application. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    Around the world there are found many areas where cars and trucks operate off the main traveled roadways and approach parking areas, tunnels, or drive-through commercial establishments. In such areas drivers frequently encounter height restraint barriers as a precursor to warn of an upcoming obstacle such as the overhang of the canopy of a cashier&#39;s station, a structural beam of a multi-level parking lot, or other such obstruction. 
         [0007]    It is quite common to see brightly painted or reflective horizontal, pivotal, flexible, and/or cushioned arms which have been mounted on supports or suspended from the obstruction itself to provide an alert. The present invention introduces a unique concept to visually and physically alert the driver that an overhead collision is imminent. The alert serves both to protect the canopy or overhead barrier from damage and further, to minimize the possibility of damage to the roof of a vehicle or the cargo secured to the top of a vehicle. The device is positioned in an area just prior to the obstacle so as to provide a warning to the driver upon entering the vicinity of the barrier or obstacle. 
         [0008]    (2) Description of the Related Art 
         [0009]    Some of the earliest mechanisms used to provide early warning to drivers approaching overhead barriers were electronic, or emitted non-visual alerts. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,833 (Roth, 1973) two pairs of coordinated optical signal devices are mounted on the higher parts of a truck. The pairs of optical radiators modulate at the same frequency and a change in the phase angles of the signals identifies that the relative height of an approaching overhead passageway is too low in comparison with the upper area of the truck. An alarm is then generated within the truck cab. 
         [0010]    In an operation converse to the previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,971 (Lowry, 1981) successive matching pairs of light emitters and light sensors are positioned along both sides of a roadway in advance of the overhead structure. Should a vehicle, with a height exceeding that of the structure, approach the structure while traveling on the roadway, the light beams are broken in sequence, the frequency of the beam interruption being governed by the speed of the vehicle. Thereupon, a visible, flashing electronic sign renders a warning to the driver to stop or exit from the roadway. 
         [0011]    In 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,429 was issued to E. Hicks wherein a detector system was designed to operate in the area at the approach to an overhanging roof or canopy at a drive-through restaurant. The system employs a photoelectric switch which detects an over-height vehicle and immediately sends an audible and/or visual signal to the driver as he/she approaches the drive-through order window. 
         [0012]    A canopy assembly constructed with an over-height impact bar on its front frame is featured in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,719 (Barnes, 1995). In the event a high-rise vehicle makes contact with the impact bar, an alarm is emitted and the impact bar moves slightly backwards. Should the driver not stop the vehicle at this point, more contact pressure from the vehicle triggers the impact bar to send a release signal to a latch integral to the canopy mounting post. As the latch releases, the entire canopy swivels about the mounting post and clear of the path of the oncoming vehicle. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,556 (Bertheaume, 2002) discloses a canopy assembly mounted on a column, which column contains a pivotal coupler. When the leading edge of the canopy is struck by a vehicle, the pivotal coupler is immediately rotated, causing the roof of the canopy to rotate counter clockwise, as viewed from above. The canopy also elevates slightly and once the vehicle is clear of the column, the pivotal coupler allows the canopy to rotate in the opposite direction back to its normal position. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    This inventive concept presents a device for giving advance warning to a driver whose vehicle is approaching an overhead obstacle or barrier. The device is particularly useful at establishments such as drive through fast food restaurants, ATM machines and cashiers&#39; windows located at bank facilities, or multi-level parking decks. Essentially, the invention features a vertical mounting post onto which is attached a universally pivotable horizontal head assembly. The head assembly houses an elongated spring mechanism. The pivotal end of the spring mechanism is anchored inside a hollow metal sphere. Should a vehicle contact the head assembly, the spring mechanism and the hollow sphere permit the entire head assembly to pivot vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or in any combination of these positions. Such movement or rotation alerts the driver that there is an imminent lack of clearance between the top of his vehicle and the upcoming obstacle. In conjunction with installment of the device at a desired locale, bolts on the device allow the height of the head assembly to be raised or lowered in conjunction with the height of the overhanging obstacle for which an alert is to be rendered. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a view of the completely assembled invention, utilizing a bolted mounting base attached to a concrete foundation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isolated view of the bolted mounting base. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2(   a ) presents the embedded mounting base. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view of the main post, including its collar as affixed to the bottom of the post. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  presents a cross-sectional plan view of the main post. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a view of the head connector and its welded-on hollow sphere. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  displays the internal spring mechanism of the head assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows the housing for the head assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7(   a ) is a lateral cross-sectional view of the housing for the head assembly. 
       
    
    
     INDEX TO COMPONENTS OF INVENTION 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Short base post 
           2 . Drilled base plate 
           3 . Base attachment holes 
           4 . Bolted mounting base 
           5 . Embedded mounting base 
           6 . Main post 
           7 . Collar 
           8 . Collar hole 
           9 . Collar bolt 
           10 . Head assembly 
           11 . Passing link chain 
           12 ,  12 ( a ) S-Hook 
           13 . Extension spring 
           14 . Threaded rod 
           15 . Head connector 
           16 . Head connector nut 
           17 . Head connector bolt 
           18 . Head assembly housing 
           19 . Reducer bushing 
           20 . Housing end cap 
           21 . Retaining nut 
           22 . Hollow sphere 
           23 . Weld 
           24 . Circular opening 
           25 . Hole for connector 
           26 . Main post cap 
           27 . Base bolt 
           28 . Height restrictor 
           29 . Restrictor arm 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0053]    In viewing  FIG. 1 , the complete structure of the height restrictor  28  concept is displayed. The main components are seen to be a bolted mounting base  4 , a mounting post  6 , a head connector  15 , and a restrictor arm  29 . In analyzing the manner in which the components coordinate with each other,  FIG. 1  will be visualized part by part, assuming a process of initial construction. 
         [0054]    We begin the description of the components of the invention with the bolted mounting base  4 , as more clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . One of the features of this mounting base  4  is a drilled base plate  2 , containing four base attachment holes  3 . The drilled base plate  2  is designed to be attached, by means of base bolts  27 , to a concrete, wood, or other foundation as shown in  FIG. 1 . If conditions warrant, an embedded mounting base  5 , as shown in  FIG. 2(   a ), may be utilized by directly inserting the embedded mounting base  5  into a concrete foundation. 
         [0055]    Placed directly atop either the bolted mounting base  4 , or the embedded mounting base  5 , is a hollow main post  6  to which has been welded a collar  7 . The collar  7  contains two vertically-oriented collar holes  8 , as shown more clearly in  FIG. 3 . The main post  6 , collar  7 , and bolted mounting base  4  may be constructed of any mutually compatible geometric lateral cross section. For illustrative purposes, these three components are all depicted as square in shape. The inner dimensions of the collar  7  are of greater length and width than are the outer dimensions of both the main post  6  and the bolted mounting base  4 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0056]    Again referring to  FIG. 1 , it is observed that the main post  6  and its welded-on collar  7  are shown placed atop the bolted mounting base  4 . The main post  6  and collar  7  are secured in place by means of two collar bolts  9 . Higher up the main post  6  there is attached a horizontally-oriented restrictor arm  29 . The restrictor arm  29  serves as the point of contact for vehicles whose upper extremities will collide with an overhanging obstacle should the vehicle continue past the location of the height restrictor  28 . The height restrictor  28  comprises a head assembly  10  and a head assembly housing  18 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a cutaway view of the head connector  15 , included a welded-on hollow metal sphere  22  is presented. In a similar manner as the design of the collar  7  dimensions, the inner dimensions of the head connector  15  are such as to allow the head connector  15  to fit comfortably over the outer dimensions of the main post  6 . 
         [0058]    Two connector holes  25 , one beneath the other, are drilled into one outer wall of the head connector  15 . For each connector hole  25 , a connector nut  16 , with a threaded hole of the same inner diameter as its paired connector hole  25 , is co-axially centered with the connector hole  25  and then said connector nut  16  is welded onto the wall of the head connector  15 . During final assembly of the height restrictor  28 , connector bolts  17  are rotated into the connector nuts  16 , through the connector holes  25 , and tightly fitted against the outer wall of the main post  6 . It is at this point of the assembly that the height restrictor  28  may be adjusted up or down along the length of the main post  6  to match the required alerting height of the overhead obstacle. 
         [0059]    As further seen in  FIG. 5 , the hollow sphere  22  is welded  23  to the outer surface of the wall of the head connector  15  opposite the connector nuts  16 . There is also depicted a circular opening  24  drilled through the hollow sphere  22  so as to allow insertion of a passing link chain  11 . The passing link chain  11  is welded to the inner wall of the hollow sphere  22  as more clearly depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  presents a full view of the head assembly  10  which comprises the primary functional component of the inventive concept. Plan views of both a longitudinal cross-section of the head connector  15 , and a view of the head assembly  10  are shown. Scanning  FIG. 6  from left to right, there is observed the head connector  15 , onto which is welded  23  the hollow sphere  22 . Within the hollow sphere  22 , at its tangential point to the head connector  15 , one end of the passing link chain  11  is welded. A circular opening  24  has been drilled through the hollow sphere  22  to allow the passing link chain  11  to pass freely through and to oscillate, as necessary, in a variety of directions, as may be caused by a nudge from a vehicle. The passing link chain  11 , at its distal end, connects, by means of an S-hook  12 , to an extension spring  13 . On the opposite end of the extension spring  13  a second S-hook  12 ( a ) is engaged. The second S-hook  12 ( a ) is inserted through a hole at the proximate end of an elongated threaded rod  14 . At the distal end of the threaded rod  14  a retaining nut  21  is rotated into position to secure a head assembly housing  18 , said housing functioning to cover the entirety of the head assembly  10 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  depicts the head assembly housing  18 , a reducer bushing  19 , and a housing end cap  20 . The reducer bushing  19  and the housing end cap  20  may be glued onto their respective ends of the head assembly housing  18 . The specific embodiment presented in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 7(   a ) shows the head assembly housing  18  as a circular tube. Other embodiments may utilize the head assembly housing  18  in a square longitudinal cross-section, or in any other geometric shaped cross-section. The housing end cap  20  contains a center-positioned hole to allow a short protrusion of the distal end of the threaded rod  14 . The retaining nut  21  is then rotated onto the threaded rod  14  and securely tightened against the end cap  20 . 
         [0062]    In its operational environment, once the mounting base  4  and main post  6  of the height restrictor  28  are assembled and securely mounted at the required location, a calculation is made as to the height of the associated overhanging obstruction to which an alert is desired. The head assembly  10  and housing  18  are united with the head connector  15  by the final step of securing the retaining nut  21  against the end cap  20 , thus forming the restrictor arm  29 . The head connector  15  is next positioned over the perimeter of the main post  6  and positioned vertically at a linear measurement corresponding to the desired alert height. The head connector  15  is then securely fastened into place by means of head connector bolts  17  inserted through the head connector  15  and securely fastened against the main post  6 . 
         [0063]    As an over-height vehicle approaches the height restrictor  28  and contact is made with the restrictor arm  29 , the extension spring  13  within the hollow sphere  22  allows the restrictor arm  29  to move forward, aft, up, or down, or any combination of these directions, as an input force is received from the vehicle. Thus, the driver, or any person positioned to observe the approach of the vehicle, is alerted to the probability of a collision with the overhanging obstruction. Once the alert is observed and the driver makes a corrective re-positioning of the vehicle, the restrictor arm  29  is pulled back to its original horizontal position by retraction of the extension spring  13  and the centering effect of the reducer bushing  19 , due to the inherent seating of the reducer bushing  19  against the hollow sphere  22 . 
         [0064]    The design of the height restrictor  28  also permits the inclusion of internal wiring which may supply a low-voltage source to an aural warning system and/or an illuminated light, either on the height restrictor  28  or at a nearby manned station or checkpoint. This inventive concept may be disassembled and re-located to any suitable location, depending on the permanency of its mounting foundation. 
         [0065]    It is recognized that one knowledgeable and skilled in the art, has the capability to design or produce similar, or other embodiments of the disclosures presented herein. However all such variations, alterations, or modifications are entirely conceivable as being within the intent and scope of the present inventive concept.