Abstract:
An entry control apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced barriers forming a pathway therebetween. The barriers are positioned adjacent a doorway to control ingress into and egress from a building or the like. An arm is pivotally mounted and extends across the pathway and permits free movement of people in one direction and selectively restricts movement in the other direction. A motion sensor is provided and a motion control system is associated with the sensor. The sensor and motion control system cooperate to selectively allow the arms to move to a normally open position for normal traffic in an approved direction. In the event a person approaches the apparatus, as if to exit, or move in the wrong direction through the pathway, the sensor detects the movement and effects operation of the motion control system that locks the arm against movement to prevent movement through the passageway. An alarm system can be provided to alert personnel that an unauthorized movement through the pathway may be underway.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/866,785 filed Oct. 3, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Entry and exit control devices are well known. They range from one-way turnstiles to swinging arms to automatic doors that can only be activated from one side or moved in only one direction. 
         [0003]    One such device may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,867. This device uses a plurality of interconnected arms to control entry and exit. 
         [0004]    The use of such entry/exit control devices can be beneficial particularly in a commercial or a security setting to prevent people from exiting an entry door say, for example, when shoplifting or entering after a store is closed while allowing patrons to exit. However, entry/exit control devices need to be free of impediment to the movement of patrons or other people substantially freely in an approved direction. Additionally, there may be a need from time to time for the movement control device to allow legitimate reverse use of an entry/exit, i.e., to use it as a temporary exit/entry. Many of the devices are not readily adaptable for such reverse use. For example, a turnstile will not allow for the use of an entry door to take shopping carts to the outside of the building or to provide other legitimate egress through the entry door. However, security can be comprised by providing an entry door that can be used for exit without control, allowing patrons to bypass security devices that alert workers of the possible theft of items. 
         [0005]    To provide for proper security, the doors are typically designed to operate in only one direction precluding legitimate exit through an entry door. However, many stores do not use doors at an entry or exit. Further, by law, a door may be required to open out for emergency use. Current movement control devices tend to be mechanical and thus operable in only one mode. They cannot distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate use and can be characterized as “dumb”. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a movement control system for use at an entry/exit doorway that is an improvement over current control devices and that can distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate use of a doorway both for entry and exit. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention involves the provision of a movement control apparatus usable adjacent a building or structure door or doorway entrance. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart side barriers forming a pathway. People are required to traverse the pathway to use the doorway in either direction of movement, in and out. The apparatus includes a gate arm extending into the pathway a substantial distance and being selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The arm normally moves forward from the first or closed position to a second or open position in an unrestricted manner for legitimation forward traffic. The arm is operatively associated with a motion limiting system that is operable to return the arm from the second or open position to the first or closed position and selectively prevent movement in the reverse direction toward the open position if a person tries to traverse the pathway in a reverse direction. The motion limiting system includes an arm lock operable to selectively prevent forward movement when reverse movement into the pathway is attempted. A motion sensor is operably connected to the motion limiting system and capable of distinguishing motion of a person toward the arm and the doorway in the reverse direction. If reverse motion is detected toward the arm or the doorway, the motion sensor will provide a signal to the motion limiting system to lock the arm in a closed position or a partially closed position preventing both forward and reverse movement of the arm. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an entry control apparatus. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an arm and motion control device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of an upper portion of a barrier and a pair of motion control devices. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged front fragmentary view of an arm and motion control device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side fragmentary view of an arm motion control device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an arm motion control device and associated flow control valve. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of a hydraulic system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate entry control apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of an arm mount. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a mount and actuator. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a schematic of an actuator and control valve system. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Like numbers throughout the various Figures designate like and/or similar parts and/or construction. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The reference numeral  1  designates generally a movement control apparatus operable to provide for free passage to people in one direction and restricted passage in the opposite direction at a point of entry or exit to a building, or the like. The apparatus  1  is provided with an override device designated generally  2  that will allow reverse movement of people and/or items through the apparatus in a selective and controlled manner. The apparatus  1  includes a pair of spaced apart barriers  3  defining a pathway  4  therebetween. The apparatus  1  includes a normal pathway entrance  5  and a normal pathway exit  6 . The apparatus  1  is positioned adjacent a doorway  7  that may be provided with a door  8  with the pathway  4  being in-line with the doorway  7 . The relative position of the barriers  3  to the doorway  7  is such as to not allow use of the doorway without traversing the pathway  4 . The apparatus  1  is provided with at least one gate arm  10  that is pivotal between a closed position and an open position. A sensor  12  is operably connected to a motion limiting system  14  to selectively prevent opening movement of an arm  10  upon detection of and distinguishing motion of a person toward the apparatus  1 . 
         [0023]    The barriers  3  may be any suitable barriers including walls of a building or the like in which the apparatus  1  is contained. As shown, the barriers  3  each include a pair of uprights  16  with the plurality of generally horizontal and vertical spaced rails  17  secured to the upright  16  and extending therebetween. The spaces between the rails  17  and between the bottom rail  17  and the floor  18  is small enough to prevent people from entering the pathway  4  through a barrier  3 . The barriers  3  may be suitable secured to the floor  18  as for example with fasteners extending through flange mounts  20 . Preferably, the rails  17  and uprights  16  are made of a tarnish resistant metal material for example, stainless steel or aluminum. A suitable total height of a barrier  3  is on the order of approximately 3 feet (1 meter). The width of the pathway  4  is preferably on the order of 3 to 4 feet (1-1.2 meters) and the length can be on the order of 6 to 8 feet (2-2.5 meters). 
         [0024]    The apparatus  1  includes at least one arm  10  extending into the pathway  4  a substantial distance. Preferably, an arm  10  extends entirely across the pathway  4 . While an arm  10  is shown extending the entire width of the pathway  4 , it is to be understood that an arm  10  may be pivotally mounted on each of the barriers  3  and have their distal ends  22  positioned adjacent one another within the pathway  4 . An arm  10  can be of a tubular metal construction and is also preferably made of a tarnish resistant metal in a preferred embodiment. In the illustrated structure, a pair of arms  10  are mounted to a barrier  3  with one being adjacent the entrance  5  and one being adjacent the exit  6  to enhance security. The arms  10  are pivotally mounted for movement in a forward direction, i.e., in a direction from the entrance  5  toward the exit  6 , i.e., the direction of normal travel through the pathway  4 . It is to be understood that the apparatus  1  may be used adjacent an exit door as well as an entrance door as described herein. The apparatus  1  controls movement of people so that they are compelled to move in only one direction through the pathway  4  during normal use of the pathway  4 . The apparatus  1  may be configured to preclude exit through the entry door or entry through the exit door. 
         [0025]    An arm  10  is preferably a tubular metal member pivotally mounted on a respective barrier  3 . As shown, the arms  10  are mounted on one barrier  3  on a top rail  17  thereof. In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6 , an arm  10  has a proximal end  29  mounted to a respective motion limiting device designated generally  30  which has a portion thereof shielded in a housing  31 . The arm  10  is mounted on an underside of a portion of the device  30  as on a pivot shaft  33  ( FIG. 6 ). An arm return device  34  as best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 , is provided. The return device  34  can be a torsion spring which can both resist opening movement and induce closing movement of an arm  10 . As shown, the return device  34  is mounted on a hydraulic actuator  37  portion of the motion limiting system  30 . The actuator  37  has shafts  33 ,  39  on opposite ends thereof with the arm  10  being mounted on the shaft  33  and the return device  34  being mounted on the shaft  39 . Preferably, the actuator  37  is a vane type hydraulic actuator that will pump fluid in either direction of rotation, i.e., for forward movement of the arm  10  or reverse movement of the arm  10 . The motion limiting system  14  also includes a valve arrangement  40  that is in flow communication with the actuator  37  and is operable to allow free flow of fluid during normal operation of the arm  10  in the forward direction, i.e., from the arm closed position to the arm open position. Once the arm  10  is moved to an open position a user may release the arm and the return device  34  will urge the arm  10  to move in a reverse direction toward its closed position. The speed of the closing movement of an arm  10  can be controlled by the valve  42  during normal operation. Preferably, the valve  42  can be selectively closed, as hereinafter described. Preferably, the valve  42  is a solenoid operated check valve wherein the solenoid  43  is operable to move the valve element (not shown) to a completely closed condition preventing movement of the actuator  37  and its respective arm  10  upon receipt by the solenoid  43  of a control signal. The motion limiting system  14  can also include a stop device (not shown) to physically limit the amount of closing and opening movement of an arm  10 . For example, the upright  16  may be used to limit movement of an arm  10  in the forward direction. Preferably, a stop is provided to prevent movement of an arm  10  rearward of the closed position. 
         [0026]    A motion sensor designated generally  12  is provided and is operable to sense both the presence of a person and the direction of movement of the person. If the motion of a person is other than away from the arm  10 , this is sensed by the sensor  12  which is operable to provide a signal from a programmed control device to the motion limiting system  14  to selectively prevent the arm  10  from being moved in a forward position. The sensor  12 , with its associated software, is operable to allow a person to move normally through the pathway  4  in the forward direction. Suitable sensors  12  are available from Massa. Upon detecting movement of a person toward an arm  10 , the sensor  12  sends a signal to the solenoid  43  to move the valve  42  to a closed position. When the valve  42  is closed, the actuator  37  is locked against forward rotation, preventing the arm  10  from moving to an open or more open position, thus preventing a person from approaching the exit of the apparatus  1  and moving through in an unauthorized direction without permission. The arm  10  can be moved to a more closed position, but not a more open position. The sensor  12  is also operable to actuate an alert system in a preferred embodiment. 
         [0027]    The alert system, designated generally  60 , is operably connected to the sensor  12  which sends a signal to the alert system  60  to actuate the same in the event unauthorized movement is detected adjacent an arm  10 . A sensor  12  is preferably associated with each arm  10  so that both arms can lock if there is unauthorized motion. The alert system  60  can include a speaker operably connected to a message playback device  61  such that activation of the playback device  61  will effect playback of a message through the speaker  62  contained in a housing  63 . The playback message may inform a person that they have moved too close to an arm  10  in an unauthorized direction, that the arm  10  is now locked and will prevent movement through the pathway  4  and that the person is to move to another location. The sensor  12  may also be operable to detect movement away from the arm and automatically reset the motion limiting system allowing people to once again enter through the pathway  4 . The apparatus  1  may be configured to also require an authorized person to reset the apparatus  1 . In addition to the audio alert, a visual alert device designated generally  70 , in the form of a light or flashing light may also be provided to alert an authorized person or other personnel that an unauthorized exit attempt has been made. Warning signs (not shown) may also be provided on the apparatus  1  to alert people to the security system to act as a further deterrent. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic of the fluid flow and actuator  37  control system. The actuator  37  has a pair of ports  80 ,  81 . The port  80  is operable for outflow when the arm  10  is moving to a closed position as described above. The port  81  is operable to permit outflow of fluid when the arm  10  is moving to an open position as described above. During normal opening movement of the arm  10 , the fluid flow goes through the conduit  82  and is substantially unimpeded through a check valve  83  to and through conduit  84  to a solenoid actuated valve  85 . The valve  85  can be in the form of a double check valve. The fluid then returns to the actuator  37  through the conduit  87  back to port  80  and the actuator  37  for loop flow. Thus, the opening movement of the arm  10  is substantially unimpeded during normal approved or authorized use of apparatus  1 . During normal closing movement of an arm  10 , the flow of fluid is out port  80  through the conduit  87  back to the actuator through the conduit  82  and a flow control valve  89 . The flow control valve  89  is preferably a variable flow control valve which can adjustably control the closing speed of the arm  10  under the influence of the arm return device  34 . During arm return movement, the fluid from actuator  37  can flow through the valves  42  and/or  85  depending upon their operating configuration. Should a signal be received from the sensor  12  and the alert system  60  controller, the valves  42  and  85  move to a closed configuration to prevent flow from the conduit  87  to either the conduit  84  or conduit  82  by actuation of the respective solenoids  43 ,  90 . A pressure relief valve  93  may be provided to allow for selective flow communication from the conduit  87  to the conduit  82  in the event an overload condition is applied to an arm  10 . When a predetermined pressure in the system is applied to the relief valve  93 , due to excessive force applied to an arm  10 , the valve  93  will move to an open position, which may be variable, to allow flow from port  80  to port  81  through conduits  82 ,  87 ,  94 . Preferably, a large force would be required to open valve  93  to permit movement of the arm  10  to a closed position when valves  85 ,  42  are closed to flow from conduit  87  to conduit  82 . The relief valve  93  prevents overloading its arm  10  and damage thereto. The components may be housed in a housing  95  shown schematically in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0029]    The apparatus  1  described above was generally described in a single arm configuration. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a multiple arm  10  configuration is provided. Both arms  10 , the entry end arm  10 A and the exit arm  10 B may have similar motion limiting systems  14  and motion sensors  12 , both utilizing the alarms  60 ,  70  as described above. The use of multiple arms  10  adds an extra level of security should someone bypass the first arm  10  in an attempt to leave the facility in an unauthorized direction. In a preferred embodiment of a multiple arm apparatus, the arms operate mechanically independent of one another. 
         [0030]    An override system may be provided to allow authorized personnel to move through the apparatus  1  in the unauthorized direction. This may be desirable, for example, when moving items out of the facility, for example, shopping carts. One form of override  2 , can be in the form of a key switch which will deactivate the sensor  12  from being able to send a signal to the solenoid  43  allowing the valve  42  to work normally and allow a person who is authorized to move the arm or arms  10  to an open position. The override  2  may be simply a switch installed in the circuit powering the sensor  12  or prevent a signal from being sent to the solenoid  43  allowing the valve  42  to move to a normally open position or remain in a normally open position. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9-13  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention. It is similar to and operates substantially the same as the embodiment disclosed above and shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . The main difference is in the type of actuator used to control movement of the arms  10  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . 
         [0032]    The reference number  101  designates generally a modified form of movement control apparatus similar to the apparatus  1 . The apparatus  101  is also provided with an override device designated generally  2  that will allow reverse movement of people and/or items through the apparatus in a selective and controlled manner. The apparatus  101  includes a pair of spaced apart barriers  3  defining a pathway  4  therebetween. The apparatus  1  includes a normal pathway entrance  5  and a normal pathway exit  6 . The apparatus  101  is positioned adjacent a doorway  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) that may be provided with a door  8  ( FIG. 1 ) with the pathway  4  being in line with the doorway  7 . The relative position of the barriers  3  to the doorway  7  is such as to not allow use of the doorway without traversing the pathway  4 . The apparatus  101  is provided with at least one gate arm  10  that is pivotal between a closed position and an open position. A pair of arms  10  is preferred. A sensor  12  is operably connected to a motion limiting system  114  to selectively prevent opening movement of an arm  10  upon detection of and distinguishing motion of a person toward the apparatus  101  in an unauthorized direction. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , an arm  10  has a proximal end  29  mounted to a respective motion limiting device designated generally  130  which has a portion thereof shielded in a housing  131 . The arm  10  is mounted on an underside of a portion of the device  130  as on a pivot shaft  133 . An arm return device  134  as best seen in  FIG. 13  is provided. The return device  134  can be a compression or a tension spring which can both resist opening movement and induce closing movement of a respective arm  10 . As shown, the return device  134  is mounted on a hydraulic actuator  137  portion of the motion limiting system  130 . As described above, the actuator  37  was preferably a vane type hydraulic actuator whereas the actuator  137  of this embodiment is a piston cylinder or other form of linear actuator that preferably uses a fluid such as hydraulic oil for operation. As shown, the return device  134  is mounted on a rod portion  135  of a hydraulic cylinder of the double rod piston type in a preferred embodiment and is preferably enclosed in a housing  136 . The actuator  137  is preferably operable to pump fluid in either direction of reciprocation, i.e., for forward movement of the arm  10  or reverse movement of the arm  10  from the open position to a closed position. The motion limiting system  114  also includes a valve arrangement  140  that is in flow communication with the actuator  137  and is operable to allow free flow of fluid during normal operation of the arm in the forward direction, i.e., from the arm closed position to the arm open position. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the arms  10  are in the arm closed positions extending across the pathway  4 . Once an arm  10  is moved to an open position, a user may release the arm and the return device  134  will urge the arm  10  to move in a reverse direction toward its closed position. The valve arrangement  140  may also include a flow control valve  143  to regulate flow out of the actuator  137  during opening movement which is shown to movement from the right to the left in  FIG. 13  as more fully described below. The speed of the closing movement of an arm can be controlled by a flow control valve  143  which is part of the valve arrangement  140  during normal operation. The valve  142  is preferably an adjustable valve which allows flow in two directions with the fluid flow rate being determined by the force applied by a spring in the valve  143 . The valve  142 , preferably a pressure operated check value is provided to force flow through valve  143  during normal opening and closing movement of an arm  10 . The force applied by the valve spring  142 S may be adjustable. 
         [0034]    A motion sensor designated generally  12  is described above and is provided and operable to sense both the presence of a person (or object) and the direction of movement of the person (or object) as described above. The sensor  12  is operably connected to the valve arrangement  140  and specifically to the valve  145 . Preferably, the valve  145  is a solenoid activated spring return valve having a plurality of selectable port connections and preferably three different port connections as shown in  FIG. 13 . The valve  145  as shown has a pair of solenoids  146  that are operably connected to the sensor  12 . The valve  145  is operable to make various port connections for operation of the actuator  137  as more fully described below. Valve  145  is operable such that the arm  10  can be moved to a more closed position but not a more open position when an unauthorized direction of movement toward the apparatus  101  is sensed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 13  schematically illustrates the fluid flow option and one actuator  137  control system. The valve  145  is preferably a spool valve and is preferably constructed to provide a plurality of and as shown, three separate flow paths through the valve  145 . The valve  145  is shown is its normal operating configuration for normal opening and closing movement of an arm  10 . Each arm  10 , in the illustrated structure is provided with a respective actuator  137  and a respective valve. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator  137  is a double rod piston cylinder system  140  such that during movement in either direction a given amount, it will displace an amount of fluid that has been made room for on the other side of the piston and avoids a self-locking piston arrangement because of a difference in volume change due to movement. The arrangement is also preferred, because the actuator can function as its own tank and pump providing a closed system. One side  137 A of the actuator  137  is connected via a conduit  151  to the valve  145  and the other side  137 B of the cylinder actuator is connected via a conduit  152  to a branch conduit having portions  153 ,  154  connected in flow communication between the conduit  152  and the valve  145 . The conduit  153  is connected to a port  156  and the conduct  151  is connected to a port  157 . The conduit  154  is connected to a port  158 . The port  159  is provided but is normally closed. Preferably, the conduit  154  is connected first to the check valve  142  which in turn is connected to the port  158  to provide flow communication between the conduit  154  and the port  158 . The conduit  153  can be provided with the flow control valve  143  connecting the conduit  153  to the port  156 . The flow control valve  143  may be adjustable if desired. 
         [0036]    In operation, during normal operation, i.e., use of the apparatus  1  in a normal direction, a user would encounter and engage first one of the arms,  10  and pivot it around its pivotally mounted end and then the second arm  10 . The pivoting movement then will extend the cylinder  137 , which as seen in  FIG. 13  a movement to the left through its attachment to its arm  10  through a crank arm  160  mounted on a respective shaft  133 . The arm  160  may be connected to a respective rod  135  via a clevis connector  161 . During opening movement, a user moves the arm against the spring  134 . When the arm  10  is released by the user, the spring  134  will move the cylinder  137  and arm  10  back to the arm closed position. The cylinder  137  is constructed to provide equal changes in volumes in the cylinder portions  137 A,  137 B during movement of the cylinder. This allows for the hydraulic system of the present invention to be utilized without a separate tank because the cylinder itself functions as both a tank and a cylinder. The above-described normal opening and closing is accomplished with the valve being shown in its central position  145 B as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . During closing movement, flow of fluid can be controlled by the flow regulator  143 . There are two other modes of operation of the cylinder  137  that are controlled by moving the valve  145  to one of its other two positions  145 A,  145 B as seen in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0037]    When the sensor  12  senses movement in an unauthorized direction, for example, an unauthorized exit through the apparatus  101 , it will send a signal to the valve  145  and configure the valve for operation with the porting configuration shown as  145 A. In this configuration, an arm or both arms  10  in the apparatus  101  are locked against opening movement but can, with a predetermined amount of force, can be moved to closed or more closed position by forcing fluid to flow through the check valve  142 . That is, the cylinder  137  can be moved to a more closed position but cannot be moved to an open position or to the left as seen in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0038]    The sensor  12 , may also send a signal depending upon its programming, to the valve  145  to move it to the porting configuration shown in  145 C. In this valve configuration, the cylinder  137  is locked against movement in both directions. This mode can be used to prevent both unauthorized entry and exit. 
         [0039]    As described above, an override system  2  may be provided which will allow store personnel or the like to activate this mode which will even though movement in an unauthorized direction is present, to allow the cylinder  137  to move in both opening and closing directions if it is desired, for example, to have an authorized person move in an unauthorized direction through the apparatus  101 . 
         [0040]    Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.