Abstract:
A device for prevention of theft of a vehicle and for keeping a parking space for a vehicle when the vehicle is not parked in the space. The device is a collapsible barrier controlled by a remote control. It has a novel mechanism of protecting accidental damage to cars and to the barrier itself. Protection is afforded by means of a biasing element built into the device which gives way when accidentally hit by an approaching car and then automatically returns to a vertical position. When the vehicle with the remote control approaches and is about to hit the barrier a warning alarm is sounded, or in another embodiment of this invention, the remote sensor in the device is automatically lowered when it senses the approaching vehicle. In another embodiment of this invention the collapsible barrier is secured onto a ceiling above a parking surface enabling a convenient electric source for the devices and easier maintenance and central control over numerous barriers placed in a large parking facility.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and, more particularly, to a collapsible barrier which is used to prevent a car being stolen. Alternately or additionally, the device may be employed to reserve a parking place for a vehicle.  
           [0002]    The need for flexible barrier systems to control vehicular access has led to a number of different kinds of barriers. Locked gates have long been used for obstructing vehicles of all types. Gates, however, also obstruct pedestrian traffic, and locks securing the gates are often exposed to the elements and become inoperable over time. The use of keys or combinations further encumbers emergency access, which at best slows down emergency personnel, and at worst bars their access.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,902, to Miller et al., describes a bollard which is hinged so that it can fold into a collapsed position. Inside the bollard, a latch bar mates with a protruding locking section rigidly connected to a base, to lock the bollard in an upright, obstructing position. A fireplug wrench is used to actuate the latch bar to disengage it from the locking section, by swinging it about an axis perpendicular to the hinge axis. For automatic reengagement, a hinge is provided in the latch bar, and the portion of the latch bar below the hinge is spring-urged so that it snaps into engagement with the locking section when the bollard housing is brought to its upright, obstructing position. The latch bar needs to be quite large so that a relatively small amount of rotation of the fireplug wrench produces enough movement of a remote portion of the latch base to clear the protruding locking section connected to the base. Consequently, a large movement is required to disengage the latch bar from the locking section. The force needed to disengage the latch bar from the locking section increases over time as a result of corrosion. Therefore release of the bollard becomes increasingly difficult and failure eventually occurs.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,576,508 and 4,715,742 to Dickinson, describe bollards which are vertically depressible into underground mounting frames. The locking mechanisms of these bollards may, however, become exposed to the elements, causing them to freeze in position. These bollards are also expensive to install and dependent upon complex actuation mechanisms. The requirement for a hole to receive the retracted bollard is a distinct and inherent disadvantage.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. to Stice, describes a vertically depressible bollard with a substantially self-contained actuation mechanism. This bollard is exceedingly complex, and is dependent upon an electrical power source, which is supplied either through an enclosed battery, or through wires from an outside power source. Battery life and availability of electric current impose severe limits on the use of this device.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,110, to Williams, teaches a parking barrier permanently installed in vehicle parking surface, which has a base and legs embedded within a surface. This barrier is set into place by mechanical or electromechanical means through a coded radio frequency transmitter and receiver and in turn, energizes the actuator to rotate the barrier into a horizontal position. The electric system operates on low voltage direct current supplied by a D.C. power supply. The disadvantage to this system is that a there is no give for a frontal accidental head on hit which would cause damage to both the vehicle and to the barrier.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,958, to Worsham, teaches a radio-operated parking barrier apparatus including a base housing, a barrier arm including a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and a drive assembly disposed within the base housing that includes a pivot arm having a proximal end affixed to the shaft, and a driver having a reciprocally driven plunger movably connected to a distal end of the pivot arm. The back end of the driver is pivotally connected to the floor panel of the base housing to accommodate the vertical movement of the accurate motion that the end of the plunger must necessarily follow in converting the linear movement of the plunger into the rotation movement of the barrier arm around the shaft mounted in the base housing. The driver preferably utilizes a threaded shaft and drive nut to reciprocate the driver in operating the device. The drive assembly provides a simple and reliable linkage between the barrier arm and the base housing. The disadvantage to this system is that a there is no give for a frontal accidental head on hit which would cause damage to both the vehicle and to the barrier.  
           [0008]    There is thus an unmet need for, and it would be advantageous to have, a collapsible barrier which is used to prevent a car being stolen and can also be used to guard a parking place for a vehicle when the car is not in the parking place devoid of the above limitations.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for guarding a parking space of a vehicle within a parking area. The parking area includes at least one parking space and at least one drive aisle. The device comprises (i) a base member securable onto a surface, the base member capable of engaging and retaining a rotatable barrier pivot axis, (ii) a barrier member integrally formed with or joined to the rotatable pivot axis such that rotation of the barrier pivot axis causes a change in a position of the barrier member from a first position to a second position, (iii) a driving mechanism for reversibly rotating the barrier pivot axis; and (iv) a biasing element for retaining the barrier member in the first position, wherein the first position prevents vehicular access to the parking space and the second position permits vehicular access to the parking space.  
           [0010]    According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for guarding a parking space of a vehicle within a parking area. The parking area includes at least one parking space and at least one drive aisle. The device comprises (i) a base member securable onto a ceiling, the base member capable of engaging and retaining a rotatable barrier pivot axis (ii) a barrier member integrally formed with or joined to the rotatable pivot axis such that rotation of the barrier pivot axis causes a change in a position of the barrier member from a first position to a second position, and a driving mechanism for reversibly rotating the barrier pivot axis, wherein the first position prevents vehicular access to the parking space and the second position permits vehicular access to the parking space.  
           [0011]    According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the barrier member further includes two arms approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis joined at a proximal end to the pivot axis and joined at a distal end by a bar which is approximately parallel to the barrier pivot axis.  
           [0012]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the barrier member is comprised of one arm approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis joined at a proximal end to the pivot axis.  
           [0013]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the distal end of the barrier member in the second position is pointing away from the approach drive aisle.  
           [0014]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments when an external substantially horizontal force is applied in a direction towards the barrier member in the first position, the barrier member moves from the first position towards the second position. When the external horizontal force is discontinued, the biasing element returns the barrier member to the first position.  
           [0015]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments rotation of the barrier pivot axis is controllable by a remote control mechanism.  
           [0016]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the driving mechanism comprises (i) a motor, (ii) a plurality of connected shafts and rods; and (iii) an electrical mechanism for powering of the motor.  
           [0017]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the electrical mechanism includes a power source selected from the group consisting of a solar power source, a battery power source or a power source from a vehicle parked in the parking space.  
           [0018]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the device further comprises a detection mechanism, the detection mechanism capable of detecting an approaching vehicle. The detection mechanism further comprises a warning mechanism for warning a driver of the approaching vehicle that the barrier member is in the first position.  
           [0019]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the barrier member is manually operated in case of a malfunction of the driving mechanism.  
           [0020]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments wherein resistance of an obstructing object during movement of the barrier member automatically reverses the direction of movement of the barrier member.  
           [0021]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the surface is a surface selected from the group consisting of a floor, a parking lot ground, a ceiling, a wall and a post.  
           [0022]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the electrical mechanism is powered by an electrical source from the ceiling.  
           [0023]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the first position of the barrier member is a vertical position and the second position of the barrier is a horizontal position.  
           [0024]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the electrical mechanism is powered by an item selected from the group consisting of a battery and an AC electrical power source.  
           [0025]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the device further includes a biasing element for retaining the barrier member in the first position  
           [0026]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the AC electric power source is located in the ceiling.  
           [0027]    The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a collapsible barrier which is used to prevent a car being stolen and can also be used to guard a parking place for a vehicle when the car is not in the parking place. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.  
         [0029]    In the drawings:  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 a  is a schematic representation of a vehicle approaching a parking space with an anti-car-theft device in a vertical position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 b  is a schematic representation of a vehicle in a parking space with an anti-car-theft device in a horizontal position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 c  is a schematic representation of an anti-car-theft device in a vertical position;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 d  is a schematic representation of an anti-car-theft device in a vertical position showing it on its way to being in a horizontal position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 e  is a schematic representation of an anti-car-theft device in a horizontal position;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an anti-car-theft device in a vertical position viewed from above with the cover removed allowing view of internal working parts;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an anti-car-theft device in a horizontal position during exertion of an external horizontal force viewed from above with the cover removed allowing view of internal working parts;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 a  is a schematic representation of a ceiling mounted anti-car-theft device; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 b  is a schematic representation of a covered parking lot with numerous anti-car-theft devices installed.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    The present invention is of an anti-theft device. Specifically, the present invention is of a collapsible barrier that can be used to prevent a car from being stolen. The present invention is further of a device which can be used to guard a parking place for a vehicle when the car is not in the parking place.  
         [0040]    The principles and operation of an anti-theft device and parking space saver according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.  
         [0041]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0042]    For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term “surface ” includes but is not limited to floor, a parking lot ground, a ceiling, a wall and a post.  
         [0043]    For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term “first position” generally refers to a perpendicular or vertical position of the barrier member in relationship to the barrier base member and “second position” generally refers to a parallel or horizontal position of the barrier member in relationship to the barrier base member.  
         [0044]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 a  illustrates a device for guarding a parking space  12  of a vehicle  14  within a parking area  16 . Parking area  16  includes at least one parking space  12  and at least one drive aisle  18 . Device  10  can be positioned at the entrance to a parking space  12  as illustrated which would provide protection for both a parked vehicle  14  and a parking space  12  in the absence of a vehicle  14 , or somewhere else inside parking space  12  where it would serve the purpose of reserving a parking space. In the alternative position within parking space  12 , device  10  will remain in the horizontal position and vehicle  14  is parked above device  10 . Device  10  includes a base member  20  secured onto or into a surface. Base member  20  engages and retains a barrier pivot axis  52  (FIG. 2). A barrier member  21  is integrally formed with barrier pivot axis  52 . A driving mechanism  43  reversibly rotates barrier pivot axis  52  from a “first” position to a “second” position. FIG. 1 a  depicts a vehicle  14  approaching device  10 , which is in a “first” or vertical position. FIG. 1 b  depicts vehicle  14  in parking space  12  after having driven over device  10  with barrier member  21  in a “second” or horizontal position. FIGS. 1 c,    1   d  and  1   e  depict barrier member  21  moving from a “first” or a vertical to a “second” or a horizontal position. The distal end  25  of barrier member  21  in the horizontal position is pointing away from the approach drive aisle  18 .  
         [0045]    Barrier member  21  may be, for example, comprised of two arms  22  approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis  52  joined at a proximal end  23  to pivot axis  52  and joined at a distal end  25  by a bar  24  which is approximately parallel to barrier pivot axis  52 . In a preferred embodiment bar  24  serves as a sign such as a “reserved” sign. Alternatively, the two arms  22  are integrally formed with both barrier pivot axis  52  and bar  24 .  
         [0046]    In another preferred embodiment, barrier member  21  is comprised of one arm approximately perpendicular to pivot axis joined at a proximal end to the pivot axis  52 .  
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a biasing element  58  retains barrier member  21  in the first position. When an external substantially horizontal force is applied in a direction towards barrier member  21  in the first position, barrier member  21  rotates about barrier pivot axis  52  at an acute angle from the first position to the second position. FIG. 3 illustrates device  10  in a second position during exertion of an external horizontal force. When the external horizontal force is discontinued, biasing element  58  returns barrier member  21  to the first position.  
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the movement of barrier member  21  is controlled by a remote control mechanism including a remote control sensor  26  which detects a signal emitted by remote control device  15 . Remote control mechanisms are commercially available and one ordinarily skilled in the art will be capable of selecting a commercially available mechanism and integrating it into the present invention.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 2 illustrates device  10  shown here from above with the lid  27  removed to expose internal working parts. Driving mechanism  43  includes a motor  42 . Operation of motor  42  rotates a threaded rod  44  in one direction in order moves barrier member  21  from a first position to a second position. Rotation of threaded rod  44  in an opposite direction by motor  42  moves barrier member  21  from a second position to a first position. Threaded rod  44  passes through a transfer rod  46 . Transfer rod  46  has a matching female threaded hole  41  through which threaded rod  44  traverses. Transfer rod  46  penetrates a pair of transfer clips  48 . Transfer clips  48  are permanently connected to a pivot axis sheath  50 . Pivot axis sheath  50  functions as a female sheath over the barrier pivot axis  52 . A pivot-connecting pin  66  through matching holes  64  in both pivot axis sheath  50  and pivot axis  52  joins pivot axis sheath  50  and pivot axis  52 . Barrier pivot axis  52  protrudes through base member  20  through exit hole  54  and is connected to the arm  22  of barrier member  21 . Only part of one arm  22  is shown here to expose additional parts.  
         [0050]    In operation, when barrier member  21  is in the first position motor  42  rotates threaded rod  44 . As transfer rod  46  is not free to rotate because it is held in place by transfer clips  48 , threaded rod  44  advances through the female threading  41  of transfer rod  46  thus causing transfer rod  46  to move perpendicularly down threaded rod  44  toward motor  42 . This in turn causes transfer clips  48  to rotate perpendicularly to threaded rod  44 , which causes pivot axis sheath  50  and pivot axis  52  to rotate in the same direction. Pivot axis  52  being integrally connected to barrier arm  22  causes barrier arm  22  to descend into a second position as in FIG. 1 e.    
         [0051]    On the other hand, when barrier member  21  is in the second position motor  42  rotates threaded rod  44  in the opposite direction. As transfer rod  46  is not free to rotate because it is held in place by transfer clips  48 , threaded rod  44  moves through the female threading of transfer rod  46  in the opposite direction thus actually causing transfer rod  46  to move perpendicularly up threaded rod  44  away from motor  42 . This in turn causes transfer clips  48  to rotate (in the opposite direction to the above mentioned descending of barrier arm  22 ), which as a result cause pivot axis sheath  50  and pivot axis  52  to rotate. Pivot axis  52  being integrally connected to barrier arm  22  causes barrier arm  22  to ascend into a first position.  
         [0052]    The purpose of pivot connecting pin  66  and of having both pivot axis sheath  50  and pivot axis  52  is in case of a malfunction preventing driving mechanism  43  from moving the barrier member on the barrier pivot axis from the first position to the second position or vice-versa. In case of a malfunction a person removes the base member lid  27  by opening base member lid lock  28  and removing pivot connecting pin  66 . Barrier member  22  can then be manually pulled up or pushed down as needed.  
         [0053]    A device in another preferred embodiment without the abovementioned malfunctioning function would not need pivot connecting pin  66  or pivot axis sheath  50  or matching holes  64  and in such a case, pivot axis  52  is connected directly to transfer clips  48 .  
         [0054]    When there is resistance of an obstructing object during its movement, barrier member  22  automatically reverses the direction of movement by motor  42 .  
         [0055]    Electrical mechanism  45  can be solar-powered or battery  40  powered (rechargeable or disposable), and in one preferred embodiment is recharged from vehicle  14 , parked in parking space  12 . In another preferred embodiment (FIG. 4 a ) ceiling mounted device  10  is powered by an alternating current source in the ceiling of the parking area. Electric switch-box  38  (FIG. 3) governs the entire electric operations of device  10 . Electric wiring  38  relays electricity to motor  42  and from sensor  26 .  
         [0056]    Remote control sensor  26  in another embodiment of this invention detects approaching vehicle  14 . When vehicle  14  comes in close proximity to device  10  from either side and barrier member  21  is in a first position an audible alarm warning of a collision between vehicle  14  and barrier member  21  is sounded emanating either from an alarm in device  10  or from the remote control device  15  in vehicle  14 .  
         [0057]    In a preferred embodiment remote control device  15  in vehicle  12  or alternatively a unit carried by a person constantly emits a signal. When vehicle  14  approaches device  10  remote control sensor  26  detects approaching vehicle  14  and automatically lowers barrier member  21  from a first position to a second position, thus avoiding any accidental collision by vehicle  14  with remote control device  15 . Sensors capable of detecting approaching objects are commonplace in many alarms and are well known to those skilled in the art of moving object detection.  
         [0058]    In a preferred embodiment, there is a built-in mechanism for protecting both device  10  and cars inadvertently colliding with barrier member  21  while in the first position. Threaded rod  44  passes through a moveable transfer block  56  through which at least one biasing spring rod  60  (shown here in FIG. 2 as two rods) also pass. The distal ends of biasing spring rod  60  are permanently attached to a stationary end block  62 . A biasing element such as a spring  58  connects the back of moveable transfer block  56  to the front of stationary end block  62 . When an external horizontal force is applied to barrier member  21 , for example by a car backing up into barrier member  21  from the approach drive aisle  18 , barrier member  21  rotates in an acute angle towards the second position. It does this as barrier arm  22  rotates, barrier arm  22  also rotates pivot axis  52 , pivot axis sheath  50  and transfer clips  48 . Transfer clips  48  then is physically push transfer rod  46  back towards stationary end block  62 , causing moveable transfer block  56  to move closer to stationary end block  62  along biasing spring rod  60 . This in turn tensions spring  58  as illustrated in FIG. 3. Spring  58  is configured to be able to give only to strong forces such as vehicles and not to give way for a person pushing barrier member  21  down.  
         [0059]    When the external horizontal force is discontinued, biasing element  58  returns barrier member  21  to a first position by pushing moveable transfer block  56  away from stationary end block  62  along biasing spring rod  60  back into its original position before the external force was applied. This in turn pushes transfer rod  48  which causes transfer clips  48  to rotate, which in turn rotates pivot axis sheath  50  and barrier pivot axis  52  causing barrier arm  22  to return to its first position.  
         [0060]    In a preferred embodiment brake  70  physically prevents barrier member  21  from descending into a second position pointing away from parking space  12 . When a vehicle  14  enters the parking space by forcing device  10  into its second position, the vehicle will be stuck in the parking space until the device owner will release him.  
         [0061]    Another preferred embodiment is FIG. 5 illustrates device  10  installed onto a ceiling  78  in a covered structure. In this embodiment device  10  is either mounted onto a ceiling or roof assembly  78  or suspended from a ceiling or a roof assembly to allow for ceiling obstructions such as conduit or pluming lines. Device  10  is suspended with the aid of a threaded rod assembly with base plates  80 . This embodiment has many advantages. Device  10  can be connected to the electric wiring  82  which runs through the ceiling anyway for example for lighting purposes without having to alter parking surface  12 . When the barrier members  21  are in a horizontal position, then mechanical sweeping of surfaces is much easier.  
         [0062]    Numerous devices  10  can also be operated through a centralized control panel with audible alarm sounding in a parking office.  
         [0063]    The present invention proposes some innovative design improvements making the barrier a stronger and safer barrier. In addition the present invention teaches a device for protecting a parking place within a covered parking lot, whereby a barrier is attached to a ceiling where it would be convenient to obtain an electric power source within the ceiling as well as making parking lot parking surface easy to clean.  
         [0064]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.