Patent GB-1245189-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in gates
IPC: G07C9/02
Filed: 1969-09-05
Abstract: 1,245,189. " Free passage " gates. ETABS. GEORGES KLEIN. 5 Sept., 1969 [6 Sept., 1968], No. 44055/69. Heading G4T. Apparatus providing access through passages at which payment is to be made, the passages running between two boxes, one or both of which carry a closing member(s) or gate(s) adapted to close the passage, comprises a circuit for controlling the gate(s) arranged so as to permit access when a user has obtained a ticket for entry, and to deny access when a user tries to pass without having obtained this right of entry, and to leave the gate(s) closed when at least one user, not having paid, is in the passage and one user is getting his own ticket, the gate(s) remaining closed until the passage is vacated. The gate may be a turnstile, in which case "an open gate" means a freely rotatable turnstile. In the embodiment shown, Fig. 1, a passage 3 runs between boxes 1 and 2, at least one of which contains in its central part an aperture 4 for a pivotable gate 5. A light beam screen 6 guards the entrance side A and screen 7 guards the exit side B, the screens comprising light sources 8 and 9, mirrors 10 and 11 and photoresistive cells 12 and 13. The screens are sufficiently close to prevent a user from stopping between them and thus interrupting neither screen. A registering device for counting the number of users passing through, placed on exit side B, comprises screen 24, situated near the top of boxes 1 and 2 and screen 25 situated near the floor. Gate 5, which is biased in the open position by, e.g., counter weights (45, Fig. 3, not shown), is closed by motor M, Fig. 2, controlled by relay 14 acting through switch 14a. Interruption of beam 6 by a defrauder closes switch 16a by activation of relay 16, thus completing the circuit and closing the gate. Authorization for passage is provided by memory device 18, which can receive orders through lines 19 and 20. Line 19 transmits signals from a controller (not shown) which detects tickets or the like presented at 21. Line 20 transmits signals from the photo-electric cells 28 and 29 each time that the beams 24 and 25 are simultaneously interrupted. Thus the memory device 18 can record several authorizations for passage, the number being decreased by one each time cells 28 and 29 record passage through the apparatus. The record in memory device 18 is transmitted to a two-way locking switch 30 which can switch between two positions a and b corresponding respectively to a zero record and a positive record. When switch 30 is in position b, interruption of beam 6 does not close the circuit so that gate 5 remains open. Payment of a fee and the consequent movement of switch 30 to position b does not open the gate to a defrauder standing in beam 6 and checked by the gate because his prior closure of the circuit at switch 16a operates relay 31 and thereby closes switch 31a which is in parallel to switch 30, so that movement of switch 30 to position b does not break the circuit. The defrauder must then move back, thereby opening switches 16a and 31a and affording the payer free passage. The gate is also closed if a person presents himself from the exit direction B. Interruption of beam 7 activates relay 17 and closes switches 17a and 17b, which closes the circuit C, G, 33a, 17b, H, 14, D, thus closing the gate, which is reopened when the person moves back from exit B. Photo-resistive cells 28 and 29 are arranged in series, so that a signal is sent to make a subtraction from memory 18 only when both beams 24 and 25 are obscured. Switch 36 is closed when one of the beams 24 and 25 are obscured and switch 34a is closed, by relay 34, when both beams are obscured. A subtraction signal is therefore not terminated by the interruption of one of the beams 24 and 25 because current passes through branch 35. Spurious signals are therefore not produced by the interruption of one beam by, e.g., a parcel, or an arm, nor does the momentary freeing of one beam result in a user being counted twice.