Patent Abstract:
A space barrier for preventing the unauthorized use of reserved spaces comprising a vertical locking mechanism and a raising mechanism. The raising mechanism comprising at least a pedal-like component welded to a push up member for displacing in a rotational matter the space barrier from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The raising mechanism is useful for avoiding lower back injuries or for assisting user with lower back injuries. Further the locking mechanism assist the parking barrier to hold the vertical position while avoiding the entry or exit of a vehicle from the parking space.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    N/A 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates to space barrier devices, more particularly to a retractable space barrier installed at the entrance of a space wherein said space barrier is easily operated and secured so as to prevent others from using a private or reserved space. 
         [0005]    Discussion of the Background 
         [0006]    Unfortunately, reserve spots/spaces tend to be occupied by unauthorized users unless a guard or parking attendant is present. In an attempt to prevent unauthorized uses of reserved spaces, it has been proposed to provide at least barrier devices which normally block such reserved spaces, and which can be selectively moved to a non-blocking position only by a person authorized to do so. 
         [0007]    Usually the devices used for reserving spaces are set in the ground within the determined area of the space and include a swingable portion which may be pivoted from a substantially horizontal position adjacent to the ground in which the vehicle can pass over the barrier to a substantially vertical position in which it blocks entry or exit of a vehicle from the space. 
         [0008]    One of the disadvantages of the current barriers is the fact that a person needs to bend in order to pull up the barrier to put it in a vertical position. Another disadvantage is the use of an efficient locking mechanism in order to hold the barrier in position, more particularly in a vertical position. 
         [0009]    Therefore there is a need to provide a space barrier installed in a space having a raising mechanism which is easily operated and secured so as to prevent others from using a private or reserved space. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive space barrier that can be easily raised and lowered by an authorized user to provide access to an assigned space. 
         [0011]    Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a space barrier device that is set into the pavement or ground level outside the space and which will prevent unauthorized entry into the space. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a space barrier device that may be locked against swinging motion by a non-authorized person. 
         [0013]    To enable a better understanding of the objectives and features of the present disclosure, a brief description of the drawing below will be followed by a detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a general view the first exemplary space barrier guarding a space in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a general view of preferred displacement of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3B  show general views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in vertical position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show detail views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in vertical position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5D  show general views of the preferred displacement of the locking bar mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A-6B  show general views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in transitional position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A-7D  show detail views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in vertical position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A-8B  show perspective views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in horizontal position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A-9D  show detail views of the first exemplary space barrier embodiment in horizontal position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10A-10C  are detail views of the actuator of the first preferred embodiment in vertical position in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11A-11B  are perspective views of exemplary structure applying the first preferred embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the barrier  1  is intended to provide protection to an open space O while being configured to provide access when needed. The barrier  1  used for reserving a space comprises a base B, a display D, a main body or housing  20 , a locking bar mechanism  5 , a pivot member  3  and an actuator  4 . The barrier  1  is intended to be positioned at a horizontal position to permit access to the open space O and a vertical position to avoid access to the open space O.  FIG. 2  shows the process of the barrier  1  moving from the horizontal position  1 A, to a transitional position  1 B and ending in the vertical position  1 C. The barrier  1  is intended to comprise a main body  20 , wherein said main body  20  comprises a first distal end  21  and a second distal end  22 . The material used for the barrier  1  is preferred to be a material that withstand variable weather conditions, such as hot weather, snow, dust and rain. Further main body  20  comprises a hollow main body and the at least said first distal end  21  is mechanically coupled to said pivot member B 1 . The second distal end  22  of said main body  20  comprises a display plate D. The display plate D comprises at least a recess to attach any desired member through said recess D 1 . 
         [0026]    The main body  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  trough  3 B, is intended to achieve a vertically position with respect to the base B and floor. The base B, which is preferred to be fixed to the floor, supports the pivot member  3  which is attached to said base B. The pivot member  3 , as shown in  FIG. 4A through 4C , comprises at least two vertical elements  30 ,  31  fixed to base B and said vertical elements extends perpendicular to the base B or floor. At least one of the two vertical elements  30 ,  31  comprises holes  301 ,  300 . The holes  301 ,  300  are configured to provide a locking feature depending on the position of the main body  20 . The dimension of the two vertical elements  30 ,  31  extended perpendicular to the base B. Specifically the height and length of the two vertical elements  30 ,  31 , depends on the dimensions of the main body  20 . For example, when the main body  20  is in horizontal position, as shown below, the main body  20  rests on top of the floor or base B, wherein the height of at least one two vertical elements extends vertically away from the main body  20 . Further when the main body  20  is in vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 4A , with respects to the floor or base B, the length of at least one of the two vertical elements extends horizontally away from the main body  20 . In the instant case the first hole  301  is away from the main body  20  in order to provide enough space to engage a locking device, such as a padlock L. Therefore one of the purposes of the extension of the vertical elements  30 ,  31  is to provide a locking mechanism for the horizontal position and vertical position of the main body  20 . 
         [0027]    The pivot member  3  further comprises a pivot element B 1  that is mechanically coupled to the first distal end  21  of the main body  20 . The first distal end  21  comprises at least connection plates  200 ,  201  with perforations that allow the pivot element B 1  to pass through. In the present disclosure the term “mechanical coupled” refers to a coupling between both parts maintaining a continuous connection while allowing a radius displacement or rotational motion of at least one of the elements. In the instant case the main body  20  is coupled to the pivot member  3  by means of the pivot element B 1 . The pivot element B 1  maintains a continuous connection between the pivot member  3  and the first distal end  21  but at the same time allows the radius displacement of the main body  20  in such way that a horizontal and vertical position of the main body  20  is achieved. The main body  20  is configured to provide a shape that wherein it is placed in vertical position rests on top of the base or floor B, as show in  FIG. 3B . The vertical elements  30 ,  31  are separated at a distance that is plenty to fit the first distal end  21  between said vertical elements  30 ,  31 . The actuator  4  is further mechanically coupled to at least one of the vertical elements  30 ,  31  by means of said pivot element B 1 , as show in  FIG. 4C . The actuator  4 , which is explained below, comprises a pedal-plate element  42 , a fixing plate  40  and a pull-plate element  41 . 
         [0028]    The locking bar mechanism  5 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A through 5D , comprises an extended locking bar  50  and a pivot locking mechanism  500 . The extended locking bar  50  is positioned inside the main body  20  hollow body. The extended locking bar  50  is mechanically coupled to the pivot locking mechanism  500  by means of a second pivot element B 2 . The pivot locking mechanism  500  allows the radius displacement of the extended locking bar  50  simultaneously with the main body  20  displacement. The pivot locking mechanism  500  comprises a protrusion P. The protrusion P is vertically extended with respect to the base B. The protrusion P is located on top of the base B at a position that allows the main body  20  to rest on top of the floor while it is in horizontal position and to be covered by the main body  20  while it is in vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 5A through 5C . 
         [0029]    The extended locking bar  50  comprises a first end  51  and a second end  52 , wherein said second end  51  includes at least a hole R, as shown in  FIG. 5D . The extended locking bar  50  is configured to extend away from the main body  20  during the vertical position, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5D . The extension of the extended locking bar  50  is the result of the protrusion P extension with respect to the base B, as shown in exploded view of  FIG. 5D . Due to the configuration and arrangement of the protrusion P, the extension of the main body  20  surrounds the extended locking bar  50  while it is positioned in the horizontal position. However, the extension of said extended locking bar  50 , more particularly said second end  52  extends away from the main body  20  providing a second location wherein the main body  20  is locked in said vertical position. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are directed to the transitional position of the space barrier  1 . The displacement of the main body  20  is assisted by an actuator  4 , as defined below. During the transitional position the actuator  4  pushes up the main body  20  by means of the pull-plate element  41 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A through 7D , the main body  20  is located between the vertical elements  30 ,  31  wherein said pull-plate element  41  contacts the main body  20  and pushes it up providing a radius displacement. The pivot element B 1 , which is mechanically coupled to the base B by means of the vertical elements  30 ,  31 , assists to avoid vertical or horizontal displacement of the main body  20 , with respects to the base B and the actuator  4 , therefore allowing the rotational movement of both pieces. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are directed to the horizontal position of the space barrier  1 . As mentioned, the displacement of the main body  20  is assisted by an actuator  4 . During the horizontal position the actuator  4  is resting under the main body  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D , the main body  20  is located between the vertical elements  30 ,  31  wherein said pull-plate element  41  is at its lowest position and the pedal-plate element  42  is at its highest position with respects to the base B. The protrusion P is on top of the base B, mechanically coupled to the locking bar  50  and said locking bar  50  extends inside the hollow body of the main body  20 . The second pivot element B 2 , which mechanically couples the protrusion P and said locking bar  50 , is rotationally aligned with the first pivot element B 1 . In other word, the second pivot element B 2  is not vertically nor horizontally aligned with the first pivot element B 1  but the radius displacement in said first pivot element B 1  is aligned with the radius displacement of the main body  20 . As mentioned above, another feature of the space bar is to provide a vertical element which extends away from the main body for locking purposes. As shown in  FIG. 9D , when the main body  20  is in horizontal position at least one two vertical elements&#39; height extends vertically away from the main body  20 . 
         [0032]    Another important feature, as shown in  FIG. 10A through 10C , is the actuator  4  which assist the user to move the space barrier  1  into a vertical position for reserving spots, more particularly pulls up the main body  20  from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Mainly the actuator  4  comprises a pedal-plate element  42 , a fixing plate  40  and a pull-plate element  41 . The fixing plate  40  is mechanically coupled to the first pivot element B 1 . The pull-plate element  41  is fixed to the fixing plate  40  and extends perpendicularly and away from said fixing plate  40  towards the main body  20 . The pull-plate  41  is intended to contact the main body  20  while the main body  20  is in horizontal position and transitional position, wherein said pull-plate  41  is located between the main body  20  and the base B and/or floor. The pedal-plate element  42  is fixed to the fixing plate  40  and extends vertically away from the fixing plate  40  and the main body  20 . The purpose of the pedal-plate element  42  is to provide a surface wherein the user applies force using the foot and said force is transmitted to the pull-plate  41  which in turns pulls ups the main body  20  in order to achieved a vertical portion. 
         [0033]    Further,  FIG. 11A through 11B , shows different shapes for the main body  20 . The actuator  4 , similar to previous description, is intended to contact the main body  20  and pull up said main body  20 . The main body is a hollow body wherein said locking bar  50  extends in the vertical position. A padlock L, as mentioned above, is used to lock the main body  20  in a vertical position. 
         [0034]    While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, 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 this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0035]    All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4