Patent Description:
Different barriers to block pedestrians as well as vehicles of different types and sizes are known in the art and the inventor of the subject matter described herein also describes in other documents effective barriers configured to block vehicles, especially vehicles aimed at getting into crowded places in very high speed. Such barriers that are erected from the ground can be fixed in place or portable and can be remotely controlled.

A gate comprising the features of the preamble portion of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>. However, the height of the blocking elements does not allow for pedestrians to pass though between the poles of a blocking element in upright position, thereby imposing a substantial barrier for crowds to pass through. In other words, the known barrier not only limits access for vehicles but also restricts the number of pedestrians that may pass within a certain period.

Another gate of this type is known from <CIT>.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a gate that can be opened and closed easily for vehicles and, in closed state for vehicles is able to also control the flow of pedestrians passing within a certain period.

This technical problem is solved by a gate comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

Embodiments are 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, 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 embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms can be embodied in practice.

Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter 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 subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.

For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.

The term"vehicle" as disclosed herein relates to a terrestrial vehicle, as known in the art, in which people travel, or by which things are carried or conveyed.

The terms"pedestrian" as disclosed herein relates to walking human being, as well as objects similar in size, for example bicycles, motorcycles, animals, and the like.

The term"ground" as disclosed herein relates to any surface known in the art on which pedestrians and vehicles can move, for example a road, a pavement, a path, a trail, a walkway, a highway, soil, ground and the like.

The present subject invention provides a gate configured to control passage of vehicles, pedestrians, or both. The gate comprising at least one first blocking element configured to swivel about a first pivot axis, and at least one second blocking element configured to swivel about a second pivot axis wherein the first blocking element and the second blocking element are configured to swivel one opposite the other in a manner that a gap is formed between the first blocking element and the second blocking element, wherein the gap is set to allow or block passage of vehicles through the gap.

The blocking elements are be swivebly connected to ground or a surface that is placed on the ground.

According to one embodiment, the first blocking element and the second blocking element are configured to be releasably placed on the surface. According to another embodiment, the first blocking element and the second blocking element are configured to be permanently placed on the surface.

Each blocking element swivels about its fixture to the surface so that the blocking elements pivot one opposite to the other as will be explained herein after. According to the pivoting state of the blocking elements that controls the gap between the elements, in one embodiment, the gate is configured to be in a vehicle blocking state, in which the gate blocks passage of vehicles. According to another embodiment, the gate is configured to be in a vehicle passage state, in which the gap is maximal and the gate allows passage of vehicles. Pedestrians are allowed to pass through the gate in all gaps, however, according to yet another embodiment, the gate is configured to be in a vehicle and pedestrian blocking state, in which the gate blocks passage of both vehicles and pedestrians.

Reference is now being made to <FIG> schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a front perspective view, a top view and a front view, respectively, of a gate in a vehicle blocking state.

<FIG> illustrates the gate <NUM> comprising a first blocking element <NUM> and a second blocking element <NUM>. Both first blocking element <NUM> and second blocking element <NUM> are configured to be placed on a surface <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is swivebly connected to the surface <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the second blocking element <NUM> is swivebly connected to the surface <NUM>. According to yet another embodiment, both the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> are swivebly connected to the surface <NUM>. Any one of the two blocking elements is configured to swivel about a pivot axis.

It should be noted that the gate as shown in the figures is placed on surface <NUM> wherein the surface <NUM> can be a base for the gate that is configured to be placed on the ground <NUM>; however, in accordance with another embodiment, the gate is placed directly on the ground as defined above.

According to one embodiment, the surface <NUM> is configured to be placed on the ground <NUM>. According to yet another embodiment, the surface <NUM> is configured to be removably placed on the ground. According to still another embodiment, the surface <NUM> is configured to be permanently placed on the ground, for example by permanently connecting the surface to the ground.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> are configured to be placed on the surface <NUM>. According to another embodiment, at least one of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to connect to the surface <NUM> in a way that the elements are swiveling about a pivoting axis.

As can be seen in the figures, the surface <NUM> is a base mounted on the ground <NUM>. Nevertheless, the illustration of the base serving as a surface <NUM> should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter. The surface <NUM> can be a ground as well.

The first blocking element <NUM> comprises a first pole <NUM> configured to be caught in the surface <NUM> and serve as a pivot axis of the first blocking element <NUM>, and a second pole <NUM> connected to the first pole <NUM> with an upper connector <NUM>. Similarly, the second blocking element <NUM> comprises a third pole <NUM> configured to be caught in the surface <NUM> and serve as a pivot axis of the second blocking element <NUM>, and a fourth pole <NUM> connected to the third pole <NUM> with an upper connector <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM> and the third pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to be releasably caught in the surface <NUM>. According to another embodiment, at least one of the first pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM> and the third pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to be permanently caught in the surface <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the upper connector <NUM>/<NUM> can have any shape, for example at least one of the upper connectors <NUM>/<NUM> is linear (not shown), or arched as shown for example in <FIG>, and the like.

The upper connectors can be utilized also to different uses such as illumination. In a preferred embodiment, the upper connector is provided with an illuminating LEDS or other type of illuminator so as to provide light to the area of the gate. The upper connector can also be used for placing signposts indicating exit, directions, arrows, explanations, or the like.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the blocking elements <NUM>/<NUM> is made of separate parts connected one to the other, namely a separate first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM>, a separate second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM>, and a separate upper connector <NUM>/<NUM> that are connected one to the other. According to another embodiment, at least one of the blocking elements <NUM>/<NUM> is made of one piece of material in a shape comprising the first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM>, the second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM>, and the upper connector <NUM>/<NUM>. According to yet another embodiment, in at least one of the blocking elements <NUM>/<NUM>, the first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM> and the upper connector <NUM>/<NUM> are made of one piece of material connected to the second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM>. According to still another embodiment, in at least one of the blocking elements <NUM>/<NUM>, the second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM> and the upper connector <NUM>/<NUM> are made of one piece of material connected to the first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to allow passage of a pedestrian therethrough, and the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to allow passage of a pedestrian therethrough. This embodiment is achieved because a distance between the first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM> and the second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM>, designated in <FIG> with dashed line <NUM>, allows passage of a pedestrian therethrough (between the poles of a single blocking element). According to another embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to block passage of a vehicle therethrough, and the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to block passage of a vehicle therethrough. This embodiment is achieved because the distance <NUM> between the first/third pole <NUM>/<NUM> and the second/fourth pole <NUM>/<NUM> blocks passage of a vehicle therethrough.

According to one embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to swivel about the first pole <NUM>, since the first pole <NUM> serves as a first pivot axis of the first blocking element <NUM>. The swivel movement that the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to perform is designated in <FIG> with arrow <NUM>. Similarly, the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to swivel about the third pole <NUM>, since the third pole <NUM> serves as a second pivot axis of the second blocking element <NUM>. The swivel movement that the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to perform is designated in <FIG> with arrow <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the gate <NUM> is configured to be either in a vehicle blocking state or in a vehicle passage state. This embodiment is achieved by changing the orientation of the first blocking element <NUM> or the second blocking element <NUM>, or both the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>, one relative to the other while forming a gap therebetween. The gate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and in the following <FIG>, is in a vehicle blocking state when the gap between the first blocking element and the second blocking element is set to be narrow enough to prevent passage of the vehicles.

According to one embodiment, the gate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is in a vehicle blocking state. In this embodiment, the orientation of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> is such that a gap <NUM>, illustrated with dashed line <NUM> in <FIG>, between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> does not allow passage of a vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle blocking state, the gate <NUM> blocks passage of a vehicle through the gate <NUM>. However, as can be seen in <FIG>, the gap <NUM> between the poles of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> allow passage of pedestrians <NUM>. As can be clearly seen in the frontal view of <FIG>, vehicles cannot pass through the gate since the poles are too close to each other, leaving only small gaps between them. These gaps allow people to pass through but not vehicles.

According to one embodiment illustrated for the orientation example in <FIG>, at least one locking recess <NUM>, for locking a blocking element <NUM>/<NUM> in a certain position, is made in the surface <NUM>. Thus, an at least one locking recess <NUM> is made in the surface on which the gate <NUM> is placed. According to another embodiment, a second pole <NUM>/<NUM> of a blocking element <NUM>/<NUM> is configured to be locked in a locking recess <NUM>, for example by inserting a lower end of the second pole <NUM>/<NUM> into the locking recess <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the gate <NUM> can comprise either at least one locking recess <NUM>-B <NUM> for locking the end of pole <NUM>, or at least one locking recess <NUM>-B2 for locking the end of pole <NUM>; or both. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the end of second pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM> is locked within locking recess <NUM>-B <NUM> and the end of the second pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM> is locked within locking recess <NUM>-B2, the gate <NUM> is in a vehicle blocking state. In other words, the gap <NUM> between locking recess <NUM>-B <NUM> for locking the first blocking element <NUM>, and locking recess <NUM>-B2 for locking the second blocking element <NUM>, does not allow passage of a vehicle <NUM> (the vehicle is shown in <FIG>). Thus, locking recess <NUM>-B <NUM> and locking recess <NUM>-B2 can be considered as locking recesses <NUM> for a vehicle blocking state of the gate <NUM>.

It should be noted that optionally, the recess can be also a full hole in the case that the surface is a base on the ground.

Reference is now made to <FIG> schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a front perspective view, a top view, and a frontal view, respectively, of a gate in a vehicle passage state and a vehicle passing through the gate.

According to one embodiment, the gate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is in a vehicle passage state. In this embodiment, the orientation of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> is such that the gap <NUM> (indicated in <FIG>) between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM> allow passage of a vehicle <NUM>. The blocking elements <NUM> and <NUM> are oriented in a position in which they are substantially parallel to one another and the gap between them is maximal while no poles are situated within the gap <NUM>. Movement of vehicles through the gate is allowed when the gap is set to be broad enough. Therefore, in the vehicle passage state, the gate <NUM> allows passage of a vehicle through the gate <NUM>. Needless to mention that in the vehicle passage state, the gate <NUM> also allows passage of pedestrians through the gap <NUM> between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the gate <NUM> comprises either a locking recess <NUM>-PI for locking the lower end of pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM>, or/and a locking recess <NUM>-P2 for locking the lower end of pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the lower end of the second pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM> is locked by locking recess <NUM>-PI and the lower end of the second pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM> is locked by locking recess <NUM>-P2, the gate <NUM> is in a vehicle passage state. In other words, the gap <NUM> between locking recess <NUM>-PI for locking the first blocking element <NUM> and locking recess <NUM>-P2 for locking the second blocking element <NUM> allow passage of a vehicle <NUM>. Thus, locking recess <NUM>-PI and locking recess <NUM>-P2 can be considered as locking recess <NUM> for a vehicle passage state of the gate <NUM>.

It should be noted that according to some embodiments, the gate <NUM> can comprise any number of locking holes <NUM> either for the first blocking element <NUM>, or the second blocking element <NUM>, or both the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>. Furthermore, it should be noted that the orientation of the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>, with or without locking holes <NUM> can be any orientation that can be deemed useful or necessary to the circumstances and conditions in which the gate <NUM> is used.

According to one embodiment, the blocking element <NUM>/<NUM> is configured to be permanently locked by the at least one locking recess <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the blocking element <NUM>/<NUM> is configured to be releasably locked by the at least one locking recess <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to be permanently locked by locking recess <NUM>-PI, while the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to be releasably locked by locking recess <NUM>-P2. According to another embodiment, the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to be releasably locked by locking recess <NUM>-PI, while the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to be permanently locked by locking recess <NUM>-P2. According to yet another embodiment, both the first blocking element <NUM> is configured to be permanently locked by locking recess <NUM>-PI and the second blocking element <NUM> is configured to be permanently locked by locking recess <NUM>-P2. It should be noted that in the aforementioned embodiments, the gate <NUM> can be either in a vehicle blocking state, or a vehicle passage state, depending on the gap <NUM> between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>.

The gate <NUM> further comprises at least one shutter <NUM> configured to block passage of pedestrians through the gate <NUM> (the indication of the different shutters shown in the figures is by an extension to the number <NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-G). Shutters <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are configured to block passage of pedestrians through a blocking element <NUM>/<NUM>. Shutter <NUM>-G is configured to block passage of pedestrians through the gap <NUM> between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the gate <NUM> comprises a first shutter <NUM>-<NUM> configured to block passage of pedestrians through the first blocking element <NUM> and/or a second shutter <NUM>-<NUM> configured to block passage of pedestrians through the second blocking element <NUM> and/or. a gap shutter <NUM>-G configured to block passage of pedestrians through the gap <NUM> between the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the shutter <NUM> is configured to be in an open state - allowing passage of pedestrians. According to another embodiment, the shutter <NUM> is configured to be in a closed state - blocking passage of pedestrians. Any mechanism known in the art that allows the shutter <NUM> to be in an open state or a closed state is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example, when the shutter <NUM> is in a form of a foldable mesh folding and opening aside, in a form of a rolling shutter folding and opening up and down, in a form of a door pivotally connected to one of the poles, and the like. In the closed state, the shutter <NUM> blocks passage of pedestrians. In the open state, the shutter <NUM> allows passage of pedestrians. It should be noted that in this sense, the first shutter <NUM>-<NUM>, the second shutter <NUM>-<NUM> and the gap shutter <NUM>-G are independent, namely each one of the shutters <NUM> can be in a closed state or in an open state independently of the other shutters <NUM> of the gate <NUM>.

Any type of shutter <NUM> known in the art is under the scope of the present subject matter. It should be noted that the following examples of a shutter <NUM> should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present subject matter.

For example, the shutter <NUM> is a roll-up shutter <NUM>. The roll-up shutter attached to an upper part of the first blocking element <NUM>, or of the second blocking element <NUM>, or both the first blocking element <NUM> and the second blocking element <NUM>. For example, the roll-up shutter <NUM> is attached to the blocking element <NUM>/<NUM> in the vicinity of the upper connector <NUM>/<NUM>.

Another exemplary shutter <NUM> is a shutter <NUM> pivotally attached to one of the poles of a blocking element <NUM>/<NUM>. This type of shutter is configured to open and close by swiveling about the pole of the pole to which the shutter <NUM> is attached.

[Yet another exemplary shutter <NUM> is a foldable mesh shutter <NUM> or in other words - garmoshka-like shutter <NUM>. This type of shutter <NUM> is described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but as stated above, it is described only as an exemplary type of shutter <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the foldable mesh shutter <NUM> is attached to one of the poles of a blocking element. According to one embodiment, illustrated for example in <FIG>, the first foldable mesh shutter <NUM>-<NUM> is attached to the first pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the first foldable mesh shutter <NUM>-<NUM> is attached to the second pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM> (not shown). According to yet another embodiment, illustrated for example in <FIG>, the second foldable mesh shutter <NUM>-<NUM> is attached to the third pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM>. According to still another embodiment, the second foldable mesh shutter <NUM>-<NUM> is attached to the second pole <NUM> of the second blocking element (not seen). According to a further embodiment, illustrated for example in <FIG>, the gap foldable mesh shutter <NUM>-G is attached to the fourth pole <NUM> of the second blocking element <NUM>. According to yet a further embodiment, the gap shutter <NUM>-G is attached to the second pole <NUM> of the first blocking element <NUM>.

It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiments of the shutters <NUM> and their mechanism of being in an open state or a closed state are only exemplary. For example, according to some other embodiments, the foldable mesh shutter <NUM> can comprise a first shutter part and a second shutter part, each shutter part is attached to a different pole of a blocking element <NUM>/<NUM>. Thus, bringing the shutter <NUM> to a closed state can be performed, for example, by approximating the first shutter part and the second shutter part one to the other, and connecting the first shutter part and the second shutter part one to the other in a manner that prevents passage of pedestrians through the gap that is now blocked by the first shutter part and the second shutter part.

<FIG> illustrate the first shutter <NUM>-<NUM>, the second shutter <NUM>-<NUM> and the gap shutter <NUM>- G in an open state, allowing passage of pedestrians.

Reference is now made to <FIG> schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a front perspective view of a gate in a vehicle blocking state, while the shutters of the gate are in a closed state.

<FIG> illustrates a gate <NUM> comprising shutters <NUM> in a closed state, configured to prevent passage of pedestrians. According to the exemplary embodiment of a shutter <NUM> in the form of a foldable mesh, the shutter <NUM> is folded in the open state, as illustrated for example in <FIG>. On the other hand, in the closed state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> is unfolded and blocks passage of pedestrians. In this exemplary embodiment, when the shutter <NUM> is in the closed state, an edge of the shutter <NUM> in the form of a foldable mesh is attached to an opposite pole in relation to the pole to which the shutter is attached.

To summarize, the gate <NUM> of the present subject matter can be in of three states: a vehicle blocking and pedestrians passage state, as illustrated in <FIG>; a vehicle and pedestrians passage state, as illustrated in <FIG>; and a vehicle and pedestrians blocking state, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A gate (<NUM>) for controlling passage of vehicles comprising:
at least one first blocking element (<NUM>) configured to swivel about a first pivot axis; and
at least one second blocking element (<NUM>) configured to swivel about a second pivot axis;
wherein the first blocking element (<NUM>) and the second blocking element (<NUM>) are configured to swivel one opposite the other in a manner that a gap (<NUM>) is formed between the first blocking element (<NUM>) and the second blocking element (<NUM>), and wherein the gap (<NUM>) is set to allow or block passage of vehicles through the gap (<NUM>);
wherein the first blocking element (<NUM>) comprises a first pole (<NUM>) configured to serve as the first pivot axis of the first blocking element (<NUM>), and a second pole (<NUM>) connected to the first pole (<NUM>) with an upper connector (<NUM>),
wherein the second blocking element (<NUM>) comprises a third pole (<NUM>) configured to serve as the second pivot axis of the second blocking element (<NUM>), and a fourth pole (<NUM>) connected to the third pole (<NUM>) with an upper connector (<NUM>),
characterized by
at least one shutter (<NUM>-<NUM>; <NUM>-<NUM>; <NUM>-G) configured trr to block passage of pedestrians through the first blocking element (<NUM>), through the second blocking element (<NUM>) or through the gap (<NUM>) when the shutter is in closed state.