Patent ID: 12227955

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows a group of three turnstiles1according to an embodiment of the invention. The term “turnstile” refers here to a gate that can be used for controlling and/or monitoring access of people from a room or an area to another room or area or for controlling flow of people. The turnstiles1could also be referred to as access control gates or access control devices.

Turnstiles can be used, for instance, in office buildings, hotels, medical facilities, airports, railway stations, subway stations, bus terminals or other transit centers, educational facilities or multi-purpose buildings. In the embodiment of the figures, the turnstiles1are provided with barrier elements3a,3bfor preventing passage of unauthorized persons. However, the term “turnstile” is used here to cover also such access control gates that do not comprise any barrier element. Such a gate could detect and possibly identify a person approaching or passing the gate. If the person is not authorized to pass the gate, denied access could be indicated by a visual or an audible signal or by both ways. The denied access can be indicated with means that are integrated into the gate. The gate could be provided with a display, light or other visual indicator for indicating whether access is denied or allowed. Alternatively, or in addition, the gate could be provided with a loudspeaker for giving an audible signal for indicating whether access is denied or allowed. Instead of or in addition to providing the gate with means for indicating whether access is denied or allowed, a separate device communicating with the gate could be used for indicating whether access is denied or allowed. For instance, a separate display, light or loudspeaker could be arranged in the vicinity of the gate. Alternatively, or in addition, the gate could communicate with a remotely located device. For instance, the gate could communicate with a display or other device located in a control room.

A gate without physical barrier elements could also be used, for instance, for monitoring the people passing the gate. Such monitoring could include identifying the people passing the gate.

In the embodiment ofFIG.1, each turnstile1comprises two poles2a,2band one barrier element3a,3battached to each pole2a,2b. However, the turnstile1could also comprise a single pole and a single barrier element attached to said pole. Such a turnstile could be used, for instance, in a narrow corridor. Also, in a group of turnstiles, each turnstile1could comprise one pole and one barrier element. In such a group, the barrier elements could be between the poles of two adjacent turnstiles. At the ends of the group of turnstiles, the barrier elements could be between a wall or other fixed construction and the pole of the respective turnstile.

In the embodiment ofFIG.1, the barrier element3a,3bis a plate element that is made of a polycarbonate. The plate element could also be made of some other plastic material. Alternatively, it could also be made of toughened and/or laminated glass. Instead of a plate element, the barrier element3a,3bcould be for instance a frame made from tubular parts. The barrier element3a,3bcould also have a shape of a boom or arm. In the embodiment of the figures, the rotation axis of the barrier element3a,3bis vertical. However, the rotation axis of the barrier element3a,3bcould also be parallel to the direction in which the turnstile1is passed, especially if the barrier element was a boom or an arm. The barrier element3a,3bcould also be a tripod, of which rotation axis is horizontal and transversal to the direction in which the turnstile1is passed. The barrier element could also be attached to the pole2a,2bvia two or more points. The barrier element could be a retractable and foldable element.

In the embodiment of the figures, the upper edge of the barrier element3a,3bis at the height of approximately 1100 mm. The height of the poles2a,2bis approximately 1500 mm. The upper edge of the barrier element3a,3bcan be arranged to be at a height of 800-1200 mm from the floor. However, the barrier element3a,3bcould also extend higher.

Turnstiles provided with a barrier element can be either normally open or normally closed. A normally closed turnstile opens when it is determined that the person at the gate is authorized to pass the gate. A normally open turnstile is closed if it is determined that the person is not authorized to pass the gate.

Turnstiles can be provided with different sensors and devices for different purposes, for instance for determining whether a person is authorized to pass the gate and for ensuring safety and security. A turnstile can be provided with a reader for reading an identification tag for determining whether a person is authorized to pass the gate. The reader could be, for instance, a barcode reader, QR code reader, NFC reader or RFID reader. Alternatively or in addition, the turnstile could comprise means for biometric identification of people. The turnstile could comprise, for instance, a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner or means for facial recognition.

The poles2a,2bof the turnstiles1are attached to a floor structure10with a fastening arrangement. Parts of a fastening arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention can be seen inFIGS.2to5.

The fastening arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one fastening rod4having a lower end and an upper end. The expressions “lower end” and “upper end” refer here to the position of the fastening rod4in an assembled state. The lower end of the fastening rod4is attachable to the floor structure10. At least part of the fastening rod4is provided with an external thread. The fastening rod4can be made of steel.

The fastening arrangement further comprises a fastening sleeve7having a lower end and an upper end. Again, the expressions “lower” and “upper” refer to an assembled state of the fastening sleeve7. The fastening sleeve7can be arranged around the fastening rod4. The fastening sleeve7comprises a flange7aand a sleeve portion7b. The fastening sleeve7is provided with an internal thread that is configured to be engaged with the external thread of the fastening rod4. The thread of the fastening sleeve7can extend from one end of the fastening sleeve7to the opposite end, but that is not necessary. The thread could extend only over a portion of the length of the fastening sleeve7. In an assembled state of the fastening sleeve7, the threaded portion of the fastening rod4is configured to extend above the upper end of the fastening sleeve7.

The fastening sleeve7is further provided with coupling means7c,7dfor allowing the upper end of the fastening sleeve7to be engaged in a form-locking manner for rotating the fastening sleeve7. Another part of the fastening arrangement or a tool can thus be coupled with the coupling means7c,7dof the fastening sleeve7.

The fastening arrangement further comprises a fastening block5that is arranged at the lower end of the pole2a,2bof the turnstile1. The fastening block5has a lower surface5aand an upper surface5b. The fastening block5comprises a fastening hole6, which extends from the lower surface5ato the upper surface5b. The fastening hole6is configured to receive part of the fastening rod4and at least part of the sleeve portion7bof the fastening sleeve7arranged around the fastening rod4so that the lower surface5aof the fastening block5is supported against the fastening sleeve7. In an assembled state of the fastening block5, the fastening rod4extends above the upper surface of the fastening block5. The expressions “lower surface” and “upper surface” mean that in an assembled state of the fastening block5, the upper surface5bis above the lower surface5a. The upper surface5bis thus not necessarily the uppermost surface of the fastening block5, but part of the fastening block5can extend above the upper surface5b. In the embodiment of the figures, the upper surface5bis arranged in a cavity5cof the fastening block5. The fastening block5can be made of for example aluminum or steel. In the embodiment of the figures, the body of the pole2a,2bis formed by aluminum profiles20,21extending in the vertical direction. The aluminum profiles20,21are attached to the fastening block5. However, the fastening block5could also be an integral part of the body of the pole2a,2b. The fastening block5could thus extend over a major part of the height of the pole2a,2b. The fastening block5is provided with an aperture5d, which allows data and power cables to be guided from below the pole2a,2binto the pole2a,2b.

The fastening arrangement further comprises clamping means8,9that are configured to be engaged with the upper surface5bof the fastening block5and the thread of the fastening rod4for clamping the fastening block5between the flange7aof the fastening sleeve7and the clamping means8,9.

By rotating the fastening sleeve7, it moves in the vertical direction along the fastening rod4. Because the lower surface5aof the fastening block5is supported against the flange7aof the fastening sleeve7, the vertical position of the fastening block5can be adjusted by rotating the fastening sleeve7. The fastening sleeve7can be rotated from above the upper surface5bof the fastening block5. This makes height adjustment of the pole2a,2bconvenient, as tools do not need to be inserted below the fastening block5.

Also the lower end of the fastening rod4can be provided with an external thread. In the embodiment of the figures, the fastening rod4is provided with a thread that extends from the lower end to the upper end. By means of the thread at the lower end of the fastening rod4, the fastening rod4can be attached to the floor structure10. In the embodiment of the figures, the fastening arrangement comprises a mounting part11that is attachable to the floor structure10. The mounting part11comprises a mounting sleeve12for receiving the lower end of the fastening rod4. The fastening rod4can thus be attached to the mounting part11. The mounting part11can be attached to the floor structure at an early phase of construction or renovation work of the building where the turnstile1is used. The fastening rod4can be attached to the mounting part11at a later phase of the construction or renovation work, for instance after finishing of the final floor surface. This increases the safety of the construction site, as the period of time when the fastening rods4are protruding from the floor can be minimized. The fastening rod4can be fixed to the mounting sleeve12by means of a nut19.

In the embodiment of the figures, the mounting part11is attached to the floor structure10by means of threaded rods13and nuts14. In the embodiment of the figures, some of the mounting parts11are provided with mounting sleeves12for the fastening rods4of two adjacent turnstiles1. This ensures that the poles2a,2bof the adjacent turnstiles1are arranged tightly against each other.

In the embodiment of the figures, the coupling means7c,7dof the fastening sleeve7comprise a toothing arranged at the upper end of the sleeve portion7b. The upper end of the sleeve portion7bthus comprises alternating teeth7cand notches7d.

In the embodiment of the figures, the clamping means8,9comprise a first part8that is configured to be engaged with the upper surface5bof the fastening block5and a second part9that is configured to be engaged with the thread of the fastening rod4for clamping the first part8against the fastening block5. In the embodiment of the figures, the first part8of the clamping means8,9is an adjustment sleeve8, which is provided with coupling means8c,8dthat are configured to be engaged in a form-locking manner with the coupling means7c,7dof the fastening sleeve7for allowing rotation of the fastening sleeve7by rotating the adjustment sleeve8. The coupling means of the adjustment sleeve8thus comprise a toothing8c,8d, which can be engaged with the toothing7c,7dof the fastening sleeve7. The adjustment sleeve8has no internal thread. It can thus be rotated freely about the fastening rod4.

The coupling means of the fastening sleeve7and the adjustment sleeve8could be implemented in many different ways. For instance, the fastening sleeve7could be provided with a single tooth7cextending upwards from an upper end surface of the sleeve portion7band the adjustment sleeve8could be provided with a notch8dthat is configured to be engaged with the tooth of the sleeve portion7bof the fastening sleeve7. Alternatively, the fastening sleeve7could be provided with a single notch7dextending downwards from the upper end surface of the sleeve portion7band the adjustment sleeve8could be provided with a tooth8cthat is configured to be engaged with the notch7dof the sleeve portion7bof the fastening sleeve7. The fastening sleeve7could also be provided with two or more teeth7cor notches7dand the adjustment sleeve with a corresponding number of notches8dor teeth8c. It is not necessary that the number of notches and teeth in the fastening sleeve7and the adjustment sleeve8is equal. For instance, the fastening sleeve7could comprise several notches7dand the adjustment sleeve8could comprise a single tooth8cthat could be engaged with any of the notches7d.

Instead of a toothing, the coupling means of the fastening sleeve7could comprise one or more holes extending downwards from the upper end of the sleeve portion7bof the fastening sleeve7, and the coupling means of the adjustment sleeve8could comprise one or more pins that are configured to protrude into the holes. Alternatively, the adjustment sleeve8could be provided with at least one hole and the fastening sleeve7could be provided with a pin, or both parts7,8could we provided with both a hole and a pin.

The sleeve portion7bof the fastening sleeve7could be configured to extend above the upper surface5bof the fastening block5. In that case, the coupling means could be arranged on the outer perimeter of the fastening sleeve7. The inner perimeter of the adjustment sleeve8could be provided with corresponding coupling means. The adjustment sleeve8is not an essential part of the fastening arrangement. The fastening sleeve7could also be rotated by a suitable tool that can be engaged with the coupling means of the fastening sleeve7.

In the embodiment of the figures, the outer perimeter of the adjustment sleeve8comprises a portion8bwith a hexagonal shape for allowing rotation of the adjustment sleeve8by a wrench23. The adjustment sleeve8can thus be rotated using an ordinary wrench and no special tool is required. However, the outer perimeter of the adjustment sleeve8could also have some other shape, such as a square shape. Also a square shape and even some other rectangular shape would allow rotation of the adjustment sleeve8using a wrench. Even some other than a rectangular shape could be used, but then a special tool would be required.

In the embodiment of the figures, the second part9of the clamping means8,9is a nut. The second part9can thus be tightened against the adjustment sleeve8by using a wrench. The second part does not need to be a nut, but it could be some other part that is provided with an internal thread that is configured to be engaged with the thread of the fastening rod4. If the fastening arrangement was not provided with the adjustment sleeve8, the clamping means could be formed by a single part that would be tightened directly against the upper surface5bof the fastening block5. In that case, the fastening sleeve7could extend above the upper surface5bof the fastening block5and could be rotated by a tool. The clamping means8,9could comprise a single part having a lower end that is arrangeable around the fastening sleeve7and an upper end that is provided with a thread that can be engaged with the thread of the fastening rod4.

In the embodiment of the figures, the fastening arrangement comprises three fastening rods4and a corresponding number of the fastening sleeves7, fastening holes6and clamping means8,9. The fastening rods7are arranged in a triangular formation in the plane of the floor structure10. Three fastening rods4allow the angle of the pole2a,2bto be adjusted in any direction. In the embodiment of the figures, all the fastening holes6are arranged in the same fastening block5, which is formed as a one-piece part.

One fastening rod4would allow only height adjustment and two fastening rods4would allow the angle of the pole2a,2bto be adjusted only in one direction. More than three fastening rods4would not provide any significant benefit compared to an arrangement with three fastening rods4, but would make the mounting of the pole2a,2bmore time-consuming. Therefore, in many applications three fastening rods4is an optimal number. However, in some applications it could be sufficient to have an adjustable height of the pole2a,2b, and a single fastening rod4could thus be used.

Each pole2a,2bcan be provided with a power connection for supplying electrical power to the pole2a,2band with a data connection for transmitting data to the pole2a,2band from the pole2a,2b. In the embodiment of the figures, the group of turnstiles1is provided with a cable trough16for accommodating data and power cables between the poles2a,2b. The cable trough16is divided into a first section16athat is configured to accommodate data cables and into a second section16bthat is configured to accommodate power cables. The cable trough16is arranged on the floor structure10onto which the mounting parts11are mounted. After installing the power and data cables, the cable trough16can be covered by a cover plate17. After covering of the cable trough16, the floor surface can be finished for example by casting concrete, even if the poles2a,2bof the turnstiles1have not yet been mounted. It is sufficient to leave to the floor openings22allowing access to the mounting sleeves12of the mounting parts11.

The data and power connections needed by a group of turnstiles1can be brought to the group of turnstiles1at one of the poles2a,2band distributed to the other poles2a,2bvia the cable trough16. One of the mounting parts11can comprise one or more bushings18a,18b,18cfor bringing the data and power cables to the pole2a,2b.

The pole2a,2bcan be mounted as described below. In a first step101of mounting a pole2,2b, the fastening rods4are fastened to the floor structure10. The fastening rods4could be attached directly to a concrete slab or to concrete cast in situ, but preferably the mounting parts11described above are used. In case the mounting parts11are used, the fastening rods4can be attached to the mounting parts11either before or after fastening the mounting parts11to the floor structure10. If the mounting parts11are first attached to the floor structure10, the time interval between the fastening of the mounting parts11and the fastening of the fastening rods4can be long. The mounting parts11can be fastened to the floor structure at an early phase of construction work, whereas it can be beneficial to delay the mounting of the fastening rods4to a later phase of the construction work in order to avoid having the rods4protruding from the floor for a long period of time.

In a second step102of the method, the fastening sleeves7are arranged around the fastening rods4. Each fastening rod4is rotated to an initial position. The initial position is preferably close to the expected final position of the fastening sleeve7.

In a third step103of the method, the pole2a,2bis supported against the flanges7aof the fastening sleeves7. The fastening holes6of the fastening block5are thus aligned with the fastening rods4and the fastening sleeves7, and the sleeve portions7bof the fastening sleeves7are inserted into the fastening holes6. Depending on the weight and size of the poles2a,2b, lifting means may be needed for lifting the pole2a,2bto its initial position. For instance a workshop crane may be used for lifting the pole2a,2b. In the embodiment of the figures, the pole2a,2bis provided with a lifting eye15, which is arranged at an upper end of the pole2a,2b. A lifting hook or other means of the crane can be engaged with the lifting eye15for lifting the pole2a,2b. Before lowering the pole2a,2bonto the fastening sleeves7, the power and data cables are connected to the pole2a,2b.

In a fourth step104of the method, the angle and the height of the pole2a,2bare checked. It is thus checked whether the pole2a,2bis at a correct height and stands straight.

In a fifth step105of the method, the height and/or the angle of the pole2a,2bare adjusted if needed by rotating one or more of the fastening sleeves7. The fastening sleeves7are rotated by rotating the respective adjustment sleeves8by means of a wrench23. This step is optional. If the initial positions of the fastening sleeves7are sufficiently close to the correct height, there may be no need to adjust the angle and the height of the pole2a,2b.

In a sixth step of the method, the clamping means8,9are used for fixing the pole2a,2bto the desired position. The nut9is thus tightened against the adjustment sleeve8by means of a wrench. When the pole2a,2bhas been fixed to the desired position, parts of the fastening arrangement can be covered by exterior panels of the pole2a,2b.

Embodiments of the invention have been described above in connection with a pole2a,2bof a turnstile1. However, the fastening arrangement according to the invention could also be applied to a pole of a destination control device. Destination control systems can be used in buildings that are equipped with several elevators to optimize the use of the elevators. Users of the elevators select their destination from a destination operating panel or with a mobile app, and the display of the operating panel tells each user which elevator has been assigned to him or her. The destination operating panel can be attached to a wall, but the operating panel can also be attached to a pole. The pole of a destination operating panel could be provided with the fastening arrangement described above.