PORTABEL EXIT/ENTRY GATE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A portable entry/exist gate system including a barrier gate mechanism (1) having a movable gate arm (2); wherein the barrier gate mechanism (1) is securely attached to a base plate (4) including two channels (5) parallel to each other having openings (6) such that the forks of a forklift can easily slide into said openings (6) and channels (5) to securely lift, move and place the gate system in a desired location.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/065,554 filed Aug. 14, 2020 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates a portable and removable entry/exist gate system for vehicles. In particular, the invention provides a portable parking gate, preferably for use in parking garages when restriction or repairs are needed. The product is primarily used for vehicular use but can also be used in a for pedestrian application to direct flow of pedestrian traffic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] When conducting parking garage restoration, contractors are faced with the daily task of restoring the parking structures, while the garage remains in open and operational. Blocking off or taking a section of parking spaces out-of-service to perform repairs with cones, barricades and "No Parking Zone" signage is a daily challenge, as vehicle operators often ignore the warning signs and choose to park in a "No Parking" zone and/or remove the temporary cones/barricades and park in a parking space, which is blocked off for scheduled repairs

[0004] Contractors often close off parking spaces on a given night and usually show up the following day to perform the given repairs in that location with a crew, just to find out we cannot perform the work, as the cones and/or the barricades were removed and someone has now occupied the spaces. This results in the contractor sending the crews home and loosing time and money for delayed repairs.

[0005] Having the invention device which is a portable and removable entry/exit gate setup allows the contractor to set up a nesting area in any part of the parking garage and creating a dedicated "EXIT ONLY" point for vehicles to exit and not allowing vehicles back in the nesting area, as we now have a control device with a gate arm that will remain on a down position, if someone tries to re-enter the nesting area closed for scheduled repairs. Exiting is achieved by a motion sensor, which detects a vehicle approaching the gate arm to exit, thus allowing the gate arm to go in the up or open position and safely in the down or closed position, as the sensor detects the vehicle existing.

[0006] The invention device is made of a combination of a barrier gate, folding gate arm with sensors for opening and closing, a pair of collapsible railings all on a galvanized plate with two channels that fit a fork-lift used to move the device to different locations. In preferred uses, the gate is programmed such that vehicles can leave the restricted area but are not permitted to gain entry. This enables the area to be cleared without the need for a hired person to handle entry and exits.

[0007] In general, parking gates/barriers and their component parts are known in the prior art. These references independently disclose individual component parts of the invention device.

[0008] The gate arm itself is commercially available in the market as equipment used as dedicated entry/exit location at the dedicated entry/exit locations in the parking garage. There are multiple gate manufacturers that make the arm for fixed entry points. Following representative as to what is available in the marketplace Federal APD, Amano McGann, 3M, Shied Bachman, Ski-Data.

[0009] Gate openers can be found and are sold on the internet. They include a Magnetic Automation Parking Pro Parking Barrier Gate from Security Equipment.com (https.//allsecurityequipment.com/) and a parking barrier gate from SKIDATA (https://skddatat.com/). Both these products represent the current state of the art. No mobile or portable parking gates are currently known.

[0010] The prior art does not disclose a portable and removable entry/exit gate system for use preferably in a parking garage setting. The invention provides such a system which includes a combination of a barrier gate, folding gate arm with sensors for opening and closing, a pair of collapsible railings all on a galvanized plate with two channels that fit a fork lift used to move the device to different locations.

[0011] The general object of this invention is to provide a portable entry/exist gate system that is used in parking garages undergoing repairs that can be easily removed and placed in desired sections of the garage being repaired.

[0012] Another object of the invention is in addition for utilizing the setup in a parking garage to empty parking areas to then be openly accessible to address any repairs, it can also be used in surface parking lots for event parking, because the device is mobile and easily transported to where needed.

[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide cost savings to the end user by not having an actual personnel standing and guarding the areas to make sure the cars are leaving the nested areas allocated for repair and making sure another vehicle does not park in the space that is now freed up. The invention device allows vehicles to exit automatically and does not let another vehicle enter the nested area, without the use of actual personnel monitoring the enclosed nested area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In the present invention, these purposes, as well as others which will be apparent, are provided by a portable entry/exist gate system comprising a barrier gate mechanism having a movable gate arm.

[0015] The barrier gate mechanism is securely attached to a base plate having two channels with openings. The two forks of a forklift can easily slide into these openings and channels on the base plate, such that it is secure and easy to move the system to any area desired.

[0016] The system also includes at least one railing (3), preferably at two rails. The rails are collapsible which make transferring the system to different locations easier.

[0017] The system includes a power source to move said gate arm. The power source is preferably a "plug-and-play" type system. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a power cord where the setup can be moved to the desired location and simply plugged into a 120 V outlet to power up the gate mechanism. The power source cord can come in any desired lengths.

[0018] The power source itself is selected from the group consisting of electrical, battery, solar, or wind.

[0019] The movable gate arm (2) is foldable or extends to permit entry or exit.

[0020] The base plate (4) has a galvanized surface. The base plate needs to be hot-dipped galvanized for the long-term durability.

[0021] The base plate (4) preferably has four sides and is made of a material selected from the group comprising of metal, plastic wood or synthetic material. Preferably the base plate material is 1/2'' steel plate, which is then hot-dipped galvanized for long term durability.

[0022] The channels for forklift (6) are securely attached to said base plate (4) preferably by welding in place.

[0023] The barrier gate mechanism used in the invention is any commercially available mechanism on the market as long as it is securely mounted to the base plate of the invention having the channels and openings.

[0024] These structures permit use of a standard contractor's fork lift to move the system to any location in the garage.

[0025] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the component parts of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the component parts of the invention in a parking garage setting;

[0028] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the component parts of the invention in a parking garage setting; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the component parts of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] As used in the specification herein the following numerals refer to the respective structures:

[0031] 1--barrier gate mechanism;

[0032] 2--movable gate arm;

[0033] 3--collapsible railings;

[0034] 4--base plate;

[0035] 5--channels on the base plate;

[0036] 6--openings on the channels for the forklift.

[0037] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the component parts of the invention which provides a portable entry/exist gate system comprising a barrier gate mechanism (1) having a movable gate arm (2).

[0038] The barrier gate mechanism (1) is securely attached to a base plate (4) having two channels (5) with openings (6) such that the forks of a forklift can easily slide into said openings (6) and channels (5).

[0039] The system further includes at least one collapsible railing (3). Preferably two or more rails are provided as a further barrier to traffic.

[0040] The purpose of the rails is for safety reasons, so pedestrians are not tempted to walk over the base plate/channels, causing tripping hazard, after they park their vehicles and walk to their destination.

[0041] The barrier gate mechanism (1) used in the invention can be any number of commercially available mechanisms. There are multiple manufacturers including, but not limited to, Federal APD, Amano McGann, 3M, Shied Bachman, Ski-Data.

[0042] The barrier gate mechanism includes a power cord to operate the gate arm. In alternate embodiments a solar panel can be included to use solar energy to power the gate arm. Solar is an option depending where the setup is located. In the garage setting it is preferable to be plugged in, but in a parking lot, solar can be an alternative source of energy.

[0043] In addition, the hard power connection needed for the gate arm comes with a "Plug and Play", where you can connect to the closest electrical outlet for the source. By plug-and-play, it is meant that the gate device will come with an extension cord that the end user can simply plug in an open outlet and the equipment will function. The end user will not need to hire and electrician and run hard line power and conduit to provide power. Simply plug the extension cord and it is ready to use.

[0044] The gate arm (2) is movable in an upward and downward position to permit entry and exist of vehicles or pedestrians.

[0045] The gate arm (2) is preferably foldable and extendable and has variable dimensions depending on its end use desired. Typically, the arm is 5-6 feet long, however if the height clearance is an issue (Like in a parking garage), then foldable (2) three foot arms are available. This is very flexible depending on the end users need.

[0046] The base plate is preferably made of Galvanized Steel that is 1/2'' thick and preferably 4'.times.8'. The invention mechanism is welded to the base plate, so it is secured in place.

[0047] The system of the invention is easily moved with a conventional fork lift The base plate of the system has two channels (5) with openings (6) that are wide enough so that the forks of a forklift can easily slide into said openings (6) and channels (5) to move the entire system to any desired location without slipping off.

[0048] The railing (3) is securely attached to said base plate (4). Preferably, the base plate has 4 welded metal/galvanized sleeves (1 on each corner) to allow the railings posts to slide in place when fully setup.

[0049] The railing (3) is made of material from the group comprising of metal, iron, wood, synthetic or plastic. Preferably the railings are 1.5'' metal pipes, which then can be painted for easy visibility.

[0050] The channels for forklift (5) are made of galvanized metal. Like the base plate, the channels for the forks are metal hot-dipped galvanized steel for durability.

[0051] The channels for forklift (5) have dimensions in the range of up to 48 inches long and up to 9 inches wide. The openings (6) have dimensions in the range of up to 8 inches side and up to 4 inches high.

[0052] A component to the invention gate system can be added to allow the authorized personnel to enter the nesting area at the location where the invention system is placed with a remote access. So the invention is to let the vehicles out of the desired nested area, but not allow access back into the nested area. By a remote access, the client/end user is given a clicker (Similar to a garage door opener), so if they need to enter in the nested area for any reason, they can do so by using a clicker (Remote Access).

[0053] The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications, variations and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable entry/exist gate system comprising: a barrier gate mechanism (1) having a movable gate arm (2); wherein said barrier gate mechanism (1) is securely attached to a base plate (4); said base plate includes two channels (5) parallel to each other having openings (6) such that the forks of a forklift can easily slide into said openings (6) and channels (5) to securely lift, move and place the gate system in a desired location.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one railing (3).

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said railing (3) is collapsible.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said barrier gate mechanism (1) further comprising a power source to move said gate arm.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of electrical, battery, solar, or wind.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said movable gate arm (2) is foldable or extends to permit entry or exit.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base plate (4) has a galvanized surface.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a power cord.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base plate (4) has four sides.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base plate (4) is made of a material selected from the group comprising of metal, plastic wood or synthetic material.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said channels for forklift (6) are securely attached to said base plate (4).

12. The system according to claim 2, wherein said railing (3) is securely attached to said base plate (4).

13. The system according to claim 2, wherein said railing (3) is made of material from the group comprising of metal, iron, wood, synthetic or plastic.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said channels for forklift (5) are made of galvanized metal.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said channels for forklift (5) have dimensions in the range of up to 48 inches long and up to 9 inches wide.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said openings (6) have dimensions in the range of up to 8 inches side and up to 4 inches high.