Parking meter

Abstract

A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).

Claims

1. A parking meter including: a housing defining an interior; a cover configured to moveably attach to the housing by an attachment element requiring a sliding motion and a pivoting motion to attach the cover to the housing, the cover comprising a first window; an electronic device configured to be removably received by the housing, the electronic device comprising: a card reader that reads a card for making payment; a screen to provide information visually; a communication connection to provide information for a card used to make payment via said card reader; connections for at least one rechargeable battery; and a solar cell operatively associated with said connections to charge said battery; wherein the screen of the electronic device is visible through the first window of the cover panel when the electronic device is received by the housing.

2. The parking meter of claim 1, wherein said meter includes an indicator to provide an indication whether a parking period has expired.

3. The parking meter of claim 2, wherein said indicator is adjacent or at said rear face.

4. The parking meter of claim 1, wherein said meter is adapted to be fixed to a post fixed to a ground surface, with an intermediate panel set comprising a set of panels to be fixed relative to said post.

5. The parking meter of claim 1, wherein said card reader, said electronic device and said screen are a module removable as an assembly from within said housing.

6. The parking meter of claim 1, wherein said communication connection is a mobile (cellular) telephone connection.

7. The parking meter of claim 1, further including a second window which said solar cell is exposed to light.

8. The parking meter of claim 1, wherein said card reader slopes downwardly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a parking meter assembly;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic front isometric view of a parking meter employed in the assembly of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic rear isometric view of the parking meter of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic front isometric view of the parking meter of FIG. 2 with a top panel pivoted to an open position; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic rear isometric view of a module of the parking meter of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a parking meter assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a base 11 that would be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the kerb at which a car is to be parked. Attached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom is a post 12 to the upper end of which there is attached a parking meter 13. The parking meter 13 includes a lower skirt 14 that is to be fixed to the post 12, an intermediate panel set 15, and a cover panel 16 pivotally mounted relative to the panel set 15. The cover panel 16 and panel set 15 provide a front face 17 having front face portions 18 and 19. The front face 17 includes a coin slot 25, a card slot 20 and a control panel 21. The control panel 21 includes a window 22, and buttons 24 that are manipulated by a user to operate the parking meter 13. The window 22 provides a user with means of viewing a screen 23 via which information is conveyed to the user. The information typically would include date, time and when the parking period is to expire and perhaps further information such as when the parking meter 13 is operable, information in respect of card use and cost.

(8) The cover panel 16 is pivotally attached to the panel set 15 by means of a pivot 26 providing a generally horizontal pivot axis 45 that is generally normal to the post 12. The cover panel 16 is pivotally movable through an acute angle from the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the open position shown in FIG. 4. In an alternative form, the panel 16 may be slidably attached.

(9) The rear of the parking meter 13 includes a rear face 27 as part of the cover panel 16. The rear face 27 includes a window aperture 28 that receives a panel that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel 29. The front face portion 18 and rear face 27 converge upwardly so that they are both inclined by acute angles to the horizontal.

(10) At or adjacent the rear face 27 is an indicator 30 that can be viewed easily by a parking ranger moving past the meter 10, the indicator 30 providing an indication in respect of whether a parking period has expired.

(11) When mounted adjacent a kerb separating a footpath from a roadway, the rear face 27 would face the adjacent roadway and the front face 17 away from the roadway so that a user would be standing on the footpath and facing their vehicle when operating the meter 13.

(12) The panel set 15 and cover panel 16 provide a housing 31 within which a module 32 is located. The module 32 includes an electronic device 33 that incorporates the screen 23. The module 32 particularly includes a coin sensor 34 in the form of a coin validator 35. The coin validator 35 is received within a slot 37 of the body 36 of the module 32. Typically the coin validator 35 would provide a passage 37 through which coins would move to be counted and validated for the purposes of the coin validator 35 providing a signal in respect of whether appropriate coins have been delivered to the slot 25. Accordingly, the passage 37 would communicate with the slot 25 so as to receive coins therefrom. Once passing through the coin validator 35, the coins are delivered to a coin receptacle than can be cleared. The coin receptacle is located behind the skirt 14 which preferably has a door to provide for access to the coin receptacle. The coin validator 35 is provided as a unit and is removable from the module 32, when the module 32 is removed from within the housing 31.

(13) The module 32 is also provided with a light (LED) 38 and/or colour disk 39 that are operated to provide an indication in respect of whether a parking period has expired. The light 38 and/or disk 39 are part of the indicator 30 and can be seen by the parking ranger. Typically the disk 39 would be pivotally mounted and would be flipped to be black or red, the red indicating that a parking period has expired.

(14) Located immediately behind the slot 20 is a card reader 40 that would read the magnetic strip (or other information providing device) on a credit or debit card.

(15) The coin validator 35 and card reader 40 are electrically linked to the control panel 21 to provide information therefore in respect of whether payment has been made.

(16) Preferably, the device 33 would include a mobile (cellular) phone link so that information may be conveyed and received in respect of a credit or debit card read by the card reader 40. The device 33 may also include a power supply (battery), an IR port and LED status indicators.

(17) Preferably, the slot 20 is located in a plane that is inclined to the horizontal by an acute angle so that the slot 20 slopes downwardly to an inclined surface 41 being part of the front face 17. The surface 41 is downwardly facing so as to protect the slot 20 from water penetration. The surface 41 is also provided with a recess 42 enabling a user's fingers to hold the card while swiping card through the slot 20.

(18) A key operated lock 43 is located in a rear panel 44 of the panel set 15, the lock 43 being operable to release the cover panel 16 when appropriate key is used.