Abstract
The present invention is directed to a gate system capable of recognizing the shape of an object, for example a car, and generating a passage opening which is adapted to the shape of the object.
Claims
1. Gate system for entering and exiting a building or installment through a passage area comprising a plurality of moveable means at the passage area in a first position which does not allow passage, characterized in that the means are capable adopting a second position to open the gate by adapting the second position to a distance corresponding to the shape of the passing object to a predetermined value without touching the object.
2. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to shape the opening in breadth and height corresponding to the passing object.
3. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the means are located at each side of the passage area or at the ceiling of the passage area.
4. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein each movable means has at least one distance sensor at the tip area for measuring the distance to a passing object.
5. Gate system according to claim 4, wherein the distance sensor is located at the tip of the movable means measuring the distance in the extended direction of the bar.
6. Gate system according to claim 4, wherein a distance sensor is located at the tip area directing towards the passing object deviating from in the extended direction of the movable means.
7. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the movable means are telescope bars or plates with or without sub-plates.
8. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the movable means are integrated into the side walls and the ceiling.
9. Gate system according to claim 8, wherein the movable means located at the side walls and the ceiling are distanced from each other in direction of passing.
10. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the movable means are provided from the ceiling and from the bottom.
11. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises distance sensors before and behind the means to per-assess the dimensions of the object to pass to trigger the movement of the means to the second position.
12. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises sending and receiving unit for remotely activating the gate system.
13. Gate system according to claim 12, wherein the sending unit is a remote control.
14. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a memory function capable of remembering previously passed object shapes and adapting the second position of the bars according to the shape of the previously passed object.
15. Gate system according to claim 1, wherein the system is movable and configured to move from a starting position in front of the passing object to an end position behind the passed object.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the following, embodiments of the present invention as well as further features and advantages of the present invention shall be described with reference to the Figures, wherein
[0025] FIGS. 1A-E show schematically one embodiment of the present invention wherein bars, in particular telescope bars, are used as moveable means and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0026] FIGS. 2A-E show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein bars are used as moveable means and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0027] FIGS. 3A-M show schematically another embodiment of the present invention where plates in different embodiments are used as moveable means a vehicles as objects to pass;
[0028] FIGS. 4A-E show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein air cushions are used as moveable means and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0029] FIGS. 5A-B show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein bands of folding grille are used as moveable means and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0030] FIGS. 6A-E show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein fans are used as moveable means and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0031] FIGS. 7A-C/8A-C show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein bars are used as moveable means located in the ceiling and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0032] FIGS. 9A-B show schematically another embodiment of the present invention wherein bars are used as moveable means located in the ceiling and the ground, and vehicles as objects to pass;
[0033] FIGS. 10A-B show schematically from the top and from the front distance sensing at the distal tip of a telescope bar as an example for a moveable means;
[0034] FIG. 11 shows schematically distance sensing that can work from inside as well as to the outside of the passage area;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In FIGS. 1A to 1E one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system comprises telescope bars from the left side (10a-n) and bars from right side (11a-n). In FIG. 1A where a rather flat car is passing the passage area the lower bars (10 and 11a to i) are only drawn as far to the side as necessary to allow passage of vehicle 1. The upper bars (10 and 11j-n) remain in the first position and thereby provide to possibility of an adaptable upper limit according to the height of the object. Accordingly, in case a rather high car is passing through the passage area, if necessary as shown here, all bars 10 and 11a to n are in the second position and allow a shape adapted passage. For instance, bars 10 and 11l, j are in a very retracted position to allow the side mirrors to have the same distance to the bars as the rest of the side of the car. In FIGS. 1C to E top view sights are presented. In FIG. 1C the system is shown while an object, here a car, is passing through the passage area without yielding to much space between the bars and the object for unauthorized passage. In FIG. 1D the system is shown after passage of the object. It can be seen that the system will close shortly after the object has passed through the passage area avoiding a longer time of an open passage area providing a hidden opportunity for unauthorized passage. For the sake of completeness, in FIG. 1E it is shown the system is also supposed to provide a mode where the passage area is completely open. Such a mode might be necessary to adopt in case of an emergency.
[0036] In FIGS. 2A to E another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here the moveable means are bars 20 and 21a to n. The bars 20 and 21 are provided with a different functionality as the telescope bars 10 and 11, but show the same effect for shape selective passage. As can be seen from FIGS. 2A and 2B bars 20 and 21 can be used to provide an adaptive height for the passage as well as provide passage adapted to the shape of the passaging object, here again in the form of a rather flat and a high car. As illustrated in FIG. 2C bars 20 and 21 are attached to a connecting bar 22. Connecting bars 22 forms an angle with either with bar 20 or 21. The more the bars 20 or 21 are moved away from the passing object the bigger angle becomes. Further, connecting bar 22 is on the one end attached to bar 20 or 21 and on the other end attached to a track implemented into the sidewall of the passage area. The more side space shall be provided for the passing object the farer the attachment point for the bars 23 or 24 respectively, and the connecting point of connecting bar 25 are moved away from each other. After the passage of the object, bars 20 and 21 can be closed again by moving connecting point 25 again in direction of the steady connecting point 23 or 24 respectively until bars 20 and 21 are back in the first position. This is shown in FIG. 2D. Also, the embodiment of FIG. 2 can be adapted that the entire passage area is made open, for example in case of an emergency, as illustrated in FIG. 2E.
[0037] In FIGS. 3A to E another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment the shape adapted passage is not provided by movable means in the form of bars, but in the form of plates 30, 31 and 32. Plates 30 and 31 are used to adapt the breadth of the passage area, whereas plate 32 is attached to the ceiling and is used to adapt the height of the passage area. As can be seen from FIGS. 3A and 3B plates 30 to 32 can be used to provide a shape adapted passage for an object. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3B when a high object is passing the passage area upper plate 32 is almost completely retracted. FIG. 3C provide a top view on the present embodiment. When an object is passing through the passage area side plates 30 and 31 are individually from each other retracted to provide a side (and height, not shown) adapted passage. After the object has passed through the area, all plate return to the first position and the passage area is again closed. Also, the embodiment comprising plates as movable means can be provided in manner that the passage area is completely open (FIG. 3E). Retraction of the plates 30, 31 and 32 can be achieved by different means. As indicated by FIG. 3C the plates can be pivoted from the passing area to the side and to the ceiling. Plates 30, 31 and 32 cab also be integrated into the construction and just retracted parallel to the passing plane away from the passage area. Also, especially from the ceiling plates 30, 31 and 32 can be provided in the form of rollable curtains or roller shutters which are spaced apart in the passing direction and move on side and ceiling and bottom tracks.
[0038] Plates 30, 31 and 32 can individually be divided into sub-plates 30a-h, 31a-h, 32a-h which can be individually retracted in order to adapt to the shape of the passing object (FIGS. 3F and G). The degree of dividing plates 30, 31 or 32 can be freely chosen. Plates 30, 31 or 32 can be divided only once into two sub-plates. However, the degree of dividing the plates can be much higher. Exemplary, in FIG. 3F it is chosen that plates 30, 31 and 32 are divided into eight sub-plates. In FIG. 3F a lower car is passing through the passage area. Ceiling movable means 32a-hadopt a second position with a low degree of retraction. The movable means at the side 30 and 31a-e adopt their position to the shape of the passing object. Upper movable side means 30 and 31f-h may be completely retracted to give space from the ceiling means 32. In related embodiment means 32 on the one hand and means 30 and 31 are distanced apart in the passing direction and means 32 as well as upper side means 30 and 31 overlap in passing direction. As shown in FIG. 3G it may also be an option that ceiling means 32 are mainly retracted in their second position and side means upper side means 30 and 31f-h adopt their second position to the shape of the passing object.
[0039] In FIGS. 3H and I a more detailed embodiment to FIGS. 3F and G is shown. Here movable means are plates which are divided over the length of each movable mean, hence in their longitudinal direction. Thereby plates 30, 31 and 32 and of course sub-plates 30a-h, 31a-h, 32a-h are chains or rows of smaller plates 35 (see FIGS. 3K-M). Hence, such smaller plates 35 may be directly behind one another. It may also be that a predetermined distance between two smaller plates 35 is provided. In FIG. 3K such distance is indicated by a white space between two grey pieces 35. In FIG. 3H and I the shape of the passing object is adapt by the movable means 30a-h, 31a-h and as described before. 32a-h. also here, it may be chosen to have a distance between the means 32 from the ceiling and those side means 30 and 31. In FIG. 3J the system is shown in closed state. It is indicated that the ceiling means remain retracted in the same plane as side means 30 and 31. It is also possible as indicated herein that the ceiling means 32 are in distance to side means 30 and 31 and are also completely closed thereby forming second closed gate before or behind the plane of means 30 and 31. In the closed position it may be that there is space between small plates 35. As indicated above it may also be that there is no space provided between small plates 35 and therefore the closed gate appears rather like garage door. If space is provided between small plates 35 the distance is preferably chosen that trespassing is not possible. In an embodiment the distance between small plates is smaller than 20 cm and preferably smaller than 10 cm.
[0040] Further as indicated in FIGS. 3K to M, plates 30, 31 and 32 can be configured in such a way that they are deflectable in longitudinal direction. Such deflectability can be introduced by deflection means 34 such as hinges, flexible joints or the like. The retraction of the movable means can thereby be achieved not only by pivoting the movable means from the plane of the passing area, but also pulling back around a deflection pulley or tracks 33 provided at the bottom or on the ceiling or both. The technical advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is a system which can be integrated into existing buildings or passage areas as the system does not need much additional space in the extension of the passage area, but can be integrated along the passing direction of the passing object without requiring addition space which would reach into a neighboring building or object. In FIG. 3K tracks 33 are shown to lead around the corner and movable means 30 and 31 follow such lead. Tracks 33 can be provided at the bottom, but also at the ceiling as indicated in FIG. 3L where such indicated ceiling tracks lie above the passing object. In FIG. 3K the system comprising plates 30 and 31 are shown in the closed state
[0041] Sub-plates 30a-g, 31a-g and 32a-g can be configured in such a way that the plates are merely placed close to one another with or without space between each sub-plate. Sub-plates 30a-g, 31a-g and 32a-g can also be configured that some or all sub-plates are stacked and connected to one another, e.g., in a form-fit or positive locking manner. Such form-fit connection can be achieved, e.g., by a male and female shape in cross section. In all embodiments with sub-plates each sub-plate remains moveable with respect to one another in order to guarantee individual retraction for adapting the second position corresponding to the shape of the passing object. In an embodiment where movable means are integrated into at least one side of the passage area the bottom of plate 30 and/or 31 or of sub-plate 30 a and/or 31 a may have means which support sliding over the ground such as a track or a rail or wheels or rolls integrated balls. In such embodiment the sliding support means do not only facilitate easy retraction of the lowest movable means, but also carry much of the weight of all movable means.
[0042] Deflection pulleys according to an embodiment as described herein may be in the form of rolls, wheels or round bar. Further as indicated already above tracks 33 can all be effective means to provide deflectability.
[0043] A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4A-E. In this embodiment the movable means are configured and implemented as air cushions 40, 41 and 42. The air cushions 40, 41 and 42 comprise angle pieces a, b and c which stretch the cushion material 44 being spanned over the angle pieces. Additional ventilators implemented in the side wall s can be used to inflate air cushions 40, 41 and 42. By air cushion 42 also this embodiment can be provided with an adaptable height as be seen from comparison of FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4C provides a top view from an object passing through the passage area in a shaped adapted way and the system can be closed fast after the object has passed through the passage area as shown in FIG. 4D. Also, the embodiment with air cushions 40 to 42 can be provided in a manner that the passage area is complete free as illustrated in FIG. 4E.
[0044] FIGS. 5A and B show a further embodiment for the gate system as described herein. Bands of folding grille (50 and 15a-g) is used as movable means for adapting the breadth and the height of the passage area. In that if a shallow object is passing bands of folding grille 50 and 51f-g remain closed while the other bands of folding grille 50 and 51a-e are adapted to the shape of the passing object. In case a high object is passing all bands of folding grille 50 and 51a-g take a position adapted to the shape of the passing object.
[0045] In an alternative approach the movable means can be implemented as fans 60, 61, 62 and 63 as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-D. As shown by comparison of FIGS. 6A and 6B the height and the breadth of the passage area can be adapted by the level of unfolding of the fans. Further, the embodiment is supposed to encompass additionally to fans 60, 61, 62 and 63 a fan 64 (not specifically illustrated) which is located at the bottom of the passage area to prevent free passage of small vehicles which fit into the area between the fans when completely unfolded. Together with a bottom fan 64 (not specifically illustrated) in the middle of the passage area an opening generated that is narrow enough that no intruder can trespass. In FIGS. 6C-E an alternative approach by means of fans is illustrated. Here the fans themselves are movable in the passage area. FIGS. 6C-E show an increased number of fans as movable means 64 to 67 at the side and at the ceiling an effective adaptable height can be provided also with fans. As shown in FIG. 6E the system can be adapted to close the entire passage area for trespassing.
[0046] In FIGS. 7A-C and 8A-C a specific embodiment of the present invention as described herein is shown. The gate system in FIGS. 7A-C and 8A-C are based on vertically movable means only. Moveable means are shown herein as an example as bars. In FIGS. 7A-C the gate system is provided with ample space in the ceiling area. In such an area movable means 70a-r can have a length which correspond to the height of passage area. Such passage area might be located deeper in a building as shown in FIG. 7C to provide the necessary ample space in the ceiling area. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8A-C. Here the movable means 80a-r are implemented as telescope bars which do not require as much space in the ceiling area as usual bars. As can be seen from FIGS. 7A-B and 8A-B the embodiments with only vertically movable means can also be used to provide a passage area which is adaptable in height and breadth. As illustrated in FIG. 8C a gate system which does not require much space in the ceiling area can be implemented in a building directly at the entrance area. In is also conceivable the vertically movable means can be assembled by movable means from the ceiling and movable means integrated into ground. Also, with a combination of ceiling and ground means an adaptable height can be provided. As shown in FIGS. 9A-B an adaptable height can be provided by a combination of bottom and ceiling means 90a-r and 91a-r. In FIG. 9A the bottom means beneath the passing object are moved into the ground while those elements are sunk close to the top of the object providing only space for the passing object and hinderance for everything else. In case a high object is to pass through the passing area the ceiling means are only slightly, if at all, sunk close to the top of the passing object as shown in FIG. 9B.
[0047] In FIG. 10A distancing is shown which can work in both directions, hence for an object intending to enter, e.g., a building or to leave the same. The object is sensed by sensors 102 located at the tip of the movable means 100 and 101 in a certain distance to the passing area and the shape of the object is determined and recorded. When the object subsequently is approaching the passing area and authorization is given to the object, the movable means 100 and 101 will adopt to a position generating an opening capable of allowing passage of the object while preventing trespassing. FIG. 10B provides an insight into how the distance sensing from the movable means work. From the tip of the movable means, here a telescope bar, the distance is measured from the passing object. The distance between the tip of the movable means and the passing object will be adapted to be constant depending on the shape of the object.
[0048] In FIG. 11 an alternative sensing is shown wherein the sensing means 111 are positioned at a top position in front of and behind the passage area. Once the shape of the object is captured and authorization provided, the gate system will provide an opening adapted to the shape of the object by moving the movable means 110 accordingly.
[0049] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range, including the end points.
