Vehicle parking security device

Abstract

A security device (2) is described for protection access to and from a parking space by being suitable for secure mounting to the entrance / exit of the parking space at ground level comprising a barrier or sign (9) capable of movement between a raised position for preventing movement of a vehicle past the barrier (9) and a lowered position permitting the vehicle to be driven over the device (2), and arming pedal (4) which is depressed when the vehicle is driven over the device (2) to energize a driving means in the form of a torsion spring (78) which is connected via a control means including a cam (40) having two cam lobes (42,44) for effecting movement of a bar (60), to the barrier (9) by a suitable connection means, such as for example a slotted wheel (84) and pulley arrangement, so that operation of the control means causes lower or raising of the barrier.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / AU97 / 00358 filed Jun. 6, 1997.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a device and method of use of a device for preventing passage of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method of use of a device for preventing the entry and / or exit of a vehicle to and from an unauthorized area. More particularly the present invention relates to a barrier and to a method of using the barrier for preventing unauthorized use of a vehicle parking space and / or unauthorized removal of a vehicle from a parking space.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to a security device and to methods of use of the device for preventing unauthorized use of a car parking space and / or unauthorized removal of a car from a parking space, it is to be noted that the scope of the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device and method of use of a device to prevent the passage or movement of a vehicle into or out of an unauthorized area such as a parking place which at least alleviates one or more of the problems of existing devices.

Problems solved by technology

The rapid increase in vehicle usage around the world has concomitantly increased parking pressure in most cities.

The increasing housing density in many areas has further exacerbated parking problems.

Parking can be particularly problematic for those who need to come and go from a place of business in a city throughout the day because each time they return to their place of business they often have to spend a considerable amount of time searching for a parking place.

Difficulties arise as the proportion of reserved parking places in the car park or parking building increases, concomitantly reducing the parking places available to the public.

This frequently leads to members of the public using reserved parking places either through ignorance or indifference.

Often drivers resort to a variety of means to gain unauthorized entry to parking lots, parking buildings or public areas in an effort to find a parking place and / or avoid paying for use of the parking place.

In some areas, the problem of unauthorized parking has become so serious that vehicles parked without authorization have been towed away and impounded, often leading to damage of the vehicle and occasioning legal action.

While these methods and devices for stopping unauthorized entry and exit to and from car parks and parking buildings are quite effective, they are usually not foolproof and they cannot be used to protect individual parking spaces within the parking building or car park.

Furthermore if the device breaks down or malfunctions, potentially hundreds of people can be inconvenienced by being prevented from entering or leaving the car park or parking building.

Individual parking places are sometimes secured from unauthorized use by manually operated devices.

Accordingly an unauthorized driver cannot drive into the empty parking place when the hoop or pair of hoops are raised and locked in place.

The principal disadvantage of such hoops is that they require manual operation and are thus most suited for use on parking places for long term parking; the hoops are extremely unsuitable for parking places which are used on a regular basis because the user must constantly get in and out of their vehicle to manually raise and lower the hoop.

Consequently the metal hoops are particularly inconvenient for use by the elderly or disabled.

Additionally, it is not always possible to temporarily stop a vehicle in a roadway or similar approach to the particular parking place while the driver gets out of the vehicle to lower the hoops to allow access to the parking space.

In use it is manually raised to a vertical position and locked into place and accordingly it suffers from the same disadvantages as the hoops described above.

One of the disadvantages of this type of system is that both the raising and lowering of the metal loop requires power from the external power source and consequently frequent replacing or recharging of the battery is required or main power must be supplied to the unit necessitating electrical wiring.

A further disadvantage suffered by the SECURAPARK device and other devices of the prior art is that special skills are required for their installation and in general it is necessary to carry out external works on a site prior to their installation.

Where specialists are required to install such devices, the overall cost of each unit is increased.

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