US2746745A - Parking lot control system - Google Patents

Description

y 22, 1956 R. H. DAMON 2,746,745

PARKING LOT CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 3, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ROBERT H. DAMON INVENTOR.

ervouer BYW/ /Q May 22, '1956 Filed June 3, 1952 R. H. DAMON PARKING LOT CONTROL SYSTEM F .4 as 87 79 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Roman H. DeMoN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,746,745 7 PARKING LoT CONTROL SYSTEM Robert H. Damon, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Bowser, Inc, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application June 3, 1952, Serial No. 291,549 19 Claims. (Cl. 268-49) This invention relates to a parking lot control system wh1ch is especially adapted for lots located in residential areas in which space is leased on a monthly basis.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for positively controlling ingress to the lot. I

Another object is to provide means for admitting only such persons as are provided with a currently valid key.

A further object of the invention is to provide means operable by a valid key from the exterior of the lot for opening the gate to admit a vehicle and passengers.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for enforcing the closing of the gate before the key can be retrieved.

Still another object of the invention is to provide emergency means for opening the gate from the interior of the lot to prevent entrapment.

It is another object of the invention to provide means for operating the gate mechanism with a currently valid key and also the key the validity of which has expired but which is entitled to a grace period.

These and other objects will become apparent from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto, made a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the parking lot and the control system.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the key receiving standard for the system.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the locked control switch mechanism in its normal, unoperated condition.

Figure 5 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 4 in its actuated or unlocking condition.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the key used with the apparatus of Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of the gate latching mechanism.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical system.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2 the numeral 1 represents a parking lot which is suitably enclosed as by a fence 3 of sufiicient height and strength to prevent the entrance of either persons or vehicles.

A passageway 5 is formed in the fence and is closed by any suitable type of gate or closure 7. For purposes of illustration the gate 7 is shown as being supported from a rail 9 by means of rollers 11 and depending hangers 13, 14 so that it will move parallel with that portion of the fence which is laterally adjacent the passageway.

A motor 15 is suitably supported on a frame 17 and has fixed to it a cable drum 19. A cable 21 has its center portion wrapped several times about the drum and may be fastened thereto at one point if desired. One end of the cable is passed over a pulley 23 fixed to the fence and attached to the gate as at 25 while the other end is passed over a similarly supported pulley 27 and fixed to the gate as at 29.

A suitable reversing switch 31 may be mounted ad- 2,746,745 Patented May 22, 1956 jacent the motor with its actuating lever 33 pivotally attached to a rod 35 which is longitudinally slidably supported in brackets 37 which depend from the rail 9. The ends of the rod are bent over as at 39 so that one end will be engaged by the hanger 13 as the gate moves to its closed position and the other end will be engaged by the hanger 14 as the gate moves to its open position.

As shown particularly in Figures 2 and 7, a latch enclosing case 41 is mounted on the fence adjacent one end of the gate. A U-bolt 43 or other suitable latch engaging member is mounted on the gate in a position to enter the case when the gate is closed and a latch 45 is pivotally mounted at 47 in the case in position to engage and hold the bolt against withdrawal from the case. The end of the latch is preferably bevelled as at 49 so that it will automatically hook over the bolt as the latter enters the case.

A solenoid 51 is mounted in the case and has its armature 53 pivotally connected with the latch 45 at 55 so that when the solenoid is energized it will lift the latch to release the bolt.

A collar 57 is fixed to the upper end of the armature to hold the latch with the bevel in a position to be engaged by the bolt as the gate closes.

A compression spring 59 is mounted on the lower end of the armature and is confined between the solenoid and a washer 61 supported by a pin 63 so that it will urge the latch to its latching position.

A normally open switch 65 is also mounted in the case with its actuator 67 in position to be depressed and held by the bolt 43 as it enters the case to close the switch.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. A key controlled mechanism indicated generally by numeral 60 is shown which is substantially the same as that disclosed in the application for patent, serial No. 178,504 filed by Maurice J. Noregaard on August 9, 1950, for Switch, now Patent No. 2,648,729, granted August 11, 1953. It has been modified slightly to serve the present application.

Broadly stated the mechanism is normally locked in the switch open position and when a suitable card key is inserted the mechanism is unlocked and the switch may be closed by exerting additional pressure on the card.

The case 69 for the switch is preferably of non-magnetic material, and includes a card chute 71 which is fixed and is adapted to receive a suitable card key 73 (Figs. 5 and 6). The word check as used herein is intended to refer to the card key or any equivalent key for performing the same general function.

A pair of latch plates 75, 77 are also mounted in parallel spaced relation above the chute and a slide 79 is slidably mounted between the plates.

A number of vertical bores 81 are formed in the slide in a predetermined pattern. In each switch the pattern is different so that, in effect, the combination of the locking device can be changed.

Mounted on a spring 83 in each bore is a magnet 85 which serves also as a locking bolt when engaged with one or the other of the latch plates 75, 77.

The plate 75 has large holes 87 adjacent some of the bores 81 and small holes 89 adjacent other of the bores. The plate 77 has small holes 91 adjacent the bores 81 which are aligned with large holes in plate 75 and large holes 93 adjacent the bores 81 which are aligned with small holes in plate 75. I

A contact 95 is carried by the case and a contact 97 is carried on a spring arm 98, also mounted on the case. The spring arm normally holds contact 97 away from 95. Contact 97 is actuated by the slide 79 to engage contact 95 when the slide is displaced to the left as shown in Figure 5.

ana'ms Such displacement is prevented by the engagement of certain of the magnets in the small holes 89 in plate 75. However, when a card key 73 having iron armatures 99 mounted therein is inserted in the chute 71 until it abuts stop 101 on the slide and there is an armature in the card for every magnet which is engaged in a small hole 89, then the magnets will be drawn down, magnetically, and out of small holes 89 into a corresponding large hole 93 in plate 77. The slide is thus freed and additional pressure on the card will close the switch contacts 95, 97.

If more than the required number of armatures are contained in the card one or more of which align with a magnet which normally rides in a large hole 87 in plate 75 or if a solid sheet of magnetic material is inserted in the chute, then those magnets which ride in large holes 87 in plate 75 are drawn down into the corresponding small holes 91 in plate 77 and lock the slide.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a screw 193, preferably of non-magnetic material, may be inserted in the case 69 so as to ride upon one of the magnets 85 which rides in a small hole in the plate 75 so as to hold the magnet out of locking position therewith. Thus two different card keys, one having an armature in the position adjacent the magnet and one without such armature will actuate the lock, when the screw is in place, providing of course that the cards bear the other armatures which are required and no more. However, when the screw is removed, the card which does not have an armature in this position will not release the slide.

Also mounted on the case 69 is a solenoid 105, the armature 107 of which is disposed to move into and out of the card key chute 71. The armature is preferably made up of two parts, that within the solenoid being of magnetic material and that which enters the chute being non-magnetic as is well known in the solenoid art.

The armature rides in a bore 108, is urged out of the chute by a spring 109 and is lifted into the chute by the magnet. a collar 111 riding in a bore 113, if desired.

A hole 115 is provided in the card key in such a location that when the eard is properly inserted in the chute and has been inserted far enough to close the switch 95-97, the hole will be aligned with the armature 107.

As shown in Figure 3, the key controlled mechanism 60 is mounted in a pedestal 117 at a height which affords easy access from the window of an automobile.

If desired, a second mechanism 60 may be mounted therein for a purpose to be described.

Also mounted on the pedestal is a gate operating switch button 119 and a card release button 121. A push rod 120 attached to button 121 operates the button 119, which is free to be operated independently of button 121.

Preferably, a pedestal 117 is mounted on each side of the drive for the convenience of the users of the lot.

In order to prevent entrapment of a person on the lot, a turnstile 125 may be provided in the fence 3. The turnstile will permit egress from the lot but will prevent the ingress thereto.

Also, an emergency gate opening switch 127 may be provided at a suitable station near the gate, if desired. This should be disposed so that it cannot be manipulated from the exterior of the fence.

WIRING DIAGRAM Circuit A Referring to Figure 8, the numerals 129 and 131 represent the power supply mains. Line 129 runs to the magnet of a relay 133 and thence to the contacts 95 of the card key operated locking mechanisms.

From the contacts 97 of these switches a line 135 runs to the card locking solenoid 105 and a line 137 runs to the latch actuating solenoid 51. The pedestals 117 The motion into the chute may be limited by 4 cated on the right and left of the drive are thus connected in parallel between the main and the latch solenoid.

A line 139 connects the other side of the solenoid 51 through the contacts 141 of a relay 143 with the main 131.

Circuit B The main 131 is connected to the magnet of relay 143 which is connected by line 145 to switch 121, thence by line 147 to the normally open, gate operated switch 65 and thence by wire 149 to main 129.

Circuit C The main 131 is connected by line 151 to the motor 15 which in in turn connected by line 153 to the gate operating switches 119 and then by line 155 to the contacts 157 of relay 133 and to line 129.

The reversing switch 31 is connected to lines 151 and 153 by lines 159, 161.

Circuit D This circuit comprises a pair of leads 163, which are connected to contacts 95, 97 respectively of the card key switch and which are connected in circuit by the emergency button 127 when it is depressed.

Circuit E This circuit comprises a pair of leads 167, 169 which are connected to wires 153, 155 respectively and are thus in parallel with the gate operating switches 119. The other ends of the leads are connected in circuit by the emergency button 127 when it is depressed.

OPERATION Assuming that the holder of a currently valid card desires to secure his car from a parking lot controlled by the apparatus described above, be will first insert his card key in the right hand pedestal 117 (Fig. 1). Since it is a proper card, the slide 79 will be released and further pressure on the card will close the contacts 95, 97 to energize circuit A.

This energizes the solenoids 105 and the armature 107 of the mechanism containing the card is pulled up so as to lock the card in the mechanism.

The gate latch 45 is lifted by its solenoid 51 since the latter is also in this circuit.

The relay 133 is also energized to close the contacts 157 so as to condition circuit C for operation.

The person will then push and hold the button 119 in the particular pedestal being used, to establish the gate motor circuit C. The motor 15 will be energized to actuate the cable 21 to open the gate. When the gate is open, the button is released and the circuit C is broken to stop the motor.

Should the button 119 be held after the gate is fully open, the reversing switch 31 will be actuated by lever 33 and rod 35. The motor 15 will reverse and start to close the gate. The motor can be stopped by merely releasing the button 119.

The person will then enter the lot, secure his car and stop it in the driveway adjacent to the same pedestal and press and hold the button 121 to condition circuit B for operation. This operates the corresponding button 119 and closes the circuit C to start the gate operating motor 15.

If the switch 31 has been reversed, the gate will close at once. If it has not been reversed, the gate will open to its fullest extent, the rod 35 will be engaged by the gate to reverse the switch, the motor will reverse and close the gate.

As soon as the gate closes, the switch 65 is closed by the bolt 43 and circuit B is energized to energize the relay 143 and open the contacts 141 to deenergize the circuit A.

Deenergization of circuit A causes the relay 133 to be deenergized to open contacts 157 and break the motor circuit C. The motor stops.

The solenoids 105 are also deenergized so that the armature holding the card in the slot will be withdrawn by its spring 109. The spring arm 98 opens contacts 95, 97 and returns the slide to its normal position, thus partly ejecting the card key. The driver may then remove his card key and drive away. Removal of the card releases the magnets 85 which are raised by their springs and again lock the slide.

The entire system is thus restored to its initial condition.

The same process will be carried out when the motorist returns to park his car with the exception that he will probably use the pedestal 117 on the left side of the drive since this is adjacent the drivers window and he will retrieve his card after he has parked his car.

It will be seen that if there is a card key in any of the lock mechanisms it will be impossible to insert a card in any of the other mechanisms, because the armatures 107 will prevent proper insertion. It is probable therefore, that a driver holding a card key and seeing the gate open as the result of another motorist using his card key in the lock, will drive on the lot instead of waiting for the other motorist to retrieve his card. The second person may be trapped on the lot if, before he can leave, the first motorist closes the gate and retrieves his card key.

For this reason, the turnstile 125 may be provided which rotates only in a counter-clockwise direction so that a person may leave the lot through it but cannot enter. The turnstile is, of course, designed so that it is not possible to crawl through, under or over it.

In the event it is not desired to provide a turnstile,

the emergency button 127 may be used although it might be disabled by a power failure.

Depression of the button closes the circuit A just as though a card key were inserted in the lock mechanism for so long as the button is held down. It also closes the circuit C which opens the gate and which is conditioned by the closure of circuit A due to energization of relay 133. The gate will thus open and the motorist can leave the lot.

He should upon leaving insert his card key in one of the pedestals and press the associated button 121. The insertion of the card will establish the circuit A and pressing of the button 121 will establish circuit C to complete the gate cycle and will thereafter release his card key. The system will thus be reset for another cycle of operation.

CHANGING COMBINATIONS It is contemplated that a card key will be issued to each patron of the lot at regular intervals, say every month, upon payment of the required rental.

In some cases it may be desirable to issue some card keys for two months and others for one month. In any case, each valid card must operate the system. It may also be desired to provide a grace period after the expiration of a card within which a patron may secure a new card. During this period the apparatus must be operable by both types of cards.

These objectives may be accomplished by the use of the screw 103 or several of them. The one month card will have a pattern of armatures 99 which will operate all the magnets except the one which is held down by the screw 103. The two month card has the same pattern and in addition has an armature adjacent the screw held magnet.

Both cards will actuate the locking mechanism as described above. Upon expiration of the first month and the grace period, if any, the screw 103 is unscrewed slightly and the associated magnet will then be raised into locking relation with the'plate 75. The first mentioned card key which has expired will now no longer operate the lock mechanism but the valid card key will also operate the additional magnet so that it will actuate the lock mechanism.

Eventually, however, the locking mechanism will have to be changed to afford a different pattern in which case it will be difficult to invalidate some cards and yet have all the valid cards still operate the lock.

To eliminate this difficulty, it is possible to use two separate locks 60 and 60' which are disposed in parallel in the circuit as shown in the wiring diagram (Fig. 8) and mounted in each pedestal as shown by dashed lines in Figure 3.

In such a structure, each card would actuate one of the locking mechanisms and at the end of the grace period the mechanism which accepts the invalidatedcard keys would be replaced with a new mechanism which will receive the card keys for the succeeding month. The currently valid cards would actuate the other of the mechanisms which would be in turn changed the following month. Thus, the locking mechanisms would be alternately changed as the card keys and the grace periods therefore expired.

It would, of course, be logical to color the card keys and the lock mechanisms which will accept them the same color or to provide other corresponding indications so that there will be no confusion as to which card key is to be used in which mechanism.

MODIFICATION patron may not be inclined to follow and since he is not forced to follow the procedure it may be desirable to provide for automatic closing of the gate when the emergency button is used. This can be rather simply done by means of the addition of Circuit F This circuit runs from main 129, gate closed switch 65, lines 147, 191, solenoid 193, switch 195, lines 197, 145, relay 143 to line 131.

The emergency button 127 is provided with a plunger 199 which is adapted to abut the normally open switch and close it. The plunger is also provided with a notch 201 which is adapted to be entered by the spring pressed detent 205 which forms the armature of the solenoid 193.

The pawl and plunger are preferably tapered so that as the plunger is depressed by the button the detent will be cammed down against its spring until it is aligned with the notch 201 which it will thereupon enter to hold the plunger and button 127 in the actuated condition. The button 127 and plunger are normally operated toward the right, Figure 8, by spring 203.

OPERATION As indicated above, the modification serves as an emergency mechanism to free a person who may be trapped on the lot.

As explained above, the button 127 serves to energize circuits A and C to open the gate, but it would be necessary for the released person to insert his card key to close the gate.

In the structure just described, the circuits A and C will be held closed by the plunger and detent and the gate will thus move to the open position, reverse the switch 31 and start to close. Since the gate will not move with great rapidity, plenty of time is afforded to the entrapped person to leave the lot.

When the gate closes, it closes the switch 65 and circuit F is energized to withdraw the detent 203 so that the button 127 will open circuits D and E and this opens switch 195 to open circuit F. The gate will thus be 7 closed and latched without any further attention on the part of the person using the emergency control.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, check controlled means, means responsive to the insertion of a check in said check controlled means for actuating said power means, means for retaining said check in said check controlled means and means for rendering the retaining means ineffective when said barrier is moved to obstructin osition.

2. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, means operable by the barrier when it is away from obstructing position for reversing the operation of said power means to restore the barrier, check controlled means, means responsive to the insertion of a check in said check controlled means for actuating said power means, means for retaining said check in said check controlled means and means for rendering the retaining means ineffective when said barrier is moved to obstructing position.

3. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, means for locking said barrier again-st movement from said position, check controlled means, means responsive to the insertion of a check in said check controlled means for rendering said locking means ineffective, means for retaining said check in said check controlled means and means for rendering the retaining means ineffective when said barrier is moved to obstructing position.

4. in a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, means operable by the barrier when it is away from obstructing position for reversing the operation of said power means to restore the barrier, means for locking the barrier in obstructing position, check controlled rneans, means responsive to the insertion of a check in said check controlled means for releasing said locking means and for actuating said power means, means for retaining said check in said check controlled means and means for rendering the retaining means ineffective when said barrier is moved to obstructing position.

5. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, check controlled means, means responsive to the insertion of a check in said check controlled means ior actuating said power means, means for retaining said check in said check controlled means and means actuated by the barrier when it occupies the bstructing position for rendering said retaining means ineffective.

6. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, a card key operated switch mechanism for actuating said power means and means for retaining a card key in said switch mechanism until said barrier is moved to obstructing position.

7. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing said passageway, power means for moving said barrier, check controlled means, including check receiving means, for conditioning the power means for operation, check means, means for retaining said check means in said check receiving means, manually operable means for actuating said conditioned power means for opening and closing the barrier, release means for rendering said check retaining means ineffective, manual means for conditioning said release means for operation and means responsive to the movement of the barrier to obstructing position for operating said release means.

8. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles and a drive approaching said passageway from the exterior of the enclosure, the combination of a barrier, means sup porting said barrier for movement to and from an effective position obstructing the passageway, power means connected for moving said barrier to and from etiective position, a pedestal disposed adjacent the drive, check responsive control means, including check receiving means, disposed in said pedestal at a height convenient for the insertion of a check from a vehicle, means operated by the check responsive control means for retaining the check in the pedestal, means conditioned by said control means upon the insertion of a check for operation at will to open and hold said barrier, means operable thereafter to close and hold said barrier, said last named means including means for rendering said check retaining means ineffective.

9. in a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing said passageway, power means for moving said barrier, a card key, card key controlled means operable upon the insertion of the card key receiving means, means responsive to the insertion of a card key in the receiving means for conditronlng the power means for operation, means for retaining said card key in said receiving means, manually operable means for actuating said conditioned power means for opening and closing the barrier, release means for rendenng said card key retaining means ineffective, manual means for conditioning said release means for operation and means responsive to the movement of the barrier to obstructing position for operating said release means.

10. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided With an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles and a drive approaching said passageway from the exterior of the enclosure, the combination of a barrier, means supporting said barrier for movement to and from an effectlve position obstructing the passageway, power means connected for moving said barrier to and from effective position, a pedestal disposed adjacent each side of the drive, check responsive control means, including check receiving means, disposed in each pedestal at a height convenient for the insertion of a check from a vehicle, means operated by the check responsive control means for retaining the check in the pedestal, means conditioned by said control means upon the insertion of a check for operation at will to open and hold said barrier, means operable thereafter to close and hold said barrier, said last named means including means. for rendering said check retaining means ineffective.

ii. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means for supporting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, power means for moving said barrier to and from said position, means operable by the barrier when it is away from obstructing position for reversing the operation of said power means to restore the barrier, check controlled means, including check receiving means, for actuating said power means, means for retaining said check in said check receiving means and means operable in response to restoration of said barrier to obstructing position for rendering said check retaining means inefiective.

12. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing thepassageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a pair of control pedestals outside of said enclosure, means in each of said pedestals for receiving a card, said card comprising switch control means, a pair of switches connected, in parallel, in a first circuit with said electromagnet and a source of current, and means, one for each switch, responsive to the switch control means of a valid card for closing said switch upon insertion of such card.

13. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a pair of control pedestals outside of said enclosure, means in each of said pedestals for receiving a card, said card comprising switch control means, a pair of switches connected, in parallel, in a first circuit with said electromagnet and a source of current, means, one for each switch, responsive to the switch control means of a valid card for closing said switch upon insertion of such card, and means associated with each switch for latching said card and switch control means in the switch closing position.

14. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected, in parallel, in a first circuit with said electromagnet and a source of current means in said pedestal for receiving a card, said card comprising switch control means, means, one of each switch, responsive to the switch control means of a valid card for closing said switch upon insertion of such card, a motor, a motor circuit, means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, means responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for energization, and a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the motor circuit at will after it has been conditioned.

15. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected, in parallel, in a first circuit with said electromagnet and a source of current means in said pedestal for receiving a card, said card comprising switch control means, means, one of each switch, responsive to the switch control means of a valid card for closing said switch upon insertion of such card, a motor,-a motor circuit, means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, a relay responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for energization, and a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the motor circuit at will after it has been conditioned.

16. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected in a first circuit in parallel with said electromagnet and a source of current, means, one for each switch, responsive to the insertion of a valid card for closing said switch, means associated with each card responsive means for latching said card and card responsive means in the switch closing position, a motor, a motor circuit means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, means responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for energization, a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the circuit at will after it has been conditioned, a release circuit for breaking said first circuit comprising a relay having normally closed contacts in said first circuit, a manually controlled switch and a barrier closed switch in said release circuit, said barrier controlled switch being positioned to be closed when said barrier occupies its obstructing position, whereby said manually controlled switch conditions the release circuit for operation by said barrier closed switch, said circuit serving to energize the relay to disable the first circuit and therethrough said motor circuit.

17. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected in a first circuit in parallel with said electromagnet and a source of current, means, one for each switch, responsive to the insertion of a valid card for closing said switch, means associated with each card responsive means for latching said card and card responsive means in the switch closing position, a motor, a motor circuit means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, means responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for energization, a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the circuit at will after it has been conditioned, a release circuit for breaking said first circuit comprising a relay having normally closed contacts in said first circuit, a manually controlled switch and a barrier closed switch in said release circuit, said barrier controlled switch being positioned to be closed when said barrier occupies its obstructing position, whereby said manually controlled switch conditions the release circuit for operation by said barrier closed switch, said circuit serving to energize the relay to disable the first circuit and therethrough said motor circuit, and mechanical means interconnecting said manually controlled switch to actuate said manual switch so that said motor circuit will be energized at the time the release circuit is conditioned.

18. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier,

a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected in a first circuit in parallel with said clectromagnet and a source of current, means, one for each switch, responsive to the insertion of a valid card for closing said switch, means associated with each card responsive means for latching said card and card responsive means in the switch closing position, a motor, a motor circuit means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, means responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for cnergization, a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the circuit at will after it has been conditioned, a release circuit for breaking said first circuit comprising a relay having normally closed contacts in said first circuit, a manually controlled switch and a barrier closed switch in said release circuit, said barrier controlled switch being positioned to be closed when said barrier occupies its obstructing position, whereby said manually controlled switch conditions the release circuit for operation by said barrier closed switch, said circuit serving to energize the relay to disable the first circuit and therethrough said motor circuit, and emergency means disposed inside of the barrier and movable between citective and ineffective positions for simultaneously energizing said first circuit and said motor circuit.

19. In a control apparatus for a parking lot provided with an enclosure having a passageway for vehicles, the combination of a barrier, means mounting said barrier for movement to and from a position obstructing the passageway, a lock for holding said barrier in said position, an electromagnet connected to unlock the barrier, a control pedestal outside of said enclosure, a pair of switches connected in a first circuit in parallel with said electromagnet and a source of current, means, one for each switch, responsive to the insertion of a valid card for closing said switch, means associated with each card responsive means for latching said card and card responsive means in the switch closing position, a motor, a motor circuit means connecting said motor for operating said barrier, means responsive to the travel of the barrier for reversing the motor, means responsive to the energization of the first circuit for conditioning the motor circuit for energization, a manual switch in said motor circuit for closing and opening the circuit at will after it has been conditioned, a release circuit for breaking said first circuit comprising a relay having normally closed contacts in said first circuit, a manually controlled switch and a barrier closed switch in said release circuit, said barrier controlled switch being positioned to be closed when said barrier occupies its obstructing position, whereby said manually controlled switch conditions the release circuit for operation by said barrier closed switch, said circuit serving to energize the relay to disable the first circuit and therethrough said motor circuit, emergency means disposed inside of the barrier and movable between effective and incfiective positions for simultaneously energizing said first circuit and said motor circuit, means for holding said emergency means in the effective position and means responsive to the movement of the barrier to obstructing position for moving the emergency means to ineffective position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,367,931 Varnurn Feb. 8, 1921 1,430,206 Wilterding et al Sept. 26, 1922 1,880,850 Dautrick Oct. 4, 1932 1,934,867 Lindstrom et al. Nov. 14, 1933 2,015,607 Shinn Sept. 24, 1935 2,073,834 Duany et al. Mar. 16, 1937 2,073,904 Osteen Mar. 16, 1937 2,225,003 Gorman Dec. 17, 1940 2,312,340 Kilpatrick Mar. 2, 1943 2,566,017 Cooley Aug. 28, 1951 2,588,502 Dunn Mar. 11, 1952 2,595,769 Cooley May 6, 1952 A tn n M A A

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