Automatic speed bump

Abstract

The automatic speed bump is installed in a roadway to discourage motor vehicle travel at excessive speeds. The device includes a box-like structure set into the surface, the box having upper edges flush with the surface. Two doors are hinged to the box along their opposite edges. Concentric spring and shock absorber assemblies lift the centers of the doors to create a speed bump. A guide strut is installed between each spring and shock absorber assembly to maintain alignment of the apparatus. The springs and shock absorbers retract at a predetermined rate when a standard motor vehicle encounters the raised doors at a reasonable speed. The doors folding flush with the surface to allow the vehicle to travel over a flat surface. The shock absorbers cannot retract faster than their predetermined rate, resulting in the doors remaining raised when a vehicle travels over the device at higher than reasonable speed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to vehicular traffic control devices, and particularly to an automatic speed bump that is normally raised, but retracts upon vehicle contact at reasonable vehicle speeds.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]The control of motor vehicle speeds is a chronic problem in the field of traffic engineering and law enforcement. While posted speed limits are nearly universal on public roads, there is a tendency by some drivers to exceed those limits, and law enforcement cannot possibly maintain a watch at all times and places for such speeding traffic. Moreover, there are areas, such as shopping malls, school zones, and streets and intersections. with heavy pedestrian traffic in which the common relatively low posted speed limits are frequently violated.[0005]Accordingly, some physical restriction to traffic speed is often installed in such areas where it is important that traffic s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The automatic speed bump is a laterally symmetrical apparatus, i.e., it has symmetry perpendicular to the orientation of traffic flow. First and second articulating doors that are hinged along their outboard edges and raised by a plurality of lift struts beneath. Each of the struts comprises a concentric coil spring and shock absorber assembly that lifts an upper crossmember upward to lift the adjacent free edges of the doors upward. A guide is installed between each of the lifting struts to maintain the proper alignment of all of the components. A central cover may be installed over the tops of the lift struts and guides, to prevent the entrance of debris and/or the entrance of animals or inadvertent stepping into the device by pedestrians. The entire apparatus includes a box-like structure that is set into the roadway. The hinged outboard edges of the doors are substantially flush or coplanar

Problems solved by technology

A motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed will not allow the shock absorbers to retract sufficiently rapidly so

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