Roller movement mechanism of a wheel stop device

Abstract

To provide a roller movement mechanism for a wheel stop device that can prevent vehicles from running over the wheel stop device and thus prevent vehicles from leaving, and that can reliably move the rollers forward and backward with a simple mechanism. [Solution] A roller 2 is extended laterally from the tip of the arm 1 and fixed at a predetermined distance from the ground, and the base end of the arm 1 is hinged to the base 3, An extension device 4 is provided on the base 3, and a sliding contact portion 41 is provided at the tip of the extension device 4 that can slide against the side surface of the arm 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement of a vehicle stopper in parking lot facilities. More specifically, it relates to a roller advancing / retreating mechanism of a vehicle stopper that can prevent a vehicle from exiting without stepping on the vehicle stopper and can reliably advance and retreat a roller with a simple mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] In paid parking lots such as hourly rental parking lots, there is known a flap-type locking plate that stands up after a predetermined time has elapsed since a vehicle parked, so that the wheels cannot be overcome, thereby preventing unauthorized exit before payment of the parking fee. However, since this locking plate is just a single iron plate, there is a problem that a vehicle with a high vehicle height may forcibly overcome the locking plate. In addition, even in non-hourly rental parking lots, there is a fact that thefts of luxury cars have occurred in garages and parking lots.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, there has been disclosed a vehicle stopper configured to prevent a vehicle from overcoming and exiting by protruding and retracting a rotating roller from the ground and bringing it into contact with the tire (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] However, since these conventional roller-type vehicle stoppers have a structure in which the roller is lifted and lowered from the ground and protrudes and retracts, the device is inevitably stepped on every time a vehicle enters or exits except when restricting exit. Therefore, unexpected loads may be applied to gears and actuators in the driving mechanism of the roller, and there is also a risk that the support base may be deformed by the load of the vehicle. There is a problem that the risk of device failure is high.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of such a device structure, when a vehicle tries to exit illegally, the large weight of the vehicle stepping on the roller also acts in the pushing-down direction (retreat direction) of the roller, so there is a risk of being easily broken through.

[0006] However, increasing the strength of the device presents problems such as increased manufacturing costs due to a more complex structure, and increased installation costs due to the increased weight of the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-301020 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-154666 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention was made in view of the problems with conventional wheel stop devices as described above, and its purpose is to provide a roller movement mechanism for a wheel stop device that can prevent vehicles from leaving the device without them running over it, and that can reliably move the rollers forward and backward with a simple mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The means employed by the present inventor to solve the above technical problems will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] In other words, the present invention relates to a vehicle stopper device capable of preventing vehicles from leaving a parking lot, A roller 2 is extended laterally from the tip of the arm 1 and fixed at a predetermined distance from the ground, and the base end of the arm 1 is hinged to the base 3, An extension device 4 is provided on the base 3, and a sliding contact portion 41 is provided at the tip of the extension device 4 that can slide against the side surface of the arm 1. When the telescopic device 4 is extended, the sliding contact portion 41 is slid along the side surface of the base end to the side surface of the tip of the arm 1, thereby moving the roller 2 laterally along an arc-shaped trajectory, so that the roller 2 can be positioned near the outer surface of the tire T in the direction of vehicle exit, By employing a technical means that allows the roller 2 to be moved away from the vicinity of the outer surface of the tire T in the vehicle exit direction, the roller movement mechanism of the wheel stopper device is completed. This is achieved by sliding the sliding contact portion 41 along the side surface of the base end of the arm 1 from the tip end side when the telescopic device 4 is retracted, thereby returning the arm 1 to its initial position.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention may also employ, if necessary, a technical means of providing a return means 5 that can bias the arm 1 to its initial position, in addition to the means described above.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention may also employ, if necessary, a technical means to make the telescopic device 4 extendable along the guide rail 42, in addition to the above means.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention may also employ, if necessary, a technical means of arranging a roller follower on the sliding contact portion 41 of the expansion / contraction device 4, in addition to the above means.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention may also employ, if necessary, a technical means of providing a support 6 parallel to the ground below the roller 2, in addition to the above means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] In this invention, a roller 2 is extended laterally from the tip of the arm 1 and fixed at a predetermined distance from the ground, and the base end of the arm 1 is hinge-connected to the base 3, while an extension device 4 is provided on the base 3, and a sliding contact portion 41 that can slide against the side surface of the arm 1 is provided on the tip side of the extension device 4, When the telescopic device 4 is extended, the roller 2 can be moved laterally on an arc track by sliding the sliding contact portion 41 along the side surface of the base end portion of the arm 1 to the side surface of the tip end portion, so that the roller 2 can be disposed near the outer peripheral surface of the tire T in the vehicle exit direction. On the other hand, when the telescopic device 4 is contracted, the arm 1 can be returned to the initial position by sliding the sliding contact portion 41 along the side surface of the tip end portion of the arm 1 to the side surface of the base end portion, so that the roller 2 can be retracted from near the outer peripheral surface of the tire T in the vehicle exit direction.

[0016] Therefore, according to the roller advancing / retreating mechanism of the vehicle stopper device of the present invention, since the roller for preventing vehicle exit has a structure that moves laterally forward and backward, the vehicle can be prevented from exiting without stepping on the vehicle stopper device.

[0017] Also, the roller can be surely moved forward and backward by a simple mechanism based on a linear telescopic motion, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the telescopic motion is in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle stopper device, the power of the telescopic device can be disposed without protruding into the side parking space or the like, the lateral width of the vehicle stopper device does not increase, and it can be stored in a space-saving manner.

[0018] And also, even for an unexpected load such as during an illegal exit, since the roller only receives the driving force of the vehicle in the axial direction of the arm, the roller is not forced to retract, and the device is difficult to fail and has excellent durability, so the industrial utility value is high.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory perspective view showing the roller advancing / retreating mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an explanatory top view showing the roller advancing / retreating mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory top view showing the roller advancing / retreating mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 1, what is indicated by reference numeral 1 is an arm, what is indicated by reference numeral 2 is a roller, what is indicated by reference numeral 3 is a base, what is indicated by reference numeral 4 is a telescopic device, what is indicated by reference numeral 5 is a return means, and what is indicated by reference numeral 6 is a support. Note that the drawings are schematic, and the thickness, length, ratio of intervals, etc. are different from the actual ones.

[0021] The present invention is a vehicle stopper capable of preventing a vehicle from exiting in a parking lot. In terms of its configuration, first, a roller 2 is taken out and fixed from the tip of the arm 1 laterally at a predetermined distance (at least 2 cm or more) from the ground. In this embodiment, a straight bar-shaped metal square pipe material is adopted as the arm 1, and the roller 2 is taken out in the orthogonal direction and formed in an L shape. For the roller 2, one with a ball bearing that rotates smoothly can be adopted, and the total length is preferably 20 cm or more.

[0022] In this embodiment, a support 6 for supporting parallel to the ground can be disposed below the arm 1 and below the roller 2, so that a predetermined distance from the ground can be kept constant, and the load when the roller 2 is stepped on can be withstood. In order to prevent wear of the support 6, the lower end of the support 6 does not need to contact the ground surface and can be at a slightly separated position.

[0023] Then, the base end of the arm 1 is hinged to the base 3. In this embodiment, the base 3 may be fixed to the ground by driving in a fixture, or may be one that does not move due to its own weight such as an iron plate. Also, for the hinge connection part 31 of the base 3, for example, a pillow type unit of a ball bearing can be adopted.

[0024] Furthermore, an extension / retraction device 4 is provided on the base 3. This extension / retraction device 4 can employ actuators such as electric, magnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic types. In this embodiment, by employing a ball screw type electric actuator, the motor can be driven to easily control the extension and retraction operation.

[0025] Furthermore, a sliding contact portion 41 is provided at the tip of the telescopic device 4, which can slide against the side surface of the arm 1. In this embodiment, a roller follower (cam follower) can be provided as a component of the sliding contact portion 41, which can smooth operation and improve durability by reducing wear and tear.

[0026] In this embodiment, the telescopic device 4 can be extended and retracted along the guide rail 42. The guide rail 42 can be shaped to follow a groove, or it can be a mechanical element in an engaging or fitting relationship.

[0027] When the telescopic device 4 extends, the sliding contact portion 41 slides along the side surface of the base end to the side surface of the tip end of the arm 1, causing the roller 2 to move laterally along an arc-shaped trajectory (on a substantially horizontal plane), allowing the roller 2 to be positioned near the outer surface of the tire T in the direction of vehicle exit (see Figures 1 and 2). In this state, even if the vehicle attempts to exit, the tire T cannot be overcome by the free-spinning roller 2.

[0028] On the other hand, when the telescopic device 4 retracts, the sliding contact portion 41 slides along the side surface of the arm 1 from the tip to the base end, causing the arm 1 to return to its initial position, thereby moving the roller 2 away from the vicinity of the outer surface of the tire T in the vehicle exit direction. In this state, the vehicle can enter and exit (see Figure 3).

[0029] In this embodiment, a return means 5 can be provided that can bias the arm 1 to its initial position. Various drive mechanisms and repulsion members can be used for this return means 5, but in this embodiment, elastic members such as springs, dampers, and magnets can be used, and magnets can be used without using power energy such as a power supply, and the arm 1 can be moved by extending and retracting the telescopic device 4 alone without using power energy such as a power supply.

[0030] Furthermore, a sensor for detecting the entry and exit of vehicles can be installed in a part of the wheel stop device, and the operation of the retractable device 4 can also be automated. In addition, although only the internal structure of the wheel stop device is illustrated in this embodiment, it is generally preferable to cover the outside of the device with a protective cover and configure it so that only the roller 2 emerges from the side of the protective cover when restricting the exit of vehicles.

[0031] Furthermore, while the vehicle stopper device of the present invention can effectively prevent vehicles from leaving a parking space even when installed at only one location where the vehicle's tires T stop, it can also be installed at multiple locations.

[0032] Although the present invention is generally configured as described above, the present invention is by no means limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the "claims". For example, the arm 1 is not limited to a metal square pipe material, but may be other material having sufficient strength.

[0033] Furthermore, the sliding contact portion 41 of the telescopic device 4 may be provided with guide portions such as elongated holes or protrusions on the arm 1, and the sliding portion may engage with these guide portions while sliding. All of these fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Arm 2 Laura 3 bases 31 Hinge connection 4 Telescopic device 41 Sliding contact part 42 Guide rails 5. Regression methods 6 Support T-tire Block B

Claims

1. In a vehicle stopper device that can prevent vehicles from leaving a parking lot, A roller is extended laterally from the tip of the arm and fixed at a predetermined distance from the ground, and the base end of the arm is hinged to the base, The base is equipped with an extension mechanism, and the tip of this extension mechanism is provided with a sliding contact portion that can slide against the side surface of the arm. When the telescopic device extends, the sliding contact portion slides along the side surface of the base end to the side surface of the tip of the arm, causing the roller to move laterally along an arc-shaped trajectory, so that the roller can be positioned near the outer surface of the tire in the direction of vehicle exit. A roller retraction mechanism for a vehicle stopper, characterized in that when the telescopic device retracts, the sliding contact portion slides along the side surface of the tip end to the side surface of the base end of the arm, causing the arm to return to its initial position, thereby enabling the roller to be moved away from the vicinity of the outer surface of the tire in the direction of vehicle exit.

2. The roller reciprocating mechanism of a wheel stop device according to claim 1, characterized in that a return means is provided that can bias the arm to its initial position.

3. The roller reciprocating mechanism of the wheel stop device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension device is extendable and retractable along the guide rail.

4. The roller reciprocating mechanism of the wheel stop device according to claim 1, characterized in that a roller follower is provided at the sliding contact portion of the extension device.

5. The roller reciprocating mechanism of the wheel stop device according to claim 1, characterized in that a support body for supporting the roller parallel to the ground is provided below the roller.

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