Roller advancing / retreating mechanism of car stop device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a roller advancing / retreating mechanism of a car stop device that is not run over by a vehicle and is capable of preventing exit of the vehicle, and capable of reliably advancing / retreating a roller with a simple mechanism. [Solution] A roller 2 is fixed to extend laterally from a distal end part of an arm 1 at a predetermined distance from the ground, and a proximal end part of the arm 1 is hinge-connected to a base 3, while an expansion / contraction device 4 is disposed on the base 3, and a sliding contact part 41 capable of sliding contact with a side surface of the arm 1 is provided on a distal end side of the expansion / contraction device 4.

Description

Roller advancing / retracting mechanism of a vehicle stopper

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

[0002] In paid parking lots such as hourly rental parking lots, there is a known device that prevents unauthorized exit before payment of parking fees by causing a flap-type lock plate to stand up after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle parked, so that the wheels cannot be overridden. However, since this lock plate is just a single iron plate, there is a problem that a vehicle with a high vehicle height may forcibly override the lock plate. Also, regardless of whether it is an hourly rental parking lot or not, there is a fact that theft incidents of luxury cars occur in garages and parking lots.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, there has been disclosed a vehicle stopper configured to prevent a vehicle from overriding and exiting by causing a rotating roller to protrude from and retract into the ground and contacting the tire (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] However, these conventional roller-type vehicle stoppers have a structure in which the roller is lifted and lowered from the ground and protrudes and retracts. Therefore, every time a vehicle enters or exits, which is other than when restricting exit, the device is inevitably stepped on. As a result, unexpected loads may be applied to gears and actuators in the roller drive mechanism, and there is also a risk that the support base may be deformed by the load of the vehicle, and 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 (retracting direction) of the roller, so there is a risk that it may be easily broken through.

[0006] On the other hand, if an attempt is made to increase the strength of the device, there are also problems such as the device structure becoming complicated and the manufacturing cost increasing, or the device becoming heavier and the installation cost increasing.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-301020, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-154666

[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.

[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 wheel stop device capable of preventing a vehicle from exiting a parking lot, wherein a roller 2 is extended laterally from the tip of an arm 1 at a predetermined distance from the ground and fixed, and the base end of the arm 1 is hinge-connected to a base 3, while an extendable device 4 is provided on the base 3, and a sliding contact portion 41 is provided on the tip side of the extendable device 4 that can slide against the side surface of the arm 1, and when the extendable device 4 is extended, the sliding contact portion 41 slides 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 on 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, in addition to the above means, a return means 5 that can bias the arm 1 to its initial position.

[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.

[0015] In this invention, a roller 2 is extended laterally from the tip of the arm 1 at a predetermined distance from the ground and fixed, and the base end of the arm 1 is hinge-connected to a 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 extension device 4 is extended, the sliding contact portion 41 slides along the side surface of the base end of the arm 1 to the side surface of the tip, thereby moving the roller 2 laterally on 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. When the extension device 4 is retracted, the sliding contact portion 41 slides along the side surface of the tip end of the arm 1 to the side surface of the base, thereby returning the arm 1 to its initial position, and the roller 2 can be moved away from the vicinity of the outer surface of the tire T in the direction of vehicle exit.

[0016] Therefore, according to the roller reciprocating mechanism of the vehicle stopper device of the present invention, since the roller for preventing vehicle exit is structured to move laterally, the vehicle will not run over the vehicle stopper device and will not be able to exit.

[0017] Furthermore, the simple mechanism using linear extension and retraction ensures reliable movement of the rollers, reducing manufacturing costs. Moreover, because the extension and retraction motion is along the longitudinal direction of the wheel stopper, the power source for the extension and retraction mechanism can be positioned without encroaching on the parking space to the side, thus keeping the width of the wheel stopper compact and allowing it to be installed in a space-saving manner.

[0018] Furthermore, even in the event of an unauthorized exit, the rollers are not forcibly retracted because they only receive the vehicle's propulsion force in the axial direction of the arm. This also makes the device less prone to failure and gives it excellent durability, thus giving it high industrial value.

[0019] This is an explanatory perspective view showing a roller reciprocating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory top view showing a roller reciprocating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an explanatory top view showing a roller reciprocating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figure 1, the part indicated by reference numeral 1 is an arm, the part indicated by reference numeral 2 is a roller, the part indicated by reference numeral 3 is a base, the part indicated by reference numeral 4 is an extension / retraction device, the part indicated by reference numeral 5 is a return means, and the part indicated by reference numeral 6 is a support. Note that the drawings are schematic, and the thickness, length, spacing ratios, etc. may differ from those of actual devices.

[0021] The present invention relates to a vehicle stopper device capable of preventing vehicles from exiting a parking lot. In its construction, a roller 2 is first extended laterally from the tip of an arm 1 at a predetermined distance (at least 2 cm) from the ground and fixed in place. In this embodiment, a straight metal square pipe is used as the arm 1, and the roller 2 is extended perpendicularly to form an L-shape. The roller 2 can be fitted with a ball bearing bearing for smooth rotation, and its total length is preferably 20 cm or more.

[0022] In this embodiment, a support 6 can be provided below the arm 1 and below the roller 2, parallel to the ground, allowing a constant predetermined distance from the ground and enabling it to withstand the load when the roller 2 is stepped on. In order to prevent wear of the support 6, the lower end of the support 6 does not need to be in contact with the ground surface and can be at a position slightly above it.

[0023] The base end of the arm 1 is then hinged to the base 3. In this embodiment, the base 3 may be fixed to the ground by driving in fasteners, or it may be made of a metal plate or the like that which does not move due to its own weight. Furthermore, for example, a pillow block unit of a bearing can be used for the hinge connection portion 31 of the base 3.

[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 tip end to the side surface of the base end of the arm 1, 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 direction of vehicle exit. 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 provided in a part of the wheel stop device, and the operation of the retractable device 4 can 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.

[0034] 1 Arm 2 Roller 3 Base 31 Hinge connection 4 Telescopic device 41 Sliding contact part 42 Guide rail 5 Retraction means 6 Support T Tire B Block

Claims

1. A wheel stop device capable of preventing a vehicle from exiting a parking lot, wherein a roller is extended laterally from the tip of an arm at a predetermined distance from the ground and fixed thereto, and the base of the arm is hinged to a base, while an extendable device is provided on the base, and the tip of the extendable device is provided with a sliding contact portion that can slide against the side surface of the arm, and when the extendable device is extended, the sliding contact portion slides along the side surface of the base end to the side surface of the tip of the arm, so that the roller moves laterally on an arc trajectory and can be positioned near the outer surface of the tire in the direction of vehicle exit, and when the extendable device is retracted, the sliding contact portion slides along the side surface of the tip to the side surface of the base of the arm, so that the arm returns to its initial position and the roller can be moved away from near the outer surface of the tire in the direction of vehicle exit.

2. The roller reciprocating mechanism of the 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 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 parallel support to the ground is provided below the roller.

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