Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6618993
-
Patent Number
6,618,993
-
Date Filed
Monday, March 19, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 16, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
- Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP
- Ryan; Matthew K.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 049 33
- 049 26
- 049 28
- 049 49
- 246 125
- 246 261
- 246 272
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing including a gate assembly connectable to a stanchion and light assembly. This gate assembly is movable between a generally upright position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across the railroad crossing. The gate assembly further includes a telescopic arm assembly for completely closing vehicle access to the railroad crossing. In another embodiment of the invention, the railroad grade crossing assembly includes a gate movable between a generally horizontal retracted position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally extended horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, the gate includes a telescopic arm for completely closing the railroad crossing, a first and second stanchions. The railroad grade crossing assembly also includes a battery to power the gate and a solar panel to recharge the battery. A low battery indicator may also be includes to indicate that said battery has a low voltage. A listening device is provided to detect the sound of an oncoming train and activate the gate, and a sensor is provided to sense when a train has passed and thereby cause the gate to retract.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved railroad grade crossing assembly, and more particularly, to a railroad grade crossing assembly which is extendable to fully close the road or street leading to the track.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Railroad grade crossing assemblies that are currently in use only close the road in the direction of traffic to within one foot of the center line. Therefore, the present railroad gates allow for a vehicle operator to make an S turn across the track thereby creating the potential for disaster. As a result, the railroads are currently under pressure to put in additional gates to completely close vehicle access to the tracks. It has therefore been found desirable to provide a railroad gate which allows a gate crossing to be completely closed prior to the arrival of a train.
A drawback in designing a railroad gate which completely closes the gate crossing is that is must comply with time requirement for closing a railroad crossing which are determined by federal, state and municipal governments. It is therefore further desirable to provide a railroad gate which not only completely closes the gate crossing but also complies with the time requirements for closing a railroad crossing which are determined by federal, state and municipal governments.
Currently, the installation of a single new railroad gate at a railroad crossing can cost upwards of $14,000, or $28,000 to $30,000 per crossing. With the over 56000 railroad crossings just in the United States, in order to attract the railroads to install any new railroad gate, that railroad gate must be relatively inexpensive. As a result, in order to minimize costs, it has been found desirable to provide a gate assembly which completely closes vehicle access to a railroad crossing which is adaptable to an existing railroad stanchion and light assembly. There are also railroad crossings which are in remote areas and have no power supply. As a result, in order to properly protect these crossings, it has been found desirable to provide a gate assembly which completely closes vehicle access to a railroad crossing which is self contained and provides its own power.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved railroad grade crossing assembly.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved railroad grade crossing assembly which completely closes the gate crossing prior to arrival of a train.
It is another object of this invention to provide a railroad grade crossing assembly which not only allows a gate crossing to be completely closed but also is adaptable to an existing stanchion and light assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a railroad grade crossing assembly which completely closes the gate crossing and complies with the time requirements for closing a railroad crossing which are mandated by federal, state and municipal governments.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive railroad grade crossing assembly capable of completely closing the gate crossing.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a railroad grade crossing assembly which can be readily attached to the arm of an existing railroad grade crossing system.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a self contained railroad grade crossing assembly which provides its own power.
Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a railroad grade crossing assembly which restricts vehicles from crossing a railroad crossing prior to the arrival of a train. In contrast to current railroad grade crossing assemblies, the design of the railroad gate completely closes the gate crossing to vehicle access prior to arrival of a train.
The railroad grade crossing assembly of the present invention can be adapted to existing railroad stanchion, arm and/or light assemblies which previously included gate assemblies which only partially closed the railroad crossing. The railroad grade crossing assembly of the present invention includes an improved gate assembly adaptable to the existing stanchion, arm and/or light assembly. This gate assembly is comprised of a two piece telescopic arm (formed of first and second arm members) assembly and a gravity actuated support leg. Upon initial signal or sensing of a train approaching, the arm assembly falls to a generally horizontal position with the gravity operated support leg falling to a generally vertical position impinging upon the ground surface to support the arm Thereafter, but well prior to the train arriving at the crossing, the second arm member of the gate assembly extends outwardly from the first arm member to completely close the railroad crossing.
In another embodiment of the present invention the railroad grade crossing assembly includes a gate means movable between a generally horizontal retracted position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally extended horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, the gate means includes a telescopic arm for completely closing the railroad crossing, a first and second stanchions. The telescopic arm is extendable and retractable from the gate means wherein upon a pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at a railroad crossing, the gate means extends from its said generally retracted position to a generally extended position extending from said first stanchion to said second stanchion, to completely close the railroad crossing. The railroad grade crossing assembly also includes a battery to power the gate means and a solar panel to recharge the battery. A low battery indicator may also be includes to indicate that said battery has a low voltage. A listening device is provided to detect the sound of an oncoming train and activate the gate means, and a sensor is provided to sense when a train has passed and thereby cause the gate means to retract.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a railroad grade crossing assembly in accordance with the present invention in with the arm assembly in its generally upright position prior to arrival of a train.
FIG. 2
is a front elevational view of the railroad grade crossing assembly assembly of
FIG. 1
in a first train approaching position whereupon the arm assembly thereof is moved into a first generally horizontal position and the support leg thereof falls into a generally upright position supporting the arm assembly.
FIG. 3
is a front elevational view of the railroad grade crossing assembly of
FIG. 1
in a second train approaching position whereupon the telescopic arm assembly extends outwardly such that the arm assembly completely closes the gate crossing prior to arrival of the train.
FIG. 4
is a plan view of a railroad grade crossing assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5
is a cross-section view of the assembly shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 6
is shows the gate assembly of the second embodiment in an extended position.
FIG. 7
is shows the gate assembly of the third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 through 3
of the drawings, a first embodiment of a railroad grade crossing assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated. This railroad grade crossing assembly
10
of the present invention can be adapted to an existing stanchion and light assembly
12
which included a gate assembly (not shown) which only partially closed the railroad crossing.
Here, the railroad grade crossing assembly
10
of the present invention is formed of an improved gate assembly
14
which is connectable to the existing stanchion and light assembly
12
. As is shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3
, the gate assembly
14
includes a two piece telescopic arm assembly
16
and a gravity actuated support leg
18
. This arm assembly is movable between a generally upright position (see
FIG. 1
) and a generally horizontal position (see FIGS.
2
and
3
). In the generally upright position of the arm assembly
14
of
FIG. 1
, the base of the arm assembly
19
is held in a generally horizontal orientation by a counterweight
20
.
This telescopic arm assembly includes a first arm member
22
and a second arm member
24
extendable and retractable from the first arm member
22
. In accordance with one of the general objects of the present invention, the operation of the gate assembly
16
complies with federal, state and local regulations regarding time requirements for closing a railroad crossing. As is shown in
FIG. 2
, upon a first pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, the gate assembly
14
falls from its generally upright position of
FIG. 1
to a generally horizontal position of FIG.
2
and the support leg
18
falls by gravity into a generally vertical position impinging on the ground surface
17
to thereby support the arm member
14
. Upon a second pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, the second arm member
24
of the gate assembly
14
extends outwardly from the first arm member
22
to completely close the railroad crossing (see FIG.
3
). After the train has passed the railroad crossing, the second arm member
24
retracts with respect to the first arm member
22
so as to be in the position of FIG.
2
. Thereafter, the gate assembly
14
is moved from its generally horizontal position of
FIG. 2
to its generally upright position of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
best illustrates the first embodiment actuating mechanism for extending and retracting the second arm
24
with respect to the first arm member
22
of the telescopic arm mechanism
14
for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access. This actuating mechanism includes a DC motor with right angle device
30
which turns a threaded rod
32
which is mated with a compatible nut
34
attached to an end
36
of the second arm member
24
so as to extend and retract the second arm member
24
depending upon the rotation of the DC motor
30
.
A second embodiment of a railroad grade crossing assembly according to the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 4-7
.
FIG. 4
is a plan view showing a railroad grade crossing assembly
40
according to the second embodiment, and showing how the railroad grade crossing assembly according to the second embodiment can be attached to a preexisting stanchion
42
and arm assembly
44
. As can be seen from the figure, the crossing assembly includes an outer gate
46
and an inner (or “telescoping”) gate
48
. The assembly of the invention is attached to a preexisting stanchion
42
and arm
44
by cutting arm
44
as indicated at position
44
a
and then splicing outer gate
46
to the arm.
More specifically, the crossing assembly of the invention can be employed at existing railroad crossings by laying assembly
40
across the roadway where it is to be used such that the assembly in its extended state would completely close the roadway at the location of the existing stanchion. Once the assembly is laid out in this fashion, one can determine the appropriate positions at which to cut the existing arm
44
and/or outer gate
46
so that following splicing of the remaining arm portion and outer gate the resulting railroad crossing system will have the correct extended length for completely closing off the roadway. Employing the assembly of the invention in this manner, facilitates the supply of assemblies by allowing the manufacture of standard size assemblies (e.g. “2 lane” and “4 lane”) which can then be trimmed to the precise length required.
In order to effect telescoping operation of inner gate
48
, assembly
40
includes three pulleys
50
,
52
and
54
, a cable
56
which operates in conjunction with the pulleys, a motor
58
and two tension fasteners
60
and
62
. In addition, the assembly includes a support leg
64
like leg
18
of
FIGS. 1-3
. In order to provide durability and the desired operating properties it is preferred that the cable be a vinyl coated steel cable of aircraft quality.
When extension of the inner gate is desired, the motor (e.g. a DC electric motor) produces a counter clockwise turning force on pulley
50
which is a deep V-type pulley. Upon application of the counter clockwise force pulley
50
exerts a longitudinal force on cable
56
(right to left in the figure). The force exerted on the cable is, in turn, transferred via pulled
52
onto tension fastener
62
(as a left to right force in the figure). Since pulley
50
is coupled to the outer gate which is secured to stanchion
42
, and pulley
52
and tension coupling
62
are coupled to the inner gate which is free to extend out of the outer gate, the resulting force on tension coupling
62
moves the inner gate into an extended position.
Pulley
54
is an idling pulley which contacts cable
56
and is coupled to a switch (not shown) that triggers a reverse telescoping mechanism (not shown in
FIG. 4
) in the event the inner gate encounters an obstruction as it telescopes out of the outer gate. The pulley
54
is free to move in a vertical direction and is spring loaded with a downward bias such that its initial vertical position is determined according to the spring force and the vertical force which is exerted on the pulley due to the tension in cable
56
. If inner gate
48
is obstructed from its extension while motor
58
is exerting a counter clockwise force on pulley
50
, the tension in cable
56
increases, thereby moving pulley
54
upward and triggering the switch which activates the reversing mechanism. In this manner damage to the assembly and to objects in the path of the telescoping inner gate (e.g. an automobile) can be minimized.
FIG. 5
is a cross-section view of the assembly shown in FIG.
4
. For simplicity of presentation, the motor
58
of
FIG. 4
is not shown in
FIG. 6
, but rather deep V pulley
50
is simply shown as being fixed in a rotatable manner to the outer gate
46
via an axle having a spline
60
. As can be seen from
FIG. 6
, tension on cable
56
acts to wedge the cable in the V-shaped rim of pulley
50
, thereby facilitating the transfer of force on the pulley into longitudinal force in the cable.
Along the inner surface of the outer gate are situated a multiple of electrically conducting rods
62
,
64
and
66
, preferably ⅛″ diameter. Although three conducting rods are shown in the figure any number or rods may be used. In any event the rods serve a dual purpose, they aid in guiding the inner gate during telescoping and retracting operation and they provide electrical current and grounding along the length of the assembly. The rods are accessed by the inner gate via a multiple of conducting wheel arrangements
68
-
72
, and in the illustrated embodiment the rods and wheel arrangements provide power to lights positioned on the inner gate. In the figure, a flush mounted inner gate light
74
is shown electrically connected to the rods
62
and
64
via couplings
76
and
78
, respectively.
FIG. 6
shows a gate assembly of the invention in an extended position. The inner gate of the figure includes three flush mounted lights
80
,
82
and
84
, and in a preferred configuration lights
82
and
84
flash when the inner gate is extended, while light
80
remains on constantly when the inner gate is extended. Such configuration can be achieved by supplying a constant current signal through one of the rods, a flashing current signal through another one of the rods, and a ground signal through the remaining rod. Furthermore, such signals can be readily supplied to the rods via the couplings that typically exist at current railroad crossings. Thus, facilitating the provision of warning light indications with the assembly of the present invention.
Moreover, it should be noted that bulbs with bayonet type connectors may be used in/as the inner gate lights. Such bulbs are inserted into a socket by simply placing the connector end of the bulb into the socket and twisting less than a full turn.
Having described the embodiments of
FIGS. 1-3
and
FIGS. 4-7
, it should be noted that in any of the embodiments extension of the inner gate may be triggered through circuitry provided in current railroad crossing systems, through a leveling switch which initiates extension when the gate arm becomes substantially horizontal in relation to the road, through a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), or through some combination of the aforementioned techniques.
Further, in order to keep rain, snow, and ice, etc. from the gate assembly when the gate assembly is in its generally upright position (as shown for example in
FIG. 1
) the first arm member
22
or outer gate includes a waterproof covering member, such as a waterproof boot (e.g. boot
38
of
FIG. 1
) at an end thereof.
Referring now to
FIG. 7
of the drawings, a third embodiment of a railroad grade crossing assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated. This railroad gate crossing assembly
110
of the present invention is self contained and can be adapted to an existing stanchion and light assembly
112
which may or may not included a gate assembly (not shown) which only partially closed the railroad crossing. The assembly provides its own power supply.
Here, the railroad grade crossing assembly
110
of the present invention is formed of an improved gate assembly
140
which is connectable to the existing stanchion
112
. As can be seen from the figure, the crossing assembly includes an outer gate
146
and an inner (or “telescoping”) gate
148
. The assembly of the invention is attached to a preexisting stanchion
112
.
More specifically, the crossing assembly of the invention can be employed at existing railroad crossings by laying assembly
140
across the roadway where it is to be used such that the assembly in its extended state would completely close the roadway at the location of the existing stanchion
112
.
This telescopic arm assembly includes a first arm member
146
and a second arm member
148
which is extendable and retractable from the first arm member
146
. In order to effect telescoping operation of inner gate
148
, the internal workings of assembly
140
operates as assembly
40
described above.
A second post
151
is added on the same side of the roadway as the existing stanchion
112
to receive the inner gate
148
. Mounted on the second post
151
is a battery enclosure
150
a
containing a battery. The battery may also be mounted under ground as in battery enclosure
150
b.
Attached to the top of second post
151
is a solar battery charger
152
for charging the battery contained in battery enclosures
150
a
and
150
b.
Lights
154
may be added to the existing stanchion
112
and powered by the battery. A low voltage indicator is mounted on the second post
151
for indicating to passing trains that the voltage of the battery is low. A listening device
158
is mounted on top of the existing stanchion and an electronic eye sensor
160
is mounted near the vertical center of the existing stanchion
112
.
When a train is approaching and extension of the inner gate
148
is desired, the oncoming train signals the listening device
158
by sounding the train's whistle. When this occurs, the lights
154
begin to flash, and a motor (not shown) moves the inner gate
148
into an extended position where it contacts the second post
151
and rests on ledge
162
as shown in FIG.
7
. The Outer Gate
146
does not move as in the previous embodiments, but remains, at all times, parallel to both the ground and the train tracks as shown in FIG.
8
.
This action completely closes the railroad crossing. After the electric eye
160
has determined that the train has passed the railroad crossing, the inner gate
148
retracts with respect to the outer gate
146
. If the voltage of the battery ever becomes low, warning light
156
is illuminated when the inner gate
148
is extended, to notify the passing train.
Accordingly, in accordance with one of the general objects of the present invention, an improved railroad grade crossing assembly for completely closing a railroad gate crossing prior to arrival of a train has been provided. In addition, this railroad grade crossing assembly of the present invention is adaptable to the existing stanchion, arm and/or light assemblies that are presently in place. Moreover, since the arm assembly of the present invention is readily connectable to the existing stanchion, arm and/or light assembly, this improved railroad gate assembly is relatively inexpensive.
Although the invention has particularly shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including the foregoing as well as various other such changes and modifications.
Claims
- 1. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means connectable to a stanchion and light assembly and movable between a generally upright position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing; and telescopic arm means incorporated into said gate means for automatically completely closing the railroad crossing when said gate means is in said generally horizontal position; whereby said telescopic arm means is movably incorporated within said gate means and is operable to extend from said gate means each time said crossing assembly is to block vehicle access across said crossing and retracts each time said crossing assembly is to permit vehicle access across said crossing.
- 2. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, wherein said gate means further includes a gravity actuated support leg.
- 3. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, wherein upon a first pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, said gate means falls from its said generally upright position to a generally horizontal position and said support leg falls by gravity into a generally vertical position supporting said telescopic arm means.
- 4. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 3, wherein upon a second pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, a second arm means of said gate means extends outwardly from said gate means to completely close the railroad crossing.
- 5. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, further comprising actuating means for extending and retracting said telescopic arm means for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access.
- 6. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for turning a threaded rod which is mated with fastening means attached to an end of said telescopic arm means so as to extend and retract said telescopic arm means depending upon the rotation of said motor means.
- 7. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for applying a turning force to a pulley which exerts a force in a cable in order to extend said telescopic arm means.
- 8. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for reversing extension of said telescopic arm means when said telescopic arm means encounters an obstruction during extension.
- 9. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, wherein said telescopic arm means includes lights visible to a car when said telescopic arm means is extended.
- 10. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, wherein electrical current is supplied to said telescopic arm means through a plurality of conducting rods positioned in said gate means and a plurality of conducting wheel arrangements which contact said rods.
- 11. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 1, wherein said gate means includes waterproof covering means at an end thereof to keep rain, snow, and ice away from said gate means when said gate means is in its generally upright position.
- 12. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means movable between a generally upright position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, said gate means having telescopic arm means for completely closing the railroad crossing, and a gravity actuated support leg, said telescopic arm means being extendable and retractable from said gate means wherein upon a first pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at a railroad crossing, said gate means falls from its said generally upright position to a generally horizontal position and said support leg falls by gravity into a generally vertical position supporting said telescopic arm means, and wherein upon a second pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, said telescopic arm means extends outwardly from said gate means to completely close the railroad crossing.
- 13. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, wherein said gate means is connectable to a railroad crossing stanchion and light assembly.
- 14. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, further comprising actuating means for extending and retracting said telescopic arm means for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access.
- 15. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 14, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for turning a threaded rod which is mated with fastening means attached to an end of said telescopic arm means so as to extend and retract said telescopic arm means depending upon the rotation of said motor means.
- 16. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 14, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for applying a turning force to a pulley which exerts force in a cable in order to extend said telescopic arm means.
- 17. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, further comprising means for reversing extension of said telescopic arm means when said telescopic arm means encounters an obstruction during extension.
- 18. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, wherein said telescopic arm means includes lights visible to a car when said telescopic arm means is extended.
- 19. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, wherein electrical current is supplied to said telescopic arm means through a plurality of conducting rods positioned in said gate means and a plurality of conducting wheel arrangements which contact said rods.
- 20. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 12, wherein said gate means includes waterproof covering means at an end thereof to keep rain, snow, and ice away from said gate means when said gate means is in its generally upright position.
- 21. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means connectable to a stanchion and light assembly; automatic telescopic arm means incorporated into said gate means for completely closing the railroad crossing; and a gravity actuated support leg for supporting said telescopic arm means; whereby said telescopic arm means is movably incorporated within said gate means and is operable to extend from said gate means each time said crossing assembly is to block vehicle access across said crossing and retracts each time said crossing assembly is to permit vehicle access across said crossing.
- 22. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, wherein said gate means is movable between a generally upright position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across the railroad crossing.
- 23. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, wherein upon a first pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, said gate means falls from its said generally upright position to a generally horizontal position and said support leg falls by gravity into a generally vertical position supporting said telescopic arm means.
- 24. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 23, wherein upon a second pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, said telescopic arm means extends outwardly from said gate means to completely close the railroad crossing.
- 25. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, further comprising actuating means for extending and retracting said telescopic arm means for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access.
- 26. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 25, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for applying a turning force to a pulley which exerts force in a cable in order to extend said telescopic arm means.
- 27. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, further comprising means for reversing extension of said telescopic arm means when said telescopic arm means encounters an obstruction during extension.
- 28. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, wherein said telescopic arm means includes lights visible to a car when said telescopic arm means is extended.
- 29. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 21, wherein electrical current is supplied to said telescopic arm means through a plurality of conducting rods positioned in said gate means and a plurality of conducting wheel arrangements which contact said rods.
- 30. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means connected to a stanchion and light assembly and movable between a generally retracted position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally extended position for blocking vehicle access across the railroad crossing using an automatic telescopic arm means incorporated into said gate means for completely closing the railroad crossing when said gate means is in said generally horizontal position; whereby said telescopic arm means is movably incorporated within said gate means and is operable to extend from said gate means each time said crossing assembly is to block vehicle access across said railroad crossing and retracts each time said crossing assembly is to permit vehicle access across said railroad crossing.
- 31. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 30, wherein said gate means further includes a second stanchion.
- 32. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 30, further comprising actuating means for extending and retracting said telescopic arm means for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access.
- 33. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 32, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for turning a threaded rod which is mated with fastening means attached to an end of said telescopic arm means so as to extend and retract said telescopic arm means depending upon the rotation of said motor means.
- 34. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 32, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for applying a turning force to a pulley which exerts force in a cable in order to extend said telescopic arm means.
- 35. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 30, further comprising means for reversing extension of said telescopic arm means when said telescopic arm means encounters an obstruction during extension.
- 36. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means movable between a generally horizontal retracted position to permit vehicle access across the railroad crossing and a generally extended horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across the railroad crossing, said gate means having telescopic arm means for completely closing the railroad crossing, and a first and second stanchions, said telescopic arm means being extendable and retractable from said gate means wherein upon a pre-set interval prior to a train arriving at the railroad crossing, said gate means extends from its said generally retracted position to a generally extended position extending from said first stanchion to said second stanchion, to completely close the railroad crossing.
- 37. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, wherein said gate means is connectable to an existing railroad crossing stanchion and light assembly.
- 38. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, further comprising actuating means for extending and retracting said telescopic arm means for completely closing and opening the railroad crossing to vehicle access.
- 39. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 38, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for turning a threaded rod which is mated with fastening means attached to an end of said telescopic arm means so as to extend and retract said telescopic arm means depending upon the rotation of said motor means.
- 40. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 38, wherein said actuating means includes motor means for applying a turning force to a pulley which exerts force in a cable in order to extend said telescopic arm means.
- 41. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, further comprising means for reversing extension of said telescopic arm means when said telescopic arm means encounters an obstruction during extension.
- 42. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, and further comprising a battery to power said gate means and a solar panel to recharge said battery.
- 43. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 42, wherein said battery is placed underground.
- 44. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 42, and further comprising a low battery indicator to indicate that said battery has a low voltage.
- 45. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, and further comprising a listening device to detect the sound of an oncoming train and activate the gate means.
- 46. The railroad grade crossing assembly of claim 36, and further comprising a sensor to sense when a train has passed and thereby cause said gate means to retract.
- 47. A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, comprising:gate means connectable to a stanchion and light assembly; automatic telescopic arm means incorporated into said gate means for completely closing the railroad crossing; and a second stanchion for supporting said telescopic arm means; whereby said telescopic arm means is movably incorporated within said gate means and is operable to extend from said gate means each time said crossing assembly is to block vehicle access across said railroad crossing and retracts each time said crossing assembly is to permit vehicle access across said railroad crossing.
US Referenced Citations (8)