Patent Application
20080127557
The present invention relates generally to entrance security devices, and more particularly to a protective cover for a gate arm used to open and close gates such as those used in gated communities, to prevent removal of the gate arm for the purposes of unauthorized entry.
Gated communities have gained increased popularity in the last ten to twenty years as a form of home protection from a criminal element. These homes are designed with limited ingress and egress, coupled with a gate that is actuated by an RF remote, magnetic key card, or other form of recognition that permits authorized entrants of the community access but restricts unauthorized persons from gaining entry. In this manner, the occupants of the community are assured some level of protection against thieves, vagrants, vandals, and other undesirables. Typically, the main entry gates are monitored by watchmen, cameras, or two-way communication devices that allows visitors, deliveries, emergency personnel, and other non-residents to enter the premises. However, other gated exits may be unguarded since they are used exclusively to allow the residents to exit the premises.
The gates used to police these communities are typically driven by a drive system using hydraulic power or an electric motor coupled to a gear system that drives a gate arm. The gate arm is rigidly mounted to a gate that either slides linearly along a track from an open position to a close position, or the gate may be hinged on one side such that the movement of the gate arm rotates the hinged gate open and closed. An example of the latter system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,449 to Richmond, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. In Richmond, the lever arm 40 is connected to a drive mechanism 38 and transmits the force from the drive mechanism to open the gate. The lever arm 40 also prevents the gate from opening, for example, by force if an intruder sought to move the gate and gain unauthorized entry.
The problem with present systems such as that disclosed in Richmond is that an intruder can, for example, gain access to the gate opening and closing apparatus and disengage the lever arm 40, by tool or by pulling the arm out of its socket. With the lever arm removed from the gate opening and closing apparatus, the gate can be freely opened and closed and thus an intruder can enter with a vehicle and defeat the purpose of the gated community. This problem is rampant among such gated communities and yet no effective, reliable solution exists for this problem this is economical, can be retrofitted for most existing applications, and completely solves the problem. The present invention is a solution to the problem achieving all of the aforementioned objects.
The present invention is a security cover for a security gate arm to protect the arm from being disconnected, thereby allowing the security gate to be opened by unauthorized personnel. The cover is constructed with a rectangular housing that mounts over the upper turret of the arm drive and encloses the turret that houses the drive arm for the gate, as well as the rectangular awning structure that extends radially from the turret to shelter the drive arm. The cover further comprises a vertically disposed rod extending downward through the rectangular housing and through the turret to the gear box of the drive system where the rod is rigidly fixed, the rod extending one to two inches above the housing when the housing in mounted over the turret. The cover further comprises a locking mechanism that couples to the vertical rod to fix the cover over the turret and prevent unauthorized access to the connection of the security gate's drive arm.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention
The drive arm 18 of the drive actuator 14 is inserted in to a slot in a cylindrical support 28 that is connected to a vertical rod 30. The rod 30 is connected to an electric motor (not shown) that is actuated by either a remote control, key card, push button, or other means to drive the gate open and closed via actuator 14. The cylindrical support 28 is housed in a turret-shaped dome structure 32 having semi-cylindrical sleeve 34 that shields the connection of the drive arm 18 to the support 28 and helps to protect the motor and the drive mechanisms from rain, dirt, and contamination. The description of the forgoing in well known in the art.
As discussed in the background section of the specification, removal of the dome structure 32 or other housing exposes the connection of the drive arm 18 to the cylindrical support, permitting removal of the drive arm 18 or otherwise disabling the mechanism. With the drive arm removed, the gate 10 can be easily opened and closed, thereby permitting unauthorized access through the gate. To prevent the removal of the drive arm 18, the present invention comprises a security cover 36 that fits over the housing 32, having a length that extends beyond the semi-cylindrical sleeve 34 and a width that is slightly larger than the diameter of the dome structure such that the security cover 36 fits completely over the dome structure without impeding the operation of the drive actuator 14. The security cover 36 can be rectangular, with an upper wall, front and rear ends, and left and right sides cooperating forming a rigid protective configuration. The securing cover includes an opening 39 at a front end that permits the drive arm 18 to extend therefrom, and further includes an aperture 41 on its top surface for receiving a lock rod 38. The security cover overlays the housing 32, such that the housing is free to rotate as necessary to control the movement of the gate 10. The lock rod preferably has a threaded end 40 that secures to the gear box of the motor in the drive actuator, or some other rigid structure the precludes removal of the lock rod 38. The threaded end 40 terminates at a hexagonal nut 42 that fixes the length of the lock rod 38 that is inserted into the gear box (not shown). Above the nut 42, the lock rod includes an elongate extension that includes a neck portion 44 as shown in
