CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/452,105 filed on Mar. 14, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/454,890 filed on Mar. 27, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/615,387 filed on Dec. 28, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD This disclosure relates to movable barrier operators and, more specifically, to barrier arm operators.
BACKGROUND Barrier arm operators are often used to control access to secured areas, such as parking lots, parking structures, and gated communities. One problem with barrier arm operators is that if the arm of the barrier arm operator is struck by a vehicle, the arm may need to be reattached if substantially undamaged or replaced if damaged. Some barrier arm operators have a hinged connection between sections of the arm that permits the arm to be deflected by an impact from a vehicle without completely detaching or breaking the arm. However, an individual associated with the secured area, such as an employee or technician, would subsequently need to reconfigure the arm to an initial configuration such that the arm is ready for subsequent use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Aspects of the invention in accordance with the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a barrier arm operator. The barrier arm operator includes a bracket operably coupled to a drive, wherein the drive rotates the bracket about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and an arm coupled to the bracket and driven between a lowered position and a raised position by rotation of the bracket about the axis, wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the bracket about a pivot axis orthogonally oriented with respect to the axis, wherein the bracket comprises a detent configured to retain the arm in a first position relative to the bracket in an in-use state, and wherein the arm rotates about the pivot axis from the first position to a second position in response to impact of an object against the arm.
Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a forcing rod assembly for articulating an articulating arm of a breakaway arm assembly of a barrier arm operator. The forcing rod assembly includes a first segment rotatably coupled to an operator about a first axis; and a second segment coupled between the first segment and an engagement point of the articulated arm, wherein the first and second segments of the forcing rod assembly manipulate an articulated position of the articulated arm as the first segment rotates about the first axis, and wherein the second arm is rotatable relative to the operator about a second axis, the second axis orthogonally oriented relative to the first axis.
Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a barrier arm operator. The barrier arm operator includes a drive that rotates about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; an arm coupled to the drive and driven between a lowered position and a raised position by rotation of the drive about the axis, wherein the arm is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is an in-use position, and wherein the second position is a breakaway position; and an arm reset mechanism that resets the arm from the second position to the first position in response to moving the drive about the axis, wherein the arm reset mechanism comprises: a follower coupled to a proximal end of the arm; and a cam coupled to a housing of the operator, wherein the follower engages with a surface of the cam to pivot the arm from the second position to the first position as the arm is rotated by the drive.
Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to other systems, methods, apparatuses, non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices for affecting a state of a movable barrier. These and other features, aspects and uses of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example barrier arm operator with an arm in a lowered position to limit access to a secured area;
FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example bracket of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1 with a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket and a detent for releasably engaging the arm in the bracket;
FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the bracket of FIG. 3 showing upper and lower lugs of the detent that retain the arm within a pocket of the bracket;
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method associated with the barrier arm operator for reengaging the arm after the arm has been partially disengaged from the bracket;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1 showing the arm in a deflected position relative to the bracket in a horizontal orientation after the arm has been partially disengaged;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the barrier arm operator turning the bracket from the horizontal orientation to cause engagement between a follower of the arm and a cam of the barrier arm operator;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 7 showing a neck portion of the follower engaging a vertical portion of the cam;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the barrier arm operator with the bracket turned farther vertically to shift the follower farther along the cam which further pivots the arm back into the bracket;
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 9 showing a sleeve portion of the follower engaging a lower, arcuate portion of the cam;
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the barrier arm operator having turned the bracket to a vertical orientation and the arm reengaged with the bracket;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 6 with a cover and a side door of the barrier arm operator housing removed to show internal components including a controller and a counterbalance;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 13-13 in FIG. 12 showing a shaft of the counterbalance coupled to a drive shaft of a gearbox;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example drivetrain that may be utilized in the barrier arm operator of FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the gearbox and counterbalance of FIG. 13 showing a coupling of the counterbalance that engages a pinion of the gearbox;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 16-16 in FIG. 15 showing opposite end portions of a torsion spring of the counterbalance engaged with a central shaft and support of the counterbalance radially outward from the central shaft;
FIGS. 17A and 17B together provide an exploded, perspective view of the counterbalance of FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another counterbalance that may provide a higher spring force for counterbalance of longer or heavier arms, the counterbalance having more torsion springs than the counterbalance of FIG. 15 to apply a greater torque to a central shaft of the counterbalance;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing internal components of an example indicator light of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an example method for operating the indicator light of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of the controller of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 showing a second embodiment of a counterbalance that may be utilized with the barrier arm operator of FIG. 1, the counterbalance installed to facilitate right-hand operation of the arm on the operator;
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 23-23 in FIG. 22 showing end portions of a torsion spring of the counterbalance engaged with a counterbalance shaft and a tubular support of the counterbalance;
FIG. 24 is an elevational view of the counterbalance of FIG. 22 showing a fastener protruding radially from a socket gear of the counterbalance, a limit switch, and a hard stop of the counterbalance;
FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 showing the counterbalance shaft as the arm is lowered in a clockwise direction and the fastener of the socket gear moves away from the limit switch and hard stop;
FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 24 showing the counterbalance shaft as the arm is lowered in a counterclockwise direction for the right-hand operation of the arm which causes the fastener of the socket gear to contact the limit switch and the hard stop;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the counterbalance of FIG. 22 flipped and installed to facilitate left-hand operation of the arm on the operator;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 28-28 in FIG. 27 showing end portions of one of the torsion springs engaged with the counterbalance shaft and a support tube;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken across line 29-29 in FIG. 27 showing the socket gear of FIG. 24 secured to the counterbalance shaft via a key and the fastener protruding radially outward from the socket gear;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 29 showing the arm lowered in a counterclockwise direction for the left-hand operation of the arm and the fastener having moved away from the limit switch and the hard stop;
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an example barrier arm operator with an arm assembly in a lowered position to limit access to a secured area;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 31 with the arm assembly in a raised position to permit access to the secured area;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the example barrier arm operator of FIGS. 31 and 32 with the arm assembly in a first position;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the example barrier arm operator of FIGS. 31 to 33 with the arm assembly in a second position;
FIG. 35 is a top view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 31;
FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional top view of the barrier arm operator of FIG. 35 as seen at a cross section taken below an upper portion of a first segment of a forcing rod assembly;
FIG. 37 is a flow diagram of an example method of using a movable barrier operator;
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the example barrier arm operator of FIGS. 31 and 32 in an inverse configuration with the arm assembly in the first position; and
FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the example barrier arm operator of FIG. 38 with the arm assembly in the second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION The embodiments set forth below represent the information to enable individuals to practice the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, individuals will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
Any flowcharts discussed herein are necessarily discussed in some sequence for purposes of illustration, but unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the examples are not limited to any particular sequence of steps. The use herein of ordinals in conjunction with an element is solely for distinguishing what might otherwise be similar or identical labels, such as “first axis” and “second axis,” and does not imply an initial occurrence, a quantity, a priority, a type, an importance, or other attribute, unless otherwise stated herein. As used herein and in the claims, the articles “a” and “an” in reference to an element refers to “one or more” of the element unless otherwise explicitly specified. The word “or” as used herein and in the claims is inclusive unless contextually impossible. As an example, the recitation of A or B means A, or B, or both A and B.
In general, barrier arm operators provided herein allow for enhanced control of an arm or arm assembly. The arm can include a single, fixed segment. The arm assembly can include a plurality of arm segments movably coupled (articulated) together. The barrier arm operator can permit the arm or arm assembly to breakaway from the operator when impacted by a vehicle without causing damage to the operator. The arm or arm assembly can be automatically reset after breakaway using an arm reset mechanism. The arm reset mechanism can include, for example, a cam surface against which a follower coupled to the arm or arm assembly is driven against to reset the arm or arm assembly.
Regarding FIG. 1, a barrier arm operator 10 is provided for limiting access to a secured area 12 and may be positioned along, for example, a driveway or road 14, that leads to a parking lot. The barrier arm operator 10 (hereinafter “operator 10”) includes a cover assembly 16 with an indicator light 18 that may illuminate different colors to identify different operator events, such as illuminating red when an arm 20 of the operator 10 is in a lowered position and illuminating green when the arm 20 is in a raised position (see FIG. 11). The operator 10 has a driving mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the drive 22) that is connected to the arm 20 via a bracket 24. The drive 22 can include, for example, a motor. The drive 22 is operable to turn, pivot, rotate or otherwise move the bracket 24 in a direction 26 to raise the arm 20 from a substantially horizontal orientation to an upright substantially vertical orientation and then subsequently turn, pivot, rotate or otherwise move the bracket in a second direction 28 (the second direction opposite to the first direction) to move the arm 20 back to the lowered position of FIG. 1. The operator 10 has a pivot connection 30 between the arm 20 and the bracket 24 that permits the arm 20, particularly a distal end 47 of arm 20, to pivot in direction 34 in response to a force such as a person moving the arm 20 or a vehicle or other object striking the arm 20 in direction 40. The impact of a vehicle in direction 40 disengages an arm body 42 from a detent 44 of the bracket 24 while a proximal portion 46 of the arm body 42 remains pivotally connected to the bracket 24 via the pivot connection 30. With reference to FIG. 6, the arm body 42 of the arm 20 is shown having been disengaged from the bracket 24 due to the impact of the vehicle while the arm 20 is in the lowered position.
The operator 10 has an arm reset mechanism 50 that facilitates reengaging of the arm 20 with the bracket 24 without human intervention, as will be described in detail hereafter. The arm reset mechanism 50 includes a follower 52 mounted to a proximal end portion 452 of the arm 20 spaced away from the pivot connection 30, and a cam 54 connected to or a portion of a housing 56 of the operator 10, as discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 6-11. The operator 10 turns the bracket 24 in direction 26 from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation which causes the follower 52 of the arm 20 to engage with one or more surfaces of the cam 54 which, in turn, causes pivoting of the arm 20 back into engagement with the bracket 24. The cam 54 may be configured on multiple adjacent surfaces of the housing 56 (which is shown generally shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped) and may be symmetrical about a vertical axis 60 that permits the operator 10 to utilize the arm reset mechanism 50 regardless of whether the operator 10 is installed so that the follower 52, when the arm 20 is lowered, is on a left side 62 of the housing 56 or a right side 64 (i.e., a side parallel to and opposite left side 62). For example, the operator 10 may be installed at a location 66 on an opposite side of the road 14 with the follower 52 on the left side 62 of the housing 56 when the arm 20 is lowered. The arm 20 is able to disengage from the bracket 24 due to an impact in direction 40 and the operator 10 is able to return the arm 20 to the reengaged position via the arm reset mechanism 50.
Regarding FIG. 2, the operator 10 has a controller 80 that is programmed with instructions for causing movement of the arm 20 and other functions/operations. The controller 80 upon executing the instructions is operable to communicate 82 with lights 84 of the indicator light 18 and to communicate 86 with an arm detection sensor 88 of the bracket 24. In one embodiment, the arm detection sensor 88 includes a hall effect sensor 90 (see FIG. 3) that detects a magnet of the arm 20. In other embodiments, the arm detection sensor 88 may alternatively be a microswitch, accelerometer, gyroscope, etc. in communication with the controller 80. The drive 22 includes a motor 96 and a gearbox 100, and the drive 22 receives communications 102 or commands regarding arm position control and acts upon the communications 102 by moving the bracket 24 and the arm 20 accordingly. The operator 10 further includes an encoder 110, such as an absolute position encoder ‘APE’, that communicates 112 arm position information to the controller 80. In one embodiment, the encoder 110 monitors movement of one or more components of the gearbox 100. The operator 10 further includes a counterbalance 120 that provides a bias force against the torque applied by the arm 20 to the gearbox 100 such that the counterbalance 120 maintains the arm 20 in the lowered position until the motor 96 is operated to raise the arm 20. The counterbalance 120 reduces the torque of the motor 96 to be applied to the arm 20 for moving the arm 20 between lowered (FIG. 1) and raised (FIG. 11) positions. The operator 10 further includes an alarm 122, such as an enunciator such as a speaker and/or light to indicate an alarm condition communicated 124 from the controller 80. For example, when the arm detection sensor 88 has detected that the arm 20 has been partially disengaged from the bracket 24, the controller 80 may cause a particular illumination (e.g., flashing, strobing, etc.) of the indicator light 18, as well as trigger an audible warning via a speaker of the alarm 122. As another example, when the operator 10 is automatically reengaging the arm 20 after the arm 20 has been struck by a vehicle, the controller 80 may operate a speaker of the alarm 122 to emit a series of beeps as the controller 80 slowly operates the motor 96 (i.e. at a speed that may be substantially slower than the motor 96 would normally raise the arm 20 for permitting access therebeyond) to perform the automatic reengaging process of FIG. 5.
Regarding FIG. 3, the bracket 24 has a body 140 with a channel 142, which is generally square-C shaped in cross section, to receive the arm body 42 therein. The body 140 has upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 and a wall portion or web 148 therebetween. The bracket 24 has a mounting portion 150 connected to the web 148 and configured to be secured to a drive shaft 151 (see FIG. 13) of the operator 10. The pivot connection 30 between the arm 20 and the bracket 24 includes a pivot shaft, such as a pin, rod, or sleeve 152 that extends between the upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 and may be secured in position via, for example, a threaded portion or bolt 154 and a fastener 156. The upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 have lips 160, 162 that are tapered or chamfered relative to the upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 to redirect the arm 20 into the channel 142 as the arm 20 pivots in direction 166. The upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 have pairs of bumps 168, 170 and 172, 174 in the outer surfaces such that an opposite side of the bumps 168, 170 and 172, 174 project slightly into the channel 142. The innermost portions of the bumps 168, 170 and 172, 174 are each separated by a distance 180 that is approximately the maximum height of the arm 20 received in the channel 142 to limit up-and-down, rattling movement of the arm in the channel 142.
Regarding FIG. 3, the detent 44 includes upper and lower spring plates 190, 192 that are secured to the upper and lower plate portions 144, 146 via one or more fasteners 194. The detent 44 includes upper lugs 200, 202 that are secured to arm portions 204, 206 of the spring plate 190. The spring plate 190 has one or more through openings, such as a Y-shaped slot 210 formed therein to increase the flexibility of the arm portions 204, 206. The Y-shaped slot 210 allows arm portions 204, 206 to pivot independently relative to one another as the arm 20 engages and disengages from the bracket 24. The spring plate 192 has a similar configuration with arm portions 220, 222 that support lower lugs 224, 226. The upper and lower spring plates 190, 192 may be made of a metallic material such as stainless steel. The upper lugs 200, 202 and lower lugs 224, 226 may be made of a polymeric material, such as a high strength, low friction elastic material such as Delrin® or the like with high durability, wear-resistance and inherent lubricity. An adapter 230 is releasably connected to the web 148 and is shaped to cooperate with or otherwise complement an outer profile of the body of the arm body 42, which may rectangular or cylindrical. The adapter 230 may also be made of a polymeric material, which may be the same material or different material from the aforementioned lugs. The hall effect sensor 90 is shown received in an opening 234 of the web 148. Regarding FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 24 has a stop, such as a bolt 240, that is configured to limit pivoting of the arm 20 as the arm pivots in direction 34 (see FIG. 1) due to an impact from a vehicle.
Regarding FIG. 4, the lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 and adapter 230 form a pocket 260 for receiving the arm 20. When the arm body 42 is urged out of the pocket 260 in direction 270 due to an impact from an object or a vehicle, an inclined leading surface 280 (see FIG. 13) of the arm body 42 engages an inner surface portion 282 of each of the lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 and urges the upper lugs 200, 202 in direction 288 as well as urges the lower lugs 224, 226 in direction 290. In other words, the impact from a vehicle or object urges the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 apart to enlarge a distance 292 between the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226, which permits the arm 20 to disengage from the bracket 24 in direction 270. The arm portions 204, 206, 220, 222 resiliently urge the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 back together to an initial configuration as shown in FIG. 4. The upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 have a curved outer surface 299 with a compound radius. Specifically, the curved outer surface 299 has an inner surface portion 282 with a first radius 300 and an outer surface portion 322 with a second radius 330 that is larger than the first radius 300. The first radius 300 is selected to provide enough resistance to movement of the arm 20 in direction 270 and keep the arm body 42 of the arm 20 within the pocket 260 and engaged with the bracket 24. The inner surface portion 282 has a plane 301 extending at an angle 303, such as approximately 110 degrees, relative to the associated spring plate 190, 192.
Once the operator 10 begins to automatically return the arm 20 in direction 271 back into engagement with the bracket 24, as shown in FIGS. 6-11, an inclined trailing surface 320 (see FIG. 13) of the arm body 42 engages the outer surface portion 322 of the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226. The camming engagement between the follower 52 and the cam 54 urges the arm body 42 further in direction 271 back into the pocket 260. The arm portions 204, 206 and 220, 222 resiliently deflect and permit the lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 to again shift apart in directions 288, 290 to enlarge the distance 292 therebetween and permit the arm body 42 to shift fully in direction 271 back into the pocket 260. The outer surface portions 322 of each of the lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 have a larger outer surface portion radius 330 that is larger than the first radius 300 of the inner surface portion 282. The larger outer surface portion radius 330 enables the outer surface portions 322 of the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 to apply less resistance to movement of the arm body 42 in direction 271 than the inner surface portions 282 as the arm moves in direction 270. The outer surface portion 322 has a plane 333 extending at an angle 331, such as 150 degrees, relative to the associated spring plate 190, 192. The angle 331 is larger than the angle 303 to reduce the resistance the upper and lower lugs 200, 202, 224, 226 provide against returning of the arm body 42 into the channel 142. In this manner, the lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226 are configured to more easily permit reengagement of the arm body 42 than the disengagement of the arm body 42 from the bracket 24.
Regarding FIG. 5, a method 400 is provided that the operator 10 may utilize to automatically return the arm 20 to the initial, engaged position in the bracket 24 (see FIG. 1) after the arm 20 has been struck by an object or a vehicle. The method 400 begins with block 402 wherein the arm 20 is in a lowered position and the bracket 24 is in the closed orientation as shown in FIG. 1. At block 404, the arm detection sensor 88 detects the arm 20 is engaged with the bracket 24. At block 406, an object, such as a vehicle, impacts the arm 20 and causes the arm 20 to pivot to a deflected position as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the arm 20 is shown having pivoted in direction 34 about the sleeve 152 and bolt 154 outward from the channel 142 of the bracket 24. The arm detection sensor 88 detects the arm 20 as disengaged from the bracket 24 at block 408. At block 410, in response to the arm detection sensor 88 detecting the arm 20 as disengaged, the controller 80 causes the motor 96 to turn the bracket 24 in direction 26, as shown in FIG. 7.
At block 412, the arm 20 turns with the bracket 24 in direction 26 about an axis 370, which engages the follower 52 with the cam 54. The engagement between the follower 52 and the cam 54 pivots the arm 20 in direction 166 back into the channel 142 of the bracket 24 as the motor 96 continues turning the bracket 24 in direction 26. More specifically and with reference to FIG. 8, the follower 52 has a sleeve portion 450 engaged with a proximal end portion 452 of the arm body 42. The sleeve portion 450 may be attached to the arm body 42 via fasteners, a weld, threads, or a snap/friction fit connection, as some examples. The follower 52 has a profiled outer surface 454 that facilitates smooth interaction of follower 52 and a cam path 456 of the cam 54 as the arm 20 pivots in direction 26 with the bracket 24. More specifically, the profiled outer surface 454 includes surface portions of a shoulder portion 460, a neck portion 462, and a head portion 464 of the sleeve portion 450. Initially, the shoulder portion 460 contacts an initial or vertical portion 470 of the cam 54 as shown in FIG. 8. The continued turning of the bracket 24 in direction 26 slides the shoulder portion 460 and then the sleeve portion 450 sequentially into engagement with the cam 54. The shoulder portion 460 provides a smooth transition between the neck portion 462 and the sleeve portion 450 to facilitate redirecting of the follower 52 about the cam path 456.
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bracket 24 has been turned in direction 26 to approximately a ten o'clock position (with reference to an upper, vertical portion of the operator 10) in FIG. 9 and the sleeve portion 450 of the follower 52 is engaging the arcuate portion 472 of the cam 54. The arm body 42 has an end 500 and the follower 52 projects from the end 500 of the arm body 42. The follower 52 engages the arcuate portion 472 of the cam 54 at a distance 502 from the end 500 of the arm body 42. The protruding configuration of the follower 52 from the end 500 of the arm body 42 creates a lever arm portion 504 of the arm 20 that is longer than if the arm body 42 directly contacted the cam 54. The longer lever arm portion 504 enables the operator 10 to apply a greater torque upon the arm 20 as the operator 10 turns the bracket 24 in direction 26 and returns the arm 20 back into the channel 142 of the bracket 24.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 11, at block 414, the arm 20 is in the raised position and the bracket 24 is in a vertical (open) orientation thereof. At this point, the arm 20 has fully pivoted back into the channel 142, the arm 20 has deflected the upper and lower lugs 200, 202 and 224, 226, and the arm 20 has been seated against the adapter 230 (see FIG. 3). At block 416, the arm detection sensor 88 detects the arm 20 is engaged with the bracket 24. At this point, the controller 80 lowers the arm 20 by pivoting the bracket 24 in direction 28 such that the bracket returns to a horizontal orientation and the arm is in the lowered position. In this manner, the controller 80 detects when the arm 20 has been forced out of the bracket 24, reengages the arm 20 with the bracket 24, and returns the arm 20 to the initial, lowered position whereby the arm 20 controls access to the secured area 12 all without user intervention. When the arm 20 is reengaged with the bracket 24, the follower 52 is spaced from the cam 54 such that the operator 10 may raise and lower the arm 20 without engagement between the follower 52 and the cam 54. Rather, the follower 52 and cam 54 engage when the arm 20 has been pivoted out of engagement with the bracket 24 and the motor 96 turns the bracket 24, as discussed previously.
Regarding FIG. 12, the operator 10 is shown with the cover assembly 16 and a side door 68 (see FIG. 1) removed from the housing 56 to expose an interior 550 that houses components, including the controller 80 and the counterbalance 120. Regarding FIG. 13, a cross-sectional view is provided that shows the connections between the counterbalance 120, the gearbox 100, the bracket 24, and the arm 20. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 17A, 17B, the counterbalance 120 includes mounting plates 600, 602 held in fixed spaced apart relation by support tubes 604. The support tubes 604 are secured to the mounting plates 600, 602 with support bolts 606 having shafts that extend through openings of the mounting plates 600, 602 and engage female threads of the support tubes 604. The mounting plates 600, 602 have through openings 620, 622 (see FIGS. 17A and 17B) that receive a counterbalance shaft 626 with a channel 628 therein. As discussed in greater detail below, the counterbalance 120 includes torsion springs 630, 632, 634 each having an end portion 640, 642, 644 engaged in the channel 628 and an opposite, second end portion 650, 652, 654 that is engaged with the support tube 604.
Regarding FIGS. 13 and 15, the counterbalance shaft 626 has a coupler fixed thereto such as a socket gear 660 and the gearbox 100 has a drive shaft 151 with a pinion gear 662 fixed thereto. The socket gear 660 and pinion gear 662 are releasably connected to each other for transferring turning of the drive shaft 151 to turning of the counterbalance shaft 626. The counterbalance 120 is configured to provide a torque to the drive shaft 151 to counteract the weight of the arm 20 when the arm 20 is moved from the upright position (FIG. 11) to the lowered position (FIG. 1).
The bracket 24 is secured to the drive shaft 151 at an opposite end of the drive shaft 151 from the counterbalance shaft 626. The counterbalance shaft 626, drive shaft 151, and bracket 24 are rotationally fixed such that turning of the drive shaft 151 causes associated corresponding turning of the counterbalance shaft 626 and the bracket 24. The gearbox 100 includes bearings 680, 682 rotatably supporting the drive shaft 151 and a gear 684 fixed to the drive shaft 151. The gear 684 is driven by the motor 96 to cause turning of the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 626 and bracket 24 are connected thereto.
Regarding FIG. 14, in one embodiment, the gearbox 100 includes a drive train 700 that receives a rotary input from the motor 96 and translates the rotary movement of the motor 96 into rotary movement of the gear 684. FIG. 14 has portions of the gearbox 100 and counterbalance 120 hidden to provide an unobstructed view of the components of the drive train 700. In one embodiment, the drive train 700 includes a shaft 702 with a worm gear shaft 704 thereon. The drive train 700 further includes a worm gear 706 meshed with the worm gear shaft 704 and secured to a shaft 708 that is rotatably mounted within the gearbox 100 via the bearings 710. The gear 684 of the drive shaft 151 is engaged with a gear mounted to the shaft 708 such that rotation of the worm gear 706 and shaft 708 in one direction causes rotation of the gear 684 and drive shaft 151 in an opposite direction. The mesh between a worm gear 706 and the worm gear shaft 704 inhibits rotation of the gear 684 and drive shaft 151 connected thereto without turning of the shaft 702 by the motor 96. In other words, the drive shaft 151 and a combination of the bracket 24 and arm 20 connected thereto are held in position by way of the mesh between the worm gear 706 and the worm gear shaft 704, such as in the lowered position of FIG. 1, until the motor 96 is operated to turn the shaft 702, the worm gear 706, shaft 708, and the gear 684.
Regarding FIG. 15, the mounting plate 602 is connected to the gearbox via bolts 750 that engage threaded bosses 752 of the gearbox 100. When the arm 20 extends from the right side 64 (see FIG. 1) of the operator 10 in the lowered position of the arm 20, the mounting plate 602 is secured to the gearbox 100 (see FIG. 12). The orientation of the counterbalance is confirmed by directional indicia 633 (e.g., arrows) on the torsion springs 630, 632, 634, which point in the direction that the arm 20 extends relative to the operator 10 when the arm 20 is lowered, such as right side 64. In case the arm 20 is to be installed in a reverse orientation where the arm 20 in the lowered position thereof extends from the left side 62 of the operator 10, an installer disengages the bolts 750 to disconnect the counterbalance 120 from the gearbox 100, flips the counterbalance 120 to position the mounting plate 600 closer to the gearbox 100 than the mounting plate 602, swaps the position of the socket gear 660 and a retainer 760 of the counterbalance on the shaft 626 (see FIGS. 17A and 17B), and secures the mounting plate 600 to the gearbox 100 using the bolts 750. In this manner, the counterbalance 120 is operable to counteract the weight of the arm 20 whether the arm 20 protrudes from right side 64 of the operator as shown in FIG. 1 as well as when the operator 10 is installed such that the arm 20 protrudes from the left side 62 of the operator 10.
With reference to FIG. 16, with the operator 10 in the configuration of FIG. 11, the counterbalance 120 is shown with the arm 20 is in the open position when the bracket 24 is in a vertical orientation. The torsion spring 632 has an initial configuration and is generally unloaded. Once the motor 96 causes turning of the bracket 24 in direction 28 (see FIG. 1) to lower the arm 20, the counterbalance shaft 626 likewise rotates in direction 28. The turning of the counterbalance shaft 626 in direction 28 loads the torsion spring 632 due to the fixed engagement between the end portion 642 of the torsion spring 632 in the channel 628 and the engagement between a bend 800 of the end portion 652 of the torsion spring 632 wrapped around the support tube 604. The torsion spring 632 has gaps 802 between coils 804 of the torsion spring 632 that narrow as the counterbalance shaft 626 turns in direction 28. In the event that one of the coils 804 breaks, the torsion spring 632 still extends around the counterbalance shaft 626 and is retained thereby such that the broken torsion spring 632 cannot fully disengage and travel across the interior 550 of the operator 10. Further, when the arm 20 is in the upright vertical position, the torsion spring 632 is unloaded. Thus, the operator 10 may have a maintenance mode whereby the controller 80 causes the motor 96 to automatically turn the bracket 24 to the upright, open position to ensure that the torsion spring 632 is unloaded during service. It will be appreciated that the discussion above with respect to the torsion spring 632 applies to the torsion springs 634, 630 as well.
With reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the counterbalance 120 includes set screws 850 for securing the retainer 760 to the counterbalance shaft 626. The counterbalance 120 further includes bearings 852, 854 for supporting the counterbalance shaft 626 in the through openings 620, 622 of the mounting plates 600, 602 and washers 860, 862, 864, 866, 868, 870 to reduce friction between the components of the counterbalance 120 as the counterbalance shaft 626 turns with raising and lowering of the arm 20. The counterbalance 120 has a key 880 that engages a keyway portion 882 of the channel 628 as well as a corresponding keyway portion formed in the radially inner surface of the socket gear 660 to fix the socket gear 660 against rotation relative to the counterbalance shaft 626. The channel 628 has a matching keyway portion 884 that permits the key 880 to be received therein in the event that the socket gear 660 is connected to an opposite end of the counterbalance shaft 626 to facilitate the position of the arm 20 to protrude from the left side 62 (see FIG. 1) as discussed above.
Regarding FIG. 18, a counterbalance 900 is provided that is similar in many respects to the counterbalance 120 discussed previously such that differences will be highlighted. The counterbalance 900 includes mounting plates 902, 904 that are similar to the mounting plates 600, 602 previously discussed. One difference between the counterbalances 120 and 900 is that the counterbalance 900 has a counterbalance shaft 906 as well as tubular supports 908 that are longer than corresponding structures of the counterbalance 120. The longer counterbalance shaft 906 and tubular supports 908 accommodate a larger number of torsion springs 910 than the counterbalance 120. In FIG. 18, there are nine counterbalance springs 910 which impart a greater torque to the counterbalance shaft 906 for a given angular displacement of the counterbalance shaft 906 than would the counterbalance 120. The increased torque applied to the counterbalance shaft 906 allows the counterbalance 900 to counteract the weight of a longer or heavier arm 20. For example, the counterbalance 900 in FIG. 18 may be used to counteract the weight of an arm 20 that is approximately 15 feet long.
With respect to FIG. 19, the cover assembly 16 is shown with a lid 1000 (see FIG. 1) removed to show components of the indicator light 18. The indicator light 18 includes transparent or translucent portions 1002, 1004 such as shaped plastic parts. The indicator light 18 further includes lights 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016 that may be independently turned on or off as discussed in greater detail hereafter. In one embodiment, each of the lights 1010-1016 includes LEDs 1020 mounted to a circuit board 1022. The LEDs 1020 are on a front side 1024 of the circuit board 1022 and a light controller 1028 and a connector 1029 are on a rear side 1030 of each circuit board 1022. The cover assembly 16 includes supports 1034 such as posts to which the circuit boards 1022 are secured. As shown in FIG. 19, the circuit boards 1022 are oriented to position the front sides 1024 with LEDs thereon to emit light outwardly through the transparent or translucent portions 1002, 1004. In another embodiment, a flexible light strip with LEDs that extends about the interior of the cover assembly 16 may be utilized instead of the circuit boards 1022.
Regarding FIG. 20, a method 1100 is provided that may be implemented by the controller 80 of the operator 10 to selectively limit one or more of the lights 1010-1016 from emitting light in response to a barrier arm operator event. The limiting of the operation of the one or more lights 1010-1016 may be desired where there is a traffic control device (e.g., stop light) nearby such that it is desirable to adjust the light emitted from the indicator light 18 to prevent driver confusion. The method 1100 includes block 1102 wherein the controller 80 receives a user input identifying a portion of the indicator light 18 that is not to illuminate in response to a barrier arm operator event. For example, a technician or installer may provide a user input to a user interface 81 in response to a prompt provided by a display of the user interface 81. The user interface 81 may include, for example, a keypad and a display or a touchscreen display. The user input may identify one or more of the lights 1010-1016 that should not illuminate in response to a barrier arm operator event. As another example, the operator 10 includes a wired or wireless communication interface to receive and transmit messages (e.g., regarding actions or status) between the operator 10 and another device, such as a remote server computer, and the controller 80 may receive user input via the internet in response to a user providing the user input via a client application executed at a user device, such as a user's smartphone.
The method 1100 further includes block 1104 wherein the controller 80 determines one or more of the lights 1010-1016 that correspond to the portion of the indicator light identified by the user input. For example, a user input may indicate that the technician wants a light on one side of the operator 10 to not illuminate in response to a barrier arm operator event. The controller 80 then determines which one or more of the lights 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016 are to be deactivated such that they do not illuminate in response to the barrier arm operator event. The method 1100 further includes block 1106 wherein the controller 80 configures the one or more lights 1010-1016 to not illuminate in response to the barrier arm operator event. For example, the controller 80 may determine that the light 1014 is not to be activated in response to the barrier arm operator event and the controller 80 thereafter does not send an activation signal to the light controller 1028 of the light 1014 upon detecting the barrier arm operator event. The barrier arm operator event may be, for example, the arm being in a closed position, an open position, raising, lowering, or an error condition such as the arm 20 having been disengaged from the bracket as discussed previously.
Regarding FIG. 21, a schematic view of the controller 80 is provided that includes an application level 1150, a driver level 1152, a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) level 1154, and a physical connections level 1156. For example, the controller at the application level 1150 may receive communications via a vehicle detection application 1160 that interfaces with a vehicle detection device, such as a camera or a vehicle loop detector. The application level 1150 may further include a timer-to-close application (TTC) 1162 that causes the operator 10 to automatically move the arm 20 from the raised, open position to the lowered, closed position in response to expiration of the predetermined time period. The physical connections level 1156 of the controller 80 include communication circuitry 1170 which may include an ethernet interface 1172, a Wi-Fi interface 1174, and a cellular network interface 1176.
Regarding FIG. 22, a counterbalance 1200 is provided that may be used in place of the counterbalance 120 discussed above. The counterbalance 1200 has a right-hand configuration as shown in FIG. 22 wherein the counterbalance 1200 counteracts the weight of the arm 20 as the arm 20 lowers toward the right side 64 of the operator 10. The counterbalance 1200 may be flipped from the right-hand configuration of FIG. 22 to a left-hand configuration of FIG. 27. In the left-hand configuration, the counterbalance 1200 counteracts the weight of the arm 20 as the arm 20 lowers toward the left side 62 of the operator 10.
The counterbalance 1200 has a counterbalance shaft 1202 and first and second socket gears 1204 (see FIG. 27), 1206 (see FIG. 22) that are connected to opposite ends of the counterbalance shaft 1202. The teeth of the first socket gear 1204 engage the pinion gear 662 (see FIG. 15) of gearbox 100 when the counterbalance 1200 is installed in the first configuration of FIG. 22. Conversely, the teeth of the second socket gear 1206 engage the pinion gear 662 of the gearbox 100 when the counterbalance 1200 is in the second configuration of FIG. 27.
Regarding FIGS. 22 and 23, the counterbalance 1200 has mounting plates 1210, 1212 and support tubes 1214, 1216 that keep the mounting plates 1210, 1212 in a spaced apart relationship. The mounting plate 1210 has openings 1220, 1222, 1224 that receive bolts 1226, 1228, 1230 with threaded shanks that engage bosses 752 (see FIG. 15) of the gearbox 100 to secure the counterbalance 1200 to the gearbox 100 when the counterbalance 1200 is in the right-hand configuration of FIG. 22. The mounting plate 1212 includes openings 1240, 1242, 1244 that receive the bolts 1226, 1228, 1230 to secure the counterbalance 1200 to the gearbox 100 when the counterbalance 1200 is in the left hand configuration of FIG. 27.
Regarding FIG. 22, the counterbalance shaft 1202 is shown in a top dead center position. The counterbalance 1200 has a stop such as a stop fastener 1250 to limit turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1252 beyond a predetermined limit position, such as 15 degrees counterclockwise from the top dead center position of the counterbalance shaft 1202 shown in FIG. 22. If the counterbalance shaft 1202 turns beyond the predetermined limit position in direction 1252, the counterbalance shaft 1202 may damage torsion springs 1260 of the counterbalance 1200 due to the shape or winding of the torsion springs 1260 (see FIG. 23). For example, turning the counterbalance shaft 1202 too far in direction 1252 may cause the torsion springs 1260 to unwind or uncoil and plastically deform the torsion springs 1260.
More specifically and with reference to FIG. 22, the second socket gear 1206 has a stop portion, such as a fastener 1254, protruding radially therefrom that is configured to abut the stop fastener 1250 to provide a hard stop that limits further turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 beyond the predetermined limit position (see FIG. 26). The fasteners 1250, 1254 thereby cooperate to provide a hard stop for the counterbalance shaft 1202 and limit turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 beyond the predetermined limit position which prevents damage to torsion springs 1260 of the counterbalance 1200. Further, the hard stop provided by the abutting fasteners 1250, 1254 resist the inertia of the arm 20 and other components connected to the counterbalance shaft 1202 from turning the counterbalance shaft 1202 too far in direction 1252 and permanently deforming the torsion springs 1260.
During installation of the operator 10, the installer provides a user input to the user interface 81 that indicates whether the operator 10 is being configured for right-hand operation (the operator 10 lowers the arm 20 on the right side 64) or left-hand operation (the operator 10 lowers the arm 20 on the left side 62). Regarding FIG. 22, the counterbalance 1200 includes a position sensor, such as a limit switch 1270, mounted to the mounting plate 1210. The limit switch 1270 sends a signal to the controller 80 of the operator 10 upon the fastener 1254 turning in direction 1252 into proximity with the stop fastener 1250. In response to the controller 80 receiving the signal from the limit switch 1270, the controller 80 can determine that the operator 10 has been setup incorrectly. The controller 80 may provide an alert to the installer via the user interface 81 to flip the counterbalance 1200 to the correct configuration.
Regarding FIGS. 22 and 23, one or more of the torsion springs 1260 have arrows 1280 that point in a direction that the arm 20 should extends relative to the operator 10 when the arm 20 is lowered. As shown in FIG. 22, the arrows 1280 point to the right side 64 of the operator 10 and indicate that the counterbalance 1200 is in the right hand configuration to support lowering of the arm 20 toward the right side 64 of the operator 10.
Regarding FIG. 23, each of the torsion springs 1260 have a first end portion 1290 secured in a channel 1292 of the counterbalance shaft 1202 and a second end portion 1294 engaged with the support tube 1214. When the operator 10 is correctly setup for right hand operation of the arm 20, the motor 96 turns the drive shaft 151 (see FIG. 13) in direction 1300 and counterbalance shaft 1202 connected thereto. Turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1300 loads the torsion springs 1260 due to the fixed engagement between the end portions 1290, 1294 with the counterbalance shaft 1202 and support tube 1214. The torsion spring 1282 resiliently resists turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 and drive shaft 151 connected thereto in direction 1300 and counteracts the weight of the arm 20 connected to the drive shaft 151.
Regarding FIG. 24, the second socket gear 1206 and the first socket gear 1204 (see FIG. 27) are non-rotatably connected to the counterbalance shaft 1202 keys 1310, 1311 that extend in keyways 1312, 1314 (see FIG. 27) of the first and second socket gears 1204, 1206 and a keyway 1316 of the counterbalance shaft 1202. Each of the first and second socket gears 1204, 1206 include a key set screw 1320 that is tightened down to fix the keys 1310, 1311 in position between the first and second socket gears 1204, 1206 and the counterbalance shaft 1202.
Regarding FIG. 24, the counterbalance shaft 1202 is shown at a top dead center orientation with the arm 20 oriented vertically. If the installer has correctly identified to the controller 80 that the operator 10 is setup for right handed operation, the motor 96 will turn the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 in direction 1300 when the user provides a close command via the user interface 81. Turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1300 when the counterbalance 1200 is installed in the right handed operation configuration causes a fastener head 1330 of the fastener 1254 to turn away from the limit switch 1270 and the stop fastener 1250 as shown in FIG. 25.
If the installer has incorrectly identified to the controller 80 that the operator 10 is setup for left handed operation, but the counterbalance 1200 is installed in the right handed operation configuration of FIG. 22, the motor 96 will turn the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 in direction 1252 to lower the arm 20 toward the left side 62 of the operator 10 (see FIGS. 22, 25, and 26). Turning the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1252 when the counterbalance 1200 is installed in the right hand operation configuration of FIG. 22 causes the fastener head 1330 to turn toward the limit switch 1270 and the stop fastener 1250.
Regarding FIG. 26, the limit switch 1270 has a pivotal, resilient arm 1350 with an inclined portion 1352 and an elbow 1354. As the counterbalance shaft 1202 turns in direction 1252, the fastener head 1330 cams the inclined portion 1352 outward and pivots the resilient arm 1350 in direction 1360 against a contact 1362 of the limit switch 1270. The engaged resilient arm 1350 and contact 1362 closes the limit switch 1270 and causes the limit switch 1270 to send a signal to the controller 80. In response to the signal from the limit switch 1270, the controller 80 causes the motor 96 to stop or reverse turning of the drive shaft 151 and counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1252. The controller 80 also provides an alert via the user interface 81.
Regarding FIG. 27, the counterbalance 1200 is shown installed in the left hand operation configuration wherein the mounting plate 1212 is secured to the gearbox 100 via the bolts 1226, 1228, 1230 while the mounting plate 1210 is facing away from the gearbox 100. Further, the limit switch 1270 is shown positioned between the mounting plate 1212 and the gearbox 100 with the counterbalance 1200 installed in the left hand operation configuration. The arrows 1280 are oriented to the left in FIG. 27 and point to the left side 62 of the operator 10 to indicate that the counterbalance 1200 is configured to support the arm 20 as the arm 20 is lowered toward the left side 62 of the operator 10.
Regarding FIG. 28, the motor 96 is configured to turn the drive shaft 151 and the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1380 to lower the arm 20 toward the left side 62 of the operator 10, which loads the torsion springs 1260.
Regarding FIG. 29, a cross-sectional view of the counterbalance 1200 is shown including the second socket gear 1206 fixed to the counterbalance shaft 1202 via the key 1310. With the counterbalance 1200 installed in the left hand operation configuration of FIG. 27, the fastener head 1330 is proximate the limit switch 1270 when the counterbalance shaft 1202 and arm 20 are at top dead center. When the motor 96 turns the drive shaft 151 and counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1380 to lower the arm 20 toward the left side 62 of the operator 10, the fastener head 1330 turns away from the limit switch 1270 and stop fastener 1250 in direction 1380 to a position shown in FIG. 30.
If the installer incorrectly indicated to the controller 80 that the operator 10 of FIG. 29 was setup for right hand operation, the motor 96 would turn the drive shaft 151 and counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1390 to lower the arm 20 toward the right side 64 of the operator 10. Turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1390 when the counterbalance is installed in the left hand operation configuration causes the fastener head 1330 to move in direction 1390 into contact with the resilient arm 1350 of the limit switch 1270 and causes the limit switch 1270 to send a signal to the controller 80. Continued turning of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1390 would cause the fastener head 1330 to abut the stop fastener 1250 and limit further turning of the drive shaft 151, arm 20, and counterbalance shaft in direction 1390.
In another aspect of the operator 10, the limit switch 1270 facilitates the controller 80 determining the top dead center position of the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 in the event the encoder 110 becomes faulty and is replaced. More specifically and with reference to FIG. 24, a new encoder 110 is installed and the controller 80 operates the motor 96 to turn the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 in direction 1252 until the limit switch 1270 sends a signal to the controller 80 due to the fastener 1254 contacting the limit switch 1270. The controller 80 may then cause the motor 96 to turn the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 in direction 1300 a rotary distance of 15 degrees to the top dead center position of the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20. The controller 80 then associates the current data from the encoder 110 with the top dead center position of the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20. The controller 80 may perform similar operations to determine a top dead center position of the drive shaft 151, counterbalance shaft 1202, and arm 20 when the counterbalance 1200 is installed in the left hand operation configuration of FIG. 27.
Regarding FIG. 24, The controller 80 may utilize the signal from the limit switch 1270 to determine the rotational position of the counterbalance shaft 1202 in other use cases. For example, if the installation of the operator 10 involves applying a preload to the torsion springs 1260, the controller 80 can turn the drive shaft 151 and counterbalance shaft 1202 without the arm 20 connected to the drive shaft 151 in direction 1252 until the fastener head 1330 contacts the limit switch 1270 and then turn the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1300 to an angular position where the torsion springs 1260 are preloaded and the arm 20 may be connected to the drive shaft 151. As yet another use case, if the arm 20 is disconnected from the operator 10 post-installation and the angular position of the counterbalance shaft 1202 is known, the signal from the limit switch 1270 can be used by the controller 80 to keep the motor 96 from over-rotating the counterbalance shaft 1202 in direction 1252.
Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, an arm assembly 3100 is provided that may be used in place of the arm 20 discussed above to selectively limit access to the secured area 12 (FIG. 1). The arm assembly 3100 includes a first arm segment 3102 and a second arm segment 3104 (collected referred to hereinafter as arm segments 3102 and 3104) coupled together at a pivot point 3106. The arm segments 3102 and 3104 can articulate relative to one another about a pivot axis 3108 formed at the pivot point 3106. The pivot axis 3108 is horizontally, or generally horizontally, oriented to allow for articulation of the arm segments 3102 and 3104 when the operator 10 is engaged (i.e., driving the arm assembly 3100), while maintaining the arm assembly 3100 in a single (vertical) plane of operation. Arm assemblies 3100 having arm segments 3102 and 3104 that articulate relative to each other as described in embodiments herein may be referred to as articulated arms. As compared to rigid (non-articulating) arm assemblies, articulated arms exhibit reduced effective heights in the raised position, allowing easier clearance for overhead objects (like trees and buildings) and reduced torque requirements by the operator 10 to raise the articulated arm.
In an embodiment, the arm segments 3102 and 3104 may be oriented parallel to one another when the articulated arm is in the lowered position (FIG. 31). The arm segments 3102 and 3104 may be angularly offset from one another when the articulated arm is in the raised position (FIG. 32). For example, the second arm segment 3104 may be angularly offset from the first arm segment 3102 by at least 20°, such as at least 45°, such as at least 80°, such as approximately 90° when the articulated arm is in the raised position. While the first arm segment 3102 is in a vertical, or generally vertical, orientation when the arm assembly 3100 is in the raised position, the second arm segment 3104 can remain in the horizontal, or generally horizontal, orientation with the arm assembly 3100 in the raised position. The second arm segment 3104 can remain in the horizontal, or generally horizontal, orientation in the lowered position, in the raised position, and/or when the arm assembly 3100 is in transit (travelling) between the lowered position and the raised position.
The first arm segment 3102 can be connected to the operator 10, e.g., via the bracket 24 as previously described above. The first arm segment 3102 is in the substantially horizontal orientation when the arm assembly 3100 is in the lowered position. As the bracket 24 pivots, rotates or otherwise moves in direction 26 from the lowered position, the first arm segment 3102 raises from the substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical (upright) orientation to allow vehicle access to the secured area 12. To return the arm assembly 3100 to the lowered position, the bracket 24 can pivot, rotate or otherwise move in the direction 28 until the arm assembly 3100 is at the lowered (horizontal) position.
A forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the articulated arm to affect a state of the second arm segment 3104 relative to the first arm segment 3102 as the arm assembly 3100 is rotatably driven by the bracket 24. In particular, the forcing rod assembly 3110 may cause the second arm segment 3104 to articulate relative to the first arm segment 3102 about the pivot axis 3108 in response to the arm assembly 3100 being driven by the bracket 24 in directions 26 and 28.
The forcing rod assembly 3110 can be coupled to the operator 10 and extends towards the second arm segment 3104. In an embodiment, a first end of the forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the operator 10 and a second end of the forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the second arm segment 3104. In an embodiment, the forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the housing 56 of the movable barrier operator 10 via a mount 3112. The mount 3112 can be coupled to the housing 56 of the operator 10 or another structure of the operator 10. In the depicted embodiment, the mount 3112 is disposed at a vertical elevation above the arm segments 3102 and 3104. The mount 3112 extends from the operator 10 to an external location outside of the housing 56. The mount 3112 can include a bearing or other relatively low-friction, rotatable structure that interfaces between the forcing rod assembly 3110 and the operator 10 to form a rotational axis 3122 about which the forcing rod assembly 3110 can move as the articulated arm is driven by the bracket 24 between the lowered position and the raised position.
In an embodiment, the forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the second arm segment 3104 through a flange 3118. The flange 3118 can be coupled to or part of the second arm segment 3104 at a location near the pivot point 3106. The flange 3118 can extend from the second arm segment 3104, e.g., in an upward direction, and rotatably interface with the forcing rod assembly 3110. The second segment 3116 can be coupled to the flange 3118 about a rotatable interface 3120. The rotatable interface 3120 can be oriented parallel with respect to the pivot axis 3108 of the pivot point 3106. In this regard, the forcing rod assembly 3110 can act similar to a four bar linkage, causing the articulated arm to articulate as the arm assembly 3100 is driven by the bracket 24 in directions 26 and 28.
In some implementations, the forcing rod assembly 3110 allows a user to tune the articulated arm. More particularly, the forcing rod assembly 3110 may allow the user to tune a relative angle of the second arm segment 3104 in the raised and lowered positions. For example, a relative angular orientation of the second arm segment 3104, as measured with respect to a ground surface and/or the first arm segment 3102, can be adjusted by changing an effective length of the forcing rod assembly 3110. By shortening the forcing rod assembly 3110, the second arm segment 3104 is rotated about the rotational axis 3108 in a direction opposite direction 3105. Thus, shortening the forcing rod assembly 3110 allows the user to correct for sagging. Conversely, by lengthening the forcing rod assembly 3110, the second arm segment 3104 is rotated about the rotational axis 3108 in the direction 3105, thus adding sag to the second arm segment 3104. By tuning the length of the forcing rod assembly 3110, the user may align the longitudinal axis of the arm segments 3102 and 3104, thereby increasing aesthetic and longevity of the articulated arm.
In an embodiment, the forcing rod assembly 3110 comprises a first segment 3114 and a second segment 3116. Each of the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can have an elongated shape to collectively form an elongated rod-like structure. As described in greater detail below, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can be coupled together through a rotational interface that allows the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 to rotate relative to one another under one or more conditions (e.g., a breakout condition as described below). Absent the one or more conditions, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 operate as a single, rigid rod. The single, rigid rod drives articulation of the articulated arm as described above. However, the forcing rod assembly 3110 may not act like a single, rigid rod when the one or more conditions are present. When the one or more conditions are present, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can rotate relative to one another to allow the breakaway condition without damage to the arm assembly 3100.
In an embodiment, the first segment 3114 includes an elongated member having a C-shaped cross-sectional profile. The second segment 3116 can include an elongated member having a relatively uniform cross-sectional profile, which may be referred to as a rod. This arrangement can be reversed such that the first segment 3114 includes a rod and the second segment 3116 includes a C-shaped elongated member. In yet other embodiments, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can have other shapes and arrangements. The first segment 3114 can include a receiving area (e.g., an area defined by a C-shaped channel of the C-shaped elongated member) in which a portion of the rod of the second segment 3116 is disposed. The rod is rotatably coupled to the C-shaped channel to permit relative movement of the rod and C-shaped channel relative to one another. See, for example, FIGS. 35 and 36. Yet other configurations and arrangements are contemplated herein.
FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate top views of a portion of the operator 10 as seen with the arm assembly 3100 in the lowered position. Specifically, FIG. 35 depicts the operator 10 as seen from above while FIG. 36 depicts a top view as seen at a cross section taken below an upper portion 3128 (FIG. 35) of the first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110.
As previously described, the first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can be coupled to the operator 10 through a rotational interface such that the first segment 3114 rotates about the rotational axis 3122 when the bracket 24 drives the articulated arm about the axis 370 between the lowered and raised positions. The mount 3112 can include a block 3130 defining an opening 3132 in which a pin, rod, or sleeve 3134 extends to form a rotational axis 3136. In an embodiment, the first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 is coupled to the pin, rod, or sleeve 3134 and can rotate about the rotational axis 3136 as described below in greater detail.
The first and second segments 3114 and 3116 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can be coupled together through a rotational interface such that the second segment 3116 can move relative to the first segment 3114 about a rotational axis 3142. The rotational axis 3142 can be vertically, or generally vertically, oriented when the arm assembly 3100 is in the lowered position. The first segment 3114 can include an opening 3144 in which a pin, rod, or sleeve 3146 extends to form the rotational axis 3142. The second segment 3116 can be coupled to the pin, rod, or sleeve 3146 to allow for rotational movement of the second segment 3116 relative to the first segment 3114. In one implementation, the second segment 3116 includes a threaded opening 3148 that receives and engages threads 3150 of an eye bolt 3152. The eye bolt 3152 can be threaded into the threaded opening 3148 to interface with the second segment 3116. The eye bolt 3152 further includes an eye (opening) 3154 which is retained at the rotational axis 3142 by the pin, rod, or sleeve 3146. In some instances, the effective length of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can be adjusted by adjusting (tightening or loosening) the threads 3150 of the eye bolt 3152 relative to the threaded opening 3148.
As described above, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can act as a single, rigid rod absent one or more conditions. That is, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can remain parallel with respect to one another absent the one or more conditions. However, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can move relative to one another about the rotational axis 3142 upon occurrence of the one or more conditions. The one or more conditions can include, for example, an impact with the arm assembly 3110. The impact can occur when a vehicle attempts to pass through the arm assembly 3110 when the arm assembly 3110 is in the lowered position. To prevent the forcing rod assembly 3110 from breaking as a result of impact, and as described in greater detail below, the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can instead move relative to one another about the rotational axis 3142. More particularly, the second segment 3116 can move relative to the first segment 3114 about the rotational axis 3142.
As described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 11, the arm assembly 3100 may disengage (breakaway) from the bracket 24 due to impact of the vehicle while the arm assembly 3100 is in the lowered position. Breakaway of the arm assembly 3100 upon impact prevents damage to the arm assembly 3100 and allows for easy resetting of the arm assembly 3100 after impact. FIG. 33 depicts the arm assembly 3100 in the lowered position prior to impact of a vehicle. The arm assembly 3100 is depicted in FIG. 33 in a first (in-use) position. FIG. 34 depicts the arm assembly 3100 in the lowered position after impact of the vehicle, i.e., prior to resetting the operator 10 to the configuration depicted in FIG. 33. The arm assembly 3100 is depicted in FIG. 34 in a second (breakaway) position. Impact of the vehicle can cause the arm assembly 3100 to pivot from the first (in-use) position depicted in FIG. 33 to the second (breakaway) position depicted in FIG. 34.
When the arm assembly 3100 is in the first (in-use), lowered position and impacted by a vehicle travelling in direction 3126 (FIG. 33), the arm segments 3102 and 3104 break away (rotate) about the rotational axis 3124. In an embodiment, the arm segments 3102 and 3104 move together about the rotational axis 3124 from the first position to the second position. The arm segments 3102 and 3104 remain in the second position until being reset, e.g., by rotating the arm segments 3102 and 3104 about the rotational axis 3124.
The forcing rod assembly 3110 can also move from a first position to a second position in response to vehicle impact. For example, the second segment 3116 can move about the rotational axis 3142 to allow the forcing rod assembly 3110 to move to the second position in response to vehicle impact. The rotational axis 3142 between the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can be coaxial with the rotational axis 3124 about which the first arm segment 3102 is coupled to the bracket 24. When impacted, the arm segments 3102 and 3104 move together about the rotational axis 3124, causing the second segment 3116 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 to rotate about the rotational axis 3142 relative to the first segment 3114. As a result, the forcing rod assembly 3110 does not restrict the ability of the articulated arm to breakaway to the second position upon impact. Similarly, the forcing rod assembly 3110 does not restrict resetting of the articulated arm from the second position to the first position.
In an embodiment, the bracket 24, the mount 3112, and the first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can remain at a relatively fixed position upon vehicle impact with the articulated arm (i.e., the position of the bracket 24, the mount 3112, and the first segment 3114 can remain unchanged in response to impact). The only parts of the arm assembly 3100 which move as a result of impact may include the arm segments 3102 and 3104 and the second segment 3116 of the rod forcing assembly 3110.
In an embodiment, the interface between the first and second segments 3114 and 3116 includes a stop feature 3160 (FIGS. 35 and 36) that prevents the second segment 3116 from over-rotating, such as, for example, when the arm assembly 3100 is reset from the second position to the first position. Over-rotation between first and second segments 3114 and 3116 can lead to premature wear of the arm assembly 3100 and prevent the arm assembly 3100 from remaining plumb during use. The stop feature 3160 may be part of the first segment 3114, part of the second segment 3116, or a separate component coupled with at least one of the first or second segments 3114 or 3116. In the depicted embodiment, the stop feature 3160 includes a bent portion of the first segment 3114. The bent portion extends towards the eye bolt 3152. When the second segment 3116 moves from the second position towards the first position, a leading (nearest) end of the bent portion of the first segment 3114 comes into contact with the eye bolt 3152, preventing the eye bolt 3152 and second segment 3116 from over-rotating.
In an embodiment, the first segment 3114 includes one or more alignment features 3162 that ensure proper alignment and installation of the first segment 3114 relative to the mount 3112. For example, the alignment feature 3162 can prevent the first segment 3114 from being installed in a reverse orientation such that the stop feature 3160 is disposed near the mount 3112. In one implementation, the alignment feature 3162 can include a bent portion of the first segment 3114 that interferes with the block 3130 (or another portion of the arm assembly 3100 or operator 10) when installed incorrectly, and which does not interfere with any other components of the operator 10 when properly installed. The bent portion can be formed by cutting a slot into a sidewall of the first segment 3114 and bending the resulting tab approximately 90 degrees. In one implementation, the rotational axis 3142 is disposed between the stop feature 3160 and the alignment feature 3162, as seen from a top view.
The above description accounts for impact of a vehicle in the direction 3126. In an embodiment, the same arm assembly 3100 can be configured to breakaway when impacted by a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction 3164 (FIG. 33). For example, FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate the arm assembly 3100 arranged in an inverted configuration as compared to the arm assembly 3100 depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34. Unlike the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34, which breaks away when impacted by a vehicle travelling in the direction 3126, the arm assembly 3100 depicted in FIGS. 38 and 39 breaks away when impacted by a vehicle travelling in the direction 3164 (opposite direction 3126).
To accommodate breakaway in the opposite direction 3164, the rotational axis 3124 formed between the articulating arm and the bracket 24 can be moved to align with the rotational axis 3136 of the first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 relative to the mount 3112. The following description is intended as an example procedure for adjusting the arm assembly 3100 to breakaway when impacted in the opposite direction 3164. It should be understood that other procedures, steps, and orders of operation may be used. In an embodiment, the bracket 24 can be uncoupled from the mount 3112, rotated (e.g.,) 180°, and recoupled to the mount 3112. The articulated arm can be uncoupled from the bracket 24, repositioned relative to the bracket 24 such that the rotational axis 3124 aligns with the rotational axis 3136, and recoupled with the bracket 24 in the new orientation. The articulating arm and forcing rod assembly 3110 can then rotate about the rotational axis 3142 and 3136, respectively, in response to impact in the direction 3164.
The first segment 3114 of the forcing rod assembly 3110 can rotate from a first position (i.e., an in-use position) to a second position (e.g., in response to impact from a vehicle) by moving in a direction 3138 (FIG. 35) about the rotational axis 3136. The first segment 3114 can rotate from the second position to the first position by moving in the direction 3140 (FIG. 35) about the rotational axis 3136. Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34, the arm assembly 3100 depicted in FIGS. 38 and 39 can breakaway when impacted to mitigated damage to the arm assembly 3100 and operator 10.
In some instances, an entrance/exit for a secured area may include a plurality of operators 10. Each of the plurality of operators 10 can be arranged in the same, or similar, orientation as one another. For example, a gated community may include an incoming gate and an outgoing gate, each having an operator 10. Both operators 10 may be oriented in the same direction as one another. A first of the operators 10 can have a non-inverted arm assembly 3100 and a second of the operators 10 can have an inverted arm assembly 3100. In this regard, the same arm assembly 3100 can be used to control travel to and from the gated community in both directions while permitting the breakaway condition in opposite directions of travel.
FIG. 37 is a flow diagram of a method 3700 depicting an operational cycle associated with use of the arm assembly 3100 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although FIG. 37 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the method discussed herein is not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the method disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The method 3700 includes lowering 3702 an arm assembly, and more particularly, lowering 3702 an articulated arm, by a movable barrier operator to a lowered position. The movable barrier operator can include any one or more components described herein associated with the operator 10. In the lowered position, the movable barrier operator prevents access to a secure area. The arm assembly can be raised from the lowered position to a raised position and subsequently returned to the lowered position. The arm can articulate during such subsequent motions due to the use of a forcing rod assembly. At some later time, the arm assembly receives 3704 an initial impact, e.g., from a vehicle. The initial impact causes the arm assembly to move 3706 from a first (in-use) position to a second (breakaway) position. Movement of the arm assembly from the first position to the second position occurs as a result of force imparted on the arm assembly from the vehicle. That is, movement from the first position to the second position occurs as a result of the impulse to the arm assembly from the vehicle, and not as a result of any internal mechanism or structure (e.g., motor, actuator, etc.) that generates rotational movement. Moving 3706 of the arm assembly from the first position to the second position causes at least one segment of the forcing rod assembly to articulate relative to the operator 10.
The arm assembly remains 3708 at, or near, the second position until the issue is resolved, e.g., the vehicle (and/or any other structure) is clear of the arm assembly. Once the issue is resolved, e.g., the vehicle is clear of the arm assembly, a human or machine can reset 3710 the arm assembly to the first position. Resetting 3710 the arm assembly to the first position can be performed by applying force on the portion of the arm assembly that moved as a result of receiving 3704 impact. In some instances, resetting 3710 the arm assembly can occur automatically, such as for example as described above with respect to the arm reset mechanism 50.
Further aspects of the invention are provided by one or more of the following embodiments:
Embodiment 1. A barrier arm operator comprising: a bracket operably coupled to a drive, wherein the drive rotates the bracket about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and an arm coupled to the bracket and driven between a lowered position and a raised position by rotation of the bracket about the axis, wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the bracket about a pivot axis orthogonally oriented with respect to the axis, wherein the bracket comprises a detent configured to retain the arm in a first position relative to the bracket in an in-use state, and wherein the arm rotates about the pivot axis from the first position to a second position in response to impact of an object against the arm.
Embodiment 2. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the arm is an arm assembly comprising a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is coupled to the bracket, and wherein the first and second arm segments articulate relative to one another about a pivot axis oriented parallel with respect to the axis.
Embodiment 3. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator further comprises a forcing rod coupled between the second arm segment and a housing of the barrier arm operator, the forcing rod configured to articulate the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment in response to the bracket rotating about the axis.
Embodiment 4. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the forcing rod is rotatably coupled to the housing about a rotational axis oriented parallel with the axis, and wherein at least a portion of the forcing rod rotates when the arm assembly rotates about the pivot axis from the first position to the second position.
Embodiment 5. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator further comprises an arm reset mechanism that resets the arm from the second position to the first position in response to moving the bracket about the axis.
Embodiment 6. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the arm reset mechanism comprises: a follower coupled to a proximal end of the arm; and a cam coupled to a housing of the operator, wherein the follower engages with a surface of the cam to pivot the arm from the second position to the first position as the bracket is rotated by the drive.
Embodiment 7. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator further comprises: a controller; an arm detection sensor configured to detect disengagement of the arm from the bracket; and an indicator light, wherein the controller receives a signal from the arm detection sensor in response to the arm disengaging from the bracket, and wherein the controller causes illumination of the indicator light in response to the received signal.
Embodiment 8. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator is convertible between at least two breakaway orientations, wherein the second position of the arm is different for each of the at least two breakaway orientations.
Embodiment 9. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the detent comprises an upper spring plate and a lower spring plate each having lugs that together define a pocket for receiving the arm, and wherein disengaging the arm from the first position comprises urging the upper and lower spring plates apart from one another.
Embodiment 10. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the lugs each comprise a polymeric material.
Embodiment 11. A forcing rod assembly for articulating an articulating arm of a breakaway arm assembly of a barrier arm operator, the forcing rod assembly comprising: a first segment rotatably coupled to an operator about a first axis; and a second segment coupled between the first segment and an engagement point of the articulated arm, wherein the first and second segments of the forcing rod assembly manipulate an articulated position of the articulated arm as the first segment rotates about the first axis, and wherein the second arm is rotatable relative to the operator about a second axis, the second axis orthogonally oriented relative to the first axis.
Embodiment 12. The forcing rod assembly of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the second axis is defined at an interface between the first and second segments or at an interface between the first segment and the mount.
Embodiment 13. The forcing rod assembly of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the second segment is rotatably coupled to the engagement point of the articulated arm about an engagement axis oriented parallel to the first axis.
Embodiment 14. The forcing rod assembly of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the first segment comprises a stop feature that prevents over-rotation of the second segment relative to the first segment when the articulating arm is moved from a breakaway state to an in-use state.
Embodiment 15. The forcing rod assembly of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the first segment comprises a square-C shaped channel, and wherein the second segment comprises a rod.
Embodiment 16. A barrier arm operator comprising: a drive that rotates about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; an arm coupled to the drive and driven between a lowered position and a raised position by rotation of the drive about the axis, wherein the arm is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is an in-use position, and wherein the second position is a breakaway position; and an arm reset mechanism that resets the arm from the second position to the first position in response to moving the drive about the axis, wherein the arm reset mechanism comprises: a follower coupled to a proximal end of the arm; and a cam coupled to a housing of the operator, wherein the follower engages with a surface of the cam to pivot the arm from the second position to the first position as the arm is rotated by the drive.
Embodiment 17. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the arm reset mechanism is coupled to a housing of the barrier arm operator.
Embodiment 18. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the cam is configured on adjacent surfaces of the housing.
Embodiment 19. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator further comprises an arm detection sensor that detects disengagement of the arm from the first position and communicates the disengagement of the arm to a controller, and wherein the controller operates the drive to engage the follower with the surface of the cam to pivot the arm from the second position to the first position.
Embodiment 20. The barrier arm operator of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the barrier arm operator further comprises an indicator light, and wherein the controller causes a particular illumination of the indicator light in response to receiving a signal from the arm detection sensor indicative of disengagement of the arm from the first position.
Embodiment 21. A method of using a barrier arm operator, the method comprising providing a forcing rod assembly comprising a first segment rotatably coupled to an operator about a first axis; and a second segment coupled between the first segment and the articulated arm, wherein the first and second segments of the forcing rod assembly manipulate an articulated position of the articulated arm as the first segment rotates about the first axis, and wherein the second segment is rotatable relative to the first segment about a second axis, the second axis orthogonally oriented relative to the first axis.
Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase “at least one of” as used herein be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.
While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
