Vehicle barrier system with illuminating gate arm and method

摘要

The present invention is directed to a vehicle barrier system and method of use. The vehicle barrier system includes a control system adapted to pivot a gate arm between a horizontal position and a vertical position to control the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic in control access areas such as parking lots, or parking garages. The gate arm includes inset channels that are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the gate arm and configured to each remove ably receive an array of light emitting diodes to increase visibility and alert drivers or pedestrians to the presence of a gate arm.

主权项

1. A vehicle barrier system comprising:
a gate arm formed from a single piece of material that is generally circular shaped having a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, said proximal end coupled to a housing having a control system and a power supply to selectively pivot said gate arm between a horizontal position and a vertical position, said gate arm including a first elongated inset channel formed along said longitudinal axis of said circular shaped member, said first elongated inset channel having a first opening formed by a first pair of inset channel sidewalls integrally joined to a first channel backwall, said inset channel walls including a first upper terminating end and a first lower terminating end, said ends terminate partially within said first opening and spaced from each other; a first light strip formed from a plurality of light emitting diodes each electrically connected in parallel and physically disposed adjacent one another in series, and encased within a protective member, said first light strip cradled entirely within said first elongated inset channel between said backwall and said inset channel sidewalls and retained therein solely by said first upper and said first lower terminating ends; a first electrical cable connected to said plurality of light emitting diodes; and an electronic connector electrically releaseably connected to said power supply and said first electrical cable; wherein said first light strip is positioned within said first elongated inset channel with said plurality of light emitting diodes aligned towards said first opening such that light from said plurality of light emitting diodes enumerates through said first opening between the terminating ends when said plurality of diodes are powered from said power supply.