CABIN FOR DETECTING THE SPEED OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND BOLLARD KIT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A CABIN AS SUPPORT FOR THE DETERRENCE AND CONTROL ACTIVITIES OF ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENSES

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a detection cabin (100) for detecting excess speed on the road, a bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the deterrence and control activities of road traffic offenses, a method for the installation of the detection cabin (100) and a method for installing the bollard kit.
The detection cabin (100) of the motor vehicle speed comprises: a support base (2) and a detector body (1). The detector body (1) is hollow and is defined between a bottom wall (11) and a top wall (12). Said detector body defines an inner seat (17) equipped with connection means suitable for fixing a plurality of electronic devices (19) for detecting the speed and/or license plate of a motor vehicle. Moreover, the detector body (1) is suitable to be transported manually by an operator and to be rested on the support base.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection cabin for detecting excess speed on the road, a bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the deterrence and control activities of road traffic offenses, a method for the installation of the detection cabin and a method for installing the bollard kit.

[0002] Roadside cabins containing electronic control equipment for detecting the speed of vehicles are already known in the field of control and prevention activities. These devices have been used above all in urban centers where, due to a lack of regulation, it is not possible to carry out forms of control in a completely automatic manner, that is without the simultaneous presence on site of at least one assessing agent who oversees the control activity.

[0003] The cabins according to the prior art are substantially empty containers which, thanks to their bright color and/or the various forms of lighting they are provided with, play an important deterrent effect. When the police decide to insert inside them the electronic devices that detect the speed of the vehicles and take a photograph on the license plate of the vehicles in contravention, the cabins from simple bollards become operational.

[0004] However, this solution has shown over time a series of structural and functional limitations. The prior art cabins are fixed stations the side of the road, therefore they are not very flexible with respect to the multiple and variable security requirements of the territory. Being fixed stations, they do not lend themselves to be moved to monitor different points of urban roadways.

[0005] Furthermore, alternative solutions exist, as described in patent 0001404336, in which the cabins are made by assembling separate portions, but being of defined geometry, they are in any case not very effective in adapting to the different types of control instruments available on the market and therefore they are not very flexible with respect to the need to house different instruments in terms of shape and size therein.

[0006] Furthermore, cabins are often very bulky due to the size of the electronic equipment they have to accommodate and are therefore unusable on sites without large sidewalks or without adjacent roadsides with adequate space.

[0007] Furthermore, the cabins are not very practical in the step of inserting the electronic detection equipment inside them, in fact only rarely do the police decide to "arm" them and prefer by far to mount the electronic equipment on a tripod or in the service car.

[0008] Finally, cabins are particularly vulnerable to acts of vandalism that often over time affect their use and credibility.

[0009] Because of all these drawbacks and defects, the cabins have exclusively turned into fake checkpoints, often shabby and abandoned, undermining their long-term deterrent effectiveness and triggering many controversies as regards the full legitimacy and opportunity to invest public money in a traffic control activity mostly only fictitious.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a detection cabin and a bollard kit specialized for the functions of control and dynamic prevention of infractions in urban areas, so as to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

[0011] A second object of the present invention is to make the installation and maintenance of a detection cabin and a deterrent cabin much simpler and faster, providing a method for installing a detection cabin and a method for installing a bollard kit.

[0012] According to the invention, said objects are achieved with a detection cabin according to claim 1, with a bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the deterrence and control activities of infractions on urban roads according to claim 14, with a method of installing a detection cabin according to claim 15 and with a method of installing a bollard kit according to claim 16. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0013] According to claim 1, a detection cabin is proposed comprising a support base and a detector body. The support base extends in height between a lower end of the base, suitable for ground support, and an upper end of the base. The detector body is defined between a bottom wall and an upper wall. Said detector body is hollow and defines an inner seat equipped with connection means suitable for fixing a plurality of electronic devices for detecting the speed and/or license plate of a motor vehicle. The detector body is also provided with a gripping element.

[0014] In a variant embodiment, the support base comprises a support pole. Optionally, said support pole is a telescopic pole.

[0015] In a variant embodiment, the support base is provided with a movable support for moving said support base.

[0016] According to claim 14, a bollard kit is proposed, wherein a bollard body is suitable to replace the detector body so as to form a bollard cabin.

[0017] According to claim 15, the operation of the detection cabin provides for the positioning of the support base, the transport of the detector body, the installation of the detector body on the support base and the lighting of the plurality of electronic equipment.

[0018] According to claim 16, the operation of the bollard kit provides for the replacement of the bollard body with the detector body.

[0019] The features and the advantages of the detection cabin, of the bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the activities of deterrence and control of road infractions, of the installation method of the detection cabin and of the installation method of the bollard kit according to the invention will however be evident from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• figures 1a-1c are elevation views which illustrate the sequence of installation of a detection cabin in one embodiment;
• figures 2a-2c are elevation views which illustrate the sequence of installation of a detection cabin in a variant embodiment;
• figures 3a-3c are elevation views which illustrate the sequence of installation of a detection cabin in a variant embodiment;
• figures 4a and 4b are elevation views which illustrate the sequence of installation of a detection cabin in a variant embodiment;
• figures 5a-5c are respectively a front view, an elevation view and a top view of a detector body according to the invention;
• figure 6 is a rear view of the detector body according to the invention;
• figure 7 is a rear view of the detector body according to the invention with an open door;
• figure 8 schematically shows the interior of the detector body according to the invention;
• figures 9a-9c are respectively a front view, an elevation view and a top view of the detector body in a variant embodiment;
• figure 10 is a rear view of the detector body according to a variant embodiment;
• figure 11 is a rear view of the detector body with the door open according to a variant embodiment;
• figure 12 schematically shows the interior of the detector body according to a variant embodiment;
• figures 13a-13c are respectively an elevation view of a base plate, a bottom view of the base plate with a plurality of support feet in a retracted position, and a bottom view of the base plate with the plurality of support feet in advanced position.
• figure 14 schematically shows releasable connection and support means according to the invention;
• figure 15 is an enlarged view of the detail in the square in figure 14;
• figure 15a is a top plan view of the releasable connection and support means according to the invention;
• figure 16 schematically shows the releasable connection and support means according to a variant embodiment;
• figure 17 is an enlarged view of the detail in the square in figure 16;
• figure 18 is a side view of the detection cabin according to a further embodiment;
• figure 19 is a top view of a support base in a use configuration;
• figure 20 is a top view of the support base during the conversion from the use configuration to a transport configuration;
• figure 21 is a top view of the support base in the transport configuration; and
• figure 22 is a side view of the support base in the transport configuration in a variant embodiment.

[0020] According to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 100 indicates a detection cabin according to the invention as a whole.

[0021] In a general embodiment, the motor vehicle speed detection cabin 100 comprises a support base 2 and a detector body 1. The support base 2 extends in height between a lower end of the base 23, suitable for ground support, and an upper end of the base 21. The detector body 1 is defined between a bottom wall 11 and a top wall 12. Said detector body 1 is substantially hollow and defines an inner seat 17 equipped with connection means suitable for fixing a plurality of electronic devices 19 for detecting the speed and/or license plate of a motor vehicle. The detector body 1 is also provided with a gripping element 51.

[0022] In the detection cabin 100, the upper end of the base 21 and the bottom wall 11 form releasable connection and support means 25 suitable for allowing the releasable attachment of the detector body 1 on the support base 2. Moreover, the detector body 1 forms a container that may be transported manually and positioned on the support base 2 by an operator.

[0023] Preferably, the detector body 1 integrates the visibility sign and/or stickers bearing the symbol of the local police.

[0024] For example, the connection means are shelves, or support shelves or housing compartments.

[0025] According to a variant embodiment, the plurality of electronic equipment 19 is housed in the inner seat 17 and is fixed to the connection means. In other words, the electronic equipment 19 is housed substantially permanently inside the detector body 1 and is already wired to be immediately operational and ready for use.

[0026] In particular, the detector body 1 is configured as a sort of "suitcase", easily transportable and easy to handle, in which the electronic equipment 19 is already pre-installed.

[0027] In one embodiment, the detector body 1 comprises a door 41 for accessing the inner seat 17.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the releasable connection and support means 25 form a shape-coupling between the bottom wall 11 and the upper end of the base 21.

[0029] In one embodiment, the bottom wall 11 and the upper end of the base 21 are provided with coupling portions which overlap in an axial direction and which are fixed together by radial screws, for example of the anti-vandalism type.

[0030] In a variant embodiment, the releasable connection and support means 25 comprise a connection pin, a pin seat 26 and at least one fixing member 40. The connection pin extends from the upper end of the base 21. The pin seat 26 is formed in the bottom wall 11 and is suitable for receiving said connection pin. The at least one fixing member 40 is suitable to engage the inner side of the bottom wall 11 to lock the detector body 1 to the connection pin.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one fixing member 40 comprises an anchoring slide fitted with a fork 45. The anchoring slide can be translatable parallel to the inner side of the bottom wall 11 between an advanced position of engagement and an inactive rearward disengagement position. When the anchoring slide is in an advanced position, it engages an undercut 25' formed in the connection pin by means of the fork 45.

[0032] Optionally, the at least one fixing member 40 comprises a locking cap which engages the connection pin by screwing, shape coupling, or the like. Alternatively, the locking cap uses a bayonet coupling to engage the connection pin.

[0033] In one embodiment, the support base 2 comprises a support body 20 substantially of prismatic shape. For example, in a variant embodiment, the support body 20 is provided with a through hole which extends in the axial direction between the lower end of the base 23 and the upper end of the base 21. Said through hole is suitable for housing a pole which extends between a lower pole end and an upper pole end. The lower pole end is suitable to rest on the ground and the upper pole end forms with the bottom wall 11 the releasable connection and support means 25.

[0034] According to a variant embodiment, the support base 2 comprises a support pole 22 and the upper end of the base 21 forms a plate-shaped support surface 21' for supporting the detector body 1.

[0035] Optionally, the support pole 22 comprises a telescopic pole for height adjustment of the support surface 21'. In other words, the telescopic pole comprises a first telescopic pole portion 22' and a second telescopic pole portion 22" substantially hollow. The first telescopic pole portion 22'is suitable to slide inside the second telescopic pole portion 22".

[0036] Preferably, the lower end of the base 23 engages with the ground by means of a recess formed in the ground and suitable to house the support pole 22, or the first telescopic pole portion 22'.

[0037] In a variant embodiment, the support base 2 is equipped with a base plate 28, 29 equipped with means for anchoring to the ground or with a plurality of support feet 29' adjustable in height and width.

[0038] Preferably, the support base 2 rests on the base plate 28, 29.

[0039] In particular, the base plate 28, 29 comprises an anchoring base 28 which is a plate defined by a lower anchoring surface 28' and an upper anchoring surface 28". The upper anchoring surface 28" forms with the lower end of the base 23 releasable connection and support means 25 suitable to allow the releasable fixing of the support base 2 to the anchoring base 28. The lower anchoring surface 28' is suitable for being fixed to the ground, or on a movable support 29.

[0040] In one embodiment, the movable support 29 is provided with the plurality of support feet 29' suitable to be in contact with the ground and the position of said support feet 29' is adjustable in height and width to increase the stability of the cabin. The adjustment of the support feet 29' allows keeping the electronic equipment 19 parallel to the ground, so that it is arranged horizontally.

[0041] In other words, it is possible to adjust the support feet 29' in height by increasing the distance between the contact point of the support feet with the ground and the lower end of the base 23, or they can also be adjusted in width by sliding them parallel to the ground.

[0042] In a variant embodiment, the plurality of electronic equipment 19, which can be housed in the inner seat 17, comprises a supply battery 19a, a computer 19b and detection devices 19c. In one embodiment, said detection devices 19c comprise a pair of cameras 19c' and a detection bar 19c" or a pair of video cameras 19d and a pair of infrared headlights 19e.

[0043] In particular, the supply battery 19a, the computer 19b, the pair of cameras 19c' and the detection bar 19c" constitute a device commercially known as VELOMATIC 512.

[0044] In a variant, the supply battery 19a, the computer 19b, the pair of video cameras 19d and the pair of infrared headlights 19e constitute a device commercially known as ENVES EVO 1507.

[0045] The VELOMATIC 512 is larger than the ENVES EVO 1507, therefore the dimensions of the detector body 1 change depending on the electronic equipment 19 to be housed.

[0046] According to an embodiment which can be combined with any of the preceding embodiments, the support base 2 is delimited by a plurality of lateral plate-like elements 5 which extend between the lower end of the base 23 and the upper end of the base 21. Preferably, the plurality of plate-like elements 5 comprises six plate-like elements 5a; 5b; 5c; 5d; 5e; 5f. In particular, each plate-like element 5a; 5b; 5c; 5d; 5e; 5f of said plurality of plate-like elements 5 is hinged to the consecutive plate-like element so that the support base 2 is convertible between a use configuration (figures 18 and 19), in which the plate-like elements form a support body 20 substantially of prismatic shape, and a transport configuration (figure 21), in which the plate-like elements are foldable together.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, the support base 2 comprises a first pair of parallel sides formed by respective plate-like elements 5a; 5d and a second pair of parallel sides. In particular, each side of this second pair of parallel sides is formed by two plate-like elements 5b, 5c or 5e, 5f hinged together.

[0048] Preferably, the base plate 28, 29 is hinged to at least one plate-like element 5a; 5b; 5c; 5d; 5e; 5f. In particular, the base plate 28, 29 can be folded together with the plurality of plate-like elements 5 (figure 22).

[0049] According to one embodiment, the support base 2 comprises at least one magnet in such a way that the support base in transport configuration is magnetically engageable to the detector body 1 and transportable manually together with said detector body 1. In other words, when the support base 2 is in transport configuration it is magnetically coupled to the detector body 1 and the detector body 1 is moved as if it were a "case". In this way, the transport of both the detector body 1 and the support base 2 is facilitated.

[0050] In a general embodiment, the invention as a whole also comprises a bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the deterrence and control activities of road traffic offenses. Said bollard kit comprises a detection cabin 100 and a bollard body 3. The bollard body 3 is defined between a bottom wall of the bollard 31 and an upper wall of the bollard 32. Said bollard 3 is solid or hollow. The bottom wall of the bollard 31 forms with the upper end of the base 21 releasable connection and support means 25 suitable to allow the releasable fixing of the bollard body 3 to the support base 2, so that the bollard body 3 is interchangeable with the detector body 1.

[0051] The operation of the detection cabin 100 is as follows: the support base 2 is positioned at the designated point for detection, subsequently the detector body 1 is transported and rested on the support base 2. At this point, it is already possible to activate the plurality of electronic equipment 19 and start the detection campaign.

[0052] Preferably, the plurality of electronic equipment 19 must simply be turned on by the operator, because said electronic equipment, being already fixed and pre-installed in the inner seat 17, does not need to be mounted and inserted in the detector body 1. The operator is required to electrically recharge the power supply battery, so that the electronic equipment 19 is perfectly functional. Said operation of recharging the power supply battery 19a is performed by the operator maintaining the plurality of electronic equipment 19 fixed and pre-installed inside the detector body 1. In other words, it is not necessary to disassemble and remove the electronic equipment 19 to recharge the supply battery 19a.

[0053] The operation of the bollard kit includes the removal of the detector body 1 from the support base 2 and the replacement of the detector body 1 with the bollard body 3.

[0054] In other words, to operate the bollard kit it is sufficient to replace the detector body 1 with the bollard body 3, so that the station switches from being a detection cabin 100 to being a deterrent cabin.

[0055] Innovatively, the detection cabin, the bollard kit, the operation of the detection cabin and the operation of the bollard kit are suitable for solving the intended purposes.

[0056] Advantageously, the detector body, being completely separated from the support base, allows having dimensions such as to contain within it all the possible typologies of electronic detection equipment available on the market.

[0057] Advantageously, the detector body has dimensions linked to the electronic equipment to be contained therein, therefore it ensures a greater possibility of use and greater flexibility.

[0058] In other words, the detector body has no rigid dimensions and thanks to this flexibility it can be made so as to internally house both the VELOMATIC 512 and the ENVES EVO 1507 and all the other electronic devices on the market.

[0059] Advantageously, the support base has dimensions independent of the size of the detector body, therefore, said support base is suitable to be easily placed even in less spacious sites.

[0060] Advantageously, the detector body is suitable for containing the electronic devices for detection even in a substantially permanent manner, therefore, said detector body is configured as a module completely detached from the support base, allowing police operators to manage the electronic equipment with extreme practicality both during the electric charge of the power supply battery and during commissioning on site.

[0061] In other words, the electronic equipment is permanently fixed and pre-installed inside the detector body, therefore law enforcement officers must limit themselves to transport the detector body to the designated point for detection, fixing it releasably at the upper end of the base and turn on electronic equipment.

[0062] Advantageously, the electronic equipment must only be electrically recharged remaining housed in the inner seat of the detector body. In other words, it is not necessary to disassemble the electronic equipment to recharge it.

[0063] Advantageously, the detector body is configured as a sort of "case" provided with the gripping element so as to be easily liftable and transportable.

[0064] Advantageously, the detector body, being easily transportable, allows the police to implement the detection cabin directly on site and once the survey campaign has been completed, the detector body is easily removed, replaced by the bollard body and transported to a safe place, in this way the risk of vandalism is annulled.

[0065] Advantageously, the detector body and the bollard body are perfectly interchangeable with each other and share the support base, in this way the detection cabin and the bollard cabin are implemented with extreme practicality and rapidity.

[0066] Advantageously, the movable support allows setting up the detection cabin where necessary.

[0067] Advantageously, the support pole, when it is a telescopic pole, makes it possible to carry out the operations of detecting speed at adjustable heights and to be able to operate even in the presence of cars parked along the roadway.

[0068] Advantageously, the support pole, when it is a telescopic pole, makes it possible to carry out speed survey operations so as to minimize the obstruction on the pavement.

[0069] A man skilled in the art may make several changes, adjustments, adaptations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones to the embodiments of the detection cabin, of the bollard kit, of the operation of the detection cabin and of the operation of the bollard kit according to the invention in order to meet incidental needs, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be obtained independently of the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. A detection cabin (100) for detecting the speed of motor vehicles, comprising:

- a support base (2) extending in height between a lower end of the base (23), suitable for ground support, and an upper end of the base (21),

- a detector body (1) defined between a bottom wall (11) and a top wall (12), said detector body (1) being hollow, defining an inner seat (17) equipped with connection means suitable for fixing a plurality of electronic devices (19) for detecting the speed and/or license plate of a motor vehicle, and equipped with a gripping element (51),

wherein the upper end of the base (21) and the bottom wall (11) form releasable connection and support means (25) suitable for allowing the releasable attachment of the detector body (1) on the support base (2),
and wherein the detector body (1) forms a container that may be transported manually and positioned on the support base (2) by an operator.

2. Detection cabin (100) according to claim 1, comprising the plurality of electronic equipment (19) housed in the inner seat (17) and fixed to the connection means.

3. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable connection and support means (25) form a shape-coupling between the bottom wall (11) and the upper end of the base (21).

4. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable connection and support means (25) comprise a connection pin extending from the upper end of the base (21), a pin seat (26) obtained in the bottom wall (11) and suitable to receive said connection pin, and at least one fixing member (40) suitable to engage the inner side of the bottom wall (11) to lock said detector body (1) to the connection pin.

5. Detection cabin (100) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one fixing member (40) comprises an anchoring slide fitted with a fork (45), said anchoring slide being translatable parallel to the inner side of the bottom wall (11) between an advanced position of engagement with an under-cut (25') obtained in the connection pin by means of the fork (45), and an inactive rearward position of disengagement.

6. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support base (2) comprises a support body (20) substantially prismatic in shape.

7. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support base (2) comprises a support pole (22) and the upper end of the base (21) forms a plate-shaped support surface (21') for supporting the detector body (1).

8. Detection cabin (100) according to claim 7, wherein the support pole (22) comprises a telescopic pole for height adjustment of the support surface (21').

9. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support base (2) is equipped with a base plate (28, 29) equipped with means for anchoring to the ground or with a plurality of support feet (29') adjustable in height and width.

10. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support base (2) is delimited by a plurality of lateral plate-like elements (5), preferably six, which extend between the lower end of the base (23) and the upper end of the base (21), each plate-like element of said plurality of plate-like elements (5) being hinged to the consecutive plate-like element so that the support base (2) is convertible between a use configuration, in which the plate-like elements form a support body (20) substantially of prismatic shape, and a transport configuration, in which the plate-like elements are foldable together.

11. Detection cabin (100) according to claim 10, wherein the support base (2) comprises a first pair of parallel sides formed by respective plate-like elements (5a; 5d) and a second pair of parallel sides, each side of said second pair of parallel sides being formed by two plate-like elements (5b, 5c; 5e, 5f) hinged together.

12. Detection cabin (100) according to claim 10 or 11 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the base plate (28, 29) is hinged to at least one plate-like element (5a; 5b; 5c; 5d; 5e; 5f).

13. Detection cabin (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the support base (2) comprises at least one magnet in such a way that the support base in transport configuration is magnetically engageable to the detector body (1) and transportable manually together with said detector body (1).

14. A bollard kit for the installation of a cabin as support for the deterrence and control activities of road traffic offenses, comprising a detection cabin (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a bollard body (3) defined between a bottom wall of the bollard (31) and an upper wall of the bollard (32), said bollard body (3) being full or hollow, the bottom wall of the bollard (31) forming with the upper end of the base (21) releasable connection and support means (25) suitable to allow the releasable fixing of the bollard body (3) to the support base (2), so that the bollard body (3) is interchangeable with the detector body (1).

15. An installation method of a detection cabin (100) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 13, comprising the steps of:

a) positioning the support base (2) at the designated point of detection;

b) manually transporting the detector body (1) to the designated point of detection;

c) resting the detector body (1) on the support base (2), so that the bottom wall (11) is fixed in a releasable manner to the upper end of the base (21);

d) activating the plurality of electronic devices (19) for detecting the speed and/or license plate of motor vehicles.

16. An installation method of a bollard kit, comprising a method of installation of a detection cabin (100) according to the preceding claim and a bollard kit according to claim 14, wherein the detector body (1) is removed from the support base (2) and is replaced by the bollard body (3).

Drawing