Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a system for controlling access to a passageway. In particular the system incorporates a structure which is movable from a position which at least partially obstructs the passageway, to a position which allows access to the passageway.

Background Art

In built up areas, such as city central business districts, buildings often have associated passageways in the form of lanes to allow access to the rear of the building for deliveries, service access and other purposes. Generally, these lanes are used only during the early morning or late at night, representing wasted space during typical working hours.

Further problems associated with passageways are that they provide a location for illegal behaviour and are an unsightly part of the streetscape. The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. It is an object of this invention to provide a system which will provide greater utilisation of passageways.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In densely populated areas a passageway is typically provided between two buildings to allow truck access from the front to the rear of the building for purposes such as garbage collection and the emptying of grease traps. At commercial sites, trucks typically use the passageway once or twice a day at a time outside typical business hours, whilst at residential sites, trucks may pnly use the passageway once or twice a week. As a result, the utilisation of the land associated with the passageway is extremely low. Despite the poor land utilisation, the requirement of passageways is unavoidable as it is necessary to provide vehicle access to the rear of the buildings.

In commercial sites, trucks typically use the passageway outside of business hours, it would therefore be beneficial to provide, for example, a retail outlet across the passageway which would enable greater utilisation of the available land. The present invention provides a system for controlling access to a passageway, the system comprising: a structure configured to accommodate one or more facilities, the structure being positioned relative to the passageway; and a lifting apparatus for moving the structure between a first position, whereby the facilities may be utilised, and a second position, whereby the passageway may be accessed.

The passageway may be a lane and may be between two walls. Preferably the passageway is adapted to allow passage of a vehicle and/or the passage of a pedestrian. The structure may be positioned between the two walls.

Preferably one of the two walls is a side wall of a first building and the other of the two walls is a side wall of a second building located adjacent the first building but across the passageway.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a guiding assembly for supporting and guiding the structure between the first and second positions. The guiding assembly may comprise a first set of guide rails and a second set of guide rails opposing the first set of guide rails, the first set of guide rails is located adjacent the side wall of the first building and the second set of guide rails is located adjacent the side wall of the second building. The respective guide rails may be attached to the respective side wall.

The lifting apparatus may incorporate a hydraulic system to move the structure between the first position and the second position.

In an aspect of the invention the structure may house one or more Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) facilities. This may be advantageous as during the day the ATMs may be readily available to clients, whilst during the evening the structure may be positioned in the second position where the ATMS are stored in a secure location.

In another aspect of the invention the structure may provide advertising facilities. Such advertising may be done by electronic means, such as on LCD screens. In the event that the facilities are in the form of advertising, the advertising medium may continue to work when the structure is in the second position.

In another aspect of the invention the structure may provide accommodation facilities.

In a further aspect of the invention the structure may provide retail facilities in the form of a retail outlet. Preferably the retail outlet may be accessed by customers when the structure is in the first position. In one aspect of the invention the retail outlet is configured to require an assistant. In another aspect of the invention the retail outlet is configured to be self-served.

Preferably the structure at least partially obstructs access to the passageway when in the first position

Preferably when the structure is in the first position, the structure rests upon a surface of the passageway, or is substantially adjacent thereto. Preferably the structure is positioned relative to the passageway such that at least a portion of the structure overlaps with at least a portion of the passageway in a vertical direction.

In one aspect of the invention the structure is in an elevated position above the surface of the passageway when in the second position. Preferably when the structure is in the second position a vehicle is permitted to pass through the passageway without colliding with the structure.

In another aspect of the invention the structure is located below the surface of the passageway when in the second position. In one aspect of the invention the structure is movable vertically between the first position and the second position.

In another aspect of the invention the structure is required to move in several directions before reaching the second position.

The system may also comprise a control means for controlling the movement of the structure between the first and second positions. The control means may prevent the structure from moving between the first position and second position when predetermined safety conditions cannot be validated. For example, the control means may comprise a sensor beneath the structure for detecting if the passageway is clear before the positioning apparatus is able to move the structure to the first position.

In one aspect of the invention the system may comprise flexible conduits extending from an outside surface of the structure to services such as water and electricity, whereby the flexible conduits accommodate movement of the structure between first position and second position without having to disconnect from the required services. In another aspect of the invention the structure is adapted to align and operably engage services, such as electricity and water, when the structure moves to the first position. As the structure moves to the second position the structure may disengage the services. The present invention also provides a system for controlling access of a vehicle travelling through a passageway that is located between two opposing walls, the system comprising: a structure configured to accommodate one or more objects for retailing purposes, the structure being positioned at least partially between the two opposing walls, and a lifting apparatus for moving the structure between a first position and a second position, wherein, when in the first position, the structure is at rest on a surface of the passageway and at least partially obstructs access of the vehicle through the passageway, and when in the second position, the structure is supported at a position elevated from the surface of the passageway such that the vehicle is able to pass through the passageway.

In contrast to the prior art, the above system enables greater utilisation of land. The system overcomes land shortages associated with densely populated areas where land is at a premium. The system is particularly effective in densely populated areas where a number of buildings are situated in close proximity. However, it may also have applications in other areas where a passageway may be used infrequently or only at predetermined times. In order to achieve greater utilisation, according to the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling access through a passageway. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a structure (e.g., a retail outlet) movable between a first position (e.g., on the surface of the passageway) and a second position (e.g., elevated from the surface of the passageway).

The retail outlet can be situated on or adjacent the passageway during business hours such that it can be accessed by customers. After business hours (e.g., when the retail outlet is closed), the retail outlet can be elevated from the ground so as not to obstruct the passageway from vehicles.

The present invention also provides a building arrangement comprising a first building spaced from a third building such that there is a passageway therebetween, and a second building positioned between the first building and third building, the second building being movable between a first position whereby the passageway is at least partially obstructed, and a second position whereby the passageway is accessible.

The present invention provides a building assembly comprising a building which is movable between a first position whereby the building is located in a passageway such that it at least partially obstructs the passageway, and a second position whereby the passageway is accessible.

Preferably the building incorporates lifting means to move the building between the first position and second position.

The present invention further provides a system for controlling access to a passageway, the system comprising: a structure configured to accommodate one or more objects, the structure being positioned relative to the passageway; and a lifting apparatus for moving the structure between a first position and a second position, wherein the structure at least partially obstructs access to the passageway when in the first position and allows access to the passageway when in the second position. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a passageway located between two buildings;

Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 but with a system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in a first position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but with the system shown in a second position; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of figure 2.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention

There are numerous locations, particularly within cities, which have a passageway, such as a lane 21, extending between two structures, such as a first building 23 and a second building 25, as shown in figure . Whilst these lanes 21 are essential for access to the rear of the buildings, they represent an under utilisation of land as the lanes 21 are typically only accessed during early morning or late in the evening. To enable greater utilisation of land, the present invention provides a means whereby the lane 21 may have a secondary use. Referring, to figures 2, 3 and 4, an embodiment of the present invention is provided. These figures illustrate a system which can be used to control access to the lane 21. In so doing the system provides a structure 13 which may be used for various purposes, such as to provide accommodation or a retail outlet 15, as is the case in the current embodiment. The structure 13 is movable between a first position (figure 2) and a second position (figure 3). The system incorporates a lifting apparatus 17 for moving the structure 13 between the two positions.

The lifting apparatus 17 comprises a first set of guide rails 18 and a second set of guide rails 19 located in opposed fashion on respective sides of the structure 13 and lane 21. Each guide rail acts to move the structure 13 in a substantially vertical direction. Each set of guide rails 18, 19 comprises a guide rail 18a, 19a located towards the front of the structure, and a guide rail 18b, 19b located towards the rear of the structure 13, as shown in figure 4.

Guide rails 18a, 18b are secured to a sidewall 24 of the first building 23 while the guide rails 9a, 19b are secured to a sidewall 26 of the second building 25. In other embodiments the guide rails may be secured in the ground so as not to require attachment to the building sidewalls.

During typical business hours, when access to the lane 21 is not required, the retail outlet 15 is located in the first position, as shown in figure 2. In this position, the retail outlet 15 is located on, or substantially adjacent to the surface 20 of the lane 21. When in this position, the retail outlet 15 operates in the same manner as a conventional fixed retail outlet. Services (not shown) such as water and electricity are supplied to the retail outlet 15 using flexible conduits and ducting adapted to accommodate movement of the retail outlet 15. When the retail outlet 15 is in the first position, the lane 21 is blocked and therefore access to the lane 21 is prohibited.

When the retail outlet 15 is closed, or at other predetermined times, the lifting apparatus 17 may be activated to position the retail outlet 15 in the second position, as shown in figure 3. In this position the retail outlet 15 is in an elevated position whereby there is sufficient clearance between the retail outlet 15 and the lane surface 20 to permit a vehicle, such as a delivery truck 27, to pass thereunder and therefore access the lane 21.

In other embodiments the second position of the structure 13 may be below the surface of the passageway. In these embodiments it may even be the case that the top of the structure 13 forms part of the surface of the passageway when in the second position.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the structure may provide an advertising medium such as an LCD or similar display.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.