The present invention, of an entrance gate mechanism, relates to a drive mechanism for a wing gate turnstile.

In particular, the present invention relates to a bi-parting flap gate barrier drive mechanism.

Therefore, The present invention falls within the field of actuation of access automatic wing gate turnstile.

To date, there are several drive mechanism used in the actuation of the flaps of a wing gate turnstile.

In particular, the wing gate turnstiles usually comprise at least a DC motor, a gear box, motor brackets, transmission shaft and at least a flap. The motor bracket is provided with a first and a second through hole. The flap is also provided with a first and second slot corresponding to the through holes of the motor bracket so as to fix the flap to the gearbox and the motor bracket. The flap fixed to the motor bracket by means of a shaft provided with bearings, having a first extreme which engages the first slot of the flap and a second extreme which engages the first through hole of the motor bracket. The bearings of the shaft is fixed to the flap by beans of screws and the second extreme of the shaft, having a treaded end, is fixed to the motor bracket by means of a nut. The flap is fixed to the motor bracket such that the flap is able to rotate with respect to the bracket, rotating about the shaft which serves as a pivot.

The gearbox is connected to the flap by means of the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft has a first end that passes through the through hole of the motor bracket and engages the gear box and a second end fixed to the second slot of the flap, such that when the gearbox is operated, the transmission shaft is able to transmit a rotational force to the flap. The rotational force provided by the transmission shaft causes the flat to rotate about the shaft. The gearbox is connected to a DC motor, able to drive the transmission shaft by means of the gearbox.

However, this system of actuating the flap from an open position to a closed position and vice-versa is not effective. It also present a high maintenance cost as well as high installation cost.

The underlying problem related to this invention is to realize a wing gate turnstile having an actuation system that is efficient compared to known prior arts.

The principal purpose of the present invention is to provide a wing gate turnstile which offers a solution to the drawbacks of the wing gate turnstile described above.

Another purpose is to provide a wing gate turnstile having an actuation system that is economically effective.

A further purpose is to realize a wing gate turnstile having an actuation system that is easy to install with respect to known art.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following the detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the wing gate turnstile according to the independent claim 1 and independent claim 8 attached.

A wing gate turnstile (1 ) comprising;

- a chassis (2);

- a flap (4);

- an actuation means (3);

said comprises of a spine (41 ), at least a first annular sector plate (42); a substantial length of said spine (41 ) is fixed a side of said first sector plate (42), such that the large arc of the first sector plate (42) corresponds to a first extreme of the spine (41 ); a second extreme of the spine (42), is fixed to a fulcrum (41’) of said chassis (2) such that the spine (42) rotatable about said fulcrum (41’) from an open position B to a close position (B) and/or from a close position (A) to an open position B when operated by said actuation means;

characterized in that said actuation means is a linear actuator (3), comprising of a driven end (32) connected to said flap (4) and a drive unit (31 ) connected to the chassis (2) apt to drive said driven end (32) from a retracted position to an extended position and/or vice versa; such that when said driven end 32 is extended said flap (4) is rotated towards said close position (A); when said driven end (32) is retracted, said flap (4) is rotated back to an open position (B).

A fail safe mechanism of a wing turnstile (1 ), for emergency cases such as loss of power or malfunctioning of the wing turnstile, having a chassis (2), a flap (4), a linear actuator (3) comprising;

- a lever link (6);

- a solenoid (5);

said mechanically connected to the chassis (2) and a drive unit (31 ) of the linear actuator (3) of the wing turnstile (1 ), such that when said lever link (6) is operated said linear actuator (3) can be moved; said solenoid (5) is fixed to said chassis (2); said solenoid (5) is engageable by said lever link (6);

characterized in that, when said wing gate turnstile (1 ) is at its operating mode, current is run through the solenoid, magnetizing it; due to the magnetization the lever link (6) is drawn to the solenoid (5); engaging the lever link (6) to the solenoid (5), pushing the linear actuator (3) up; however in the case of loss of power or malfunctioning of the wing gate (1 ) the current through the solenoid (5) is cut off; thus demagnetizing the solenoid (5), as a consequence releasing the lever link (6), pulling down the linear actuator (3), which automatically rotates the flap (4) to an open position.

Detailed characteristics of the according to the present invention are quoted in the corresponding dependent claims.

Ulterior characteristics and advantages of the present invention majorly results from the description of one form of preferred execution but not exclusive of a wing gate turnstile according to the present invention, illustrated by a non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 illustrates wing gate turnstile with flap in lane passage open position;

- figure 2 illustrates wing gate turnstile with flap in lane passage open position;

- figure 3 illustrates the fale safe mechanism of the wing gate when engaged;

- figure 4 illustrates the fale safe mechanism of the wing gate when disengaged;

It is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a wing gate turnstile comprising:

- a chassis 2;

- an actuation means 3 in particular, a linear actuator 3;

- at least a flap 4.

The flap 4, comprises of a spine 41 , at least a first annular sector plate shape 42, preferably a second annular sector plate 43. A substantial length of the spine 41 is fixed to a side of the first sector plate 42, such that the large arc of the first sector plate 42 corresponds to a first extreme of the spine 41 , preferably by screws, however other traditional forms of fixtures are not excluded, for example, gluing, welding, fixture by bolt and nut etc. A second etreme of the spine 41 is fixed to a fulcrum 41’ of the chassis 2, such that the spine 42 is rotatable about the fulcrum 41’ when the flap 4 is operated by the linear actuator 3. The spine 41 is rotatable from a close position A, preferably a radial axis vertical to the first pivot point 4T, preferably the chassis 2 presents a first stopper apt to stop the spine 41 in the closed position in order not to rotate beyond, to an open position B when the spine 41 forms an angle a, preferably between 10 ° and 60 °, preferably between 15 ° and 45 °, preferably 30 ° with the radial axis, vertical to the first fulcrum 41 \

The second sector plate 43 is telescopically fixed to the other side of the first plate 42, such that when the flap 4 is operated by the linear actuator 3, the second sector plate 43 is movable, with respect to the first sector plate 42 depending on the direction of the actuation.

The linear actuator 3 having a drive unit 31 connected to the chassis 2 and a driven end 32 connected to the flap 4 at a point which is not coincident with the axis of rotation of the flap 4.

To move the flap 4 from the closed position A, the linear actuator 3 is operated, the driven end 32 retracts linearly from an extended position to a retracted position, and since the driven end 32 is fixed to the flap 4, the flap is rotated about the first pivot point 41’ moving the spine 41 from the close position A to the open position B. when the linear actuator 3 is operated from a retracted position to an extended position, the driven end 32 extends linearly, thus rotating the flap 4 about the first pivot point 4T, actuated moving the spine 41 from an open position B to a close position A.

The present invention also envisages a fail safe mechanism, in the case of power loss or malfunction of the wing gate 1 . The fail safe mechanism is made in such a way that, when there is loss of power or any malfunction, the wing gate 1 is automatically opened, so as to allow access of users through the gate 1 . When the power is restored or the malfunction resolved the wing gate 1 is automatically restored to its operating mode. By operating mode it is meant when the wing gate 1 is functioning or presents no malfunction or power loss.

The chassis 2 presents a profiled hole 21 , preferably a bean shaped profile presenting a cam 22. The drive unit 31 presents a first part 3T having a lower profile apt to engage the lower part of the profiled hole 21 in the case of a failure (loss of power or malfunction of the wing gate 1 ) and a second part 31” apt to engage an upper part of the profiled hole 21 when the wing gate 1 is in its operating mode. The cam 22 is apt to keep the first part 31’ stable when engaged to the lower part of the profile hole 21 .

The drive unit 31 of the linear actuator 3 is connected to the chassis 2 by means of a lever link 6.

The lever link 6 comprises of a first lever arm 61 , having a curved profile apt to adapt to the profile of the first part 31’ of the drive end 31 , a connecting arm 62, a second lever arm 63.

A first end of the first lever arm 61 is fixed to a a first pivot point 6’ of the chassis 2, in a way that the first arm 61 is rotatable with respect to the chassis 2 about the first pivot point 6’. A second end of the first arm 61 is connected to a first extreme of the connecting arm 62 forming a first pivot joint 6a, such that the first arm 61 and the connecting arm 62 are movable with respect to each other.

The drive unit 31 is connected to the first pivot joint 6a, this allows the motion and or rotation of the linear actuator 3. A second extreme of the connecting arm 62 is connected a first end of the second arm 63 forming a second pivot joint 6b, such that the connecting arm 62 and the third arm 63 are movable and/or rotatable with respect to each other. The second end of the third arm 63 is connected a second pivot point 6” on the chassis 2, in a way that the third arm 63 is rotatable with respect to the chassis 2 about the second pivot point 6”.

The third arm 63 is provided with a connecting plate 63’.

The chassis 2 also comprises a solenoid 5 apt to be engaged by the connecting plate 63’ of the third arm 63 when the wing gate 1 is in the operating mode and disengage when there is malfunctioning or loss of power of the wing gate 1 . When the solenoid 5 is engaged, it provides a mechanical link between the drive unit 31 and the flap 4. Preferably, also when the solenoid 5 is engaged, it connects the drive unit 31 with the power source, forming a closed loop allowing the flow of current and thus the functioning of the linear actuator 3. when the solenoid 5 is disengaged disengaged, an open loop is created. Therefore the supply of current to the drive unit 31 is cut off.

During the operating mode, current runs through the solenoid 5 making it a magnet, the connecting plate 63’ is then attracted towards the solenoid 5, allowing the second arm 63 to rotated about the second pivot point 6” in the direction towards the solenoid 5. The rotational movement of the second arm 63, due to the magnetic pull of the solenoid 5, exerts a force on the first pivot joint 6a actuating the drive unit 31 and with the aid of the first arm 61 rotated about the first pivot point 6’, exerting an upward force on the lower profile of the first part 3T pushing it to towards the upper part of the hole profile 21 . The second part 31”, then engages the upper part of the hole profile 21 to bring the first part 3T to a stop.

When there is malfunctioning or loss of power, the power or current through the solenoid 5 is ceased, thus rendering the solenoid not magnetized. Due to this, the connecting plate 63’ is released, causing the second arm 63 to rotate back, about the second pivot point 6” away from the solenoid 5 pulling the drive unit 31 down and engaging the lower profile of the first part 31’ to the lower part of the hole profile 21 .

When the power loss is recoverd, to re-engage the solenoid 5, the driven end 32 of the linear actuator 3 is retracts to the flap 4 open position B and then reconnects the lever link 6, by means of the connecting plate 63’.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. It is to be noted that this invention is applicable to both standard and telescopic bi-parting wing gates.

In practice, materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of art. Where the constructional characteristics and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs or numbers, such signs and reference numbers have been applied with the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and consequently, they do not constitute in any way limiting the interpretation of each element identified, purely by way of example, by such signs and reference numbers.