Fixture which provides access control

Abstract

A fixture includes a support structure having a flexible arm which carries an input device. The input device is in communication with a moveable vehicle barrier and controls its operation. The flexible arm flexes in response to an applied force so that the input device can move if it is engaged by a vehicle.

1 . A fixture, comprising:
 a support structure which includes a flexible arm; and   an input device carried by the flexible arm, the input device being moveable in response to moving the flexible arm between flexed and unflexed positions;   wherein the input device is in communication with a moveable vehicle barrier.   
   
   
       2 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a light directed at the input device. 
   
   
       3 . The fixture of  claim 1 , further including a cable which extends through the flexible arm, the input device and moveable vehicle barrier being in communication through the cable. 
   
   
       4 . The fixture of  claim 3 , wherein the moveable vehicle barrier is repeatably moveable between open and closed positions in response to a control signal from the input device. 
   
   
       5 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible arm is repeatably moveable between the flexed and unflexed positions. 
   
   
       6 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible arm moves between the flexed and unflexed positions in response to the input device engaging and disengaging, respectively, a vehicle. 
   
   
       7 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the input device and flexible arm are hermetically sealed when the flexible arm is in the flexed and unflexed positions. 
   
   
       8 . A fixture, comprising:
 a support structure which includes an outwardly extending flexible arm; and   an input device carried by the flexible arm, wherein the flexible arm moves between flexed and unflexed positions in response to the input device engaging and disengaging, respectively, a vehicle.   
   
   
       9 . The fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is positioned proximate to a curb and the vehicle can engage the input device without engaging the curb. 
   
   
       10 . The fixture of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible arm extends over the curb. 
   
   
       11 . The fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible arm is repeatably moveable between the flexed and unflexed positions. 
   
   
       12 . The fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the input device is in communication with a moveable vehicle barrier. 
   
   
       13 . The fixture of  claim 12 , wherein the input device flows a control signal through the flexible arm to a moveable vehicle barrier in response to a desired input. 
   
   
       14 . The fixture of  claim 8 , wherein the input device and flexible arm are hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       15 . A method of controlling a moveable vehicle barrier, comprising:
 providing a support structure which includes a flexible arm;   mounting an input device so it is carried by the flexible arm, the input device being moveable in response to moving the flexible arm between flexed and unflexed positions; and   establishing communication between the input device and moveable vehicle barrier.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including mounting a light so it is carried by the support structure and directed at the input device. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of establishing communication between the input device and moveable vehicle barrier includes positioning a cable so it is carried by the flexible arm. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further including moving the moveable vehicle barrier between open and closed positions in response to a control signal from the input device. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further including repeatably moving the flexible arm between the flexed and unflexed positions. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further including positioning the support structure so the flexible arm extends over a curb. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further including positioning the support structure so a vehicle can engage the input device without engaging the curb. 
   
   
       22 . A method of installing a vehicle access system, comprising:
 providing a first input device in communication with a moveable vehicle barrier; and   replacing the first input device with a second input device carried by a flexible arm.   
   
   
       23 . A method of installing a vehicle access system, comprising:
 providing a support structure which includes a flexible arm;   attaching an input device to the flexible arm; and   establishing communication between the input device and a moveable vehicle barrier.