Height adjustable speed bump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a height adjustable speed bump for controlling speed of vehicles when placed on roadways and for serving as a barrier when used for blocking restricted areas. The speed bump comprises a portable body ( 100 ) having a middle portion ( 120 ) and two side portions ( 110 a, 110 b ). An elevation ( 290 ) of the body ( 100 ) is adjustable in dependence upon the usage as the speed bump or the barrier. Various arrangements are proposed for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ). A sensor is also provided on the body ( 100 ), for tracking the number of objects such as vehicles, passing over it. Methods of using the bump and barrier are thus proposed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable speed bump for controlling speed of vehicles when placed on roadways and for serving as a barrier when used for blocking restricted areas, comprising a portable body ( 100 ), wherein the body ( 100 ) having:
 a middle portion ( 120 );   at least two side portion ( 110   a,    110   b ),   
       whereby an elevation ( 290 ) of the middle portion ( 100 ) is adjustable in dependence upon the usage as a speed bump or a barrier. 
     
     
         2 . The speed bump according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one sensing means ( 130 ) coupled onto the body ( 100 ), for tracking a number of objects passing over the at least one sensing means ( 130 ), the at least one sensing means ( 130 ) thereby compiling a tracking information.   
     
     
         3 . The speed bump according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one sensing means ( 130 ) comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The speed bump according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one sensing means ( 130 ) comprises an optical sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The speed bump according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one sensing means ( 130 ) further comprises a remote electronic receiving means for wirelessly receiving and storing the tracking information. 
     
     
         6 . The speed bump according to  claim 1  wherein the body ( 100 ) is modular for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ), the speed bump further comprising:
 a plurality of projections ( 270 ); 
 a plurality of holes ( 275 ) wherein the plurality of holes ( 275 ) and the plurality of projections ( 270 ) are accomodated to the middle portion ( 120 ) and the side portion ( 110   a,    110   b ) respectively or vice versa; 
 the middle portion ( 120 ) having a first face ( 250 ) more outwardly protruded than an opposite second face ( 260 ) and being capable of mating with the side portions ( 110   a,    110   b ) through the plurality of projections ( 270 ) and holes ( 275 ) with either face facing upwards. 
 
     
     
         7 . The speed bump according to  claim 1  wherein the body ( 100 ) is modular for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ), the speed bump further comprising:
 a plurality of projections ( 270 ); 
 a plurality of holes ( 275 ) wherein the plurality of holes ( 275 ) and the plurality of projections ( 270 ) are accomodated to the middle portion ( 120 ) and the side portion ( 110   a,    110   b ) respectively or vice versa; 
 whereby the plurality of holes ( 275 ) are quantifiably more than the plurality of projections ( 270 ) to raise the middle portion ( 120 ) by at least one level. 
 
     
     
         8 . The speed bump according to  claim 1  wherein the body ( 100 ) is modular for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ), the speed bump further comprising:
 at least one jackscrew ( 410 ) operable by a leadscrew ( 420 ), the jackscrew ( 410 ) provided within the middle portion ( 120 ) with the middle portion ( 120 ) resting on a top node ( 430 ) of the jackscrew ( 410 ), such that the middle portion ( 120 ) can be raised or lowered independent of the at least two side portions ( 110   a,    110   b ) by turning a knob ( 440 ). 
 
     
     
         9 . The speed bump according to  claim 1  wherein the body ( 100 ) is modular for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ), the speed bump further comprising:
 a pneumatic lift mechanism ( 500 ) accomodated below the middle portion ( 120 ) to elevate the middle portion ( 120 ). 
 
     
     
         10 . The speed bump according to  claim 1  wherein the body ( 100 ) is modular for adjusting the elevation ( 290 ), the speed bump further comprising:
 a plurality of resilient means ( 610 ); 
 a cable ( 620 ) attached to the middle portion ( 120 ) 
 a pulley ( 640 ) coupled to the cable ( 620 ); 
 a motor ( 630 ) mechanically coupled to the pulley ( 640 ) to adjust the length of the cable ( 620 ) releasable from the pulley ( 640 );
 whereby the plurality of resilient means ( 610 ) forces the middle portion ( 120 ) upwards while the cable ( 620 ) hold the middle portion ( 120 ) against the biasing of the resilient means ( 610 ) in which the height of the middle portion ( 120 ) is determined by the length of the cable ( 620 ) releasable from the pulley ( 640 ).