Gate System and Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gate having at least one arm, wherein the at least one arm is configured to extend and retract. When the at least one arm is substantially extended, the at least one arm substantially prevents access through the gate. When the at least one arm is substantially retracted, the at least one arm no longer substantially prevents access through the gate.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) at least one motor coupled to a shaft, wherein the shaft is bidirectionally rotatable by the motor;   (b) a first arm, wherein the first arm comprises a second portion slidably mounted in at least part of a first portion of the first arm,
 wherein the first arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is extended away from the first portion of the first arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is retracted towards the first portion of the first arm; and 
 
   (c) a second arm, wherein the second arm comprises a second portion slidably mounted in at least part of a first portion of the second arm,
 wherein the second arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is extended away from the first portion of the second arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is retracted towards the first portion of the second arm, 
 
   (d) a first connector connecting the shaft to the first arm, wherein the first connector passes through at least one opening in the first arm; and   (e) a second connector connecting the shaft to the second arm, wherein the second connector passes through at least one opening in the second arm,   wherein rotation of the shaft in a first direction transitions the first arm and the second arm from their respective first states to their respective second states and rotation of the shaft in a second direction transitions the first arm and the second arm from their respective second states to their respective first states.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein an end of the first arm and an end of the second arm are adapted to engage at least one recess when the first arm and the second arm are in their first states, so that movement of the first arm and the second arm becomes more limited. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a network interface. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first arm and the second arm automatically transition from one state to another state based on a sensed presence or absence of an electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a display for displaying information relating to the operation of the apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are adapted to extend and retract in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first arm and second arm are concentric or nested arms. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a cover that covers a hole through which at least one arm retracts when the first arm and the second arm are in their respective second states and uncovers the hole when the first arm and the second arm are in their respective first states. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a sensor adapted to detect an obstruction. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) at least one motor coupled to a shaft, wherein the shaft is bidirectionally rotatable by the motor;   (b) a first arm, wherein the first arm comprises a second portion slidably mounted in at least part of a first portion of the first arm,
 wherein the first arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is extended away from the first portion of the first arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is retracted towards the first portion of the first arm; and 
 
   (c) a second arm, wherein the second arm comprises a second portion slidably mounted in at least part of a first portion of the second arm,
 wherein the second arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is extended away from the first portion of the second arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is retracted towards the first portion of the second arm, 
 
   (d) a first spring within the first portion and second portion of the first arm; and   (e) a second spring within the first portion and second portion of the second arm;
 wherein rotation of the shaft in a first direction allows the first spring and second spring to decompress and transitions the first arm and the second arm from their respective second states to their respective first states and rotation of the shaft in a second direction compresses the first spring and second spring and transitions the first arm and the second arm from their respective first states to their respective second states. 
   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein an end of the first arm and an end of the second arm are adapted to engage a recess when the first arm and the second arm are in their first states, so that movement of the first arm and the second arm becomes more limited. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a network interface. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to automatically transition the first arm and the second arm from one state to another state based on a sensed presence or absence of an electronic device. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a display for displaying information relating to the operation of the apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a cover that covers a hole through which at least one arm retracts when the first arm and the second arm are in their respective second states and uncovers the hole when the first arm and the second arm are in their respective first states. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the first arm and second arm are concentric or nested arms. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a sensor adapted to detect an obstruction. 
     
     
         38 . An barrier or gate apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (a) a first arm coupled to the housing, wherein the first arm comprises a first portion and a second portion and at least part of the second portion of the first arm is slidably mounted in the first portion of the first arm,
 wherein the first arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is extended away from the first portion of the first arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the first arm the second portion of the first arm is retracted towards the first portion of the first arm; and 
 
   (b) a second arm coupled to the housing, wherein the second arm comprises a first portion and a second portion and at least part of the second portion of the second arm is slidably mounted in the first portion of the second arm,
 wherein the second arm has a first state and a second state,
 wherein in the first state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is extended away from the first portion of the second arm, 
 wherein in the second state of the second arm the second portion of the second arm is retracted towards the first portion of the second arm; and 
 
   (c) a motor coupled to a shaft, wherein rotation of the shaft in a first direction transitions the first and second arms from their first states to their second states, and rotation of the shaft in a second direction transitions the first and second arms from their second states to their first states.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second arms are nested or concentric arms. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the first and second arms are disposed in a pathway and comprise a barrier when the first and second arms are in their first states.