Parking meter
A parking meter assembly ( 10 ) including a base ( 11 ) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly ( 10 ) also includes a parking meter ( 13 ) having a front face ( 17 ) that includes a coin slot ( 25 ) a card slot ( 20 ) and a control panel ( 21 ). The parking meter ( 13 ) further includes a rear face ( 27 ) having a window aperture ( 28 ) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel ( 29 ) behind the aperture ( 28 ).
1. A single space parking meter comprising:
a card reader;
an electronic device electrically connected to the card reader so as to receive information electronically therefrom, the electronic device having a screen to provide information visually, a communication connection to provide receiving information in respect of a card used in respect of the card reader, and connections for at least one rechargeable battery to power the card reader, and the electronic device;
a solar cell operatively associated with the connections to charge the at least one rechargeable battery;
a housing in which the card reader and the electronic device are located, the housing comprising an intermediate panel set and a cover panel, wherein the cover panel is configured to attach to the intermediate panel set by a dual attachment element comprising a slideable mount and a pivotal mount, the cover panel comprising a plurality of buttons that operate the parking meter upon manipulation by a user; and
a window aperture in the cover panel via which the solar cell is exposed to light;
wherein the card reader is electrically linked to provide information to the electronic device to provide information of whether payment has been made;
wherein the screen of the electronic device is visible through the window of the cover panel when the cover panel is attached to the intermediate panel.
2. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the meter comprises an indicator to provide an indication whether a parking period has expired.
3. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the meter is adapted to be fixed to a post fixed to a ground surface, with the intermediate panel set comprising a set of panels to be fixed relative to the post.
4. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the card reader, the electronic device, and the screen are a module removable as an assembly from within the housing.
5. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the communication connection is a mobile (cellular) telephone connection.
6. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the card reader is configured to read credit cards or debit cards.
7. A single space parking meter comprising:
a housing comprising an intermediate panel set and a cover panel, the cover panel configured to attach to the intermediate panel set by a dual attachment element comprising a slideable mount and a pivotal mount, wherein the housing comprises a first window, a plurality of buttons that operate the parking meter upon manipulation by a user, the plurality of buttons on the cover panel, and a second window;
a module configured to be removably received by the housing, the module comprising:
a) a card reader, and
b) an electronic device electrically connected to the card reader so as to receive information electronically therefrom, the electronic device comprising:
i) a screen to provide information visually via the first window when the cover panel is attached to the intermediate panel set,
ii) a communications connection to provide receiving information in respect of the card reader,
iii) a rechargeable battery electrically coupled to provide power to the card reader and the electronic device, and
iv) a solar cell operatively coupled with the rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery, the solar cell configured to receive light via the second window;
wherein the card reader is electrically linked to provide information to the electronic device to provide information of whether payment has been made.
8. The parking meter of claim 7 , wherein the meter comprises an indicator to provide an indication whether a parking period has expired.
9. The parking meter of claim 1 , wherein the meter is adapted to be fixed to a post fixed to a ground surface, with the intermediate panel set comprising a set of panels to be fixed relative to the post.
10. The parking meter of claim 7 , wherein the communication connection is a mobile (cellular) telephone connection.
11. The parking meter of claim 7 , wherein the card reader, the electronic device, and the screen are a module removable as an assembly from within the housing.
12. The parking meter of claim 7 , wherein the card reader is configured to read credit cards or debit cards.