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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fence gates. More specifically, the invention is a gate stabilizer intended to eliminate gate sag, reduce the stress on gate hinges, and prevent a gate from being forced open.
2. General Background of the Invention
Gate systems, and particularly livestock gates that are usually heavier and larger than normal fence gates, in which the gate hangs on hinges attached to a gate post but is not otherwise supported are plagued by a unique set of problems. One problem routinely experienced by users of these gates is the tendency of gates to sag in at least two non-exclusive manners. First, the sag may result from the failure of the gate structure itself. Second, the otherwise unsupported weight of the gate can cause the gate post to bend or tilt.
The first failure is caused by the fact that the gate is only supported at one end by the hinges that are attached to the gate post. This results in the weight of the gate applying forces to the internal structure of the gate that can result in failure over time.
The second failure is caused by the force couple the weight of the gate applies to the gate post through the hinges. Since the opposing end of the gate is unsupported, the weight of the gate acts to pull the upper hinge, and therefore the upper portion of the gate post, toward the gate. Simultaneously, the weight of the gate acts to push the lower hinge, and therefore the lower portion of the gate post, away from the gate. Over time, this can cause the fence post to bend or to tilt relative to its original positioning thereby causing the gate to sag.
Prior solutions to this problem have tended to create additional problems. For example, the free end of the gate can be supported by a wheel, but this makes the gate difficult to operate as it does not swing freely, especially when the gate is installed over uneven ground or gravel. Other solutions have focused on devices that increase stress on the hinges by employing tactics such as tensioning a gate to a gate post. Other approaches to resolving this problem result in a weakening of the gate structure as a whole by reducing the strength or weight of the gate itself. Alternatively, other methods rely on hinges of increased strength to attempt to counterbalance the stress of the gate.
In summary, no real effort has been made to remedy the cause of gate sag by reducing the stress applied to the hinges and the structure of the gate. Instead, known devices and methods either attempt to compensate for the problem of gate sag once it has occurred or create added stress on the gate and hinges that eventually results in gate sag.
Another problem faced by typical gate structures is that the unsupported gate latches only at the middle to upper portion of the gate. This makes the gate susceptible to being forced open at the lower portion by an animal or child being contained or excluded in part by the gate. This typical structure also results in a gate system that is susceptible to vibration and movement that may cause injury to livestock.
It is also a known problem of fencing systems that the horizontal distance between a gate in its closed position and the post to which the gate is to be secured can vary greatly due to a number of factors, including how far out of plumb the post is, how far out of plumb the gate is, and the accuracy of the installer in setting the gate posts. Accordingly, installers frequently have difficulty in installing latches and similar devices on gates that must be connectable to a mating device affixed to the post to which the gate must be secured.
The object of this invention then is address the above identified problems by providing an apparatus that can is inexpensive and easy to apply to both gate systems that are already in service and new gate systems regardless of what side the gate is hinged on. In addition to reducing the stress on the gate and the gate post, the present invention is livestock proof, meaning that it cannot be opened by the nose, shoulder, or hoof of animals such as cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing sag-inducing stress on a gate comprising a support member and a stabilizer assembly, said stabilizer assembly including a rotating member having a first end portion adapted to engage said support member and a fixed member. The present invention further relates to methods for using said apparatus.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
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Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, stabilizer assembly 100 is located toward the bottom of gate G on gate post GP such that rotating member 130 can be allowed to hang parallel to gate post GP in a disengaged position when it is not engaged with support member 10 as shown in
In an alternate embodiment, gate post GP could include a through hole that would align with holes 138 and 140 when rotating member is in the disengaged position. This would allow coupling pin 150 to lock rotating member 130 in its disengaged position to prevent it from inadvertently rotating when gate G is opened or closed. This would also provide a place to store coupling pin 150 when gate stabilizer 1 is not engaged. Alternatively, as shown in
In an alternative application, gate stabilizer 1 could be mounted toward the top of gate G to replace conventional latch L. If used in this manner, gate stabilizer 1 would provide the gate latching function in addition to reducing sag-inducing stress by carrying a portion of the weight of gate G unlike conventional latch L.
Gate stabilizer 1 is used to reduce sag-inducing stress in Gate G by affixing stabilizer assembly 100 to gate post GP on the end of gate G opposite hinges H. Support member 10 is then affixed to latch post LP opposite stabilizer assembly 100. Gate stabilizer 1 is then engaged by rotating the engagement end of rotating member 130 up toward gate post GP. Gate G is then moved to its closed position. The engagement end of rotating member 130 is then rotated down to engage support member 10. Support member 10 should be located on latch post LP such that the lower edge of rotating member engages the portion of the L-shape extending toward latch post LP to ensure that the gate stabilizer bears a portion of the weight of gate G. Coupling apertures 138 and 140 in the opposing end of rotating member 130 are then aligned with coupling apertures 120 and 122 in fixed member 110 and coupling pin 150 is passed though coupling apertures 138, 120, 122, and 140 to firmly fix rotating member 130 relative to fixed member 110. Gate stabilizer 1 is disengaged by reversing these steps.
An alternative embodiment of the invention, gate stabilizer 200, is illustrated in
Referring now to
In this embodiment, rotating member 230 is a generally U-shaped member that includes a pair of rotational apertures 232 and 234 located opposite each other toward open end portion 231 of the U-shape of rotating member 230. Rotational apertures 232 and 234 are sized to receive cylindrical projections 116 and 118, allowing rotating member 230 to rotate about cylindrical projections 116 and 118. Closed end portion 236 of U-shaped rotating member 230 is adapted to engage support member 250. In the illustrated embodiment, this adaptation comprises providing closed end portion 236 with a diameter that is complementary to support member 250.
Rotating member 230 further comprises coupling apertures 238 and 240 for receiving coupling pin 150. Coupling apertures are located opposite each other along the opposing side portions of U-shaped rotating member 230 such that coupling apertures 238 and 240 align with coupling apertures in 120 and 122 that are defined in fixed member 110 when rotating member 230 is rotated to engage support member 250. Rotating member 230 can optionally be equipped with shroud 131.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), rotating member 230 is sized to fit within the open portion of fixed member 110. In such an alternate embodiment, rotating member 230 is adapted to rotate about bolt 112 rather than projections 116 and 118.
Illustrated in
When the embodiment illustrated in
Illustrated in
Generally U-shaped rotating member 330 includes opposing rotational apertures 332 and 334 defined in the opposing open end portions 331 of rotating member 330. Rotational apertures 332 and 334 are sized to receive cylindrical projections 316 and 318 and to allow rotating member 330 to rotate about cylindrical projections 316 and 318. Rotating member 330 is held in place with spring-type cotter pins 342 and 344 that are inserted though apertures defined in cylindrical projections 316 and 318.
Rotating member 330 further includes opposing latching slots 338 defined in central portion 339 of rotating member 330. Slots 338 have a width sized to receive latching bolt 380. On the external surface of rotating member 330, each of latching slots 338 is partially surrounded by raised, U-shaped shoulder 340. Shoulder 340 may be formed by the addition of a second layer of material to rotating member 330 as illustrated in
In use, rotating member 330 is fixed in its latched position by rotating it to the point where latching slots 338 align with latching keyways 317 defined in fixed member 310. Latching bolt 380 is then moved toward gate G and into latching keyways 317 to prevent rotating member 330 from rotating. The open end portion of latching keyways 317 may be chamfered or rounded to assist in guiding latching bolt 380 into latching keyways 317. Latching bolt 380 is fixed in a latched position by shoulder 340 as shown in
Gate stabilizer 300 also includes support member 350. Support member 350 includes hemispherical, generally ball-shaped member 352 affixed to an end portion of shaft 354. Shaft 354 is preferably threaded at the opposing end and has a length sufficiently greater than the diameter of latch post LP to allow support member 350 be affixed to latch post LP using nut 358. Washers 356 can be used to adapt support member 350 to posts of varying diameters and can be used between ball-shaped member 352 and latch post LP to space ball-shaped member 352 away from latch post LP at the proper distance to allow rotating member 330 to engage ball-shaped member 352 in rotating member 330 is rotated to its latched position. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) for use with a wood latch post LP, support member 350 could utilize a shaft with a pointed thread like a lag bolt to allow support member 350 to be screwed directly into latch post LP.
To use gate stabilizer 300, fixed member 310 is attached to horizontal member HM of gate G. Rotating member 330 is then rotatably attached to fixed member 310 by inserting cylindrical projections 316 and 318 through rotational apertures 332 and 334 and securing rotating member 330 with cotter pins 342 and 344. Support member 350 is located on latch post LP such that rotating member 330 will initially contact the upper half of ball-shaped member 352. Thus, as rotating member 330 is rotated to fully engage ball-shaped member 352, rotating member 330 will slide up the circumference of ball-shaped member 352 to ensure that a portion of the weight of gate G is born by gate stabilizer 300 and support member 350.
The fixed member of gate stabilizer 300 can also be adapted to be affixed to vertical gate post in a similar manner to the embodiment of fixed member 210 illustrated in
While the above describes the illustrated embodiments, those skilled in the art may appreciate that certain modifications may be made to the apparatus and methodology herein disclosed, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/394,851 that was filed on Feb. 27, 2009, now abandoned which is hereby incorporated by reference and which was a continuation-in-part of now abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/680,251 that was filed on Feb. 28, 2007 and entitled “Gate Stabilizer,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12394851 | Feb 2009 | US |
Child | 12862272 | US | |
Parent | 11680251 | Feb 2007 | US |
Child | 12394851 | US |