The present invention relates to gates for access control, and in particular to manually operable, vertical opening systems for gates, and gates including the vertical opening systems.
Gates are used worldwide to control access for people, animals, and vehicles between areas. For example, ranchers and farmers use gates to control the entry and exit of people and animals from various fields and buildings on a farm or ranch. Conventional gates used to control such access can be categorized into two classes: swing-style gates and vertical-style gates. Swing-style gates open by rotation about a horizontal axis of the gate, and thus require substantially level terrain. This limitation can be problematic in areas where the ground is uneven, such as areas with a ditch or snow accumulation. Moreover, for larger swing-style gates, hinge failure is common due to gravitational pull on the hinges in a path perpendicular to the direction of hinge rotation. Swing-style gates also can require a significant amount of area in front of and/or behind the gate as the gates swings open/closed.
Vertical-style gates open along a vertical axis of the gate, thus eliminating the space in front of and/or behind the gate required during opening and closing the gate. These gates, however, generally maintain a rigid shape when opening, and may therefore take up unnecessary space in the gate opening when in the open position. One solution to this problem is to include pivot points along the gate rails so that it may fold in an accordion-like manner when opening. If damaged by vehicles or livestock, however, these accordion-style gates may fail to open due to the damaged pivot points. Moreover, conventional vertical-style gates are generally heavy, and thus often require motorized assistance to aid in opening.
Both swing-style and vertical-style gates may be operated manually or may be electrically driven. Manually opened swing-style gates necessitate that the operator walk the distance of the swing arc. Manually operated vertical-style gates generally need to be lightweight so that they can be opened using conventional lift mechanisms. Conventional heavy-duty, vertical-style gates may be too heavy for manual operation, and may use weight and cable/pulley systems to facilitate manual opening. Such versions, however, expose the cables to high tensions. Electrically driven gates, on the other hand, automate opening and closing operations, but require a motor and an electric source, which may not be practical to implement in all environments.
Accordingly, more efficient gates and methods of making and using the same are desirable.
The presently disclosed invention overcomes many of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing more efficient and/or cost-effective vertical-style gates and methods of making and using the same. The gates provide an improved means to control access across a wide opening, such as a roadway, without obscuring the opening and without the need for motorized assistance.
Thus, the present invention is related to a gate comprising a stanchion, and a plurality of rails pivotally connected to the stanchion and comprising a plurality of posts hingedly attached thereto. The gate includes a unique lift system which generally comprises a translating device in communication with a sprocket, wherein the lift system provides an adjustable force to rotate the plurality of rails from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The hinged attachment of the plurality of posts to the plurality of rails allows the posts to fold substantially parallel with the rails when the rails are in the vertical position.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, a first end of at least one of the plurality of rails may include a counterbalance weight. According to certain aspects of the present invention, a second end of the at least one of the plurality of rails may include a remote controllable latch. In some examples, the lift system and/or counterbalance weight may bias the plurality of rails to the vertical position, and the latch may maintain the plurality of rails in the horizontal position when engaged thereon.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, the translating device of the lift system may comprise a first end including a spring fixedly connected to the stanchion, a second end including a chain fixedly connected to one of the plurality of rails, and a middle portion comprising a turnbuckle positioned between, and connected to, the first end and the second end of the translating device. Rotation of the tumbuckle may increase or decrease the adjustable force provided by the lift system.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, the first end of the translating device may be connected proximal to a top end of the stanchion. Moreover, the stanchion may comprise two upright stanchions, and the plurality of rails and the sprocket may be connected between the two upright stanchions.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, the gate may include a housing attachable to the stanchion and configured to enclose the lift system.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, a bottom end of the gatepost may be attachable to a connection plate positioned at ground level. Alternatively, the gate may further include a unique ground anchor system that allows axial rotation of the plurality of rails about the stanchion. Thus, the gate may be configured to operate as both a swing-style gate and a vertical-style gate. The ground anchor system may comprise a first cylindrical element securely attached to a bottom end of the stanchion, and a second cylindrical element sized to rotatably accept the first cylindrical element therein. A portion of the second cylindrical element may be secured below a ground level. The first cylindrical element may include a collar that projects radially outward from an outer surface of the first cylindrical element, and which maintains the stanchion at a specific position within the second cylindrical element and thus a predetermined distance from the ground level, by extending beyond an outer edge of the second cylindrical element.
According to certain aspects of the present invention, the ground anchor system may further include a locking system configured to prevent rotation of the second cylindrical element within the first cylindrical element. The locking system may comprise a pin that traverses the first and second cylindrical elements, and may include a lock to prevent removal and/or theft of the pin.
The present invention is also related to a gate comprising a gatepost (i.e., stanchion) having a plurality of swing arms pivotally connected thereto, and a lift system. The swing arms may comprise a first section and a second section, wherein the second section is offset from the first section and pivotally connected to the gatepost, and wherein the second section comprises one or more segments hingedly attached in series. The first section may comprise a counterbalance weight, such as a weight positioned at an end of the first section of the swing arm distal from the second section thereof. The lift system may comprise a translating device in communication with a sprocket, wherein the lift system provides a force to rotate the plurality of swing arms from a horizontal position to a vertical position and the one or more segments of the second section from an open position to a closed position.
The various embodiments described herein may be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various views. It is to be noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views of embodiments of the present invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale. The illustrative embodiments in the following drawings are not meant to be limiting; other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.
As generally used herein, the articles “one”, “a”, “an” and “the” refer to “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, for example, although reference is made to “a” rail, “a” post, “the” ground anchor, one or more of these components and/or any other components described herein can be used.
As generally used herein, the terms “including” and “having” mean “comprising”.
Various aspects of the gates disclosed herein may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “attached”, and/or “joined” are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly coupled”, “directly attached”, and/or “directly joined” to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.
Further, for purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the figures. By way of example, if aspects of the gate shown in the drawings or photographs are turned over, elements described as being on the “bottom” side of the other elements would then be oriented on the “top” side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing or photograph. The term “bottom” can therefore encompass both an orientation of “bottom” and “top” depending on the particular orientation of the drawing.
The term “proximal” refers to the direction towards the gatepost or stanchion and away from the end of the gate. The term “distal” refers to the outward direction extending away from the gatepost and toward the end of the gate which may include a latch.
As generally used herein, the term “about” refers to an acceptable degree of error for the quantity measured, given the nature or precision of the measurements. Typical exemplary degrees of error may be within 20%, 10%, or 5% of a given value or range of values. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate unless stated otherwise. Accordingly, the term “about” may be inferred when not expressly stated. Numerical quantities described in specific examples of actual measured values, however, are reported as precisely as possible.
Any numerical range recited in this specification is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this disclosure is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this disclosure is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein.
In the following description, certain details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of various embodiments of gates. However, one skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments may be practiced without these details and/or in the absence of any details not described herein. In other instances, well-known structures, methods, and/or techniques associated with methods of practicing the various embodiments may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring other details of the various embodiments. As such, it is to be understood that the description set forth herein is merely exemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by the claims.
It is also to be understood that the specific gates and devices considered to be portions of the disclosed gate(s) illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary aspects of the disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the disclosure, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate aspects thereof, from which the disclosure, various aspects of its structure, construction, and method of operation, and many advantages may be understood and appreciated.
According to certain embodiments, more efficient and/or cost-effective vertical-style gates and methods of making and using the same are described and illustrated in
With reference to
Another way of understanding the vertical opening of the gate 100 is to view the plurality of swing arms or rails 16 as comprising one or more segments 11 hingedly attached in series. That is, segments 11 are formed by connection of the plurality of posts 18 to the plurality of rails 16. Opening the gate 100 involves rotating the plurality of rails 16 from a horizontal position, as shown in
The hinged attachment between the posts 18 and rails 16 (pivot points 20), and between the rails 16 and stanchion 14 (pivot points 20a), allows rotation about the attachment point so that the connected portions (post to rails, and rails to stanchion) may rotate relative to each other within a plane parallel with the longitudinal axes of the gate portion 12A. The connection between portions, i.e., pivot points 20 and 20a, may be by any means known in the art, such as pins, screws, nuts/bolts, etc., and in certain instances may include intervening components, such as washers, nuts, clamps, etc. The pivot points 20 and 20a may use the same connection means or different connection means.
According to certain aspects, the gate 100 of the present invention may further include a counterbalance system. For example, one or more of the rails 16 may include an extension 23, which extends past the stanchion 14 on a side opposite from the hingedly attached posts 18 and the distal end of the gate portion 12A. That is, a second section 13B of the gate portion 12A may extend to the left of the stanchion 14 and a first section 13A of the gate portion 12A may extend to the right of the stanchion 14, as shown in
Moreover, the counterbalance system may include a counterbalance weight 26 positioned on one or more of the extensions 23 in the second section 13B. The counterbalance weight 26 may be positioned anywhere along the extension 23, such as at an end of the extension 23 as shown in
According to certain aspects, the gate of the present invention may not include a counterbalance system, as shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
The gate 100 may also include a lift system 300, which provides assistance so that only minimal manual power is necessary to lift the gate portion 12A into the vertical position (i.e., open). The lift system 300 may include a translating device and a projection, wherein the translating device provides a pulling force to rotate the swing arms from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and the projection guides the translating device along a path between the stanchion 14 and the gate portion 12A.
The lift system 300 may include a translating device comprising at least a tensioning element to provide the pulling force, and a flexible element to transmit the pulling force. According to one exemplary embodiment of the lift system, and with reference to
The flexible element may be a chain 40 or other flexible member attachable to one of the rails 16, such as to a top rail 16a at an attachment point 15 (see also
The lift system 300 may include a projection (e.g., sprocket 42) attached to the stanchion 14 and configured to engage the flexible element. The projection assists in guiding the flexible element along a path between the stanchion 14 and the rails 16. The unique placement of the projection on the stanchion 14 improves transmission of the pulling force from the tensioning element to the gate portion 12A, and enables the placement of the attachment point 15 to be more proximal on the gate portion 12A (i.e., closer to the stanchion 14).
In an exemplary embodiment where the flexible element is a chain 40, the projection may be a sprocket 42 attached to the stanchion 14 and configured to engage the chain 40. Thus, the spring 46 provides a pulling force on the chain 40 that is transmitted along a path that engages the sprocket 42 and ends with an attachment point on the rails 16 of the gate portion 12A. The pulling force acts to assist in rotation of the rails 16 from the horizontal position to the vertical position (lessen the perceived weight of the gate portion 12A when lifted to open the gate 100). Other exemplary flexible elements include at least a belt or rope which may engage a projection such as a pulley wheel.
With continued reference to
In certain other examples, the position of the adjustment element may be varied within the translating device of the lift system 300. For example, when the adjustment element is a turnbuckle 44, a first end of the turnbuckle 44 may be attached to the stanchion 14, such as attached to the extension 47 on the stanchion, and a second, opposite end may be attached to the spring 46.
While the translating device of the lift system 300 has been described as including a tensioning element, a flexible element, and an adjustment element, additional elements are also possible and within the scope of the present invention. For example, additional flexible elements, such as chains, ropes, belts, etc., may be included at any point in the lift system to allow for varied positioning and sizes of the tensioning element (e.g., spring 46) and the adjustment element (e.g., turnbuckle 44). Moreover, the pulling force provided by the lift system 300 may be varied depending on the size and weight of the gate, and the amount of pulling force desired by a user of the gate. Beyond changing the pulling force by adjustment of the adjustment element (e.g., turnbuckle 44), variation of the pulling force may be achieved by changing any or all of: the amount of tension provided by the tensioning element (e.g., size and/or length of the spring 46), the position of the attachment point 15 of the lift system to the rails 16, the position of the attachment point of the lift system to the stanchion 14 (e.g., extension 47), the position of the projection (e.g., sprocket 42) on the stanchion 14 and the point at which it may engage the flexible element.
A handle 19 may be included on the gate portion 12A, as shown in
In combination with a counterweight system, such as shown in
As shown in
According to certain aspects of the present invention, all or at least a portion of the stanchion 14 may comprise two upright stanchions. For example, as shown in
With reference to
Alternatively, and with reference to
The ground anchor system 400 of the gate 100 allows horizontal opening of the gate by axial rotation of the plurality of rails 16 about the stanchion 14, and thus provides a means to convert the vertical-style gate to a swing-style gate. In the event that the gate is damaged in a way that would prevent rotation of the rails 16 and posts 18 about the pivot points 20, or rotation of the rails 16 about the pivot points 20a on the stanchion 14, and thus prevent folding of the gate when opened vertically, the gate may be opened using the ground anchor system 400 which rotates the stanchion 14 within a cylindrical element 64. A pin 62 prevents rotation of the cylinders during normal operation and can be removed for conversion to a swing-style gate. A set screw prevents shifting of the inner cylinder within the outer cylinder during normal operation and can be removed for conversion to a swing-style gate.
According to certain aspects, the ground anchor system 400 may include a locking system that prevents rotation of the second cylindrical element 64 within the first cylindrical element 68. With reference to
According to certain aspects, the gate may include a latch system 500 as shown in
With reference to
According to certain aspects, as shown in
The gate may include a mechanism to prevent the opening of the gate by locking to the top of gate portion 12A a bracket or chain attached to the stanchion 14. The gate may include a latch system 500 that is remotely controlled to hold the gate portion 12A in a closed position. When activated, the remotely controlled latch may permit the gate portion 12A to open automatically and without manual lifting.
While a specific type of latching system has been described herein, others known in the art are within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the post 30a has been indicated to be part of an existing fencing system, in certain examples the post 30a may be considered to be part of the gate of the present invention.
The gates disclosed herein may find use to control access for a roadway, walkway, driveway, pathway, or any space used for passage from one place to another.
The following aspects are disclosed in this application:
Aspect 1. A gate comprising: a gatepost having a top end and a bottom end of the gatepost is attachable to a connection plate positioned at ground level; a plurality of swing arms comprising a first section and a second section, the second section offset from the first section and pivotally connected to the gatepost, wherein the second section comprises one or more segments hingedly attached in series; and a lift system comprising a translating device in communication with a sprocket, wherein the lift system provides a force to rotate the plurality of swing arms from a horizontal position to a vertical position and the one or more segments of the second section from an open position to a closed position, wherein the translating device comprises a first end including a spring fixedly connected proximate the top end of the gatepost, a second end including a chain fixedly connected to one of the plurality of swing arms, and a middle portion comprising a turnbuckle positioned between and connected to the first end and the second end of the translating device.
Aspect 2. The gate of aspect 1, wherein the force provided by the lift system is adjustable.
Aspect 3. The gate of aspect 1 or 2, wherein the sprocket is fixedly attached to the gatepost.
Aspect 4. The gate of aspect 2 or 3, wherein rotation of the tumbuckle increases or decreases the force provided by the lift system.
Aspect 5. The gate according to any one of the aspects 1 to 4 comprising a housing attachable to the gatepost and configured to enclose the lift system.
Aspect 6. The gate according to any one of the aspects 1 to 5, wherein the first section of at least one of the plurality of swing arms comprises a counterbalance weight.
Aspect 7. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the counterbalance weight is positioned at an end of the first section of the swing arm distal from the second section thereof.
Aspect 8. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the gatepost comprises two upright stanchions, and the plurality of swing arms are connected therebetween.
Aspect 9. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the sprocket is fixedly attached between two upright stanchions.
Aspect 10. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 9 comprising a first cylindrical element securely attached to the bottom end of the gatepost, and comprising a collar that projects radially outward from an outer surface thereof, and a second cylindrical element secured below ground level and sized to rotatably accept the first cylindrical element therein, wherein the collar of the first cylindrical element extends beyond an outer edge of the second cylindrical element and maintains the gatepost at a predetermined distance from a ground level, wherein the ground anchor system provides horizontal rotation of the plurality of swing arms.
Aspect 11. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the ground anchor system further comprises a locking system that prevents rotation of the second cylindrical element within the first cylindrical element.
Aspect 12. The gate according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the locking system comprises a pin which transverses both the first and second cylindrical elements.
Aspect 13. The gate according to any one of aspects 2 to 12 comprising a remote controllable latch configured to maintain the plurality of swing arms in the horizontal position when the remote controllable latch is engaged, wherein the force provided by the lift system biases the plurality of swing arms to the vertical position.
Aspect 14. A gate comprising a stanchion; a plurality of rails pivotally connected to the stanchion and comprising a plurality of posts hingedly attached thereto; and a lift system comprising a translating device in communication with a sprocket, wherein the lift system provides an adjustable force to rotate the plurality of rails from a horizontal position to a vertical position, wherein the lift system provides a force to rotate the plurality of rails from the horizontal position to the vertical position; a ground anchor system comprising a first cylindrical element securely attached to the bottom end of the stanchion and comprising a collar that projects radially outward from an outer surface thereof, and a second cylindrical element sized to rotatably accept the first cylindrical element therein, wherein a portion of the second cylindrical element is secured below a ground level and the collar of the first cylindrical element extends beyond an outer edge of the second cylindrical element and maintains the stanchion at a predetermined position within the second cylindrical element, wherein the ground anchor system provides axial rotation of the plurality of rails about the stanchion; wherein the translating device comprises a first end including a spring fixedly connected to the stanchion; a second end including a chain fixedly connected to one of the plurality of rails; and a middle portion comprising a turnbuckle positioned between and connected to the first end and the second end of the translating device, wherein hinged attachment of the plurality of posts allows the plurality of posts to fold substantially parallel with the plurality of rails when the plurality of rails are in the vertical position.
Aspect 15. The gate of aspect 14, wherein the ground anchor system further comprises a locking system that prevents rotation of the second cylindrical element within the first cylindrical element.
Aspect 16. The gate of aspect 14 or 15, wherein the first end of the translating device is connected proximate a top end of the stanchion.
Aspect 17. The gate according to any one of aspects 14 to 16, wherein the stanchion comprises two upright stanchions, and the plurality of rails and the sprocket are connected therebetween.
Aspect 18. The gate according to any one of aspects 14 to 17, wherein a first end of at least one of the plurality of rails comprises a counterbalance weight.
Aspect 19. The gate according to any one of aspects 14 to 18, wherein the second end of the translating device is connected to a top one of the plurality of rails.
All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the systems and methods described herein.
While particular exemplary embodiments of gates and methods of making and using the same have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific devices and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions. This disclosure, including the claims, is intended to cover all such equivalents that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/222,349, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, which claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/599,918, filed Dec. 18, 2017, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62599918 | Dec 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16222349 | Dec 2018 | US |
Child | 17668149 | US |