Patent Application
20080304949
1. Technical Field
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed generally toward devices and methods for hanging a gate.
2. Description of Related Art
Gates are adjoined to adjacent barriers using any of a large variety of methods. For example, a gate may be adjoined to a barrier by one or more hinges on either side of the gate. The one or more hinges allow the gate to swivel around an axis defined by the hinges.
Gates may also be fixedly attached to an adjacent barrier. For example, each end of a gate may be welded to an adjacent barrier such that the gate may not be moved relative to the barrier.
In order to properly affix a gate to an adjacent barrier, the gate should be properly aligned with the barrier. For example, affixing a swivel gate to an adjacent barrier via a set of hinges requires that the hinge connections on both the gate and adjacent barrier be properly aligned with one another. Improper alignment could result in the swivel gate failing to properly swivel around an axis relative to the hinges. Improper alignment may also result in the swivel gate having a crooked orientation relative to the ground or the adjacent barrier.
Welding, bolting, or otherwise affixing a gate to an adjacent barrier requires that the gate maintain a fixed position for an extended period of time. For example, a gate that is hinged to an adjacent gate must maintain a fixed position long enough for the hinge connection to be bolted or welded. Current methods of providing stability, such as by manually stabilizing the gate using one or more people are cumbersome and tiring.
Current methods of hanging a gate often require more than one person to hang the gate. Additional manual labor may be necessitated depending on the size, weight, or shape of the gate. For example, a single person often cannot properly align and stabilize a gate while simultaneously affixing the gate, such as by welding or bolting. Additional labor may increase the cost of affixing the gate.
Current methods of hanging a gate can also require unnecessary time. For example, properly aligning and stabilizing a gate using one or more people can require large amounts of time due to factors such as human error.
An apparatus and method for hanging a gate is provided. The apparatus includes a first leg and a second leg. The second leg is coupled to the first leg such that the first leg forms an angle with the second leg. The apparatus also includes a link. The link is coupled to at least one of the first leg and the second leg. Also, the link is adapted to be coupled to the gate.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed toward an apparatus and method for hanging a gate. The apparatus includes a first leg and a second leg. The second leg is coupled to the first leg such that the first leg forms an angle with the second leg. As used herein, the term “coupled” includes coupling via a separate object. For example, a first leg can be coupled to a second leg if both the first leg and the second leg are coupled to a third object. The term “coupled” also includes “directly coupled,” in which case the two objects touch each other in some way. The apparatus also includes a link. The link is coupled to at least one of the first leg and the second leg. Also, the link is adapted to be coupled to the gate.
In an alternative embodiment, the link is coupled to the first leg and the second leg by an intermediate connector. Also, the first leg is coupled to the second leg by the intermediate connector. In another alternative embodiment, the link, the first leg, and the second leg are each pivotably attached to the intermediate connector.
Legs 105 and 110 are depicted as lying in the same plane. Legs 105 and 110 may also lie in about the same plane. Legs 105 and 110 lie in about the same plane if the deviation of either leg 105 or 110 from a common plane does not affect the operation of gate hanger 100.
Legs 105 and 110 form angle 160. Angle 160 may be any desired angle equal to or greater than 0° that facilitates the operation of gate hanger 100, such as, but not limited to 30°, 45°, 90°, 120°, or 160°. Angle 160 is dependent upon the particular application of gate hanger 100 and whether gate hanger 100 is being used, stored, or transported.
Although
Legs 105 and 110 are coupled to feet 130 and 135. Specifically, leg 105 is coupled to foot 130 by attachment plate 132. Leg 110 is coupled to foot 135 by attachment plate 137. Attachment plate 137 is affixed to leg 110 by plate connector 137d. Attachment plate 137 is affixed to foot 135 by plate connectors 137a, 137b, and 137c. The foot assembly is discussed in greater detail with respect to
Link 140 is coupled to legs 105 and 110 by intermediate connector 115. Link 140 is attached to intermediate connector 115 by link hinge 145. The hanging end of link 140 is attached to fastener 142. Fastener 142 is provided so that link 140 can be coupled to a gate.
Although
Legs 105 and 110 and feet 130 and 135 may also be composed of any of a number of materials. For example, legs 105 and 110 and feet 130 and 135 may be composed of different types of metal, such as galvanized metal, steel, aluminum, or copper. In addition, legs 105 and 110 and feet 130 and 135 may be composed of plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wood, and or other rigid material. Legs 105 and 110 and feet 130 and 135 may each be composed of different materials, such as those listed above.
Intermediate connector 115 also includes leg rests 150 and 155, which are each located on an opposite side of link hinge 145. Leg rest 150 hinders the movement of leg 110. Specifically, leg rest 150 hinders leg 110 from swiveling in a direction toward link 140. Leg rest 150 prevents gate hanger 100 from collapsing so that gate hanger 100 can stand up without outside aid.
Specifically,
Although
Legs 205 and 210 are pivotably attached to intermediate connector 215 by leg hinges 220 and 225, respectively. Thus, legs 205 and 210 are coupled to each other via intermediate connector 215. Leg hinges 220 and 225 are coupled to intermediate connector 215 by leg hinge bolts 221 and 226, respectively.
Although
Leg 205 pivots about an axis defined by leg hinge 225. Leg 210 pivots about an axis defined by leg hinge 220. Although
Although
Link 240 pivots about an axis defined by link hinge 245. Although
Fastener 242 is attached to link 240. Fastener 242 adapts link 240 to be coupled to a gate. Fastener 242 may fasten directly to a gate by clamping onto the gate. Fastener 242 may also be looped through a gate and fastened onto a portion of link 240. The latter configuration is discussed in greater detail with respect to
Although
Intermediate connector 215 includes leg rests 250 and 255. Leg 210 rests upon leg rest 250 when gate hanger 200 is in a standing position, such as the position of gate hanger 100 in
Although
Links 340a and 340b each loop around the top portion of gate 399. Fasteners 342a and 342b fasten onto a portion of links 340a and 340b, respectively, to sustain the position of gate 399.
Legs 305a and 310a form angle 360a. Legs 305b and 310b form angle 360b. Angles 360a and 360b may by any angle that enables gate hangers 300a and 300b, respectively, to sustain the position of gate 399. For example, angles 360a and 360b may be 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or other angles.
In an illustrative embodiment, gate hangers 300a and 300b sustain the position of gate 399 so that gate 399 can be easily and correctly hung onto adjacent gate 395 at hinges 396 and 397. For example, gate hangers 300a and 300b may be used in conjunction with a leveling device to position gate 399 to be level with a ground surface. Gate hangers 300a and 300b also stabilize gate 399 to allow for a user to affix gate 399 to adjacent gate 395, such as by welding or bolting.
A user can make adjustments to the position of gate 399 by moving one or more parts of gate hangers 300a and 300b. For example, if the side of gate 399 that is attached to gate hanger 300a is lower than desired, angle 360a may be decreased, resulting in an upward force being applied to the portion of gate 399 attached to gate hanger 300a. A force may also be applied to the portion of gate 399 attached to gate hanger 300a by fastening fastener 342a onto various portions of link 340a. Feet 330 and 335 may also be moved relative to a ground surface to achieve a desired position for gate 399. Upon adjusting the position of gate 399 to a desired position, gate 399 may be properly affixed to adjacent gate 395 at hinges 396 and 397.
Although
Specifically,
Although
Legs 505 and 510 are pivoted such that legs 505 and 510 are substantially parallel to one another. As a result of the near-parallel position of legs 505 and 510, angle 560 is close to 0°. Angle 560 may also be close to 180° to achieve an alternative storage and transport configuration of gate hanger 500.
Legs 505 and 510 may be moved into a parallel position by pivoting legs 505 and 510 at leg hinges 520 and 525, located on intermediate connector 515. Link 540 is in a slack or rested position.
Link 640 is coupled to legs 605 and 610 by intermediate connector 615. Link 640 attaches to intermediate connector 615 at link hole 647, through which link 640 may pass. Link 640 may also be bolted or welded onto intermediate connector 615.
In an alternate embodiment, leg 605 may be coupled directly onto leg 610 by leg joint 680 without intermediate connector 615 being sandwiched between legs 605 and 610. In this embodiment, link 640 may be coupled to leg joint 680, leg 605, leg 610, or any combination thereof.
Next, the gate is moved into a position (step 715). For example, the gate may be lifted from a flat position to an upright position. The position of the gate is sustained by the link.
Next, the gate is hung from the position (step 720). For example, the gate may be welded or bolted onto an adjacent gate, such as adjacent gate 395 of
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed toward an apparatus and method for hanging a gate. The apparatus includes a first leg and a second leg. The second leg is coupled to the first leg such that the first leg forms an angle with the second leg. The apparatus also includes a link. The link is coupled to at least one of the first leg and the second leg. Also, the link is adapted to be coupled to the gate.
In an alternative embodiment, the link is coupled to the first leg and the second leg by an intermediate connector. Also, the first leg is coupled to the second leg by the intermediate connector. In another alternative embodiment, the link, the first leg, and the second leg are each pivotably attached to the intermediate connector.
The illustrative embodiments show an apparatus and method for hanging a gate that reduce the time and effort associated with hanging a gate. For example, a single person is able to hang a gate using the gate hangers in the illustrative embodiments, whereas hanging a gate would otherwise require multiple people. Because the amount of manual labor required for hanging a gate is reduced, the cost and human error associated with hanging a gate are also reduced. The gate hangers shown in the illustrative embodiments may also be easily transported, stored, and unassembled.
The description of the illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention the practical application to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
