The present invention relates to the field of safety gates, particularly with regard to a mezzanine gate assembly for the safe enclosure and access to an elevated loading and unloading area.
Mezzanines or mezzanine floor systems are semi-permanent floor systems which are frequently used in industrial operations having high ceilings such as warehousing, distribution or manufacturing. Mezzanines are typically built between two permanent original stories, generally allowing unused space to be utilized within the vertical space. Railings and/or chains typically provide the safety on the periphery of these areas.
Mezzanines are often built without fall protection resulting in frequent accidents including serious injury and even death. Moreover, in order for forklift and other machinery to access and deliver and receive goods to and from an elevated mezzanine level, an opening must be present within existing railing and barrier systems. There have been many attempts to try and solve this problem without any reliable, cost effective solution. For example, employees have been required to connect themselves to the mezzanine structure by way of a cable or other connection means, such that if they did fall the cable would prevent them from falling over the side of the mezzanine onto the floor below. However, this standard protocol requires that the employee painstakingly follow through with connecting and disconnecting throughout each position on the mezzanine—inherently wasting time and resources.
For the foregoing reason, there is a need for a safety gate that will sufficiently provide fall protection for workers on a mezzanine structure which is cost efficient and is easy to operate.
In accordance with the invention, a mezzanine gate assembly is provided which couples as a cost efficient and reliable gate for preventing falls and injury as well as a gate that can easily be adapted for use in conjunction with a forklift for delivery of goods to and from an elevated platform. This provides a safe, low-cost, and time saving approach for preventing falls while efficiently delivering goods to and from an elevated platform without hassle.
The invention generally comprises independently operated interior and exterior gate assemblies which act to provide a continuous barrier at the delivery opening and between existing railing throughout the delivery of goods to a platform by way of forklift. The mezzanine gate assembly is qualified to meet or exceed OSHA laws and regulations per the United States Department of Labor, thereby preventing falls and mitigating risk.
In a specific version of the application, the mezzanine gate assembly is positioned along an edge of an elevated platform having a railing, the gate assembly comprising: a first and second upright support assemblies, each having a base portion and an upper portion, the upright support assemblies are laterally disposed defining a delivery opening.
In a version, a moveable exterior gate assembly is operably positioned and supported within the delivery opening, the exterior gate assembly comprising: a pivoting exterior first side frame and a reciprocal exterior second side frame, each side frame moving between a downward, closed position to an elevated, open position, each side frame comprising: parallel lower and upper swing arms having a proximal end and a distal end, each proximal end pivotally attached to the first upright support assembly, a vertical member pivotally connecting between each of the distal ends of each swing arm, the vertical member remaining vertical throughout the path of motion between the downward, closed position to the elevated, open position.
Further, in certain versions, a moveable interior gate assembly is operably positioned and supported within the delivery opening, the interior gate assembly comprising: a pivoting interior first side frame and a reciprocal interior second side frame pivotally mounted to the respective upright support members, each side frame being pivotal between a plurality of points of travel throughout its motion comprising a forward, closed position, an angled aft position, an elevated, angled aft position, a forward elevated position, each interior side frame comprising: parallel lower and upper swing arms having a proximal end and a distal end, each proximal end pivotally attached to the respective upright support assembly, each of the swing arms operably providing support for a plurality of rollers; and a pivotal vertical member pivotally connecting between each of the distal ends of each swing arm, the vertical member remains substantially vertical throughout the path of motion, the vertical member operably providing support for a plurality of rollers.
In certain versions of the application, a plurality of motors is provided which operate to move the exterior gate assembly and the interior gate assembly through their respective paths of motion; and a controller is provided for operating the plurality of motors to produce a sequence of operable motion pertaining to each of the exterior gate assembly and the interior gate assembly through their respective paths of motion.
In a version, a mezzanine gate assembly is positioned along an edge of an elevated platform having a railing, the gate assembly generally comprising a first and second upright support assemblies, each having a base portion and an upper portion, the upright support assemblies are laterally disposed defining a delivery opening therebetween; an exterior gate assembly operably positioned and supported within the delivery opening, the exterior gate assembly comprising: an exterior first side frame and a reciprocal exterior second side frame, each side frame independently movable between a downward, closed position to an elevated, open position; and an interior gate assembly operably positioned and supported within the delivery opening, the interior gate assembly comprising: an interior first side frame and a reciprocal interior second side frame pivotally mounted to the respective upright support members, each side frame vertically movable between a downward position to an elevated position and movable about a vertical axis from a forward position to an aft position allowing travel between an a forward, closed position to an aft, open position.
Still, other versions, benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying figures where:
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other versions that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
Moreover, the description is not to be taken in the limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.
Referring now to the figures wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred version of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is a mezzanine gate assembly 10 adapted to provide ingress and egress to an elevated platform 202 while safely preventing falls and injury to workers positioned thereon or even below the mezzanine platform 202. Generally, the gate assembly 10 is designed to meet or exceed industry standards in its current form.
With reference to the figures, generally, a description of a version of the invention will be provided and is generally designated as numeral 10. With reference to the
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In further detail, the interior gate assembly is operably configured to pivot between a downward position (
Further, as illustrated, each of the first and second interior side frames 50, 52 of the interior gate assembly 14 generally comprises parallel lower and upper swing arms 54, 56, each having a proximal end 58 and a distal end 60. The proximal ends 58 of each swing arm 54, 56 is operably and pivotally attached to the requisite side upright support assembly 22, 24. The upper swing arm 56 proximal end 58 being connected towards the upper portion 28 of the support assembly 24 and the lower swing arm 54 proximal end 58 being connected midway between the base portion 26 and the upper portion 28 of the requisite upright support assembly 22, 24.
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In certain versions, each of the interior gate assembly 14 swing arms 54, 56 provide support for a plurality of multidirectional rollers 66 which operably provide rotation in multiple directions. As best illustrated in
In certain versions, the interior gate assembly 12 may be spring loaded in that it provides springs or other counterforce to bias movement back towards the downward, closed and default position throughout operation.
In certain versions, each of the interior and exterior gate assembly 14, 12 may further include handles 13 for assisting in movement of each respective gate.
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Generally, the operation of the gate provides independent paths of motion for each of the interior and the exterior gate assemblies 12, 14. Referring to
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The safety gate 10 can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, and ergonomic.
The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every version of the invention.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions and embodiments of the invention are certainly possible. Therefore, the pre-sent invention should not be limited to the described embodiments herein.
All features disclosed in this specification including any claims, abstract, and drawings may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise.
This application is based upon and claims the priority filing date of the previously filed, copending U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “MEZZANINE GATE ASSEMBLY” filed Sep. 28, 2018, Ser. No. 62/738,354, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62738354 | Sep 2018 | US |