Patent Application
20240141681
The present disclosure relates generally to rackable gate kits, methods of assembling gates from such kits, and gates assembled from such kits and by such methods.
Barriers, such as fences, are installed over a wide variety of terrain. On hilly or sloped terrain it is therefore often necessary to rack the barrier at an upward or downward angle to follow the grade of the terrain. In order to access fenced terrain, it may also be necessary to install one or more gates along the barrier. Thus, when terrain is hilly or sloped, it is therefore often necessary that the gate also be racked at an upward or downward angle to follow the grade of the terrain. However, because of the variability inherent in the terrains of different locales, such racked gates must typically be ordered from and custom fabricated by a barrier manufacturer.
Kits for fabricating racked gates from stock fence panels are commercially available. However, the process for fabricating racked gates from such kits is cumbersome. Furthermore, the racked gates fabricated from such kits leave much to be desired from a structural standpoint. For example, the rails of such racked gates tend to be quite loose relative to the gate upright. As such, the rails are prone to torquing, rattling, and other undesirable movements when in use.
Accordingly, there remains a continuing need for kits useful for easily fabricating structurally sound racked gates from stock fence panels.
Such improved ease of fabrication and structural integrity is possessed by the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention. These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to rackable gate kits. The kits comprise a pair of gate uprights, wherein each gate upright comprises a tubular elongate member and a bracket. The tubular elongate member comprises (1) a plurality of first apertures in alignment along a length of the tubular elongate member, wherein each of the plurality of first apertures is configured to accept insertion of a fence panel rail therethrough and into an interior space of the tubular elongate member and (2) an elongate channel situated on and extending a length of an interior surface of the tubular elongate member, wherein the elongate channel is situated directly opposite the plurality of first apertures and configured to securely receive an end of the fence panel rail such that lateral and torsional movement of the fence panel rail is restricted when received therein. The bracket comprises a pair of bracket arms attached to an exterior surface of the tubular elongate member, wherein each of the pair of bracket arms are situated directly opposite each other with one of the plurality of first apertures therebetween, and wherein each of the pair of brackets comprises at least one second aperture configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening a fence panel rail to the bracket.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, each of the gate uprights are formed from extruded aluminum. In certain other embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the tubular elongate member is square.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, each first aperture is formed via routing. In certain other embodiments of the present invention, each first aperture is square or rectangular in shape. In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, each first aperture is further configured to accommodate an upwardly and/or downwardly racked fence panel rail. In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, each tubular elongate member comprises three first apertures, wherein a top first aperture is situated proximal to a top end of the tubular elongate member, a bottom first aperture is situated proximal to a bottom end of the tubular elongate member, and an intermediate first aperture is situated intermediate to the top and bottom first apertures.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the elongate channel is defined by a pair of planes extending longitudinally along the interior surface of the tubular elongate member and projecting inwardly into the interior space of the tubular elongate member. In certain other embodiments of the present invention, each of said pair of planes is angled away from the other. In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, each tubular elongate member further comprises a plurality of pre-drilled holes, wherein each pre-drilled hole is situated and configured to accommodate a fastener for securing a fence panel rail to the tubular elongate member.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, each bracket arm comprises two second apertures each configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening a fence panel rail to the bracket. In certain other embodiments of the present invention, the pair of bracket arms are situated directly opposite each other with the intermediate first aperture therebetween.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the kit further comprises one or more additional components selected from group consisting of: rail grippers, hinges, gate stops, latches, fasteners configured to secure a fence panel rail to the bracket, fasteners configured to secure a fence panel rail to the tubular elongate member, U-channel blocks, and post tops.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of assembling a gate. The methods comprise the steps of (1) providing a fence panel comprising a plurality of vertical pickets and a plurality of elongate rails extending transverse to said vertical pickets, each rail having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, (2) providing a rackable gate kit according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein each gate upright comprises at least as many of the first apertures as the plurality of elongate rails, and wherein spacing between the plurality of first apertures correspond to spacing between the plurality of elongate rails, (3) installing a first gate upright onto each of the first ends of the plurality of elongate rails by inserting each elongate rail through a corresponding first aperture of the first gate upright such that each first end is securely received into the elongate channel of the first gate upright, (4) securing the first gate upright to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms of the first gate upright to a fence panel rail situated therebetween with a fastener traversing the at least one second aperture of each bracket arm and the fence panel rail, (5) installing a second gate upright onto each of the second ends of the plurality of elongate rails by inserting each elongate rail through a corresponding first aperture of the second gate upright such that each second end is securely received into the elongate channel of the second gate upright, and (6) securing the second gate upright to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms of the second gate upright to a fence panel rail situated therebetween with a fastener traversing the at least one second aperture of each bracket arm and the elongate rail.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the methods further comprise the step of installing a rail gripper between each bracket arm and the elongate rail situated therebetween prior to fastening the pair of bracket arms to the elongate rail. In certain other embodiments of the present invention, the methods further comprise the step of securing each of the plurality of elongate rails to the tubular elongate member of each gate upright by installing a fastener through each tubular elongate member and into each elongate rail. In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, the methods further comprise the step of cutting the fence panel to fit a gate opening prior to installation of the pair of gate uprights thereon. In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, the methods further comprise providing a straight fence panel.
In yet certain other embodiments of the present invention, the methods further comprise providing a racked fence panel.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gates assembled according to methods according to embodiments of the present invention.
The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
The foregoing and other aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the embodiments disclosed herein, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
While embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example using several illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the present invention is to cover all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including, but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
The phrases “at least one”, one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.
An aspect of the present invention are kits for assembling rackable gates. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, these kits comprise a pair of gate uprights. Each gate upright comprises a tubular elongate member and a bracket. The tubular elongate member comprises a plurality of first apertures in alignment along its length. Each of the plurality of first apertures is configured to accept insertion of a fence panel rail therethrough and into an interior space of the tubular elongate member.
The tubular elongate member further comprises an elongate channel situated on and extending a length of an interior surface of the tubular elongate member. The elongate channel is situated directly opposite the plurality of apertures and configured to securely receive an end of the inserted fence panel rail such that lateral and torsional movement of the fence panel rail is restricted when received therein. The bracket comprises a pair of bracket arms attached to an exterior surface of the tubular elongate member. Each of the pair of bracket arms are situated directly opposite the other with one of the first apertures situated therebetween. Each bracket arm comprises at least one second aperture configured to accommodate a fastener for fastening the inserted fence panel rail to the bracket.
Referring to
According to embodiments of the present invention, tubular elongate member 110 comprises a plurality of first apertures 130 aligned along its length, each of which is configured to accept insertion of a fence panel rail therethrough and into an interior space of tubular elongate member 110. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Gate uprights 100 of the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated according to any desired process known in the art. Referring to
In addition to a pair of gate uprights 100, the rackable gate kits according to embodiments of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional components. In certain embodiments, such components may be selected from group consisting of rail grippers, hinges, gate stops, latches, fasteners, U-channel blocks, and post tops, or any combination thereof. Such further components may be of any type, design, style, and/or configuration known in the art. Examples the hinges include, but are not limited to, butterfly hinges, spring hinges, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the latches may be gravity latches. In certain embodiments, the post tops may have a pyramidal configuration. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to, those configured to secure a fence panel rail to bracket 120, such as bolt, washer, and nut (e.g. acorn nut) systems, and those configured to secure a fence panel rail to an interior surface of tubular elongate member 110, e.g. screws. Referring to
Another aspect of the present invention are methods of assembling a gate. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, these methods comprise the following six steps.
In a step one, a fence panel comprising a plurality of vertical pickets and a plurality of elongate rails extending transverse to the vertical pickets is provided. Each elongate rail has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such fence panels may be any desired dimension. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may be up to 60′ wide. In certain other embodiments, the fence panel may be up to 54″ high. In certain embodiments, the fence panel may be straight.
In a step two, a rackable gate kit according to embodiments of the present invention is provided. Each gate upright 100 of the pair provided therein comprises at least as many first apertures 130 as the number of elongate rails of the fence panel provided in step one. Furthermore, the spacing between the first apertures 130 corresponds to the spacing between the elongate rails.
In a step three, a first gate upright 100 from the rackable gate kit is installed onto the first ends 190 of the elongate rails by inserting each first end 190 through a corresponding first aperture 130 such that each first end 190 is securely received into the elongate channel 160 of the first gate upright 100, as depicted in
In a step four, the first gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms 140 of first gate upright 100 to an elongate rail situated therebetween with at least one fastener traversing one or more second apertures 150 of each bracket arm 140 and the fence panel rail.
In a step five, step three is essentially repeated to the other end of the fence gate panel. The second gate upright 100 from the rackable gate kit is installed onto the second ends 190 of the elongate rails by inserting each first end 190 through a corresponding first aperture 130 such that each first end 190 is securely received into the elongate channel 160 of the first gate upright 100, as depicted in
In a step six, step four is essentially repeated to the second gate upright 100 installed onto second ends 190 from step five. The second gate upright 100 may be secured to the fence panel by fastening the pair of bracket arms 140 of the second gate upright 100 to an elongate rail situated therebetween with a fastener traversing a second aperture 150 of each bracket arm 140 and the fence panel rail. Referring to
In certain embodiments, the configuration of the elongate rails of the fence panel comprises hollow, inverted U-channels. In such embodiments, tightening down of the installed fastener (e.g., the bolt, washer, and nut) may result in deformation of the elongate rail and/or bracket arms 140. While this may be avoided in certain embodiments where a vertical picket of the fence panel is located between bracket arms 140, in certain other embodiments such deformation may be prevented by installation of a U-channel block.
The method of assembling a gate in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may further comprise the step of securing each of the plurality of elongate rails to an interior surface of tubular elongate member 110 of each gate upright 100 by installing a fastener through each tubular elongate member 110 and into each elongate rail securely received into elongate channel 160.
Another aspect of the present invention are gates assembled from the racking gate kits and according to the methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure.
The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease, and/or reducing cost of implementation.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. Further, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Certain exemplary embodiments may be identified by use of an open-ended list that includes wording to indicate that the list items are representative of the embodiments and that the list is not intended to represent a closed list exclusive of further embodiments. Such wording may include “e.g.,” “etc.,” “such as,” “for example,” “and so forth,” “and the like,” etc., and other wording as will be apparent from the surrounding context.
