Gate Post Adjustment Insert

Abstract

A fence post insert for adjusting a gate. The fence post insert allows for increasing or decreasing tension on a tensioning device within the gate post to adjust the tension on the gate post. This tension allows the gate post to move away from or toward the gate causing the gate to pull away from or move toward the opposing post or opposing gate section. The gate post insert allows for the adjustment of a gate by correcting a gate that is either too close or too far from the opposing side of the gate, typically either another post or a second gate, such as in double gate.

Claims

1) An insert for a gate post, said insert comprising: An insert body, said insert body configured for positioning within a hollow gate post, said body configured to extend along a length of the hollow gate post; A relief formed in said body, said relief being positioned on a first side of a body, said relief defining an upper insert body positioned on an upper side of said relief and a lower insert body positioned on a lower side of said relief; A tensioning mechanism, said tensioning mechanism connected to said lower insert body and extending to a connection to a position on said upper insert body, said tensioning mechanism providing support between said upper insert body and said lower insert body, said tensioning mechanism configured for adjustment to adjust the length of said tensioning mechanism between said upper insert body and lower insert body to adjust the position of the said upper insert body relative to said lower insert body.

2) The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert body comprises a U-shaped channel, wherein said gate post having a square cross section.

3) The insert of claim 1 wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises two threaded rods, wherein said threaded rods extend between said upper insert body and said lower insert body and are operatively connected to said upper insert body and said lower insert body to extend and compress said relief.

4) The insert of claim 1, wherein each of said rods comprises a nut configured for rotation to adjust said rods to compress and extend said relief.

5) The insert of claim 1 wherein said rods are operatively connected to said upper insert body by an upper plate.

6) The insert of claim 1 wherein said rods are operatively connected to said lower insert body by a lower plate.

7) The insert of claim 1 wherein said rods are configured to rotate to extend or compress said relief.

8) The insert of claim 1 wherein said tensioning mechanism is connected to said upper insert body and said lower insert body proximate to said relief.

9) The insert of claim 3 wherein said threaded rods are connected to rod sleeves to connect said threaded rods to said lower insert body.

10) An insert for a gate post, said insert comprising: An insert body, said insert body comprising an upper insert body and a lower insert body, said insert body configured for positioning within a hollow gate post, said insert body configured to extend along a length of the hollow gate post; A relief separating said upper insert body and said lower insert body such that said upper insert body and said upper insert body is configured to hingedly move toward or away from said lower insert body; A tensioning mechanism, said tensioning mechanism connected to said lower insert body and extending to a connection to a position on said upper insert body, said tensioning mechanism providing support between said upper insert body and said lower insert body, said tensioning mechanism configured for adjustment to adjust the length of said tensioning mechanism between said upper insert body and lower insert body to adjust the position of the said upper insert body relative to said lower insert body.

11) The insert of claim 10 wherein said insert body comprises a U-shaped channel, wherein said gate post having a square cross section.

12) The insert of claim 10 wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises two threaded rods, wherein said threaded rods extend between said upper insert body and said lower insert body and are operatively connected to said upper insert body and said lower insert body to extend and compress said relief.

13) The insert of claim 10 wherein each of said rods comprises a nut configured for rotation to adjust said rods to compress and extend said relief.

14) The insert of claim 10 wherein said rods are operatively connected to said upper insert body by an upper plate.

15) The insert of claim 10 wherein said rods are operatively connected to said lower insert body by a lower plate.

16) The insert of claim 10 wherein said rods are configured to rotate to extend or compress said relief.

17) The insert of claim 10 wherein said tensioning mechanism is connected to said upper insert body and said lower insert body proximate to said relief.

18) The insert of claim 13 wherein said threaded rods are connected to rod sleeves to connect said threaded rods to said lower insert body.

19) The insert of claim 10 wherein said insert is positioned within a gate post.

20) The insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is positioned within a gate post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a partially disassembled side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal components of the embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a partially disassemble perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal components of the hinge post of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the lower portion of the internal components of the hinge post of the embodiment of FIG. 1 positioned next to the post sleeve.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates the top portion of the internal components of the of the hinge post of the embodiment of FIG. 1 positioned next to the post sleeve.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a second view of the lower portion of the internal components of the hinge post of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the internal components of the hinge post.

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the internal components of the hinge post and having a fixed rod with an adjustable nut.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a the embodiment of the internal components of the hinge post of FIG. 9 with a series of rod sleeves securing the tensioning rod.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 in which the nut is fixed and the rod travels to adjust the tension on the gate.

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a third embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 showing the rod and nut being uniform and rotating in a threaded rod sleeve to adjust tension in the gate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0023] While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of e.g., etc, and or indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of including means including, but not limited to, unless otherwise noted.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a model gate assembly. A gate 2 extends between hinge post 4 and latch post 6. The gate is attached to the hinge post by two hinges 10, 12. The gate panel 8 extends toward the latch post 6 from the hinge post. In the depicted assembly, the gate is configured to swing inward toward the reader. A latch assembly 13 is connected to the latch post 6. The latch assembly utilizes a male component 14 having a base connected to the gate panel by fasteners 15. A male section 16 extends away from the gate panel. A female latch member 18 is connected to the latch post. The female latch member has a retainer portion 20 configured for retaining the male portion 16 of the latch assembly in the female portion thus preventing the gate from swinging open when the latch is engaged.

[0025] A problem with many gate assemblies is that the weight of the gate panel 8 provides a downward force that may cause the hinge post 4 to lean inward as shown by arrow A. This may cause the male section of the latch to misalign with the female section, and even to be as severe as the top corner 9 of the gate panel having protruded so far that the latch post blocks the swing of the gate.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the latch post with the top of the latch post removed. An improved insert for facilitating the plum of the latch post is provided. A standard U-shaped channel body 22 is positioned within the hollow hinge post 4. The U-shaped channel 22 extends into and along the length of the latch post. The U-shaped channel provides rigidity in the depicted vinyl post and vinyl gate structure. A tensioning mechanism 24 is provided. The tensioning mechanism serves to facilitate the adjustment of the top of the latch post away from the top of the hinge post. Two threaded rods 26, 28 extend from the upper plate 30 toward a lower plate (illustrated in sequential Figures), two nuts 27, 29 are provided on the threaded rods to facilitate tightening and loosening of the rods.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the insert 22 of FIG. 2 removed from the hinge post 4 and positioned alongside the hinge post. The two threaded rods 26, 28 are shown extending along the length of the U-shaped channel 22. Two reliefs 26, 28 are shown in the opposing arms 37, 39 of the U-shaped channel. The rods extend from the upper plate 30 to a lower plate 34 attached to the U-shaped channel below reliefs 36, 38 positioned in the arms of the U-shaped channel. The rods are connected to the upper plate 30 and lower plate 34 so as to be functionally connected to the U-shaped channel on opposing sides of the upper plate and lower plate. Tightening and loosening of the nuts 27, 29 pulls the upper and lower plate together or pushes the upper and lower plate apart causing the reliefs 36, 38 to narrow or enlarge. The reliefs are positioned in the hinge post such that narrowing or enlarging the reliefs causes the upper end of the hinge post to move toward or away from the top of the latch post causing the post and gate to be adjusted relative to the latch post.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the insert showing the positioning of the relief 36 relative to the adjustable upper section 47 of the insert and the static or fixed section 49. Fastener holes 40 are provided which fasten the latches shown in FIG. 1 to the hinge post. The gate is connected to the upper insert body. The upper insert body is connected to the lower insert body at hinge point 59, which can be a literal hinge. The hinge point 59 in the depicted embodiment is an uncut section of the channel that remains after the relief has been positioned in the channel. Alternatively a hinge can be utilized to connect the upper and lower insert body sections.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a magnified view of the reliefs, lower plate 40, and lower ends of the threaded rods 26, 28. In the depicted embodiment, the threaded rods are connected to the lower plate such that rotation of the threaded rods pulls the upper section 47 of the insert toward or away from the lower section 49 of the insert.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the upper plate 30 and upper ends of the threaded rods 26, 28. The rotation of the nuts on the threaded rod causes the upper plate 30 to be pulled downward toward the lower plate causing the reliefs in the insert to close. This adjustment pulls the upper end of the hinge post away from the latch post.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates the lower plate 40 and the connected ends 42, 44 of the threaded rods 26, 28.

[0032] FIGS. 8-12 illustrate additional embodiments of the invented concepts disclosed herein.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates the tensioning mechanism positioned adjacent to the relief. The upper plate and lower plate are comprised of two plates each with a threaded rod extending between. A hexagonal shaped head 80 is positioned on top of the rod 82. The upper plate 84 does not extend entirely across the channel and instead a second plate (not shown) and second tensioner mechanism (not shown) is preferably positioned on the opposite arm of the U-shaped channel. A tensioning tool may be inserted through the top 86 of the U-shaped channel and extend down to reach the hexagonal head.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the threaded rods are welded 51 to the sides of the lower channel 49.

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 9 with a series of rod sleeves positioned on the arms of the upper channel 47. The rod sleeves 94 serve to retain the rods in position during use in conjunction with a nut 53 that rotates on the rod. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 the rod is fixed and does not rotate with the nut 55 of the upper plate 57 rotating on the rod, causing the plate to travel on the rod.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment in which the rod is fixed on the nuts, for example with the rod and nut being a single unitary piece. The rod rotates through the opening in the upper plate and rotates in threaded welded plate 101 positioned in the lower channel 49.

[0037] A variety of reliefs may be formed in each arm. Alternatively, different shaped channels may be utilized for facilitating use in different gate post cross sections. The insert may be utilized with a variety of fencing substrates such as steel, iron or vinyl.

[0038] While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.