Gate with counterweight and lowering exchangeable span

Abstract

The gate has an exchangeable span that is fixed to the load bearing beam and is connected with pulley bearings and rope-slings to the system of adjustable counterweights. The drive system is fitted with an electric drive with a worm-wheel mounted to the load bearing beam that travels vertically along the worm. The beam, span and the drive travel on adjustable guiderails inside a reinforced concrete pit in the direction opposite to that of counterweights. The load bearing beam is fitted with rollers and retaining rollers mounted to the cover. Emergency (manual) operation of the gate is possible by turning a crank handle connected with the worm, having released the lock that prevents the worm from rotating on its axis.

Claims

1. A gate comprising: (a) a pair of vertical guiderails secured to opposed walls in a pit below a surface of the ground; (b) a load bearing beam; (c) a span secured to and projecting from the load bearing beam; (d) rollers connected to the load bearing beam and disposed within the vertical guiderails for facilitating movement of the load bearing beam within the vertical guiderails from a first position with the span disposed below the surface of the ground to a second position with the span projecting above the surface of the ground; (e) first means for counterbalancing a weight of the span and load bearing beam so that the load bearing beam and span can be stabilized within the vertical guiderails at the first position, the second position or a position in between.

2. The gate according to claim 1, comprising second means for electrically driving the load bearing beam and span from the first position to the second position such that the gate can be operated in either an electric mode or manually.

3. The gate according to claim 2, wherein the second means for electrically driving comprises a worm-wheel and a worm, the worm-wheel and worm being disposed below the ground.

4. The gate according to claim 3, comprising third means for covering an opening of the pit while permitting the span to project through the opening.

5. The gate according to claim 4, wherein the worm is mounted under the third means for covering.

6. The gate according to claim 5, comprising a lock for locking the gate in the electric mode.

7. The gate according to claim 5, wherein the worm comprises a socket for a crank handle.

8. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the first means for counterbalancing comprises a plurality of counterweights and a set of crosspieces with attached pulley bearings, and wherein rope-slings connect the plurality of counterweights with the load bearing beam.

9. The gate according to claim 8, wherein catches for fastening the rope-slings run through the pulley bearings.

10. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the load bearing beam has mounting slots into which screws are insertable to fix the span to the load bearing beam.

11. The gate according to claim 1, wherein a sump pump is disposed in a slot at the bottom of the pit.

12. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the vertical guiderails are fixed to the opposed walls with steel angle brackets, said angle brackets being adjustable in three dimensions.

13. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the walls are made of concrete.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the gate,

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the gate,

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the gate, the load bearing beam in lifted position, typical span and the drive system shown,

(5) FIG. 4 is a part of the plan view of the gate, worm lock and crank handle socket shown,

(6) FIG. 5 is a part of the elevation of the gate span crosspiece, pulley bearing and counterweight,

(7) FIG. 6 is a part of the side elevation of the pit; the worm with lock and emergency mode operation socket, as well as retaining rollers shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The main assembly of the gate is a reinforced concrete pit 1. In the pit 1, the guiderail system 2 is mounted for the load bearing beam 3 with the span 4 to move along this. A span of any design is mounted and fixed mechanically or by welding to the universal load bearing beam 3. Soft and silent operation is ensured by the use of rollers 5 and retaining rollers 21.

(9) Due to the use of a set of counterweights 9 with a weight that is adjustable by the addition or removal of weights, any span 4 and load bearing beam 3 may be stabilized in a neutrally balanced position. As a result it is possible to manually operate the system in any position of the gate.

(10) The operation cycle of the gate is executed with the use of an electric drive 19 with a worm-wheel 24 that is mounted to the load bearing beam 3 with screws and connected to the worm 22. Rotation of the worm on its vertical axis is disabled with the lock 26. A manual mode is activated by placing a crank handle in the worm socket 25 and release of the lock 26 on the worm 22. This enables the worm to rotate on its vertical axis. The span may be lifted or lowered by turning a crank handle in the proper direction.

(11) In order to reactivate the automatic mode, the worm must be locked and crank handle removed from the worm socket.

(12) The set of counterweights 9 is fixed to the bottom of the load bearing beam with catches 10, rope-slings 12 and pulley bearings 11. Additionally, in the pit 1 a sump pump 15 is installed with a control system and pipework 16 to drain the water from the pit 1. At the bottom of the pit 1 a safety end stops 17 made of metal and rubber are installed to protect the load bearing beam 3 and the counterweight 9 in the case of uncontrolled drop. A system of covers 18 supported on crosspieces 23 ensures the safety of operation in the area where the pit 1 and the span 4 meet. These covers have holes that match the type of span that is used.

(13) The drive system is fitted with a system of electrical connections that are not shown in the figures (to make them easier to read), audible signals and warning lights, and a control system with radio signal receivers and an optical detection system.

(14) The described invention has a wide range of uses as a vehicle entrance/exit gate onto/from a property where due to space constraints or for more aesthetic reasons, the use of a traditional single swing, double swing or sliding gate is not recommended. Another place where the described gate can be installed is any industrial, military, healthcare establishment or ambulance depot whatsoever, where the nature of operations requires the minimum opening/closing time of the gate in either automatic or emergency mode. Fast and easy mode change from automatic to emergency mode, and vice versa, is not negligible here as this allows for manual operation of the gate from either side of it by physically weaker persons. This unique feature of the invention, namely the very short time required to fully open and close the gate, also allows for it to be used as a remotely controlled pedestrian access gate. Also relatively easy exchange of the span is not negligible here as this gate is useful for all types of fences exposed to frequent damage, or where the look and arrangement changes periodically (e.g. at themed exhibitions, fencing for fairs). As design of the spans may be chosen freely it provides a lot of room to manoeuvre for designers of modern, innovative, pioneering facilities. The above described invention will make it possible for them to further enhance their designs by the incorporation of, for example, invisible glass gates.