GATES FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING RAILS

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a gate system for an overhead lifting rail system, comprising: a first gate comprising: a rail portion for supporting a lifting carriage; and a bridging element pivotally coupled adjacent a proximal end to the rail portion; and a second gate comprising: a rail portion for suspending a lifting carriage; and a bridging element support portion. Upon the first gate engaging with the second gate, a distal end of the bridging element of the first gate engages with the bridging element support portion of the second gate to form a bridge between the first gate and the second gate; and the distal end of the bridging element and the bridging element support portion are configured such that the ends of the bridging element are substantially aligned with the respective ends of the rail portions of the first and second gates.

Claims

1. A gate for an overhead lifting rail, comprising: a rail portion for suspending a lifting carriage; a locking pin movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the lifting carriage is blocked from traversing the rail portion, and in the second position the lifting carriage is able to traverse the rail portion; a locking pin magnetic portion coupled to the locking pin; and a gate magnetic portion fixed relative to the rail portion; wherein, at least one of the locking pin magnetic portion and the gate magnetic portion is a permanent magnet, upon the gate engaging with a corresponding second gate also comprising a rail portion, a locking pin, a locking pin magnet portion and a gate magnetic portion, the locking pin magnetic portion of the gate engages with the gate magnetic portion of the corresponding second gate such that, upon the rail portion of the gate being substantially aligned with the rail portion of the corresponding second gate, the locking pin is moved from the first position to the second position.

2. A gate system for an overhead lifting rail system, comprising: a first gate, and a second gate, each gate comprising: a rail portion for suspending a lifting carriage; a locking pin movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the lifting carriage is blocked from traversing the rail portion, and in the second position the lifting carriage is able to traverse the rail portion; a locking pin magnetic portion coupled to the locking pin; and a gate magnetic portion fixed relative to the rail portion; wherein, at least one of the locking pin magnetic portion and the gate magnetic portion is a permanent magnet, upon the first gate engaging with the second gate, the locking pin magnetic portion of the first gate engages with the gate magnetic portion of the second gate, and the locking pin of the second gate engages with the gate magnetic portion of the first gate such that, upon the rail portions being substantially aligned, each locking pin is moved from the first position to the second position.

3. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein each gate magnetic portion is configured to magnetically attract the respective locking pin magnetic portion.

4. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein each locking pin magnetic portion protrudes from the respective gate, and each gate magnetic portion is provided in a recessed channel in the respective gate, the recessed channel extending from a first side to a second side of the gate.

5. The gate system according to claim 4, wherein an edge of each recessed channel comprises a cam profile configured to engage the respective locking pin magnetic portion and move the locking pin from the second position to the first position upon the first gate and the second gate being disengaged.

6. The gate system according to claim 5, wherein the cam profile is substantially symmetrical about a centre line of the gate.

7. The gate system according to claim 5, wherein each gate magnetic portion has a shape which conforms to the cam profile.

8. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein each gate magnetic portion comprises a first gate magnet, and a second gate magnet, the first gate magnet being configured to magnetically attract the respective locking pin magnetic portion, and the second gate magnet being configured to magnetically repel the locking pin magnetic portion towards the first gate magnet.

9. The gate system according to claim 8, wherein the locking pin magnetic portion comprises a first locking pin magnet configured to magnetically attract the respective first gate magnet, and a second locking pin magnet configured to magnetically repel the respective second gate magnet.

10. The gate system according to claim 9, wherein: each locking pin magnetic portion protrudes from the respective gate, and each gate magnetic portion is provided in a recessed channel in the respective gate, the recessed channel extending from a first side to a second side of the gate; and the first gate magnet is provided in a top edge of the recessed channel, and the second gate magnet is provided in a bottom edge of the recessed channel.

11. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein the gate magnetic portion is a permanent magnet, and the locking pin magnetic portion is a permanent magnet.

12. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein the gate magnetic portion is a permanent magnet and the locking pin magnetic portion is formed of a ferromagnetic material.

13. The gate system according to claim 2, each locking pin being slidably movable from the first position to the second position, wherein in the first position, a distal end of the locking pin protrudes through a hole in the rail portion to block the lifting carriage from traversing the rail portion, and in the second position, the distal end of the locking pin does not protrude through the hole in the rail portion.

14. The gate system according to claim 2, wherein the first gate further comprises at least one alignment magnet, and the second gate comprises at least one corresponding alignment magnet, the alignment magnets being configured to magnetically attract each other.

15. A gate system for an overhead lifting rail system, comprising: a first gate comprising: a rail portion for supporting a lifting carriage; and a bridging element pivotally coupled adjacent a proximal end to the rail portion; and a second gate comprising: a rail portion for suspending a lifting carriage; and a bridging element support portion; wherein: upon the first gate engaging with the second gate, a distal end of the bridging element of the first gate engages with the bridging element support portion of the second gate to form a bridge between the first gate and the second gate; and the distal end of the bridging element and the bridging element support portion are configured such that ends of the bridging element are substantially aligned with the respective ends of the rail portions of the first and second gates.

16. The gate system according to claim 15, wherein the bridging element is pivotally coupled at a position substantially aligned with a lifting carriage support surface of the rail portion.

17. The gate system according to claim 15, wherein each end of the bridging element support portion comprises a tapered portion.

18. The gate system according to claim 15, wherein the bridging element support portion is formed of an edge of a recessed channel extending from a first side to a second side of the first gate.

19. The gate system according to claim 15, wherein the distal end of the bridging element configured to engage with the bridging element support portion comprises a cantilever vertically offset from the bridging element.

20. The gate system according to claim 15, wherein the first gate and the second gate, each further comprises: a locking pin movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the lifting carriage is blocked from traversing the rail portion, and in the second position the lifting carriage is able to traverse the rail portion; a locking pin magnet coupled to the locking pin; and a gate magnet fixed relative to the rail portion; wherein, upon the first gate engaging with the second gate the locking pin magnet of the first gate engages with the gate magnet of the second gate, and vice versa, such that, upon the rail portion of the first gate being substantially aligned with the rail portion of the second gate, each locking pin is moved from the first position to the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The gates and gate systems will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] FIG. 1(a) shows a locking gate system for an overhead lifting rail system;

[0047] FIG. 1(b) shows another portion of the locking gate system for an overhead lifting rail system of FIG. 1(a);

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of the gate system shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);

[0049] FIG. 3(a) shows a further cut-away view of the gate system shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);

[0050] FIG. 3(b) is one example of a locking pin for use in the gate system shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);

[0051] FIG. 3(c) is one example of a locking pin for use in the gate system shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);

[0052] FIG. 3(d) is one example of a locking pin for use in the gate system shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b);

[0053] FIG. 4(a) shows an alternative embodiment of a locking gate system for an overhead lifting rail system;

[0054] FIG. 4(b) shows another portion of the locking gate system for an overhead lifting rail system of FIG. 4(a)

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a gate as shown in FIG. 4(a);

[0056] FIG. 6 shows an alternative view of the gate system shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b);

[0057] FIG. 7(a) shows a bridging gate system for an overhead lifting rail system;

[0058] FIG. 7(b) shows another portion of the bridging gate system for the overhead lifting rail system of FIG. 7(a);

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a cut-away view of an alternative embodiment of a bridging gate;

[0060] FIG. 9(a) shows an alternative embodiment of a bridging gate for a bridging gate system comprising the bridging gate shown in FIG. 8;

[0061] FIG. 9(b) shows an alternative view of the gate system shown in FIG. 8;

[0062] FIG. 10 shows a cut-away view of the gate system of the gate system shown in FIG. 9; and

[0063] FIG. 11 shows an end view of a gate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The present disclosure relates generally to overhead lifting systems for lifting and moving patients in healthcare facilities. Although it will be appreciated that the system has other uses. Such overhead lifting systems comprise fixed overhead rails, and moving, traverse, rails, and lifting carriages which run along the rails and have lifting and lowering mechanisms. The rails are generally supported by a ceiling or between two walls. The traverse rails are themselves mounted to rails, which generally run perpendicularly to enable the traverse rails to be moved between different fixed rail portions. The present disclosure is concerned with the gates which enable the lifting carriage to pass safely from a fixed rail to a traverse rail.

[0065] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) show an example of one such gate system, which is a locking gate system, comprising a first gate 100 and a second gate 102. In this example, the gate 100 is coupled to a traverse rail (not shown), and the gate 102 is coupled to a fixed rail 104. For ease of reference, the faces 106 and 108 of the gates which engage with each other are shown facing away from each other, but as will be appreciated, in use, the faces 106 and 108 face each other. The first gate 100 and the second gate 102 each comprise, inter alia, a rail portion 110, 112, a locking pin 114, 116, a locking pin magnet 118, 120, a first gate magnet 122, 124, a second gate magnet 126, 128, and a recessed channel 130, 132. The first gate 100 and second gate 102 each further comprise alignment magnets 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d, 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d respectively provided at the corners of the engaging faces 106 and 108. The alignment magnets 134 are configured to be magnetically attracted to the alignment magnets 136. That is to say, the north pole of the magnets 134 faces outwards, and the south pole of the magnets 136 faces outwards (or vice versa).

[0066] The locking pin magnet 118, 120 is coupled perpendicularly to the respective locking pin 114, 116 by a shaft (not shown). The locking pin 114, 116 is vertically slidable within a bearing 138, 140 to enable the pin to slide from a first position, as shown in FIG. 1, to a second position. As the locking pin 114, 116 slides from the first position to the second position, the locking pin magnet shaft slides within the slot 142, 144.

[0067] In the first position, the locking pin 114, 116 blocks the rail portion 110, 112 so that a lifting carriage is blocked from traversing the respective rail portion. In this way, when the rail portion 110 is not aligned with the rail portion 112 the locking pins 114, 116 prevent the lifting carriage from rolling off the end of the rail.

[0068] As can be seen, each recessed channel 130 and 132 has an upper edge with a cammed profile. The lower edge of each recessed channel is substantially planar, but is shown having tapered end portions.

[0069] The second gate 102 is mounted to a ceiling (not shown) by the mounting support 146. The first gate 100 is mounted to a traverse rail (not shown), which in turn is mounted to the ceiling by further guide rails which enable movement of the traverse rail perpendicularly to the longitudinal length of the rail.

[0070] In this example, the main body of each gate 100, 102 is formed of aluminium to reduce the total weight as compared to, for example, steel, and to reduce or eliminate the magnetic interference between the main body and the gate magnet and locking pin magnet. The locking pins 114, 116, and shaft portions for coupling the locking pin magnets to the locking pins are formed of steel. The magnets are formed of an alloy of Neodymium, Iron, and Boron, which are commonly known simply as Neodymium magnets. The bearings 138, 140 are formed of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0071] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the gates 100 and 102 in the process of engaging with each other, and the respective locking pins being moved from the first position to the second position. It is noted that throughout the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features.

[0072] In FIG. 2, the gate 100, attached to the traverse rail 200 movable in the direction X, is shown at the initial stage of engagement with the gate 102 attached to the fixed rail 104. As can be seen, the locking pin 114 is in the first position, and would prevent a lifting carriage from traversing the rail portion 110 in direction Y. The locking pin magnet 118 is shown at a first end of the recessed channel 132 of gate 102. The first gate magnet 122 and the second gate magnet 126 of the first gate 100 are also shown. As can be seen, the first gate magnet 122 is recessed into the upper edge of the recessed channel to provide a smooth surface. Likewise, the second gate magnet 126 is recessed into the lower edge of the recessed channel. It is noted that the shaft portion 202 is shown which couples the locking pin magnet 118 to the locking pin 114.

[0073] Upon the first gate 100 being traversed into alignment with the second gate 102, the second gate magnet 126 of the first gate 100 repels the locking pin magnet 120 of the second gate 102, and the second gate magnet 128 of the second gate 102 repels the locking pin magnet 118 of the first gate 100. The locking pins 114 and 116 are therefore repelled away from the first position towards the second position. In addition, the first gate magnet 122 of the first gate 100 attracts the locking pin magnet 120 of the second gate 102, and the first gate magnet 124 of the second gate 102 attracts the locking pin magnet 118 of the first gate 100. The locking pins 114 and 116 are therefore also attracted towards the second position, and, while the gates 100 and 102 are aligned, the locking pins 114 and 116 are maintained in the second position by the first gate magnets 122 and 124.

[0074] In this aligned configuration, the alignment magnets 134 and 136 maintain the gates together until a user, such as a healthcare professional, moves the traverse rail.

[0075] With the gates aligned, and the locking pins in the second position, a lifting carriage is free to traverse the rails from the fixed rail to the traverse rail or vice versa in the Y direction. This is because a substantial portion of a lifting carriage of this type runs within the rails, being supported by the support surface of the rails 300, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0076] FIGS. 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) each show a variant of a locking pin configured for use in a gate system as described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3(a).

[0077] FIG. 3(b) shows that locking pin 116, as described above. The locking pin magnet 120 is coupled to the locking pin 116 by shaft portion 302. The locking pin magnet 120, is formed of a first locking pin magnet 304 and a second locking pin magnet 306. The first locking pin magnet is configured to be magnetically attracted to the first gate magnet 122, and the second locking pin magnet is configured to the magnetically repelled from the second gate magnet 126.

[0078] FIG. 3(c) shows a variant of a locking pin 308, which comprises a locking pin magnet 310 coupled to the locking pin 308 by shaft portion 312, and a locking pin magnet 314. In this example, the locking pin magnet 310 is configured to be magnetically attracted to gate magnet 122. A second locking pin magnet is not provided, and as such the second gate magnet 126 is also not provided.

[0079] FIG. 3(d) shows a variant of a locking pin 316, which comprises a locking pin magnetic portion 318 coupled to the locking pin 316 by a shaft portion 320. The locking pin magnetic portion 318 is formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel. As such, the first gate magnet 122 is configured to magnetically attract the ferromagnetic locking pin magnetic portion 318.

[0080] As will be appreciated, equivalent variants of locking pin 114 to the variants of locking pin 116 shown in FIGS. 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) are envisaged.

[0081] As the first gate 100 is traversed away from the alignment configuration, the locking pin magnets 118 and 120 move away from the first gate magnets 122 and 124, and so the locking pin, under gravity, moves back from the second position to the first position. In addition, the upper edge of the recessed channel having a cammed profile can apply a direct force to the locking pin magnets to assist the movement of the locking pins from the second position to the first position. As will be appreciated, this ensures that if the locking pins become stuck in the unlocked, second position, for any reason, the gate system fails safe because the locking pin magnets will engage with the upper edge of the recess and prevent the gates from being separated. By fail safe, it is meant that in no situation is it possible for the gates to be in a configuration where the locking pins are in the unlocked position, and the lifting carriage can fall from the end of the rail.

[0082] FIGS. 4(a) and 5(b) show an alternative example of a locking gate system. The example shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) comprises a first gate 400 and a second gate 402, and is of generally similar construction to the example described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In this example, the gate 400 is coupled to a traverse rail (not shown), and the gate 402 is coupled to a fixed rail (not shown). For ease of reference, the faces 404 and 406 of the gates which engage with each other are shown facing away from each other, but as will be appreciated, in use, the faces 404 and 406 face each other. The first gate 400 and the second gate 402 each comprise, inter alia, a rail portion 408, 410, a locking pin 412, a locking pin magnet 414, 416, a gate magnet 418, 420, and a recessed channel 422, 424. The first gate 400 and second gate 402 each further comprise alignment magnets 426a, 426b, 426c, 426d, 428a, 428b, 428c, 428d respectively provided at the corners of the engaging faces 404 and 406. The alignment magnets 426 are configured to be magnetically attracted to the alignment magnets 428. That is to say, the north pole of the magnets 426 faces outwards, and the south pole of the magnets 428 faces outwards (or vice versa).

[0083] The locking pin magnet 414, 416 is coupled perpendicularly to the respective locking pin by a shaft (not shown). The locking pin is vertically slidable within a bearing to enable the pin to slide from a first position, as shown in FIG. 4(a), to a second position, as shown in FIG. 4(b). As the locking pin slides from the first position to the second position, the locking pin magnet shaft slides within the slot 430, 432.

[0084] In the first position, the locking pin blocks the rail portion 408, 410 so that a lifting carriage is blocked from traversing the respective rail portion. In this way, when the rail portion 408 is not aligned with the rail portion 410 the locking pins prevent the lifting carriage from rolling off the end of the rail.

[0085] As can be seen, each recessed channel 422 and 424 has an upper edge with a cammed profile. The lower edge of each recessed channel is substantially planar, but is shown having tapered end portions.

[0086] The second gate 402 is mounted to a ceiling (not shown) by a mounting support in a similar manner to the example described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The first gate 400 is mounted to a traverse rail (not shown), which in turn is mounted to the ceiling by further guide rails which enable movement of the traverse rail perpendicularly to the longitudinal length of the rail.

[0087] In this example, the main body of each gate 400, 402 is formed of aluminium to reduce the total weight as compared to, for example, steel, and to reduce or eliminate the magnetic interference between the main body and the gate magnet and locking pin magnet. The locking pins and shaft portions for coupling the locking pin magnets to the locking pins are formed of steel. The magnets are formed of an alloy of Neodymium, Iron, and Boron, which are commonly known simply as Neodymium magnets. The bearings are formed of polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0088] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of first gate 400. The components of first gate 400 are shown in greater detail. As described above the locking pin 412 is housed in a bearing 500, which is inserted into the main body of the first gate 400. The locking pin magnet 414 is coupled to the locking pin 412 by the shaft portion 502. The shaft portion 502 is screwed into the locking pin using threaded portion 504. The slot 430 is formed using an insert 506, formed of the same material as the bearing 500. Also shown are cover plates 508 and 510.

[0089] In particular, FIG. 5 shows that the gate magnet is provided with a cammed profile which matches the cammed profile of the upper edge of the recessed channel.

[0090] Upon the first gate 400 being traversed into alignment with the second gate 402, the gate magnet 418 of the first gate 400 attracts the locking pin magnet 416 of the second gate 402, and the gate magnet 420 of the second gate 402 attracts locking pin magnet 414 of the first gate 400. The locking pin magnets are drawn along the cammed profile of the gate magnets, and thereby move the locking pins from a first, locked, position to a second, unlocked position upon the first gate 400 and the second gate 402 being aligned.

[0091] In this aligned configuration, the alignment magnets 426 and 428 maintain the gates together until a user, such a healthcare professional, moves the traverse rail.

[0092] With the gates aligned, and the locking pins in the second position, a lifting carriage is free to traverse the rails from the fixed rail to the traverse rail or vice versa. This is because a substantial portion of a lifting carriage of this type runs within the rails, being supported by the support surface of the rails.

[0093] As the first gate 400 is traversed away from the alignment configuration, the locking pin magnets continue to follow the cammed profile of the gate magnets, and thereby move the locking pins back from the second position to the first position. In addition, the upper edge of the recessed channel, also having a cammed profile, if needed can apply a direct force to the locking pin magnets to assist the movement of the locking pins from the second position to the first position. As will be appreciated, this ensures that if the locking pins become stuck in the unlocked, second position, for any reason, the gate system fails safe because the locking pin magnets will engage with the upper edge of the recess and prevent the gates from being separated. By fail safe, it is meant that in no situation is it possible for the gates to be in a configuration where the locking pins are in the unlocked position, and the lifting carriage can fall from the end of the rail.

[0094] Referring now to FIG. 6, the method of installation of a gate system is shown. Although the example shown in FIG. 6 relates to FIGS. 4 and 5, the installation process is also applicable to the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. As can be seen, the process of installation requires the second gate 402 to be mounted to a ceiling using support 600. The first gate 400, attached to the traverse rail 602 is then adjusted into position using tool 604. Tool 604 has a plurality of pins which engage with corresponding holes in the gates 400 and 402 to ensure the proper separation between the gates. The separation may be between about 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0095] As will be appreciated, the components of the second gate 402 are identical to those used in the first gate 400, except for the distance of the recessed channel from the rail portion to avoid interference between the locking pin magnets.

[0096] In addition, it will also be appreciated that the gate system described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 is similar to the gate system described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and both systems are constructed in similar manners, and from similar materials.

[0097] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) show a further gate system for an overhead lifting rail system. The gate system comprises a first gate 700, and a second gate 702. The first gate 700 is attached to a fixed rail 704, and the second gate is attached to a traverse rail 706. The gate system shown in FIGS. 7 is a bridging gate system which enable the smooth running of a lifting carriage between the gates even when there is a vertical misalignment between the gates. The present example is capable of operating with a vertical misalignment of up to about 3 mm.

[0098] For ease of reference, the faces 708 and 710 of the gates which engage with each other are shown facing away from each other, but as will be appreciated, in use, the faces 708 and 710 face each other. The first gate 700 comprises, inter alia, a bridging element 712 pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the main body of the first gate by pivots 713. The distal end of the bridging element 712 comprises an L-shaped cantilevered portion 714, which is displaced upwards from the top of the bridging element 712 to prevent interference with the lifting carriage.

[0099] The second gate 702 comprises, inter alia, a rail portion 716, and a bridging element support 718 configured to support the cantilevered portion 714 of the bridging element 712 when the gates are engaged.

[0100] The bridging element support 718 is formed by a recessed channel 720 in the face 710 of the second gate. As can be seen, the recessed channel has tapered end portions 722 and 724.

[0101] In use, as the second, traverse rail, gate 702 engages with the first, fixed rail, gate 700, the cantilevered portion 714 of the bridging element 712 engages with the lower edge of the recessed channel, i.e. the bridging element support 718. The relative dimensions of the bridging element support 718 and the cantilevered portion 714 are such that the lifting carriage support portion 726 of the bridging element 712 is substantially aligned with the lifting carriage support portion 728 of the rail portion 716. As will now be appreciated, any vertical misalignment, i.e. in the Z direction, will cause the bridging element 712 to pivot about the pivots 713 and maintain the alignment of the various lifting carriage support portions of the rails. Therefore, the gate system has the advantage of reducing the force required to push the lifting carriage over any steps in the rail caused by misalignment, and also reduces noise, and wear on the system. Such misalignment generally occurs when the traverse rail is under load due to a patient being lifted by a lifting carriage being supported by the traverse rail.

[0102] The tapered end portions 722 and 724 enable the engagement of the first gate and second gate even when the traverse rail is already under load. This is because the ends of the recessed channel are about 5 mm lower than the middle of the recessed channel forming the bridging element support 718.

[0103] The example shown in FIG. 7 may further comprise alignment magnets as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0104] FIG. 8 shows an alternative example of a gate for use in a gate system for an overhead lifting rail system. The example shown in FIG. 8, in effect, combines the locking gate features described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and the bridging gate features described above with reference to FIG. 7. As can be seen in this cut-away of gate 800, the gate comprises a bridging element 802 similar to bridging element 712, pivotally coupled to the main body of the gate by pivots 804. Again, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 7, a cantilevered support 806 is provided. The bridging element 802 further comprises a through hole for enabling the locking pin 116 to pass therethrough. The locking pin comprises the locking pin magnet 120 coupled to the locking pin by a shaft portion, the shaft portion being slidable in a slot 144.

[0105] Referring now to FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), it can be further seen that the gate system comprises the features of the locking gate system described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 in combination with the bridging gate system of FIG. 7. However, it is envisaged that, in the alternative, the locking gate system of FIGS. 4 to 6 could be combined with the gate system of FIG. 7. In use, the gate system, shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), and in the cut-away shown in FIG. 10, operates in a manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 7, and is referred to here.

[0106] In all of the above described examples, the rear face of the gates, that is to say the face opposite the engaging face, comprises recessed portion for receiving and mounting the rail portions. FIG. 11 shows a rear face 1100 of a gate. As can be seen, each rear face is configured such that any one of three standard rail sizes, H70, H100 or H140 can be mounted to the gate. In each case, the rail is mounted using a self-tapping screw, screwed through the main body of the gate and into the side edge of the rail. The rail sizes relate to the rail heights, being 70 mm, 100 mm, or 140 mm.

[0107] Although the first gate and second gate are designed to work together, either gate may be supplied separately, for example where a healthcare facility may have multiple fixed rails for each traverse rail.

[0108] The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate but do not limit the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be made and the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.