HINGE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A hinge locking mechanism is provided for securing a gate, the mechanism comprising a locking component that is connectable to the gate and which is biased against a first plate that is connectable to a post about which the gate pivots, such that the locking component is secured to or within the first plate when the gate is in the closed position (preventing movement of the gate into the open position). Also provided is a gate having said hinge locking mechanism and a method of securing a gate using the mechanism.

Claims

1. A hinge locking mechanism (1) for a gate (28) comprising a locking component (4) that is connectable to the gate and which is biased against a first plate (16) that is connectable to a post (30) about which the gate pivots, such that the locking component is secured to or within the first plate when the gate is in the closed position (preventing movement of the gate into the open position), wherein a biasing means (2) biases the locking component against the first plate, and wherein the locking component comprises at least two protrusions (6, 8) that accommodate separate recesses/cut-outs (14, 18) in the first plate when the gate is closed.

2. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a first spring (2) acts as the biasing means.

3. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means can be manipulated to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate can be opened.

4. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking component comprises two protrusions.

5. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking component is substantially U-shaped.

6. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking component is connectable to a lever/handle (10), such that a user can push or pull said lever to manipulate the biasing means/first spring to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate can be opened.

7. The hinge locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the locking component is connectable to the gate via a second plate (12), to or within which it is secured, the second plate being mountable to the gate and rotatable relative to the first plate.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the locking component sits above and rests within the second plate which, in turn, sits above the first plate.

9. The gate comprising the hinge locking mechanism of claim 1.

10. The method for securing a gate (28) comprising: moving the gate from an open position to a closed position, such that a locking component (4) on a hinge of the gate is biased towards and secured to or within a first plate (16) by a biasing means (2), the first plate being mounted to a post (30) about which the gate pivots, wherein at least two protrusions (6, 8) on the locking component accommodate corresponding recesses/cut-outs (14, 18) in the first plate, thereby preventing movement of the gate back into the open position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a first spring (2) acts as the biasing means.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the biasing means biases the locking component against the first plate but can be manipulated to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate can be opened.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the locking component is connectable to a lever/handle (10), such that a user can push or pull said lever to manipulate the biasing means/first spring to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate can be opened.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the locking component comprises two protrusions.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the locking component is substantially U-shaped.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the locking component is secured to or within a second plate (12) that is rotatable relative to the first plate, such that when the gate moves into the open position, the locking component and second plate move together.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the locking component sits above and rests within the second plate which, in turn, sits above the first plate.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0030] The invention is now illustrated in specific examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings (FIGS. 1-6) which show:

[0031] A perspective view of a hinge locking mechanism of the invention in the locked position, in the absence of a gate or gate post (FIG. 1),

[0032] A zoomed-in view of a hinge locking mechanism of the invention in the locked position (FIG. 2);

[0033] A perspective view of a hinge locking mechanism of the invention in the unlocked position, in the absence of a gate or gate post (FIG. 3);

[0034] A zoomed-in view of a hinge locking mechanism of the invention in the unlocked position (FIGS. 4 and 5); and

[0035] A gate and gate post mounted to a hinge comprising a hinge locking mechanism of the invention (FIG. 6).

Example 1Hinge Locking Mechanism With a Two-Pronged Locking Component

[0036] Briefly, as depicted in FIG. 1, there is provided a hinge locking mechanism (1) that is connected to a lever handle (10), capable of actuating the mechanism, and a first hinge leaf (22) for mounting to a gate post (30) (see FIG. 6). The hinge locking mechanism (1) itself is mounted on a hinge pin (24) that passes through its centre via a central aperture in two plates (12, 16) and an inverted U-shaped locking component (4)these components all being depicted in greater detail in e.g., FIG. 2. The inverted U-shaped locking component (4) is connected at its upper face to a spring (2) which biases the component (4) downwards, such that two protruding arms thereof (6, 8)otherwise referred to as protrusionsaccommodate recesses (14) in the outer-edge of the plate (12) on opposite sides thereof. Actuation of the lever handle (10) forces the inverted U-shaped locking component (4) to move against the bias of the spring (2). While the first plate (16)otherwise referred to as the first knuckleis connected to the first hinge leaf (22), the second plate/knuckle (12) is connected to the lever handle (10). The first knuckle (16) sits below the second knuckle (12). A gate (28) is then mounted to a second hinge leaf (20) that is positioned close to the lever handle (10), such that the lever handle (10) is conveniently accessible by a user approaching the gate (28) (see FIG. 6). The gate (28) is also connected to a second spring (26), wrapped around the hinge pin (24), that biases the gate (28) into the closed position when a user releases it.

[0037] In greater detail, as can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, when the hinge locking mechanism (1) is in the locked position and the gate (28) is closed, opening of the gate (28) is prevented by the inverted U-shaped locking component (4). The locking component (4) is biased downwards by spring (2), such that its protrusions (6, 8) rest in recesses (14, 18) in the two plates (12, 16). It is the first plate (16) that resists movement/opening of the gate (28), since it is fixed to the gate post (30); this is possible because the protrusions (6, 8) of the locking component (4) abut the edges of the recesses (18), preventing rotation of the second plate (12) and locking component (4) relative to the first plate (16).

[0038] If a user wishes to open the gate (28), this can be achieved through actuation of the hinge locking mechanism (1) via the lever handle (10). As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, pushing down on the lever handle (10) forces the inverted U-shaped locking component (4) upwards to compress the spring (2) and lift the protrusions (6, 8) out of the recesses (18) in the first plate (16).

[0039] With the protrusions (6, 8) of the inverted U-shaped locking component (4) out of the first plate recesses (18), the second plate (12) is free to rotate, relative to the first plate (16). Since it is the second plate (12) that is connected to the gate (28)/lever arm (10), the protrusions (6, 8) can rest in the second plate recesses (14) without preventing movement/opening of the gate (28). The user is thus able to open the gate and pass through it.

[0040] Once a user has opened the gate (28) and passed through it, there is no need for the user to manually close the gate (28). Upon releasing the lever handle (10) while the gate (28) is in the open position, the spring (2) exerts its bias against the inverted U-shaped locking component (4), pushing it downwards towards the first plate (16). However, with the protrusions (6, 8) out of alignment with the first plate recesses (18), the locking mechanism (1) cannot enter the locked position. Instead, the protrusions (6, 8) merely abut the top surface of the first plate (16). The gate (28) is, nevertheless, connected to a closing spring (26), which biases the gate (28) back into the closed position, in which the protrusions (6, 8) align with the first plate recesses (18). Upon alignment, the spring (2) pushes the locking component (4) downwards into the first plate recesses (18) and locks the gate (28) in the closed position.

Example 2Hinge Locking Mechanism With a Three-Pronged Locking Component

[0041] In another example, there is provided a hinge locking mechanism (1) that is connected to a lever handle (10), capable of actuating the mechanism, and a first hinge leaf (22) for mounting to a gate post (30). The hinge locking mechanism (1) itself is mounted on a hinge pin (24) that passes through its centre via a central aperture in two plates (12, 16) and a locking component (not shown) with 3 prongs, the prongs being spaced equally apart. The locking component is connected at its upper face to a spring (2) which biases the component downwards, such that the tips of three protruding prongs/arms thereofotherwise referred to as protrusionsaccommodate recesses (14) in the outer-edge of the plate (12). Actuation of the lever handle (10) forces the locking component to move against the bias of the spring (2). While the first plate (16)otherwise referred to as the first knuckleis connected to the first hinge leaf (22), the second plate/knuckle (12) is connected to the lever handle (10). The first knuckle (16) sits below the second knuckle (12). A gate (28) is then mounted to a second hinge leaf (20) that is positioned close to the lever handle (10), such that the lever handle (10) is conveniently accessible by a user approaching the gate (28). The gate (28) is also connected to a second spring (26), wrapped around the hinge pin (24), that biases the gate (28) into the closed position when a user releases it.

[0042] When the hinge locking mechanism (1) is in the locked position and the gate (28) is closed, opening of the gate (28) is prevented by the locking component (not shown). The locking component is biased downwards by a spring (2), such that its protrusions rest in recesses in the two plates (12, 16). It is the first plate (16) that resists movement/opening of the gate (28), since it is fixed to the gate post (30); this is possible because the protrusions of the locking component abut the edges of the recesses, preventing rotation of the second plate (12) and locking component relative to the first plate (16).

[0043] If a user wishes to open the gate (28), this can be achieved through actuation of the hinge locking mechanism (1) via the lever handle (10). Pushing down on the lever handle (10) forces the locking component (not shown) upwards to compress the spring (2) and lift the protrusions out of the recesses in the first plate (16).

[0044] With the protrusions of the locking component (not shown) out of the first plate recesses, the second plate (12) is free to rotate, relative to the first plate (16). Since it is the second plate (12) that is connected to the gate (28)/lever arm (10), the protrusions can rest in the second plate recesses without preventing movement/opening of the gate (28). The user is thus able to open the gate and pass through it.

[0045] Once a user has opened the gate (28) and passed through it, there is no need for the user to manually close the gate (28). Upon releasing the lever handle (10) while the gate (28) is in the open position, the spring (2) exerts its bias against the locking component (not shown), pushing it downwards towards the first plate (16). However, with the protrusions out of alignment with the first plate recesses, the locking mechanism (1) cannot enter the locked position. Instead, the protrusions merely abut the top surface of the first plate (16). The gate (28) is, nevertheless, connected to a closing spring (26), which biases the gate (28) back into the closed position, in which the protrusions align with the first plate recesses. Upon alignment, the spring (2) pushes the locking component downwards into the first plate recesses and locks the gate (28) in the closed position.

REFERENCE LIST

[0046] Hinge Locking Mechanism (1) [0047] Spring biasing means (2) [0048] U-shaped locking component/locking pin (4) [0049] First locking pin/protrusion (6) [0050] Second locking pin/protrusion (8) [0051] Lever/handle (10) [0052] Second plate/knuckle (12) [0053] Second recess (14) [0054] First plate/knuckle (16) [0055] First recess (18) [0056] Second hinge leaf (20) [0057] First hinge leaf (22) [0058] Hinge pin (24) [0059] Gate closing spring (26) [0060] Gate (28) [0061] Gate Post (30)

[0062] The invention hence provides a hinge locking mechanism and a gate assembly comprising said mechanism.