GATE

Abstract

A gate apparatus comprising a mounting structure and at least one hinge. The hinge has a first pivoting part, a second pivoting part, and a spring element, the first pivoting part being attachable to the mounting structure. A swingable structure is attachable to the second pivoting part of the hinge. The first and second pivoting parts define an internal space in which the spring is received so as to be entirely enclosed, the internal space being formed by opposed recesses defined in the pivoting parts. In addition, the internal space is configured to allow the spring element to be seated in the internal space in a selected one of a first orientation and a second orientation allowing the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part of the at least one hinge to be aligned or perpendicular when the swingable structure is in a closed position.

Claims

1. A gate apparatus comprising: a mounting structure; at least one hinge having a first pivoting part, a second pivoting part, and a spring element, the first pivoting part being attachable to the mounting structure; a swingable structure attachable to the second pivoting part of the at least one hinge; the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part defining an internal space in which the spring element is received so as to be entirely enclosed, the internal space being formed by opposed recesses defined in the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part; and wherein the internal space is configured to allow the spring element to be seated in the internal space in a selected one of a first orientation and a second orientation allowing the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part of the at least one hinge to be aligned or perpendicular when the swingable structure is in a closed position.

2. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spring element comprises at least one torsion spring.

3. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the torsion spring has first and second end portions and at least one of the recesses defines first and second tangential slots to alternatively receive one of the end portions in the first orientation and the second orientation, respectively.

4. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the at least one hinge comprises first and second hinges.

5. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the swingable structure comprises first and second arms attached to the first and second hinges, respectively.

6. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first and second arms have a tubular configuration.

7. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a vertical element extending between the first and second arms.

8. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first and second arms each comprise a proximal arm element and a distal arm element telescopically received in the proximal arm element.

9. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second pivoting part of each of the first and second hinges are attached to an associated one of the first and second arms via a respective expandible clamping mechanism.

10. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the expandible clamping mechanism utilizes a split ring.

11. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said swingable structure is configured to have an adjustable width.

12. A gate apparatus comprising: a mounting structure; at least one hinge attachable to the mounting structure; and a swingable structure attachable to the at least one hinge via a respective expandible clamping mechanism, the swingable structure having at least one tubular arm.

13. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the expandible clamping mechanism includes a split ring engaging a frustoconical portion of the at least one hinge,

14. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the expandible clamping mechanism further comprises a jack screw and a disc engaging the split ring, wherein tightening of the jack screw causes expansion of the split ring.

15. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one hinge comprises first and second hinges respectively associated with first and second arms of the swingable structure.

16. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a vertical element extending between the first and second arms.

17. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first and second arms each comprise a proximal arm element and a distal arm element telescopically received in the proximal arm element.

18. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the distal arm elements are portions of a U-shaped arm structure.

19. A gate apparatus comprising: a mounting structure; at least one hinge attachable to the mounting structure; and a swingable structure attachable to the at least one hinge; the swingable structure having at least one tubular arm having a proximal arm element and a distal arm element telescopically received in the proximal arm element, the distal arm element being slidable with respect to the proximal arm element to adjust a width of the swingable structure; and a clamp configured to maintain the swingable structure at a selected width, the clamp having a first axial portion of greater inner diameter for engaging the proximal arm element and a second axial portion of lesser inner diameter to engage the distal arm element.

20. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein the clamp defines an axial gap between the first axial portion and the second axial portion.

21. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein each of the first axial portion and the second axial portion has a pair of opposed tabs defining aligned holes therethrough for receipt of a respective bolt.

22. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein: the at least one hinge comprises first and second hinges; the swingable structure comprises first and second arms attached to the first and second hinges, respectively; and a vertical element extends between the first and second arms.

23. A gate apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the distal arm elements are portions of a U-shaped arm structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gate apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention installed in a railing gap in a first mounting configuration;

[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the gate apparatus installed in a second mounting configuration;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a gate apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in the second mounting configuration of FIG. 2A; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a gate apparatus similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the gate apparatus of FIG. 3;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of the gate apparatus of FIG. 1 showing telescopic width adjustment;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gate apparatus of FIG. 1 with telescopic tubular arm elements separated;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a clamp that may be used to fix a selected width of the gate apparatus;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp of FIG. 7;

[0024] FIG. 9 Is an exploded perspective view showing attachment of hinges of the gate apparatus to a mounting structure;

[0025] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge and tubular arm;

[0026] FIGS. 11 and 12 are top and bottom exploded perspective views, respectively, of the hinge and arm clamping mechanism;

[0027] FIG. 13 shows certain components of a hinge that may be used in a gate apparatus of the present invention in a disassembled state; and

[0028] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the hinge parts of FIG. 14 in first and second spring orientations, respectively.

[0029] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a gate apparatus (or simply gate) 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, gate 10 is mounted in an opening (or gap) of a rail structure or the like, such as the railing of a walkway or platform. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening is formed between a pair of spaced apart railing elements 12 and 14. Specifically, gate 10 includes a mounting structure 16 that is attached to railing element 12, such as via U-bolts 18 or any other suitable means of attachment. Mounting structure 16, in this embodiment, comprises a single elongate plate although embodiments are contemplated in which mounting structure 16 comprises more than one element that collectively allow attachment of other portions of gate 10 to a fixed structure. A swingable structure 20 is pivotally connected to the mounting structure 16. In this case, mounting structure 16 is attached to upright 12 in line with swingable structure 20 (in its closed position as illustrated).

[0032] Swingable structure 20 pivots about a plurality of hinges 22. (In this case, a pair of hinges 22 are provided, respectively designated 22a and 22b.) As will be explained more fully below, at least one, and preferably at least two, of the hinges 22 includes an internal spring that functions to urge the swingable structure 20 into a closed position. A striker is attached to the swingable structure 20 to retain gate 10 normally in the closed position. To open the gate 10, a user pivots swingable structure 20 so that the striker is moved away from the railing element 14. In this case, the striker is formed by a plate 24 having a striker portion 26 and an integral sign portion 28. Sign portion 28 may be used to display informational messages to users, as necessary or desired.

[0033] Referring now also to FIG. 3, swingable structure 20 has upper and lower arms 30 and 32. In this embodiment, upper arm 30 has a proximal arm element 34 and a distal arm element 36. Similarly, lower arm 32 has a proximal arm element 38 and a distal arm element 40. As will be explained more fully below, distal arm elements 36 and 40 are telescopically movable with respect to proximal arm elements 34 and 38 in order to adjust the width of gate 10. In this embodiment, distal arm elements 36 and 40 are portions of a U-shaped member also having a vertical element 42 that interconnects distal ends of distal arm elements 36 and 40. (Plate 24 has a slightly different configuration in FIGS. 3 and 4 than in various other figures but is functionally the same.)

[0034] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, gate 10 is slightly modified so that mounting structure 16 is perpendicular to swingable structure 20 in the closed position. This mounting configuration may be used, for example, if the width of the gap between railing structures 12 and 14 is too small to accommodate gate 10. In this case, it can be seen that the pivoting parts of hinges 22a and 22b are perpendicular to each other, rather than being aligned in the closed position as in FIG. 1. A preferred manner in which hinges 22 are adapted so that the pivoting parts are perpendicular when gate 10 is in the closed position will be described more fully below. In addition, it can be seen that plate 24 is attached to the back side of vertical element 42 rather than being on the front side as in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, a spacer 44 between plate 24 and vertical element 42 may be sized so that the spacing is greater in this arrangement than in the arrangement of FIG. 1. (In other words, a different spacer is used in the arrangement of FIG. 1 that yields less space between plate 24 and vertical element 42.) Because vertical element 42 has a tubular cross-section in this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the two sides of spacer element 44 will be concave and flat, respectively.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, proximal arm element 34 in this embodiment has a tubular configuration in which a proximal end of distal arm element 36 is slidably received. Similarly, proximal arm element 38 has a tubular configuration in which a proximal end of distal arm element 40 is slidably received. Hinges 22a and 22b are connected between the respective proximal ends of proximal arm elements 34 and 38 and mounting structure 16. Specifically, the outer diameter of distal arm elements 36 and 40 is preferably selected to be just small enough to fit snugly within the inner diameter of proximal arm elements 34 and 38. Distal arm elements 36 and 40 may be fitted with a respective end piece 46 and 48, e.g., a respective cap element that may be formed of a suitable polymeric material such as nylon or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, to facilitate the sliding movement of distal arm elements 36 and 40 with respect to proximal arm elements 34 and 38.

[0036] Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, the width of swingable structure 20 is continuously adjustable between limits X1 and X2. During such adjustment, clamps 50 and 52, which are used to maintain the desired width, are loosened. When the desired width is achieved, clamps 50 and 52 are tightened. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, clamps 50, 52 in this embodiment have a first axial portion 54 with a lesser inner diameter and a second axial portion 56 with a greater inner diameter. It will be appreciated that portion 54 is adapted to engage the outer surface of distal arm elements 36, 40 while portion 56 is adapted to engage the outer surface of proximal arm elements 34, 38. Portions 54 and 56 are separated by an axial gap 58 that extends partially around the annulus of the associated arm. As a result, portions 54 and 56 are rendered slightly flexible and can be tightened independently of each other. Portions 54 and 56 terminate with opposed tabs 60a-b and 62a-b, respectively. The opposed tabs define aligned holes, e.g., hole 64, for receipt of a bolt. Tightening the bolt via an associated nut tightens the corresponding one of portions 54 or 56.

[0037] Certain additional details can be most easily explained with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12. As can be seen, hinge 22 includes a first pivoting part 66 attached to mounting structure 16 such as via one or more screws (see FIG. 9). Hinge 22 further includes a second pivoting part 68 that rotates with respect to first pivoting part 66. In this regard, a hinge pin (or axle) 70 extends between pivoting parts 66 and 68 to allow the pivoting movement. Hinge pin 70 may take any suitable configuration, such as a bolt-like structure having a smooth shank portion with a distal portion that is attached to hinge part 66 (such as by threads, etc.). As will be explained below, a suitable spring element 72, here embodied as a torsion spring mounted coaxial to hinge pin 70, may be located in a configured space defined between pivoting parts 66 and 68. As a result, spring element 72 will be entirely enclosed within the hinge. In some embodiments, the hinge pin 70 may extend through a bushing 74 mounted in the axial bore formed by the coil of spring element 72. A flat washer 76 may also be mounted between pivoting parts 66 and 68 to facilitate smooth operation of the hinge 22 and/or to reduce wear, as necessary or desired.

[0038] It will be appreciated that proximal arm elements 34, 38 can be attached to hinge 22 in any suitable manner. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 10 through 12, the illustrated embodiment uses an expandible clamping mechanism 78 that secures second pivoting part 68 to the associated one of proximal arm elements 34, 38 without external connectors. In this regard, second pivoting part 68 has a frustoconical portion 80 forming its distal end. A split ring 82, here having a cylindrical shape, is seated on the frustoconical portion 80. A disc 84 having a threaded bore 86 engages the distal side of ring 82. A jacking bolt 88 extends through a hole defined in second pivoting part 68 into engagement with the threaded bore 86 of disc 84. As the jacking bolt 88 is tightened, bolt 88 and disc 84 pull ring 82 up the sloped surface of frustoconical portion 80. Ring 82 thus expands into firm engagement with the inner surface of proximal arm element 34, 38. As a result, pivoting part 66 and proximal arm element 34, 38 are securely connected to one another.

[0039] As described above, gate 10 is preferably mountable in either of two orientations, with the hinge parts 66 and 68 either being aligned with one another or perpendicular to one another when swingable structure 20 is in the closed position. It is desirable, however, that spring element 72 properly operate to be at least substantially at rest in either case. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as using different springs depending on the mounting orientation. (In any event, spring element 72 will preferably still be wound sufficiently to urge striker portion 26 against the adjacent fixed structure, e.g., railing element 14, to remain closed.)

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the spring receiving space defined between pivoting parts 66 and 68 is configured in this embodiment to accept spring element 72 in two different orientations. Toward this end, pivoting part 66 defines a receptacle 90 in which the coil of the spring is received. A pair of tangential slots 92 and 94 extend from the receptacle 90. Similarly, pivoting part 68 defines a receptacle 96 in which the coil of the spring is received. A pair of tangential slots 98 and 100 extend from the receptacle 96. Together, receptacles 90 and 96 define the internal space in which the spring is enclosed. One end of the spring is seated in either of slots 92 or 94, with the other end of the spring being seated in either of slots 98 or 100, depending on the mounting configuration. If is desired to use the same spring in either mounting configuration, the spring may be rotated 90 in order to change the orientation.

[0041] It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a novel gate apparatus and various methods of using the same. Thus, while one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Moreover, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope and spirit thereof.