GB2402168A

GB2402168A - Automatic Infant Safety Gate/Barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2402168A
Application number: GB0312366A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leigh Smith; Anthony Joy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-30
Also published as: GB2402168B; GB0312366D0

Abstract

An automatic safety barrier/gate comprising of a frame 6, mounted vertically to a wall/fixed structure 10 by pressure mounts 8. An IR proximity sensor 2 detects the presence of an adult or older child who wishes to pass through the safety gate/barrier and sends a signal to the drive mechanism 1. The drive mechanism 1 rotates linkage 12 which engages with the lock cable 13 that retracts lock bolt 4 from lock receptor 5. Linkage 12 also opens barrier 7 by applying a force generated by the drive mechanism 1. During the opening of barrier 7 torsion energy is stored in a closing spring 14 that closes barrier 7 after the drive mechanism 1 ceases to be activate. The barrier may also include an audible warning alarm which sounds during operation. The drive mechanism may also include a motor 18 and planetary gear system 18 but is able to be manually overidden by Manual overide handle 3.

Description

Automatic lufant Safety Gate/Barrier The invention relates to infant

safety gates/barriers that prevent access to stairs or other potentially dangerous places in the domestic or commercial environment.

In order to prevent easy or inadvertent opening of the safety gate/barrier, locking mechanisms are usually used. If the safety gate/barrier is approached whilst carrying a load the locking mechanism cannot be easily opened. The load must either be placed on the floor or stairs or balanced so that one or both hands can be freed to perform the opening operation. By placing the load, which could be a baby or infant, on the stairs a potential hazard is caused. By balancing the load, a dangerous situation arises in that the load could be dropped causing immediate or potential danger to a baby, infant or pet. If left open, the infant safety gate/barrier would allow a baby, infant or pet access to a potentially hazardous environment.

The invention overcomes the danger and/or inconvenience of balancing or putting down a load in order to access passage through the safety gate/barrier and then closes the safety gate/barrier. The invention achieves this by automatically opening the gate in response to the detection of an adult or older child who is capable of safe access through the safety gate/barrier and remains open to allow passage and then closes automatically and remains closed until another adult or older child wishes to pass through. The invention actively discriminates between an adult/older child and a baby or infant who should be contained in a safe environment and can be adjusted to allow different size children to be automatically detected. As the safety gate/barrier always returns to the closed position it does not rely on the user to close the gate/barrier a further benefit as this eliminates the risks of inadvertently leaving the gate/barrier open.

The detection and discrimination is achieved by means of a sensor or mechanism. The sensor is preferably a simple Infra Red (JR) proximity device, but it may instead be a light/ultrasound/magnetic/heat/electrical field proximity sensor or a foot/body operated switch/pressure sensor. If a proximity sensor is used then the detection zone is set in such a way that a baby or infant would not trigger the sensor but that an adult or older child would.

Ergonomic data states that a child of less than 2 years of age has a maximum reach of 1 1 67mm. Thus the sensor minimum ground clearance would be set above this but also could be adjusted to allow the discrimination height to be varied. If a foot/body operated mechanism, switch or pressure sensor is used, then the force required to activate the foot/body operated mechanism or switch, or the position or both would prevent activation by a baby or infant.

On sensing the presence of an adult or older child who wishes to pass through the safety gate/barrier, a mechanism is activated and the safety gate/barrier is automatically opened.

Following a short defined period of time, the safety gate/barrier is automatically closed and secured to prevent unwanted access.

The signal or mechanical input is sent to a mechanism that automatically opens and closes the safety gate/barrier. The mechanism is preferably an electric motor with a spring. The electric motor would first unlock the gate, then open the gate via a linkage until a limit switch/sensor is reached, the spring would then close the safety gate/barrier and the gate Altennative methods for achieving the unlocking, opening and closing actions may be a spring, mechanical drive, pneumatic or hydraulic device or a combination.

Altennative methods for achieving detecting the safety gate/barrier has fully opened may be light/ultrasound/magnetic/heat/electrical field proximity sensor.

Alternative methods for releasing the locking mechanism may be achieved by using an electric motor or using electromagnetism.

The opening and closing mechanism may be fixed to the wall, ceiling, floor, frame or the actual safety gate/barrier itself.

Preferably the safety gate/banier is made of metal or plastic, but it may instead be made from wood, plastic mesh, fabric, flexible panels or from a combination of these materials.

The power supply for the sensor and/or the opening/closing mechanism is preferably a battery or may be mains or solar supplied.

The opening and closing mechanism would allow a manual override by an adult or older child in the event of a power failure.

The failsafe for the system would be for the gate to remain locked or return to the locked position in the event of a power failure.

The safety gate/barrier control system may also provide an audible warning to indicate operation.

A further advantage of the invention is that safety gates/ barriers at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs could be linked to provide automatic opening. This would provide maximum ease of use and minimal delay when passing through two safety gates/ bar iers located at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs.

A further advantage of the invention is that the sensor and opening/closing/locking mechanism could be fitted as an aftennarkct item to an existing safety gate/ barrier. This would provide the benefit of the invention without the need to replace an existing safety gate/ barrier.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I shows a front view of the automatic safety gate/bar ier arrangement.

FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of the automatic safety gatc/ban-ier ar angement.

FIGURE 3 is a section showing the automatic safety gate/barrier drive mechanism.

FIGURE 4 is a section showing the locking mecllanisnl with the automatic safety gate/barrier in the closed position and the lock engaged.

F1GE 5 is a section showing the locking mechanism with the automatic safety gate/barrier in the closed position and the lock disengaged.

FIGURE 6 is a section showing the locking mechanism with the automatic safety gate/barrier in the open position and the lock disengaged.

FIGURE 7 is a section showing the locking mechanism with the automatic safety gate/barrier in the open position and the lock in a position that will allow it to be engaged after the automatic safety gate/barrier closes.

As shown in Figure 1, 6 is the safety gate/barrier frame and is mounted vertically to the wall/fixed structure 10 by pressure mounts 8, alternative methods are adhesive mounts or mechanical attached mounts. The barrier 7 is mounted to the safety gate/barrier frame 6 via a bearing 28 that allows the barrier to swing open when the automatic safety gate/barrier activates until it reaches limit switch 11.

The drive mechanism 1 is mounted vertically on to the safety gate/barrier frame 6 and rotates linkage 12 which engages with the lock cable 13 that retracts lock bolt 4 from lock receptor 5. Linkage 12 also opens barrier 7 by applying a force generated by the drive mechanism 1. During the opening of barrier 7 torsion energy is stored in closing spring 14 that closes barrier 7 after the drive mechanism 1 ceases to be activate.

IR proximity sensor 2 detects the presence of an adult or older child who wishes to pass through the safety gate/barrier and sends a signal to drive mechanism 1. The height of IR proximity sensor 2 can be varied with sensor height adjustor 15.

Manual override handle 3 can be activated to open and close barrier 7 should the power fail, by acting on drive mechanism 1.

Should a second automatic safety barrier/gate be linked to the first this would be done via a link cable 9.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the features described in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 3, the drive mechanism 1 sends/receives electrical signals from link cable 9 (which is attached to a second safety barrier/gate), limit switch cable 24 (which is attached to limit switch 9) and IR proximity sensor cable 25 (which is attached to IR proximity sensor 2). These signals are processed through system control unit 22 which pass the appropriate electrical charge from batteries 19 to electrical motor 18.

Electrical motor 18 provides high speed rotation and torque to a planetary gear system 17.

The planetary gear system 17 reduces the rotational speed and increases torque at a predetermined ratio and links to output shaft 26. Output shaft 26 is supported by bearing 16.

Closing spring 14 is fixed to the drive mechanism 1 and to output shaft 26, as output shaft 26 turns torsion energy is stored in closing spring 14 this energy is released in the form of rotational energy when electric motor 18 ceases to receive electrical energy from system control unit 22. This rotation is transmitted to output shaft 26 and through to linkage 12 which acts on the barrier 7 and lock cable] 3 to retune barrier 7 it to the closed and locked positions.

Manual override handle 3 is not engaged with output shaft splines 20 until override spring 19 is compressed in the vertical direction.

Output shaft splines 20 are fixed to output shaft 26.

Manual override handle 3 is fixed to retainer clip 21 which prevents the manual override handle 3 being removed in the vertical direction as retainer clip 21 will not pass output splines 20.

As shown in Figure 4, lock bolt 4 is forced into the engaged position by lock bolt spring 27 which is partially compressed.

The drive mechanism I is deactivated, linkage 12 has not rotated and is not acting on lock cable 13.

Lock bolt spring 27 acts on barrier 7 which is in the closed position.

As shown in Figure 5, lock bolt 4 is forced into the disengaged position by lock cable 13.

Lock bolt spring 27 is compressed.

The drive mechanism 1 is activated, linkage 12 has rotated to perform the opening action but has no' yet engaged with barrier 7, but has acted on lock cable 13.

Lock bolt spring 27 acts on barrier 7 which is in the closed position.

As shown in Figure 6, lock bolt 4 is forced into the disengaged position by lock cable 13.

Lock bolt spring 27 is compressed.

The drive mechanism 1 is activated, linkage 12 has rotated, engaged with barrier 7 rotating it into the open position, and is still acting on lock cable 13.

Lock bolt spring 27 acts on barrier 7 which has moved to the open position.

As shown in Figure 7, lock bolt 4 is forced into the engaged position by lock bolt spring 27 which is partially compressed.

The drive mechanism 1 is deactivated, linkage 12 has rotated to perform the closing action but has not yet engaged with barrier 7 and is not acting on lock cable 13.

Lock boll spring 27 acts on barrier 7 which leas moved to the open position.

After linkage 12 has rotated and closed barrier 7 lock bolt spring 27 forces lock bolt 4 into the lock receptor 5 as described in Figure 4.

Claims

Claims 1. An infant safety gate/barrier that that opens and closes

automatically.
2. An infant safety gate/barrier as claimed in Claim I that uses a sensor or mechanism to detect the presence of an adult or older child.
3. An infant safety gate/barrier as claimed in Claim I and 2 that uses an electric motor to unlock, opens, and keeps open the gate whilst an adult or older child passes through.
4. An infant safety gate/barrier as claimed in Claim 1 to 3 that uses energy stored in a spring from the electric opening motor to close and lock the gate after an adult or older child passes through.
5. An infant safety gate/barrier that according to Claims 1 to 4 has a height adjustable sensor.
G. An infant safety gate/barrier that according to Claims I to 4 can be linked to another at the opposite end of a flight of stairs to open and close automatically.
7. An infant safety gate/barrier that according to Claims I to 4 allows a manual override should the power driving a sensor or mechanism fail.
8. An infant safety gate/barrier that according to Claims I to 4 that remains locked or returns to the locked position il there is a power failure.
9. An infant safety gate or barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. An infant safety gate/barrier that according to Claims I to 4 that provides an audible warning during operation.

10. A sensor, opening/closing mechanism and locking mechanism as claimed in any proceeding claim that can be fitted to an existing manual safety gate/barrier.

11. An infant safety gate/barrier as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments tu the claims have been filed as follows: b 1. An infant safety gate or barrier comprising a gate or barrier member moveable relative to an opening to open and close the same, actuator means for moving said member and detector means for activating the actuator means when the approach of a person is detected, wherein means is provided for mounting the detector means at a chosen height above the ground such that the approach of a person of less than a chosen height will not be detected and said member will remain closed.

l o 2. A gate or barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector means is an infra-red proximity sensor and the actuator means is an electric motor which is energised when the beam of the sensor is interrupted.

3. A gate or barrier as claimed in either of the preceding claims wherein spring means s is provided which will close said member when the actuator means is de-energised, the spring means being loaded as said member is opened.

6. A gate or barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said member is a gate hinged at one vertical edge within a frame in the opening, the gate having at its other vertical edge a lock bolt which is spring-loaded to engage the frame when the gate is in the closed position, the actuator being an electric motor which rotates a linkage to open the gate, thereby pulling a cable which will retract the lock bolt to disengage the frame.

7. A gate or barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising as manual over-ride means which can be used to open said member in the event of failure of the actuator.

8. A gate or barrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector means is mounted on a vertical frame element within the opening above said member in such a way that it is height adjustable.