US2860428A - Gate - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1958 E. H. FLATHMAN 2,860,428

GATE

Filed Aug. 30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Elmer h. F/athman INVENTOR.

Nov. 18, 1958 E. H. FLATHMAN GATE Filed Aug. 30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E lmer H. F/afhman INVENTOR.

BY MM 3% United States Patent GATE Elmer H. Flathman, Ruskin, Nebr- Application August 30, 1956, Serial No. 607,100

4 Claims. (Cl. 39-5) This invention relates to gate constructions and more particularly to a gate that is adapted to be opened by force applied thereon by an approaching motor vehicle, as a truck, tractor or other standard and commercially available type of motor vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a structurally improved gate which is very easily operative, the gate including a closure that is adapted to be swung about a generally horizontal pivot along the lower edge of the closure when a motor vehicle contacts the closure and applies a force thereon, as by the front bumper of the vehicle, the motor vehicle continuing to ride over the closure as it is swung to an approximately horizontal position and the closure automatically returning to the upright and closed position after the motor vehicle is free from the gate.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gate that has a closure capable of being operated by the force applied by means of a motor vehicle, the closure also being capable of a manual operation by release of pins, the manual operation being such as to swing the closure about a hinge axis which is approximately perpendicular to the previously mentioned horizontal hinge axis along the lower edge of the gate closure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gate construction which operates smoothly, safely and positively, the gate functioning in such manner that the operator of the motor' vehicle intending to go through the passage controlled by the gate need not stop his motor vehicle and need only continue in its course at a moderate speed, the motor vehicle depressing the gate and passing over it.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a gate constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the structure in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of one of the ground spindles and taken on the line 5-5 of Figure l; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the structure in Figure 1, this view showing the gate in the down or open position and being operative by a motor vehicle.

In the accompanying drawings there is a gate 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. This gate is arranged to control the passage 12 in fence 14. The construction includes a pair of spaced posts 16 and 18, respectively, which are anchored in the ground on opposite sides of driveway 20 which may be made of concrete, asphalt, or merely compacted soil depending on the desires of the owner of the gate construction.

Patented Nov. 18, 1958 The gate comprises a closure 22 operable to open and close passage 12. The closure is rectangular having upper and lower members 24 and 26 made of pipe, tubing or other structural framing members and reinforcing bars 25 and 27 are connected thereto. The closure also has sides 28 and 30 which are welded or otherwise fixed at their ends to the top and bottom members 24 and 26. Wire cloth panels 32 and 34 are attached at the lower corners of the generally rectangular closure 22, being secured to vertical supports 36 and 38 that are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the upper and lower members 24 and 26, and also to the sides 28 and 30. Above the panels 32 and 34 there are horizontal bars 39, 40, 41. and 42. Metal plates 44 and 46 are bolted or otherwise fastened to iron bars 48 which extend between and are secured to braces 36 and 38. The sheet metal covering 44 and 48 is attached in place by countersunk screws or other non-protruding means inasmuch as the bumper of the motor vehicle or the equivalent part thereof is adapted to slide on either covering depending upon which way the gate is to be swung open, that is, forwardly or rearwardly in accordance with whether it is the desire of the motorist to enter or leave the area that is'enclosed by the fence 14. The bars 48 form the tread on which the tires of the motor vehicle are adapted to ride.

Identical means are provided on opposite sides of the gate in order to yieldingly oppose the movement of the gate from the up, passage closing position to the down, passage opening position. For one side of the closure there is a lever 50 pivoted between its ends on pivot pin 52, the latter being secured to post 16, as by spot welding or merely mounting in a sleeve 54. One end of the lever has a counterweight 56, spring or equivalent for the purpose of opposing pivotal movement of lever 50 in one direction and also for returning the lever to the rest position after it has been moved. The opposite end of lever 50 is fitted with a channel block 58 to which link 60 is slidably pivoted, as by pivot pin 62 in slot 63 of block 58. Spring hanger 64 is bolted or otherwise fixed to the block 58, spring 66 being supported by hanger 64 and by the extremity of link 60. Spring 66 and its identical counterpart 69 function as shock absorbers and arresters when the closure is returned from the open position.

Side 28 of closure 22 has a sleeve 70 welded or otherwise fixed to it and the sleeve protrudes laterally therefrom. The purpose of the sleeve is to accommodate pin 72, the latter constituting a part of the means for releasably connecting link 60 to the closure 22. The sleeve 70 functions in addition, as a guide inasmuch as it has a passage 74 extending transversely therethrough, the passage constraining the motion of push rod 78. The push rod passes through a guide 79 on side 28 to further aid in constraining the motion of the push rod 78. Spring 80 is secured to one end of the push rod and to an ear 82 welded or otherwise attached to the side 28 of the closure 22. The opposite extremity of the push rod supports a locking member, as roller 84 which coacts with the saddle 86 to form a latch for the gate closure. Saddle 86 is at the upper end of a mounting arm 88 formed with slots through which fastening bolts 89 pass in securing the saddle onto the link 60 in the proper, selected position along the length thereof. Accordingly, the latch to hold the gate in the upright position is carried by link 60 and side 28 of closure 22.

On the opposite side of the gate closure 22 there is a lever 90 mounted for pivotal movement on pin 91, the latter being secured to post 18. counterweight 92 is at one extremity of lever 90, while the other end has a channel block 93 secured to it on which spring hanger 94 is secured. This spring hanger supports spring 69 for a reason described previously, the spring not only being secured to the hanger but also to the link 95 which is identical in function and construction to link 60.

Latch 96 is identically constructed to the latch on the opposite side of the closure 22, and the link is connected to the side 30 of closure 22 by means of a pin 97 that is detachable.

The described structure on oppositesides of the closure 22 will permit the closure to swing about a generally horizontal axis established'by the lower member'26 of the closure. Ground boxes 100 and 102 are operatively connected with the closure 22. "Each box (Figure has a sleeve 104 that is anchored in the ground and in which there is a spindle 106. Bearing 108'iswelded or otherwise fixed to the upper endof spindle 106 and has the lower gate member 26 mounted for oscillation therein. Accordingly, the closure 22 may rock forward or backward with the generally horizontal hinge axis being established by the lower member 26 of the closure 22.

In operation, a motor vehicle approaches and contacts the closure 22 applying a horizontal forc'e'on it. This moves the closure to a down position against the'yieiding opposition of the ccunterweights 56 and 92'th'r'ough the action of the links and levers. The latches at the sides of the gates are automatically released bythe rollers thereof moving off their saddles against'th'e yielding opposition of the springs operatively connected with the latches.

After the motor vehicle has passed over the closure 22, it swings back to the erect, closed position by the pull of gravity acting on the counterweights 56 and'92. This force is transmitted to a lifting movement of'the closure through the levers and links with the shock being arrested by the pair of springs 66 and 69 as the closure automatically latche in place. I

In order to open the gate manually 'it may be pushed by hand instead of by motor vehicle. When it is desired to open the gate or remove the gate for one reason or another, it is necessary only to remove the hinge pins 72 and 97 and lift one end of the gate from connection with its ground box. The spindle in the other ground box will act as a hinge pin so that the gate may be swung around the vertical axis. Alternatively, the closure may beseparated from both of its ground boxes depending upon the desires of the owner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gate construction comprising a pair of spaced posts, a closure mounted between said posts, a pair of generally vertical spaced spindles between said posts, a bearing at the upper end of each spindle in which the lower part of said closure is pivotally mounted in order that the closure may be swung to the open and closed positions about a generally horizontal axis, a lever pivoted to each post, a link slidably and pivotally connected to each lever, means releasably connecting said links to the sides of said closure so that said closure may be swung about a generally vertical axis upon separation of one of said spindles, a pair of latches operatively connected to said links and the sides of said closure to hold said closure erect, and means connected to said levers for yieldingly retaining said levers in a position wherein said closure is erect.

2. A gate construction comprising a pair of posts that are spaced from each other, a closure having a lower member, means including bearings detachably supported at ground level for mountingsaid member for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis whereby the closure may be moved to an approximately horizontal down position when'open, means to return the closure to the upright, closed position, said return means comprising-for"each side of'said closure a lever pivoted to said posts, a link slidably and pivotally connected at the outer end of each lever, a counterweight at the opposite end of each lever, means pivotally connecting said links to the sides of said closure, latches operatively connected to said links and said closure to hold said closure releasably in the upright position.

3. A gate construction comprising a pair of posts'that are spaced from each other, aclosure having a lower member, means includingbearings detachably supported at ground level for mounting said member for pivotal movement about a' generally horizontal axis whereby the closure maybe moved to an approximately horizontal down'position when open, means to return'the closure to the upright, closed position, said return means comprising for 'each side of said closure a lever pivoted to said posts, a link slidably and pivotally connected at the outer end of each lever, a counterweight at the opposite end of each lever, means pivotally connecting'said links to the sides of said closure, latches operatively connected to said'link and said closure to hold said closure releasably in the upright position, and shock-arresters connected between said links and said levers.

4. A gate construction comprising a pair of posts that are spaced from each other, a closure having a lower member, means including bearings detachably supported at ground level for mounting said member for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis whereby the closure may be moved to an approximately horizontal down position when open,- means to return the closure to the upright, closed position, said return means comprising for each side of said closure a lever pivoted to 'said posts, 'a link slidably and pivotally connected at the outer end of each lever, a counterweight at the opposite end of each lever, means pivotally connecting said links to the sides of said closure, latches operatively connected to said links and said closure to hold said closure releasably in the upright position, said means pivotally connecting said links to said closure including detachable pins, said means connecting said lower member forpivotal movement also being detachable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,624,169 Horner Apr. 12, 1927 1,650,814 Bailey Nov. 29, 1927 1,690,972 Geohring Nov. 6, 1928 2,608,010 Anderson Aug. 26, 1952 2,758,399 Youle et a1. Aug. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 100,747 Australia Apr. 7, 1937

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