US3803765A

US3803765A - Telescopic cantilever gate assembly

Info

Publication number: US3803765A
Application number: US00358987A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Ritner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-10
Filing date: 1973-05-10
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

A gate-fence railing assembly for a cantilever slide gate, said assembly including a first sub-guide track-roller assembly to be supported by a fence section intermediate the top and bottom edge of the fence section and a second sub-guide track-roller assembly to be supported by the gate intermediate the top and bottom edge of the gate with the roller of the first sub-guide track-roller assembly positioned within the guide track of the second subguide track-roller assembly and the roller of the second subguide track-roller assembly positioned within the guide track of the first sub-guide track-roller assembly whereby the assemblies may be telescoped relative to one another and the gate extended to span the gate opening and retracted into a space equal in length to the gate opening parallel with the fence section.

Description

United States Patent Rltner TELESCOPIC CANTILEVER GATE ASSEMBLY 1 Apr. 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schatzel & Hamrick, Thomas E. Schatzel and Claude A. S. Hamrick [5 7] ABSTRACT A gate-fence railing assembly for a cantilever slide gate, said assembly including a first sub-guide trackroller assembly to be supported by a fence section intermediate the top and bottom edge of the fence section and a second sub-guide track-roller assembly to be supported by the gate intermediate the top and bottom edge of the gate with the roller of the first subguide track-roller assembly positioned within the guide track of the second sub-guide track-roller assembly and the roller of the second sub-guide trackroller assembly positioned within the guide track of the first sub-guide track-roller assembly whereby the assemblies may be telescoped relative to one another and the gate extended to span the gate opening and retracted into a space equal in length to the gate opening parallel with the fence section.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures v I ,,l 5

- 1 TELESCOPIC CANTILEVER GATE ASSEMBLY Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gate-fence railing assembly for a cantilever slide gate and more particularly to such railing assemblies which retract and extend over the gate opening responsive to the extension and retraction of the gate.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are various types of gates and doors used for closing openings including cantilever slide gates and doors. Illustrative of such cantilever gates and doors include those disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,705,468; 3,360,136; 2,774,998; 1,839,624; 1,399,372 and 1,163,578. These gates generally require the use of gfiiii'nd level or elevated guide tracks spannfig the gate opening which guide tracks are permanent in place regardless of whether the gate is retracted from or extended over the gate opening. The ground level guide track structures have the disadvantage in that movement becomes restricted due to debris accumulating in the track. The elevated guide track structures have the disadvantage that the height of vehicles or objects to be transported through the opening is limited. Also, the permanent tracks detract from the aesthetics and are costly.

With the high density urban and suburban population development, municipal restrictions have been increasingly imposed relating to on-street parking of vehicles, trailers, campers, etc. At the same time urban and suburban residential lots have become smaller such that neighboring lots are commonly separated by high e.g., 6 feet) solid fences in order to provide residents quasiprivacy from their neighbor. For example, it has become a common practice to utilize fences comprising abutting wooden slats supported on fence posts to establish solid enclosing fences to impede visibility to within the enclosed area from outside said area. These fences are very cumbersome and heavy. At the same time the number of recreational vehicles and utility vehicles are increasing and residents find it necessary or desirable to park and/or store their recreational vehicles and utility trailers'wi thin the enclosed area off the street. However, the fences impose a hindrance and to utilize the enclosed area for storage requires the providing of a gate within the cumbersome and heavy fence. in providing a gate it is desirable to provide a gate-fence assembly which does not substantially detract from the uniform decor of the fence and at the same time provide a gate which may be easily and conven'iently operated.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a gate-fence railing assembly for establishing restrictions slide gates which assembly is engaged to a fence segment and the gate. Placement of the assembly may be intermediate the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the gate and fence thereby avoiding the need for any overhead and/or ground level tracks. Closing and opening of the gate over the gate opening also results in extension and 'retraction of the assembly from over the gate opening such that when the gate is open there is no structure spanning the gate opening. Thus, the assembly does not impose any height restriction on objects to be passed through the opening nor does it provide any ground level tracks which may otherwise impose strictins and collect debris. The assembly provides an intermediate railing segment on each the fence and gate which permits the gate to slide laterally without the need for overhead or ground level track spanning the gate opening. The railing on the gate extends and retracts in unison with the gate. The assembly is adapted to permit the gate to be of the same design, material and shape as the fence. This feature is highly desirable for aesthetic purposes such that when the gate is closed, the decor of the gate uniformly blends with the decor of the fence. For example, in those localities where it is desirable to have solid enclosed fences to separate individual partials of property; i.e., residential lots in suburban areas, and it is desirable to have gates in the fences to allow access of vehicles, boat trailers, campers, etc., to the-enclosed property, the present invention provides a gate track assembly in which the gate may be constructed of the same material and style as the fence itself. At the same time, the gate may be easily operated and with little noise.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first sub-guide track-roller assembly which may be secured to one face of the fence in a horizontal plane. The roller of the first sub-guide assembly projects vertically relative to the track near the terminal end of the track closest to the lateral edge of the fence opening. A second guide track-roller assembly is provided for securing to one face of the gate section in a horizontal plane with the track in alignment with the roller of the first guide track-roller assembly. The roller of the second guide track-roller assembly projects vertically relative to the second track near one lateral terminal edge of the gate section and in alignment with the track of the first guide track-roller assembly. Thus, when the first sub-guide track-roller assembly is secured to the fence and the second sub-guide trackroller assembly is secured to the gate, the rollers of each sub-assembly are guided and supported by the guide track ofthe other sub-assembly. As the gate is laterally retracted, the guide tracks laterally overlap one another and as the gate is extended, the track engaged to the gate telescopes relative to the track engaged to the fence.

Other embodiments and advantages will be in part evident to those skilled in the art and in part pointed out hereinafter in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially-sectioned front view of a gate-fence assembly incorporating the present invention with the gate closing an opening in the fence;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partially-sectioned back view of the assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially-sectioned view of the gate-fence failing assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The drawings illustrate a fence-gate assembly incorporating the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front and back view, respectively, of a fence section 10 comprising a plurality of vertical wooden slats joined in abuttment with one another to provide a solid enclosure fence. The illustrated fence is of a nature as commonly found in densely populated suburban residential areas utilized for enclosing the backyard areas of residential lots to provide residents quasi-privacy from neighboring lots and highways. The fence 10 comprises a plurality of abutting vertically oriented slats 12. A gate opening 14 is provided between sections of the fence 10. To open and close access through the opening 14, there is provided a gate 16. The gate 16 is comprised of a plurality of abutting slats 18 similar in shape and size to the slats 12. The slats 18 are positioned in vertical abutting relationship similar to that of the slats 12 such that the gate section is of similar shape and design to that of the fence.

A guide track-roller assembly referred to by the general reference character 20 is included for providing a retractable cantilever means for readily extending and retracting the gate 16 across the opening 14. FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged partially sectioned view of the assembly 20. Assembly 20 includes a pair of sub-guide track-

roller assemblies

21 and 22 which are respectively engaged to the fence and the gate. The fence subassembly 21 includes a C-shaped fence guide track 23 adapted for securing to the back side surface of a section of the fence 10 as exemplified in FIG. 2. The guide track 23 extends longitudinally along the fence from a lateral edge of the fence adjacent to the opening 14. The track 23 has a back vertical wall 24, a top horizontal wall 26 and a bottom horizontal wall 28. The vertical spacing between the

walls

26 and 28 is of a distance 1. A face flange 30 projects vertically from the top wall 26 and a face flange 32 projects vertically from the bottom wall 28. A vertical spacing of distance A is established between the

flanges

30 and 32. The lateral span of the top and bottom

horizontal walls

26 and 28 establish the internal width of track at a distance w. Attached to the guide track 23 are a plurality of laterally spaced boss plates 34 each of which carries a plurality of apertures 36 for receiving fastening bolts 38 to secure the sub-assembly 21 to the back side surface of the fence segment 10. The track 23 is of a longitudinal length equal to or greater than the span of the opening 14. The guide track 23 is secured in a horizontal plane about the back side of the fence 10 at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom edge of the fence. Supported about one terminal end of the guide track 23 adjacent to the lateral edge of the opening 14 is a fence guide r r a ari qrsq tqor lastly?! l and of a width substantially equal to w. The roller 40 is supported by an axe] 42 which projects along a horizontal plane vertical to the horizontal longitudinal plane of the guide track 23. The axel 42 is supported by a boss plate extention 44 extending normal to the guide track 23 about the underside of the wall 28. A roller bearing assembly 46 is placed within the hub of the roller 40 about the axel 42 such that the roller is easily rotated about its axis of rotation. The roller 40 is laterally spaced from the surface of the boss 44 a lateral distance d and is vertically positioned relative to the bottom surface of the wall 28 to leave a vertical spacing s between the wall 28 and periphery of the path of the roller 28. As hereinafter explained the spacings a," d and s are provided to permit interengagement of the roller 40 with other parts of the sub-assembly 22.

The sub-guide track-roller assembly 22 is adapted for securing to the gate 16 and includes a C-shaped gate guide track 50 similar to the track 23. The gate guide track 50 has a back vertical wall 52, a top horizontal wall 54 and a bottom horizontal wall 56. A flange 58 projects vertically from the top wall 54 and a flange 60 projects vertically from the bottom wall 56. A spacing of the distance A" is established between the

flanges

58 and 60. Attached to the gate guide track 50 are a plurality of laterally spaced boss plates 62, each having a plurality of apertures 64 for receiving fastening pins 66 to permit securing of the guide track 50 about the front wall surface of the gate 16 (see FIG. 1). The gate guide track 50 is secured to the gate 16 in a horizontal plane parallel to the fence guide track 23 secured to the fence 12. The gate guide track 50 is positioned such that the C-shaped track is in alignment with the roller 40. The height of the track, established by the vertical wall 52 intermediate the top and bottom

horizontal walls

54 and 56 is substantially equivalent to the diameter 1 of the wheel 40 such that the wheel 40 may ride within the formed track while simultaneously avoiding extensive spacing between the periphery of the roller 40 and

walls

54 and 56 at the point of tangency. Secured about one terminal end of the guide track 50 is a boss plate 68 projecting vertically above the track 50. In the illustrated embodiment the boss plate 68 is an integral extension of one of the boss plates 62. The plate 68 supports a gate guide roller 70 which is engaged coaxially about an axel 72 having a horizontal axis of rotation normal to the plate 68 and normal to the plane of the guide track 50. A bearing 74 is placed within the hub of the roller 70 about the axel 72 such that the roller is easily rotated about its axis of rotation. The roller 70 is supported by the plate 68 in elevation relative to the guide track 50 and in alignment with the track of the guide track 23. The roller is spaced from the top surface of the wall 54 such that a spacing s exists between the periphery of the roller 70 and the top surface of the wall 54. The roller 70 is of a diameter substantially equal to 1 and of a width substantially equal to w such that the roller 70 may ride in a horizontal path within the guide formed by the guide track 23 while simultaneously avoiding excessive vertical spacing between the outer periphery of the roller 70 and the

walls

54 and 56 at the point of tangency or excessive lateral spacing between the roller and the

vertical walls

24, 30 and 32.

The gate guide track 50 is secured to the front side surface of the gate 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The track 50 is of a length equal to or greater than the span distance of the gate 16. The guide track 50 is secured in a horizontal plane about the front side of the gate 16 at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom edge of the gate with the track 50 in alignment with the roller 40 of the fence sub-guide assembly 21. The top wall 54 of the sub-guide assembly 21 is free to slide over the top edge of the roller 40 through the spacing s"established by the vertical position of the roller 40 and the bottom wall 28 of the track 23. The roller 70 is free to travel along the bottom wall 28 of the track 23 which is positioned within the spacing s establsihed between the top surface of the wall 54 and the roller 70.

Adjacent terminal ends of the illustrated fence guide track 23 are a pair of resilient stops A and 80B held in place by threaded stop securer pins 82 extending vertically through a threaded aperture 84 in the top horizontal wall 26. The pins 82 apply a vertical force thereby increasing the frictional engagement of the

stoppers

80A and 80B with the bottom horizontal wall 28. The position of the stops 80A and 808 along the track 23 controls the maximum travel distance of the gate guide roller 70 within the guide track 23. The top horizontal wall 26 carries a plurality of apertures 84 adjacent to the terminal ends to permit adjustment of the relative position of the

stops

80A and 80B and the pins 82 and the spatial distance between the stops 80A and 808 along the track 23. Thus, the stop 80A establishes the maximum distance at which the roller 70 may travel when the gate 16 is retracted and the stopper 80B establishes the maximum distance at which the roller 70 may travel when the gate 16 is extended. The maximum retracted and extended postions may be readily selected and adjusted by the position of the

stops

80A and 80B and the pins 82.

In the illustrated fence-gate embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, two guide track assemblies 20 are utilized for interconnecting the fence l0 and the gate 16. The two assemblies are vertically offset relative to one another with one assembly 20 engaged about the upper one half of the fence and the gate 16 and the second assembly 20 positioned about the lower one half of the fence l0 and the gate 16. The use of more than one assembly increases the lateral and vertical stability of the gate relative to the fence.

in operation, the gate 16 is supported in place relative to the fence 10 by the guide track assemblies 20. The assemblies 20 are of telescopic type structure such that the gate 16 is free to be extended and retracted relative to the fence l0 and in parallel with the fence 10. As the gate 16 is extended across the opening 14 from left to right in the illustrated embodiments, the gate track 22 slides along the roller 40 and the weight of the gate generatesa clockwise moment arm about the axis of the roller 40. The magnitude of the moment arm is dependent upon the distance the gate 16 is extended beyond the axis of the roller 40. When the gate is extended such that the center of gravity of the gate is located beyond the axis of the roller 40, the gate has a tendency to shift clockwise in the vertical plane due to the force of gravity. However, the interaction of roller 70 of the gatesub-assembly 22 with the top wall 26 of the fence sub-assembly 21 provides for a countering of the moment arm established by the gate 16. Thus, when the gate 16 is extended such that its center of gravity is beyond the axis of the roller 40, the force resulting from the interaction of the roller 70 and top wall 26 overcomes the force of the moment arm thereby retaining the gate 16 in vertical stability. At the same time the interaction of the fence sub-assembly roller 40 and the bottom wall '56 of the gate sub-assembly track 50 further assists in overcoming the force of the moment arm. At the same time the

rollers

40 and 70 are free to roll along the guide tracks 50 and the track 23, respectively. Also, the bottom wall 28 is positioned relative to the sub-assembly 22 within the spacing s intermediate the top surface of the wall 54 and the periphery of the roller 70 such that there is no frictional interengagement between the

surfaces

28 and 54. Thus, the gate 16 remains in the stable vertical plane at all times while extended across the gate opening 14. Simultaneously, the

vertical projections

30 and 32 of the track 23.and the

vertical projections

58 and 60 of the track 50 respectively provide lateral stoppers to discourage lateral movement of the

rollers

70 and 40, respectively,

thereby providing lateral stability to the gate. The vertical spacing A between the adjacent projections permit the axels 72 and 42 to extend within the interacting track. Though only one guide track assembly is essential, the use of two guide track assemblies 20, as illustrated, further substantiates the lateral and rotational stability of the gate and relieves the magnitude of the load from one assembly.

As illustrated, the present invention provides for a telescoping cantilever gate-fence railing assembly which is of relatively simple mechanical structure and operation. The structure provides for the use of a gate which is structurally and aesthetically similar to the fence. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the gate 16 may be in the form of a section of the fence 10 which may otherwise be utilized to permanently close the opening 14 in the absence of a gate. It may further be noted that with the gate extended across the opening, the only visible structure of the guide track assemblies 20 from the front side of the fence is the gate guide track 50. The track 50 may be selected of a color and vertically positioned to readily blend in with the color and design of the front face of the fence 10 itself. It may also be noted that the guide tracks 23 and 50 may be of a length greater than the width of the gate opening or the width of the door. In providing longer guide tracks, the moment arm M between the axis of the roller and the axis of the roller 40 may be extended such that when the gate 16 is extended laterally beyond its center of gravity the length of the moment arm established by the guide track 50 and roller 70 against the top wall 26 of the guide 23 is less than with a shorter moment arm.

While, for the sake of clearness, and in order to dis close the invention so that the same can be readily understood, a specific embodiment has been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed. It may be embodied in other ways that may suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of the following claims are to be considered a part of this invention. 4

What is claimed is:

l. A telescoping cantilever gate-fence assembly comprising a first elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of a gate opening, said first fence guide track being of C-shaped crosssection and forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said first fence guide track, said first fence guide track including a first boss plate extension extending from a first terminal end of said first fence guide track and normal to said first fence guide track;

means for anchoring the first fence guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a stationary fence adjacent said opening and at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom vertical edges of the fence;

a first fence guide roller supported by said first boss plate and anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first boss plate, said first fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first fence guide track;

a first elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least emral to the span of the gate opening, said first gate guide track being of C-shaped cross-section forming a track for receiving said first fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said first gate guide track, a second boss plate extension extending from a first terminal end of the first gate guide track and normal to said first gate guide track, means for anchoring the first gate guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a gate in alignment with the first fence guide roller and parallel with the plane of the first fence guide track;

a first gate guide roller supported by said second boss plate and anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second boss plate, said first gate guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said first fence guide track.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a stopper is positioned intermediate the terminal ends of at least one of said guide tracks to establish the maximum distance the interengaged guide roller may travel in one direction within said track.

3. The assembly of claim 2 further including adjustment means for adjusting the position of said stopper along the track.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein a second stopper is positioned intermediate the terminal ends of at least one of said guide tracks to establish the maximum distance the interengaged guide roller may travel in the other longitudinal direction with said track.

5. The assembly of claim 4 further including adjustment means for adjusting the position of said second stopper along said track.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first fence guide track includes a first vertical wall member projecting from said bottom wall and a second vertical wall member projecting from the top wall in alignment with the first vertical member with a spacing of distance a intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical membars;

the gate guide track includes a first vertical wall member projecting from said bottom wall and a second vertical wall member projecting from the top wall in alignment with the first vertical member with a spacing of the distance a" intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the gate guide track;

the first fence guide roller is mounted about a first axel projecting from and normal to said first boss plate, the vertical cross-sectional dimension of said first axel being less than the distance a and said axel projecting to within the first gate guide track through the spacing intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the first fence guide track, said first fence guide roller being coupled to said first axel and positioned within said gate guide track;

the first gate guide roller is mounted about a second axel projecting from and normal to said second boss plate, the vertical cross-sectional dimension of said second axel being less than the distance a, said second axel projecting to within the first fence guide track through the spacing intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the first gate guide track, said first gate guide roller being coupled to said second axel and positioned within said fence guide track.

7. A telescoping cantilever gate-fence assembly comprising a first elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of a gate opening, said first fence guide track forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said first fence guide track, means for anchoring the first fence guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a stationary fence adjacent said opening and at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom vertical edges of the fence;

a first fence guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first horizontal fence guide track, said first fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first fence guide track;

a first elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said first gate guide track forming a track for receiving said first fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said first gate guide track, means for anchoring the first gate guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a gate in alignment with the first fence guide roller and parallel with the plane of the first fence guide track;

a first gate guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first horizontal gate guide track, said first gate guide roller being ofi'set vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said first fence guide track;

a second elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said second fence guide track forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said second fence guide track, means for anchoring the second fence guide track in a horizontal plane along said one side surface of the fence at and parallel with the an elevation different from that of the first fence guide track and parallel with the first fence guide track;

a second fence guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second fence guide track, said second fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said second fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said second fence guide track;

a second elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said second gate guide track forming a track for receiving said second fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said second gate guide track, means for anchoring the second track formed by said second fence guide track.

19 "om'rzszo ST @3235 PATENT ow o m m m 1 m 1 o 1 fro T b wcmza 02: commoner Patent No. 3,803,765 Dated April 16, 1974 Inventor) Charles J. Ritner t is certified that error appears in the abovvidenqified patent and that: said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column '1, line 34, "e.g.," should read -(e..g..,-;

Column 2, line 2, "strictins" should read -restrictions-;

Column 4, line 62, "sihed" should read --ished-.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of Auguso 1974 MCCOY M GIBSON, JR. c. MARSHALL DAMN Attooting Offic er Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A telescoping cantilever gate-fence assembly comprising a first elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of a gate opening, said first fence guide track being of C-shaped cross-section and forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said first fence guide track, said first fence guide track including a first boss plate extension extending from a first terminal end of said first fence guide track and normal to said first fence guide track; means for anchoring the first fence guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a stationary fence adjacent said opening and at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom vertical edges of the fence; a first fence guide roller supported by said first boss plate and anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first boss plate, said first fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first fence guide track; a first elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least wqual to the span of the gate opening, said first gate guide track being of C-shaped cross-section forming a track for receiving said first fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said first gate guide track, a second boss plate extension extending from a first terminal end of the first gate guide track and normal to said first gate guide track, means for anchoring the first gate guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a gate in alignment with the first fence guide roller and parallel with the plane of the first fence guide track; a first gate guide roller supported by said second boss plate and anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second boss plate, said first gate guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said first fence guide track.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first fence guide track includes a first vertical wall member projecting from said bottom wall and a second vertical wall member projecting from the top wall in alignment with the first vertical member with a spacing of distance ''''a'''' intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members; the gate guide track includes a first vertical wall member projecting from said bottom wall and a second vertical wall member projecting from the top wall in alignment with the first vertical member with a spacing of the distance ''''a'''' intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the gate guide track; the first fence guide roller is mounted about a first axel projecting from and normal to said first boss plate, the vertical cross-sectional dimension of said first axel being less than the distance ''''a'''' and said axel projecting to within the first gate guide track through the spacing intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the first fence guide track, said first fence guide roller being coupled to said first axel and positioned within said gate guide track; the first gate guide roller is mounted about a second axel projecting from and normal to said second boss plate, the vertical cross-sectional dimension of said second axel being less than the distance ''''a,'''' said second axel projecting to within the first fence guide track through the spacing intermediate the terminal edges of the first and second vertical members of the first gate guide track, said first gate guide roller being coupled to said second axel and positioned within said fence guide track. a first gate guide roller supported by said second boss plate and anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second boss plate, said first gate guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said first fence guide track.

7. A telescoping cantilever gate-fence assembly comprising a first elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of a gate opening, said first fence guide track forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said first fence guide track, means for anchoring the first fence guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a stationary fence adjacent said opening and at an elevation intermediate the top and bottom vertical edges of the fence; a first fence guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first horizontal fence guide track, said first fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said first horizontal fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first fence guide track; a first elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said first gate guide track forming a track for receiving said first fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said first gate guide track, means for anchoring the first gate guide track in a horizontal plane along one side surface of a gate in alignment with the first fence guide roller and parallel with the plane of the first fence guide track; a first gate guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the first horizontal gate guide track, said first gate guide roller being offset veRtically from and adjacent said first horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said first gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said first fence guide track; a second elongated horizontal fence guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said second fence guide track forming a track for receiving and guiding a roller along the longitudinal path established by said second fence guide track, means for anchoring the second fence guide track in a horizontal plane along said one side surface of the fence at and parallel with the an elevation different from that of the first fence guide track and parallel with the first fence guide track; a second fence guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second fence guide track, said second fence guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said second fence guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said second fence guide track; a second elongated horizontal gate guide track of a length at least equal to the span of the gate opening, said second gate guide track forming a track for receiving said second fence guide roller along the longitudinal path established by said second gate guide track, means for anchoring the second gate guide track in a horizontal plane along said one side surface of the gate in alignment with the second fence guide roller and parallel with the plane of the second fence guide track; and a second gate guide roller anchored about a horizontal axis of rotation which axis projects normal to the plane of the second horizontal gate guide track, said second gate guide roller being offset vertically from and adjacent said second horizontal gate guide track intermediate the terminal ends of said second gate guide track and in alignment with the track formed by said second fence guide track.