AU2020100568A4 - Gate Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A gate assembly comprising: one or more gate panels, each panel having vertically spaced apart upper and lower hollow rails, each hollow rail having a plurality of spaced apart pickets extending therebetween; each of said upper and lower rail comprising a connecting portion for receiving a connector for connection with a corresponding upper and lower rail of another of said gate panel. AJI'-U 110A 120 110B 140

Description

GATE ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates to modular gate assembly of the type constructed from rails and pickets. Each panel section making up a portion of the gate or fence may be boxed and transported in unassembled form and assembled or erected on site requiring limited assembly skills or assembly tools. As a result, the modular panel section can be assembled on site either by professionals or homeowners.

BACKGROUND [002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[003] There are many security gate configurations currently in use to permit vehicular and/or pedestrian access to a commercial/industrial or other site secured by a perimeter or other fence. Such entry gates have been known in the art for centuries with the purpose of controlling access to specific areas. In recent years, innovations have mostly centered around electronic control systems. However, the actual gate still needs to be fabricated away from the installation location. Additionally, in at least some instances, these gates can be extremely heavy and cumbersome to transport from the fabrication facility to the installation location. To the best of the applicant’s knowledge modular entry gates that are easy to assemble and install at a desired installation location are not available and it is desirable to provide a modular gate assembly that addresses this requirement.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [004] In an aspect, the invention provides a gate assembly comprising: one or more gate panels, each panel having vertically spaced apart upper and lower hollow rails with a plurality of spaced apart pickets extending therebetween; each of said upper and lower rail comprising a connecting portion for receiving a connector for connection with a corresponding upper and lower rail of another of said gate panel.

[005] In an embodiment, each hollow rail comprises a plurality of spaced apart picket receiving apertures with pickets preferably extending therethrough.

[006] In an embodiment, the connecting portion comprises a hollow configuration to receive the connector for connection with a corresponding hollow connecting portion of the upper and lower rail of another of said gate panel.

[007] In an embodiment, the gate assembly further comprises the connector wherein the said connector comprises a top wall with opposed slots wherein during use the upon being positioned for connecting the connecting portion of said upper rail or lower rail of first panel with a corresponding upper rail or lower rail of the other gate panel, the opposed slots allow one or more upright pickets to pass through.

[008] In an embodiment, the opposed slots extend lengthwise along the length of the connecting member with a substantially central portion of the top wall being positioned in between the opposed slots.

[009] In an embodiment, each slot comprises an opening located at an end of the top wall of the connector to allow the one or more of said pickets to be received during use in a connecting configuration.

[010] In an embodiment, the connecting member comprises a fastening arrangement for fastening the connector to the upper or lower rails during use upon being positioned to connect the respective upper or lower rails of adjacently arranged gate panels.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 [011] In an embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises a threaded fastener for fastening the top wall of the connector with said upper or lower support rail of the connected gate panels.

[012] In an embodiment, the respective portions of the top wall defines the opposed slots to provide respective peripheral portions of the top wall surrounding the opposed slots provided in the connector.

[013] In an embodiment, the peripheral portions comprises openings for receiving one or more of said threaded fasteners.

[014] Preferably, the openings are located at or adjacent end portions of the top wall. [015] In an embodiment, the gate assembly further comprises a jig for drilling support rail openings into the upper or lower rail to allow said threaded fasteners to be passed through the support rail openings and the openings of the connector for fastening said connector to the upper or lower rails of adjacently arranged gate panels.

[016] In an embodiment, the connector comprises one or more supporting structures depending downwardly from the top wall for supporting the connector during use when positioned within the connecting portion of the upper or lower rails of the connected gate panels.

[017] In an embodiment, the supporting structures comprises side walls extending downwardly from the top wall.

[018] In an embodiment, height of the side wall is less than or equal to height of the upper or lower rail to allow the connecting member to be received into the connecting portion of the upper or lower rail.

[019] In an embodiment, the top wall comprises a width that is less than width of the upper or lower rail.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 [020] In an embodiment, the gate assembly further comprises: an end section having an upright member with transversely oriented upper and lower rail connecting portions adapted to be connected with connecting portions of upper and lower rails of the panel. [021] In an embodiment, the transversely oriented connecting portions of the end section are located at an in-use top and bottom end portion of the upright member.

[022] In an embodiment, the connecting portions of the end section are sufficiently sized for being received into the hollow connecting portions of the upper and lower rail members of the gate panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [023] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a frontal view of a gate assembly 100 (shown in an assembled configuration) in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a top view of the gate assembly 100.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the gate assembly 100.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gate assembly 100 (unassembled).

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the connector 120.

Figure 6 is a top view of the connector 120.

Figure 7 is an end view of the connector 120.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020

Figure 8 is a frontal perspective view of the gate assembly 100 with the end section 140 shown in a disconnected configuration.

Figure 9 is a frontal view of the gate assembly 100 with the end section 140 shown in a disconnected configuration.

Figure 10 is a top view of the end section 140.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the end section 140.

Figure 12 is a frontal view of the end section 140.

Figure 13 is a side view of the end section 140.

Figure 14 is an exploded frontal view of the gate assembly 100.

Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the gate assembly 100.

Figure 16 is an assembled view of the gate assembly 100 (including the end section 140).

Figure 17 is an exploded frontal view of a gate assembly 200 in accordance with another embodiment.

Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the gate assembly 200.

Figure 19 is a frontal view of a gate assembly 200.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the gate assembly 200.

Figures 21 to 23 depict several view of a jig member 130 that forms a part of the assembly 100 or 200.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [024] Figures 1 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment of a gate assembly 100 comprising at least two gate panels 110A and 110B. In the presently described embodiment, it is envisioned that two or more of such gate panels (such as panels 110A and 110B) may be connected together for forming a gate assembly that can form a swinging gate or sliding gate to provide access into a fenced or walled area. As will be evident from the foregoing sections, the use of the gate assembly 100 is in no way limited to the type of actuators used for opening or closing the gate. Whilst, typically gates of a larger size are coupled with swinging or sliding electronic actuation system the type of actuation is not limiting.

[025] Each gate panel 110A and 110B comprises a pair of vertically spaced apart horizontal rails, specifically an upper rail 112 and a lower rail 114. These rail members 112 and 114 are substantially hollow tubular sections that allow vertically oriented pickets 115 to pass through. In alternative embodiments, the pickets 115 may be affixed by welding to the face of the horizontal top and bottom rails 112 and 114. Each of the upper and lower rails 112 and 114 is provided with a plurality of apertures to allow the pickets 115 to pass through. Whilst, the preferred embodiment illustrates hollow square shaped tubes being used for forming the upper rail 112 and lower rail 114, the shape of the hollow rail members 112 and 114 is not limiting. For example, the upper and lower rails 112 and 114 may be provided with circular sections in other alternative embodiments. In the preferred embodiment, the upper rail 112 and the lower rail 114 are shown to have identical dimensions. However, this feature is not limiting and in other alternative embodiments, the upper rail 112 and lower rail 114 may have different configurations or dimensions.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 [026] Each of the upper and lower rail members 112 and 114 are substantially hollow and include hollow connecting portions 116 and 118. In the preferred embodiment, the two gate panels 110A and 110B and having a length (L) each, can be interconnected via the respective hollow connection portions 116 and 118 to form a gate assembly having a length 2L. Specifically, connector member 120 (isolated views shown in Figures 4 to 7) may be used to inter-connect adjacently arranged connecting portions 116 and 118 for gate panels 110A and 110B. During use, each connecting member 120 is positioned within the hollow connecting portions of the upper rails 112 and the lower rails 114 for connecting the connecting portions of the upper rail 112 and lower rail 114 of the first panel 110A with connecting portions 116 and 118 of a corresponding upper rail 112 and lower rail 114 of the other gate panel 110B. Each connecting member 120 comprises a top wall 123 with two opposed slots (generally denoted by 122), specifically 122A and 122B to allow one or more upright pickets 115 to pass through during use.

[027] As shown most clearly in Figures 5 and 6, each of the opposed slots 122 extends lengthwise along the length of the connecting member 120 between the two ends of the connecting member with a substantially central portion 121 of the top wall 123 being positioned in between the opposed slots 122. Each slot 122 comprises an opening located at an end of the top wall 123 of the connector 120 to allow the one or more of said pickets 115 to be received during use in the connected configuration. The connecting member 120 is provided with a fastening arrangement for fastening the top wall 123 of the connector 120 to the upper rail 112 or lower rail 114 during use upon being positioned to connect the respective upper or lower rails of adjacently arranged gate panels 110A and 110B. The fastening arrangement in the preferred embodiment comprises threaded bolts for fastening at least the top wall 123 of the connector 120

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 with upper or lower rails (112 or 114) of the inter-connected gate panels 110A and 110B. In this instance, holes 127 for the threaded fasteners are provided at the central portion 121 of the top wall 123 and also at the end portions of the top wall 123. Respective peripheral portions of the top wall 123 define each of the opposed slots 122 and these peripheral portions surround each of the opposed slots 122. The holes 127 located at the ends of the connecting member 120 are provided along these peripheral regions defining each of the slots 122.

[028] Advantageously, a jig member 130 (shown in Figures 21 to 23) may be used for marking and drilling holes in the supporting rails 112 and 114 so that the drilled holes in the supporting rails are easily aligned with the bolt holes 127 in the connector 120 to allow each connector 120 to be fastened to interconnected upper rail members 112 or interconnected lower rail members 114 in the gate panels 110A and 110B.

[029] It is also important to note that the connecting member 120 comprises spaced apart side walls 129 that depend downwardly from the top wall 123. As mentioned in the previous sections, for the connecting member 120 to be received into the connecting portions 116 or 118 of the upper or lower rail members 112 and 114, height of the side walls 129 should be slightly less than the height of the hollow connecting portions 116 and 118. Similarly, the width of the top wall 123 is also slightly less than width of the upper and lower rails 112 and 114 to allow the connecting member 120 to be inserted into the connecting portions of two adjacently arranged gate panels 110A and 110B.

[030] Turning to Figures 8 to 16, the assembly 100 may also include an end section 140 for connection with one of the gate panels, specifically panel 110B. Each end section 140 includes an upright member 142 with transversely oriented upper and lower rail connecting portions 144 and 146 adapted to be connected with connecting

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 portions 116 and 118 of upper and lower rails of the panel 110B. It has been found by the inventor that providing a separate end section allows minor adjustments in overall length. Since the end section 140 in the preferred embodiment is substantially hollow, length of each of the transverse connecting portions 144 can be adjusted to reduce the overall length of the assembled gate assembly 100.

[031] Figures 17 to 20 illustrate another gate assembly 200 that utilises three gate panels 110 that are inter-connected using connecting members 120. All previously described reference numerals denote like features. As will be evident from Figures 17 to 20, one of panel 110A and two panels 110B may be used for constructing a three panel gate assembly 200. It would be understood that a gate assembly 100 of a required length may be easily assembled by inter-connecting or more of the panels 110A and/or 110B.

[032] In at least some embodiments, the gate assembly 100 may be provided in the form of a kit with at least a first type of panel such as 110A that includes a fixed end section 240 with each of the upper and lower rail members 112 and 114 having at least one connecting portion 116 and 118. The kit may also include at least a second type of panel such as panel 110B that may include a removable end section 140 as has been previously discussed. As described above, the kit may include a plurality of the two types of panels 110A and 110B for building gate assemblies of varying lengths. [033] The gate assembly 100 as described herein alleviates the need to fabricate and transport large sized gate assemblies from a fabrication location to an installation location. Instead, the described assembly 100 allows the gate assembly to be easily assembled at the installation location thereby minimising effort and expenses for precise fabrication and transportation.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 [034] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of’ is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[035] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[036] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (19)

1. A gate assembly comprising:

one or more gate panels, each panel having vertically spaced apart upper and lower hollow rails, with a plurality of spaced apart pickets extending between the upper and lower rails;

each of said upper and lower rail comprising a connecting portion for receiving a connector for connection with a corresponding upper and lower rail of another of said gate panel.

2. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the connecting portion comprises a hollow configuration to receive the connector for connection with a corresponding hollow connecting portion of the upper and lower rail of another of said gate panel.

3. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 each hollow rail comprises a plurality of spaced apart picket receiving apertures with pickets preferably extending therethrough.

4. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 3 further comprising the connector wherein the said connector comprises a top wall with opposed slots wherein during use the upon being positioned for connecting the connecting portion of said upper rail or lower rail of first panel with a corresponding upper rail or lower rail of the other gate panel, the opposed slots allow one or more upright pickets to pass through.

5. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein the opposed slots extend lengthwise along the length of the connecting member with a substantially central portion of the top wall being positioned in between the opposed slots.

2020100568 15 Apr 2020

6. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 4 or claim 5 wherein each slot comprises an opening located at an end of the top wall of the connector to allow the one or more of said pickets to be received during use in a connecting configuration.

7. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the connecting member comprises a fastening arrangement for fastening the connector to the upper or lower rails during use upon being positioned to connect the respective upper or lower rails of adjacently arranged gate panels.

8. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a threaded fastener for fastening the top wall of the connector with said upper or lower support rail of the connected gate panels.

9. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the respective portions of the top wall defines the opposed slots to provide respective peripheral portions of the top wall surrounding the opposed slots provided in the connector.

10. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein the peripheral portions comprises openings for receiving one or more of said threaded fasteners.

11. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein the openings are located at or adjacent end portions of the top wall.

12. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 10 or 11 further comprising a jig for drilling support rail openings into the upper or lower rail to allow said threaded fasteners to be passed through the support rail openings and the

2020100568 15 Apr 2020 openings of the connector for fastening said connector to the upper or lower rails of adjacently arranged gate panels.

13. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 12 wherein the connector comprises one or more supporting structures depending downwardly from the top wall for supporting the connector during use when positioned within the connecting portion of the upper or lower rails of the connected gate panels.

14. Agate assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the supporting structures comprises side walls extending downwardly from the top wall.

15. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein height of the side wall is less than or equal to height of the upper or lower rail to allow the connecting member to be received into the connecting portion of the upper or lower rail.

16. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 15 wherein the top wall comprises a width that is less than width of the upper or lower rail.

17. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising an end section having an upright member with transversely oriented upper and lower rail connecting portions adapted to be connected with connecting portions of upper and lower rails of the panel.

18. A gate assembly in accordance with claim 17 wherein the transversely oriented connecting portions of the end section are located at an in-use top and bottom end portion of the upright member.

19. A gate assembly in accordance with any one of claims 17 or 18 wherein the connecting portions of the end section are sufficiently sized for being received into the hollow connecting portions of the upper and lower rail members of the gate panel.