AU718344B1 - Improvements in fence gates - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Kenwalls Fencing Pty. Ltd.

Address of Applicant: 25 Ellen Street WOLLONGONG NSW 2520 Actual Inventor: Keith Norman Waller Richard Keith Waller Address for Service: ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BONNET BAY N.S.W. 2226 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS IN FENCE GATES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -1- This invention relates to fencing. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses an improved form of gate and method of constructing said gate.

One common type of panel gate currently in use comprises a frame formed from a pair of spaced apart upright posts with upper and lower horizontal rails welded therebetween. The upper and lower rails have inwardly facing channels into which colour bonded sheel panels are permanently set during assembly of the frame. While the resulting structure provides a strong and durable product there are drawbacks with it. For example the choice of frame/panel colour combinations available to a customer is restricted insofar as the panels have to be permanently installed during the initial frame assembly. Further, the high quality factory paint finish initially applied to the post and rail members is destroyed around the welded joints during subsequent assembly of the frame and panels. This leads to colour variations due to weathering of inferior touch-up paint and also rusting if the paint coat fails.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a frame for a fence gate is disclosed which in a position of use is formed by at least two upright pillars and upper and lower horizontal rails extending therebetween, said upper and lower rails having respective inwardly facing upper and lower slots into which at least one sheet panel can be inserted, the panel being of a height to enable fitting into the frame after assembly thereof by insertion of the upper edge of said panel into said upper slot whereby the lower edge of said panel clears said lower rail to enable subsequent insertion down into said lower slot and said lower slot having a panel support means therein to support said panel when fitted at a position to maintain engagement of. the upper edge of said panel in said upper slot.

Preferably said panel support means comprises a plate which runs the length of said lower slot.

The nature and advantages of one embodiment of the invention will now be further described with reference to the attached drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one type of gate to which this invention relates, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the lines A-A of figure 1 when such gate is constructed in the conventional prior art fashion, Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views along the lines A-A of figure 1 when such gate is constructed in accordance with the current invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines B-B of figure 1 when such gate is constructed in accordance with the current invention.

-3- Referring first to figure 1 a typical gate to which the invention applies may comprise a frame formed by a pair of spaced apart upright posts 1, 2 and upper and lower horizontal rails 3, 4. With this example the upper and lower rails are of similar cross-section. Although not shown in the drawing hinges and latch means would in use of the gate be fitted to the posts 1, 2. The rails are preferably octagonal in cross-section with one side being open to form respective upper and lower inwardly facing slots 6, 7 into which sheet panels 5 are fitted.

With the prior art construction of this gate as shown in figure 2 the main components which correspoond in function to figure 1 are indicated by the same number but with the addition of an accent In this case the ends of the panels 5' extend virtually completely into the upper and lower slots Consequently the panels 5' must be permanently fitted into the frame during its initial assembly and cannot be removed. As a non-limiting example the height of these panels 5' with a typical gate may be of the order of 1790 mm.

With a gate construction in accordance with this invention as shown in figures 3 to 5 the main components which correspond in function to figure 1 are indicated by the same numbers but with the addition of a double accent In this case the height X of the panels 5" has been reduced to say 1750 mm so that as shown in figure 3 the lower edges clear the rail 4" when the upper panel edges are inserted fully into the upper slot This enables the lower portions of the panels 5" to then be swung into the frame and to locate over the slot 6" as indicated by arrow C. Subsequently as shown in figure 4 the panels 5" can be dropped down into the lower slot In order to support these shortened panels 5" at a sufficiently elevated position whereby they maintain engagement in the upper slot 7" a novel panel support plate 8 is fitted into the lower channel This plate as also shown in figure preferably runs the full length of the lower rail. With this particular embodiment it is in the cross-sectional shape of an inverted U with downwardly directed flanges 8A at each side. The support plate rests on a series of hollow square bars 9 which are placed at spaced apart locations along the length of the rail Although only two such bars are shown in figure 5 any number may be fitted depending upon the length of the rail 4" to provide the necessary support. It is currently preferred that the bars 9 are secured to the bottom of the rail and the support plate 8 by rivets 10. Other types of fasteners however may be used.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the example disclosed provides a novel and improved form of gate. When constructed in accordance with this invention the frame uprights and rails can be assembled and high quality factory finishes applied without fear of damage from subsequent joint welding. Any number of different coloured panels can then be easily fitted into the frame in accordance with a customer's wishes. Also, after installation of the gate individual damaged panels can be replaced by simply lifting and pulling out the bottom edges until they are clear of the lower frame rail The panels then drop out of the frame.

It is to be understood however that the embodiment described is only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and size of the gate frame, the cross-sections of the uprights and rails, the type and number of panels able to be fitted and the shape and configuration of the support plate may all be changed according to application or design preference. Also, while colour bonded steel is currently preferred for the gate the invention extends to any other suitable material.

Claims (5)

1. 2. The frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower horizontal rails are welded to said pillars during assembly to form a rigid structure.
2. 3. The frame as claimed in claim 2 wherein said panel support means comprises a plate running the length of said lower slot.
3. 4. The frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support plate rests on spaced apart bars positioned along the length of said lower slot. -7- The frame as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bars comprises hollow square bars.
4. 6. A frame for a fence gate, said frame being substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1, 3, 4 and 6. A method of constructing a fence gate which includes the steps of: procuring a frame for said gate, the frame in a position of use being formed by at least two upright pillars and upper and lower horizontal rails extending therebetween, said upper and lower rails having respective inwardly facing upper and lower slots into which at least one sheet panel can be inserted, the panel being of a height to enable fitting into the frame after assembly thereof by insertion of the upper edge of said panel into said upper slot whereby the lower edge of said panel clears said lower rail to enable subsequent insertion down into said lower slot and said lower slot having a raised panel support means therein to support said panel when fitted at a position to maintain engagement of the upper edge of said panel in said upper slot, procuring said panel and inserting the upper edge of said panel into the upper slot whereby the lower edge of said panel clears said lower rail, moving the lower edge of said panel into position above said lower slot, and inserting the lower edge of said panel into said lower slot whereby it rests on said panel support means and the upper edge of said panel maintains engagement in said upper slot.
5. 7. A fence gate which has been constructed in accordance with the method as claimed in claim 6. Dated this ,f day of 1999 Kenwalls Fencing Pty. Ltd. By Our Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR