AU733115B2 - Remotely operated gate driving device - Google Patents

Description

FiUUMui1 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: 4*

V

Invention Title: REMOTELY OPERATED GATE DRIVING DEVICE The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing It known to us 1 REMOTELY OPERATED GATE DRIVING DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to remotely operated gate control mechanisms.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The opening and closing of farm gates can be a source of considerable irritation, particularly to farmers, and particularly so in inclement weather. The driver must stop his vehicle, get out of the vehicle, open the gate, get back in, drive through the gate and repeat the process on the other side if the gate has to be closed and latched. This sequence will often have to be repeated at several other gates.

Accordingly, there exists a long felt need for a gate opening and closing arrangement that makes it unnecessary to leave the vehicle.

However, any such arrangement must allow the farmer not only to open 15 and to close a gate, but also to choose to leave it open. Further, it must be simple to install, easily maintained, weatherproof and of reasonable cost.

Remote control mechanisms have been tried in the past but generally have been found impracticable on the grounds of cost, and/or mechanical complexity prone to malfunction. Examples of these are US 459,007 (Laporte), 20 US 1,364,954 (Ruck), US 482,462 (Slawson), US 2,861,366 (Denison), US 1,152,999 (Williamson). The hydraulic-mechanical device US 2,924,031 (Lofts) is typical of those which are too complex, too costly and would present maintenance problems. The suggested hydraulic gate driving device AU 66931/86 (Tauber) appears the most practicable but would be costly, pose maintenance problems and, does not allow the farmer the choice of leaving the gate open.

It is the object of this invention to provide a remotely controlled gate driving device which is simple, easily installed and maintained and allows the farmer to remotely open the gate and then selectively choose to allow the gate to remain open, or close the gate, after passing through the gateway.

2 SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for actuating a gate, the system including, driving means capable of moving the gate between an open position allowing passage through the gateway, and a closed position substantially preventing passage through the gateway; actuation means capable of actuating the driving means from a remote position either side of the gateway; said actuation means being operatively connected to the driving means such that, engaging the actuation means when approaching the gateway from either side will activate the driving means to move the gate to the open position if not already in the open position, and, whereby the actuation means may be selectively engaged when leaving the gateway depending on whether it is desirable that the gate return to the 15 closed position or remain at the open position.

With careful design and positioning of the actuators in relation to the gate, the system of the present invention provides a means to open and close a gate without the need to leave the vehicle, as well as the option of allowing the gate to remain open after the user has passed through the gateway. Furthermore the 20 simplicity of design and economy of parts used, provide a high degree of reliability together with low maintenance and manufacturing costs.

In one form of the present invention, the actuation means extends a predetermined distance from either side of the gateway.

In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the driving means includes a spring loaded over-centre driving mechanism having a spring fixed at one end to a lever, and at the other end being connectable to the gate, the lever capable of being moved from a first position to a second position by the actuation means, whereby in the first position the spring urges the gate to the closed position and in the second position the spring urges the gate to the open position.

I IT 3 In yet another preferred form of the present invention, the actuation means includes a pedal positioned on either side of the gateway, said pedals being operatively connected to the driving means with a cable loop.

Preferably, the cable loop is fixed to the lever such that engaging either of said pedals from a direction approaching the gateway will activate the driving means to move the gate to the open position if not already in the open position, and engaging the pedals from a direction leaving the gateway will activate the driving means to move the gate to the closed position if not already in the closed position.

Preferably, the actuator means is positioned either side of the gateway to allow for convenient engagement or avoidance as desired.

In another preferred embodiment, the actuator means includes remote switches positioned either side of the gateway electrically connected to a reversible motor operatively connected to the lever such that the lever may be moved between the first position and the second position.

Preferably, the reversible motor drives a gearbox which in turn winds and unwinds a lever cable fixed to the lever such that the lever may be moved between the first position and the second position.

In a further preferred embodiment, the actuation system is capable of 20 connection to a latch means for securing the gate in the closed position, whereby said latch means is unsecured immediately prior to the driving means moving the gate from the closed position, and resecured when returned to the closed position.

The latch means may be provided with damping means, such as resilient portions of PVC pipe, to dampen the impact against the latch means when the gate returns to the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Preferred aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 An elevation of the remotely operated gate driving arrangement showing two actuator pedal assemblies, the loop linkage to the gate driving mechanism above the gate on the hinge post and the gate in the open position for this particular gate mounting.

Fig. 2 A plan view of the arrangement with pedal actuators installed in an alleyway and with the gate in the closed position and designed to open in direction B.

Fig. 3 An elevation of the gate driving mechanism above the gate.

Fig. 4 A view of the latch mechanism with the damper attachment.

Fig. 5 A view of the unlatching device at the gate swivel end of the driving mechanism spring shaft and the gate pivot assembly showing the attachment of the sprung rod.

Fig. 6 A plan of the gate driving mechanism with the gate in the shut position.

Fig. 7 A plan of the gate driving mechanism in the closed position with the over-centre mechanism in the balanced position immediately after the latch 15 has been opened and the gate is about to be moved open.

Fig. 8 A plan of the gate driving mechanism with the gate in the open position.

Fig. 9 A three dimensional view of a pedal actuator.

Fig. 10 An elevation of a pedal actuator.

20 Fig. 11 An elevation of the pedal crank.

Fig. 12 An elevation of the actuator lever.

Fig. 13 An elevation of the left quadrant pedal return lever with spring and engagement locations of the vertical stop and the slave lever.

Fig. 14 A plan of the electric actuation means option showing the location of the motor gearbox and wiring of the remotely located switches.

THE GATE DRIVING MECHANISM Opening the Gate Referring to Figs. 1 and 2. A vehicle approaching the gate in the closed position (Fig. 2) in direction would be steered so that a wheel ran against and over the pedal 1 of the actuator pedal assembly. The pedal turns through degrees with the forward movement of the wheel. A part of this movement is transmitted through a loop linkage system 3 mounted along the fence line.

Referring to Fig. 6. The gate driving mechanism is attached to the post 4 and the top of the gate 5 and is in the gate closed position. The movement of the loop linkage 3 applies a pull to the end 6 of the curved lever 7 around the pulleys 8 and 9. This pull causes the curved lever 7 to move about its fulcrum 10 below pulley 8 in direction A.

As the curved lever rotates it causes the spring of the sprung rod 11 pivoted on the curved lever at 6 to compress against the bush 12 of the gate pivot assembly 13. Referring to Fig. 7. When the end 6 of the curved lever 7 reaches an imaginary line from the curved lever fulcrum 10 to the pivot of the gate pivot assembly 13 the spring of the sprung rod is at maximum compression and the over-centre mechanism is balanced. Referring to Figs 3, 4 Immediately before this point is reached the gate latch tongue 14 has been withdrawn from the latch keeper 19 by the cord 16 connecting the swivelling end of the spring shaft 11 to the rear of the latch tongue.

15 Referring to Fig 6: With the continuing pull of the loop linkage on the end o of the curved lever the pivot 6 moves past the balance point. The spring is simultaneously released and its energy snaps the curved lever across to the stop of its alternate position against the mounting of the pulley 9 and simultaneously acts against the sprung rod bush 12 to push the gate towards its 20 fully open position where it is held open by a separate latch means.

The Gate Latch and Damper Referring to Fig 4: When the tongue 14 engages the striker ramp 17 it is forced to compress its spring 18 until it reaches the end of the ramp 17 and is free to fully extend into the keeper 19. The momentum of the gate forces the tongue to strike the PVC main damper 20 which compresses absorbing some of the gate energy. The plunger then rebounds to strike the secondary damper 21 which also compresses. Both PVC dampers begin immediately to return to their original shape the return slower than the compression thus further contributing to the dampening efficiency. The tongue thereafter oscillates briefly between the two PVC dampers until at rest.

t 6 Shutting the Gate Referring to Figs. 1 and 2. A vehicle approaching the gate in the open position (Fig. 1) in direction would be steered so that a wheel ran against and over the pedal of the actuator pedal assembly 2. The pedal turns through 90 degrees with the forward movement of the wheel. A part of this movement is transmitted through a loop linkage system 3 mounted along the fence line.

Referring to Fig. 8 the gate driving mechanism is attached to the post 4 and the top of the gate 5 and is in the gate open position. The movement of the loop linkage 3 applies a pull to the end 6 of the curved lever 7 around the pulley 22.

This pull causes the curved lever 7 to move about its fulcrum 10 below pulley 8 in direction B.

As the curved lever rotates it causes the spring of the sprung rod 11 pivoted on the curved lever at 6 to compress against the bush 12 of the gate pivot assembly 13. When the end 6 on the curved lever 7 reaches an imaginary 15 line from the curved lever fulcrum 10 to the pivot of the gate pivot assembly 13 e *the spring of the sprung rod is at maximum compression and the over-centre mechanism is balanced.

Immediately before this point is reached the gate latch tongue has been withdrawn from the latch keeper by a cord connecting the swivelling end of the 20 spring shaft 11 (Fig. 6) and the rear end of the latch tongue.

Referring to Fig. 6. With the continuing pull of the loop linkage on the end of the curved lever the pivot 6 moves past the balance point and snaps to its alternate stop below the pulley 22. The spring is simultaneously released and its energy snaps the curved lever across to the stop of its alternate position against the mounting of the pulley 22 and simultaneously acts against the .sprung rod bush 12 to move the gate towards its fully closed position where it is latch shut. The latch and damper are complementary to the latch and damper of the "latch-open" position.

Leaving the Gate Open Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, if the driver chooses to leave the gate open, the vehicle is driven to avoid the second actuator pedal assembly 2 when driving in direction A.

I 7 Operating the Gate While Travelling in Direction B (Figs. 1 and 2) The operation of the device for travel in direction B is the same as for direction A except that the pedals are moved in the direction of travel with consequential actuator levers and linkage loop movements which are complementary to those of Direction A.

Adiustment of the Driver Mechanism to Suit Category A B Gateswing Most gates on farms can be placed in two categories. Category A are all those which swing to the left of the hinge when facing the hinge and Category B which swing to the right when facing the hinge.

If the drive mechanism is to be used for Category B gates, the curved lever 7 is turned over and pivoted at pulley 22 and the mounting plate 19 (Figs.

7 and 8) for pulley 9, positioned at as marked on the base plate 23.

THE PEDAL ACTUATORS General Description 15 Referring to Fig. 9 and 10. The two pedal actuator assemblies are S* comprised essentially of a fixed frame and various interacting levers. The frame is comprised of a plate 24 for attaching the assembly to a fence post, a fixed axle 25 and a support frame 26 bolted to the free end of the fixed axle. An angle cross member 27 has attachments for two spring anchorages 28 and 29 and for 20 a pulley 30. As the pulleys 31 for the two actuators are on opposite sides of the frame, the two actuators are designed right and left pedal actuators. A projection 32 from the fixing plate 24 acts as a stop for the pedal return levers 33 and 34 (Fig. Referring to Fig. 11. The pedal assembly is a crank shape 35 with a hollow shaft 36 to fit over the fixed axle 25. At the end of the shaft is a slave lever 37 welded to the pedal shaft. Projecting from the slave lever is a drive pin 38. A length of PVC pipe 39 loosely over the "handle" of the pedal and is retained by one fixed 40 and one removable pin 41.

Referring to Fig. 12. The actuating lever 42 connected to hollow shaft 51 slides over the pedal shaft 36. The cross member 43 of the actuator lever has shaped ends 44L and 44R to engage the slave lever 37. At the end of the actuator lever are two pins 45 and two clamps 46 to clamp wire ends of the t 6 8 linkage loop 3. Referring to Fig. 13: Illustrated is one pedal-return lever 33 of a pair which are complementary. The engagement positions of the pedal return lever stop 32 and the slave lever drive pin 38 are shown as well as the end of the fixed shaft 25 and the return spring 49. Referring to Fig. 9: The spring returns the pedal return lever 34 the vertical in a complementary action.

Oeration Referring to Fig. 10. Both pedals of the two actuator pedal assemblies can move through 180 degrees about their fixed shafts 25. In operation there are two quadrants of movement a left and right. Assuming the pedal has been depressed through its left quadrant, the slave lever 37, fixed to the freely moving pedal shaft 36, will have moved parallel to the 90 degree movement arc of the pedal. With this movement the slave lever 37 engages the left side projection 44L of the cross member of the freely pivoted actuation lever 42. This engagement causes the actuation lever to rotate with the slave through between 15 70-90 degrees of the 90 degrees forward rotation of the actuator assembly l pedal. The other end of the actuation lever, being clamped to the linkage loop 3 causes the lever movement to be transferred to the linkage loop and thence as a force upon the gate driving assembly. The slave lever drive pin 38 also engages the pedal return lever 33 dedicated for the left quadrant causing it also 20 to move through the 90 degree arc thus extending its spring 49. When the vehicle moves off the pedal, the spring of the pedal return lever pulls its lever back (to the vertical) thus causing it, simultaneously, to engage the slave lever drive pin 38 as it returns moving the slave lever and, with it, the pedal, until the pedal return lever engages the vertical stop 32.

THE LINKAGE LOOP General Description The linkage loop which operates in the vertical plane consists of flexible wire rope which passes through the gate driving mechanism and connects it to the two pedal actuators. Referring to Fig. 1. The configuration of the linkage loop is shown though in practice the base angles would be considerably less for wider swinging gates and actuator pedal assemblies placed to allow for tractors with implements. Referring to Fig. 6. The wire rope passes around the pulleys 8, 9 and 22 and is attached to the moving end of the curved lever at 6.

Referring to Fig. 1. The wire loop passes around two swivel pulleys 31L and 31R of the actuators and is fixed with clamps at two points 51 and 52 to the actuator levers of the left and right actuators. Referring to Fig The actuator level 42L is attached to the top of the linkage loop 3 at 51 and the actuator lever 42R (of the right pedal actuator) to the bottom of the loop at 52. The apex of the triangular loop is clamped to the end of the curved lever 7 of the drive mechanism at 6. (Figs 6, 7 and 8).

The Operation of the Linkage-loop Referring Fig. 1. When the vehicle is moving in direction A and the wheel moves the actuator pedal through 90 degrees forward, the slave lever 37 moves the actuator lever 42 through between 70-90 degrees of its arc of travel. This movement of the actuator lever 42 causes the linkage loop to move Sapproximately 350 mm in the direction B which movement is transferred to the 15 gate driving mechanism so that the curved lever of the gate driving mechanism is also pulled in direction B eventually to trip the curved lever to snap to its alternate position and the spring simultaneously freed to drive the gate open in loot., Direction A. The movement of the linkage-loop to actuate the over-centre mechanism when driving in Direction B is the complement of that of direction A.

20 THE ELECTRIC ACTUATION OPTION Brief Description Referring to Fig. 14. This option obviates the need for the pedal actuators and the linkage loop. The pedal actuators are replaced by remotely located switches each side of the gate to cause a motorgearbox located above the gate driving mechanism to wind and unwind a wire to act on the end of the curved lever 7 at 59. "Pusher" blocks on the wire and limit switches accommodate the two movements of the curved lever.

The Electric Actuator Referring to Fig. 14. The motorgearbox 53 is mounted on the arm 54 which is pivoted below pulley 8 and connected to the driving mechanism base 23 by the spring 55 to accommodate the changes in tension in the wire caused by the movements of the curved lever 7.

A drive wire 56 is fixed to the axle at the midpoint of its projection from the motorgearbox 57 arranged (as shown in Fig. 14 to pass directly from 57 to go around the pulleys 22, 9 and 8 and to be wound around the axle of the motorgearbox before reaching the fixing point 57. In operation the wire winds and unwinds to the right and left of this fixing point with the reversing of the motor as required to move the curved lever to its open and closed positions.

Referring to Fig. 14. The curved lever 7 and hence the gate is in the closed position. When a switch is operated to open the gate, the motorgearbox reverses direction to wind the drive wire 56 upon the axle (and thus to unwind it on the other side of the fixing point 57). This movement causes the "pusher" block 58 to approach and push on the slotted and pivoted block 59, mounted on the end of the curved lever 7, so moving the curved lever 7 until it is just over its point of balance whereupon the curved lever is triggered and causes the block 59 to move instantly until the curved lever moves to its alternate position against 15 the stop below pulley 22.

S• As the wire moves in this operation it takes the block 61 which is fixed to the wire until it activates the limit switch 62 thus stopping the motorgearbox with the curved lever in its alternate position against the stop below pulley 22.

When the gate is opening the sequence is reversed so that the limit 20 switch 63 then stops the motorgearbox. Thus the driver starts the operation of closing and opening the gate by switching on the motor but the stopping of the gate driving mechanism is automatic.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and the skilled worker in this art will readily recognise many variations and modifications within the broad concept of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A system for actuating a gate, the system including, driving means capable of moving the gate between an open position allowing passage through the gateway, and a closed position substantially preventing passage through the gateway; actuation means capable of actuating the driving means from a remote position either side of the gateway; said actuation means being operatively connected to the driving means such that, engaging the actuation means when approaching the gateway from either side will activate the driving means to move the gate to the open position **if not already in the open position, and, whereby the actuation means may be selectively engaged when leaving the gateway depending on whether it is desirable that the gate return to the closed position or remain at the open position.

2. A gate actuation system according to Claim 1 wherein, the actuation means extends a predetermined distance from either side of the gateway.

3. A gate actuation system according to Claim 1 wherein, the driving means includes a spring loaded over-centre driving mechanism having a spring fixed at one end to a lever, and at the other end being connectable to the gate, the lever capable of being moved from a first position to a second position by the actuation means, whereby in the first position the spring urges the gate to the closed position and in the second position the spring urges the gate to the open position.

4. A gate actuation system according to Claim 2 wherein, the actuation means includes a pedal positioned on either side of the gateway, said pedals being operatively connected to the driving means with a cable loop. 12 A gate actuation system according to Claim 3 wherein, the actuation means includes a pedal positioned on either side of the gateway, said pedals being fixed to the lever with a cable loop such that engaging either of said pedals from a direction approaching the gateway will activate the driving means to move the gate to the open position if not already in the open position, and engaging the pedals from a direction leaving the gateway will activate the driving means to move the gate to the closed position if not already in the closed position.

6. A gate actuation system according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein, the actuator means is positioned either side of the gateway to allow for convenient engagement or avoidance as desired.

7. A gate actuation system according to Claim 3 wherein, the actuator *.*"means includes remote switches positioned either side of the gateway o electrically connected to a reversible motor operatively connected to the lever such that the lever may be moved between the first position and the second position.

8. A gate actuation system according to Claim 7 wherein, the reversible motor drives a gearbox which in turn winds or unwinds a lever cable fixed to the lever such that the lever may be moved between the first position and the second position.

9. A gate actuation system according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, the actuation system is capable of connection to a latch means for securing the gate in the closed position, whereby said latch means is unsecured immediately prior to the driving means moving the gate from the closed position, and resecured when returned to the closed position. A gate actuation system according to Claim 9 wherein, the latch means is provided with damping means, such as resilient portions of PVC pipe, to 13 dampen the impact against the latch means when the gate returns to the closed position.

11. A gate actuation system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. IFR ITSEC DAT.ED this 14th day of March, 1997. -o113 CTAII SSRS ENIINEEDIkI, AND' flCI-711,G PT 1-4 Y?%rr od% S E D (ee. AUISTRAL IA 5~KP/KWBIML:KR DOC 11 AU002198.WPC RG'

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