AU734776B3 - Top lock - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 28/5/91 Regulation 32(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT Invention Title: TOP LOCK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us TOP LOCK FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention is generally directed towards a latch release mechanism for a gate and in particular a latch release mechanism suitable for use on safety and pool gates.

BACKGROUND

A vast majority of home owners with backyard pools control access to the pool through a gate with a latch release mechanism located on the top of one of the gate supports. This release mechanism has been designed both for simplicity and safety, and is operated by lifting the release mechanism to thereby unlatch the gate.

The release mechanism being located on top of one of the support posts was designed to limit the accessibility of small children, and requirements for gates surrounding a pool have set minimum heights for the latch release mechanism.

The normal operation of such gates is that a user lifts the release mechanism, which is usually in the form of a knob projecting from the top of the gate post. By lifting the knob, a shaft connected to the knob is also lifted. The actual lock mechanism which engages the gate door, is usually connected at the base of the shaft. Accordingly as the shaft is lifted so to is the actual lock mechanism.

The shaft is lifted to a height sufficient to disengage the lock mechanism from the gate door, thereby enabling the gate to be opened.

Whilst such latch release mechanisms are popular and effective a number of problems do exist. Firstly, the lifting of the knob can be difficult for a person who has impaired mobility or dexterity of the hands and fingers. For example, a person suffering from arthritis may have difficulty in grabbing and lifting the knob to release the gate.

The gates are also left exposed to the weather and the environment, and in particular the rain. The design of such- latch release mechanisms is such that water or rain will contact and enter the latch release and run down the shaft, and any other components attached to the shaft. The result of the water entering the internal components of the gate is that over time rust forms on both the shaft and other components which can lead to failure of the gate to operate correctly. For example, in some circumstances the latch release may remain in an open state thereby leaving the gate unlocked.

There is also a desire in some circumstances to be able to lock the gate such that the latch release can not be activated. For example, a parent may wish to lock the gate to prevent their children from gaining access to the pool area in their absence even if the child is tall enough to operate the latch release mechanism. Some attempts have been made to do this, for example a simple key lock arrangement located in the gate post to prevent movement of the shaft.

However, again as the gate is exposed to the elements and water is able to run down the shaft of the lock, the key lock is also susceptible to rusting, and again may fail over time.

There is therefore a need to provide an improved gate which is easily operated by anyone with impaired dexterity. Ideally, the gate would also have increased immunity to the weather and would also enable the latch release mechanism to be disabled or locked.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved latch release mechanism suitable for use on gates, and in particular pool safety gates.

Ideally, the latch release will also restrict the access of water to the internal components and also enable locking of the release mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above object in mind the present invention provides a latch release means for a top lock gate including: a first shaft extending from a spacer plate through an opening to an activation means; a second shaft having a head proximate one end, and being connected to a latch receiving means, the latch receiving means being adapted to engage a latch of a gate; at least one pivotably mounted lever having a portion adapted to engage the head of the second shaft; at least one pin mounted on the spacer plate and adapted to engage the at least one lever; wherein, in use, downward pressure applied to the activation means forces the first shaft downwards thereby causing the at least one pin mounted on the spacer plate to engage the at least one pivotably mounted lever, whereby said at least one pivotably mounted lever is caused to pivot such that said portion of said at least one pivotably mounted lever engages the head of the second shaft causing the second shaft to lift, wherein lifting of the second shaft disengages the latch receiving means from the latch.

Conveniently, the activation means may be a knob or any other device which enables a person to press the activation downwards. Preferably, at least two levers and at least two corresponding pins are included to provide a more even lift of the second shaft.

Ideally, the latch release means will further include at least one resilient means to return said release means to its rest position when downward pressure is removed.

The preferred embodiment may also include further including a cover extending over said opening to restrict access of water to said opening.

In some arrangements, the latch release means will further include a locking means, and a locking plate mounted on said first or second shaft for engagement with said locking means, wherein said locking means is offset to a side of said first or second shaft.

The latch release means is of particular benefit for safety gates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To provide a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 shows a gate latch release mechanism of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to exemplify the present invention reference will be made to a preferred embodiment. In essence existing safety gates are released by lifting a knob located on the top of a gate post. This knob is usually the end of a shaft which runs through the gate post to the latch which engages the gate door. Upon lifting the shaft and thereby latch the gate door is released.

Rather than lift a knob to release the latch mechanism the present invention seeks to enable a user to depress the knob so as to release the gate door.

Referring now to Figure 1 it can be seen that the present invention essentially has two shafts. A first shaft 4 extends from a spacer plate 16 up to a knob 1 located on top of a gate post. It will be appreciated that the knob 1 need not be shaped as shown, or conventional gates presently have. Rather, as activation is through pressing of the knob 1 down, any shape may be used, including simply a cover in place of the knob 1. For example the cover 2 may also provide the function of the knob 1. All that is required is that there be some means to force the first shaft 4 downwards in order to open the gate.

The second shaft 13 is connected to a latch (not shown) which engages the gate door (not shown). The actual latch may be the same as that used on present gates. For example, the latch may be formed by an inclined conical member with a recess located towards the shaft, such that the cooperating member on the gate door is caused to pass up the conical member and rest in the recess thereby locking the gate.

As the latch is the same as that on conventional gates it is still necessary for the second shaft 13 to be raised in order to release the gate door. This can be achieved by including a lever 11 within a housing 12. The lever 11 is designed such that pressure applied to point 19 will cause the lever 11 to pivot about pivot point 10 thereby raising point 18. The second shaft 13 will include a shaft head 17 at its upper end. The shaft head 17 being adapted to engage with point 18 of the lever 11. When pressure is applied to the lever 11, point 18 will be caused to engage the shaft head 17. As the lever 17 continues to pivot about pivot point point 18 causes the shaft head 17 to rise, thereby lifting the second shaft 13 and releasing the latch.

In the embodiment shown two levers 17 are present. This is to provide a more balanced lift, although a single lever could be used. Similarly, more then two levers may be incorporated if desired.

The lever 11 is activated by a pin 6 mounted on the spacer plate 16. As the knob 1 is depressed the first shaft 4 is caused to move downwards. As the spacer plate 16 is connected to the first shaft 4 both the spacer plate 16 and pin(s) 6 mounted thereon are also caused to move downwards. As the pin 6 moves downward it engages point 19 of lever 11 causing the lever 11 to pivot about pivot point 10 and lift the shaft head 17.

The pins and spacer plate may be omitted or modified in some arrangements. For example, the first shaft could be designed to engage point 19 of the lever 11 directly. That is, as the first shaft is forced downward, the second shaft forces the lever 11 to pivot thereby raising the second shaft 13.

In the preferred arrangement a guide plate 8 is also included to ensure that the pin 6 engages the lever 11 correctly. A spring 7 or any other resilient means is used to return the mechanism to its rest position. Conveniently the spring(s) 7 may be located around the pin 6. In operation, as the first shaft 4 moves downward, the spring 7 is caused to compress by the spacer plate 16. The pin 6 is then able to pass through the guide plate 8 and engage the lever 11. When pressure is removed from the knob 1, the spring 7 decompresses thereby lifting the spacer plate 16 to its rest position. As the spacer plate 16 returns to its rest position the spring 7 is also lifted allowing the lever 11 to also return to its rest position. At rest both the first 4 and second shafts 13 are located such that the knob 1 and first shaft 4 is able to be depressed for opening of the gate, and the second shaft 13 holds the latch in place keeping the gate closed.

The actual positioning of the spring is not important. What is required is that the spring is able to return the mechanism to its rest position when pressure is removed from the knob 1. However, locating the spring 7 around the pin 6 does appear to provide the simplest construction.

In some arrangements the spring may be omitted and the system may rely on gravity to return the mechanism to its rest position. This can be achieved if the weight of the shaft head 17 and second shaft 13 is greater than the components above the lever 11. That is, the weight of the shaft head is sufficient to maintain the latch in a locked position. Pressure applied on the knob 1 to open the gate need then be sufficient to counteract the weight of the shaft head.

In order to restrict water from entering the internal components of the mechanism a cover 2 may be included. The cover 2 is shaped to provide a shield over the opening 20 through which the first shaft 4 passes. In this way during inclement weather, rain will hit the cover 2 and be caused to pass down the outside of the gate post rather than down through the gate post and the components located therein. By preventing the ingress of water into the mechanism rusting may be prevented.

In some weather wind may combine with the rain to force water up under the cover 2. In order to restrict the ability of the water to pass down the first shaft 4 in such circumstances, the opening 20 may further include a raised lip around its periphery. In this way, even if rain is able to get under the cover 2, the lip of the opening will restrict the ability of the rain to then pass through the opening and down the first shaft 4 and other components.

It will be appreciated that such a cover 2 and lip opening may also be included on current convention gates to improve their resistance to weather.

If it is desired to provide the ability to lock the gate such that the latch release mechanism cannot be activated, then a lock may also be provided.

However, rather then locate the lock on the shaft as has been previously done, it is preferred to offset the lock to the side of the shaft. In this way if water is able to enter the opening 20 and run down the shaft 4, it will still not come in contact with the lock 14.

A simple key lock 14 may be included, which when operated extends a locking member towards the first shaft 4. A locking plate 5 may be mounted on the first shaft 4, such that when the locking member is extended towards the first shaft 4, the locking plate 5 will prevent movement of the first shaft 4.

Ideally, the lock 14 will be located such that entry of a key will be from the underside thereby not exposing the lock 14 to the weather and in particular rain.

Again, an offset lock as disclosed herein may also be incorporated into conventional gates to at least alleviate the problems of the lock rusting.

Conveniently, the mechanism may be designed to fit inside a standard gate post, (or any other desired size) and has a bottom latch that drops into a slot on a cone fitted to the gate when it shuts. A magnet may also be provided to hold the latch in place. For a magnetic arrangement, when opening of the gate is required, downward pressure on the knob overcomes the magnetic force and lifts the latch from the cone.

The latch release mechanism of the present invention does provide improvements over conventional safety gates. In particular the latch release may now be operated by applying downwards pressure as opposed to-the present requirement of lifting a knob. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides a cover and lip to restrict access of water to the internal components. Finally, a lock is provided which is offset from the shaft, to disable movement of the shaft without the problems associated with water running down the shaft and rusting the lock.

Whilst the apparatus of the present invention has been summarised and explained by illustrative examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many widely varying embodiments and applications are within the teaching and scope of the present invention, and that the example presented herein is by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.