EP1554458A1

EP1554458A1 - A device for a gate

Info

Publication number: EP1554458A1
Application number: EP03748866A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dag Fimtech AS GUNDERSEN
Original assignee: Gunnebo Perimeter Protection AB
Current assignee: Gunnebo Perimeter Protection AB
Priority date: 2002-10-11
Filing date: 2003-10-10
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Also published as: WO2004033839A1; AU2003268810A1; SE521073C2; SE0203033D0; SE0203033L

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for a gate (2) or some other similar closure element, which is formed by pairs of essentially horizontal main beams (3, 4) held at a mutual distance (A) from one another and, at the respective ends (3A, 3B; 4A, 4B) of the beams, connecting pairs of essentially vertical side beams (5, 6). Attached in the area delimited by the aforementioned beams (3-6), are covering devices (7) in the penetration through the gate (2). In accordance with the invention, at least one sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel element (11) is so arranged, when accommodated between the main beams (3, 4) and the side beams (5, 6) of the gate, as to be locked at least to the aforementioned main beams (3, 4) with the help of interacting grooves.

Description

A device for a gate

The present invention relates to an arrangement for a gate or some other closure element, which is formed by pairs of essentially horizontal main beams held at a mutual distance from one another and, at the respective ends of the beams, connecting pairs of essentially vertical side beams and, in the area delimited by the aforementioned beams, attached covering devices in the form of tubes, sheets, beams or similar which prevent penetration through the gate.

Gates, and in particular gates of such a kind that are so arranged as to be capable of being displaced in a horizontal direction in order to be easily openable and capable of closing an opening, for example in a fence around an area, such as a factory, or in other passageways where vehicles and large numbers of people normally pass out and in, and where it is wished to be able to close the passageway in a reliable and effective manner, are usually manufactured by causing a large number of tubular bars to be welded or screwed together with the surrounding frame beams of the gate. This is a very time- consuming and costly operation, and it is also difficult to vary the pattern of the covering devices which are present in the interior of the frame and are attached to it. As a result, gates are produced more often than not with vertical bars, and it may prove difficult to change the appearance of gates where all exhibit such vertical bars. It is certainly possible to paint the gates in different colours, although this does not change the form of the gate. There are gates, however, in which sheet- shaped panels are used as covering devices, although these are attached in a conventional fashion with bolts to the subjacent main beam of the gate, in conjunction with which use is made of the upper part of the aforementioned panels fixed with screws as an upper gate beam. It is probably quite easy in this case, however, to unscrew such panels and, in so doing, to pass into the closed area without permission. Previously disclosed gates afford the possibility, without the need to use screwed and welded connections, of causing prefabricated so-called in-fill panels to be attached as functional covering devices in a not readily removable fashion to the surrounding frame of the gate, and in this way of being able easily to vary the pattern and appearance of such loose, so-called in-fill panels.

The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, by simple and efficiently functioning means, to be able to solve the above-mentioned problems, among others, easily and in a cost-saving fashion. The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that at least one sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel element is so arranged, when accommodated between the main beams and the side beams of the gate, as to be locked at least to the aforementioned main beams with the help of interacting grooves.

The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrative examples, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a gate in perspective, which is constructed in accordance with the invention with a number of separate prefabricated covering devices in the form of so-called in-fill panels held together by a surrounding gate frame;

Fig. 2 shows a first illustrative example with a part of a gate and a frame shown in a sectioned view; Fig. 3 shows a second illustrative example with a part of a gate and a frame shown in a sectioned view;

Fig. 4 shows a third illustrative example of a part of a gate and a frame shown in a sectioned view; Fig. 5 shows a fourth illustrative example of a part of a gate and a frame shown in a sectioned view;

Figs. 5A-5C show different sections through the aforementioned gate;

Fig. 6 shows a fifth illustrative example of a part of a gate shows in a sectioned view;

Figs. 6A-6C show different sections through the aforementioned gate;

Fig. 7 shows a stack of prefabricated so-called in-fill panels and an exploded view of the construction of a part of a gate;

Figs. 8-8E show further examples of so-called infill panels in different views and sections;

Fig. 9 shows an example of the attachment of a lower part of a so-called in-fill panel for a bottom gate beam; Fig. 10 shows an example of the attachment of an upper part of a so-called in-fill panel for a top beam; and

Figs. 11 and 12 show schematically the construction and finishing of a gate.

The gates intended in accordance with the present invention are normally manufactured from metal, using aluminium or steel, although other materials may also be considered in particular for the so-called in-fill elements, which, in addition to being manufactured from metal in accordance with the foregoing, can also be manufactured from wood and plastic, for example, or the gate itself can be manufactured as a combination of desired mixed materials. E2003/001577

The principal idea of invention, however, is to make available a gate in which the so-called in-fill panels can be attached to the rest of the construction of the gate in a not readily removable fashion without the use of screws, welded connections or other similar loose or fixed connections, and to permit the easy use of different types of so-called in-fill panels and, in this way, to create different configurations of the gate but with an unchanged stable gate frame.

7An arrangement 1 for a gate 2 or some other similar closure element, which is so arranged as to be formed by pairs of essentially horizontal main beams 3, 4 held at a mutual distance A from one another and, at the respective ends 3A, 3B; 4A, 4B of the beams, connecting pairs of essentially vertical side beams 5, 6, and attached, in the area delimited by the aforementioned frame-forming beams 3-6, covering devices 7 in the form of tubes, sheets, meshes, panels, beams or similar devices, which are so arranged and positioned as to prevent unauthorized penetration through the gate 2, comprises means for the attachment of covering devices constructed as so-called in- fill panels for the gate frame itself. This means that at least one sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel element 11 is so arranged, when accommodated between the main beams 3, 4 and the side beams 5, 6 of the gate, as to be locked at least to the aforementioned main beams 3, 4 with the help of interacting grooves 50, 60. The aforementioned covering panel elements 11 are preferably so arranged as to be locked also to the aforementioned side beams 5, 6, which are identical with one another and mirror-inverted in relation to one another, with the help of interacting grooves 70 for the purpose in the aforementioned side beams 5, 6. A number of sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel elements 11, distributed in the longitudinal extent 24 of the gate and capable of being attached in a row to at least the main beams 3, 4, are preferably so arranged as to be locked both to the aforementioned two horizontal main beams 3, 4 and to an aforementioned side beam 5, 6 and/or to a number of essentially vertical struts 8 distributed at a mutual distance from one another and extending between the main beams 3, 4, similarly with the help of interacting grooves 50, 60, 70, 80. Locking devices for bringing about the intended locking of the aforementioned covering panel elements 11 to the intended beams 3, 4; 5, 6 and struts 8 are formed by male and/or female grooves 50, 60; 70; 80; 150; 250, 255; 350, 355; 360, 365, and the aforementioned covering panel elements 11 are so arranged for this purpose as to be accommodated in, or to accommodate, at least a part of matching grooves 50, 60; 70; 80; 150; 250, 255; 350, 355; 360, 365 extending along at least parts of a beam-shaped frame 14 extending around its periphery.

The aforementioned grooves can either be channel- shaped, i.e. female, or strip-shaped, i.e. male, for example as shown in .the drawings, and they are so arranged as to extend along desired beams, in addition to the main beams 3, 4 also the side beams 5, 6 and vertical beam-shaped intermediate struts 8 which reinforce the gate. The frames 14 of the covering panel elements 11 are formed by profile-shaped beams 9, 10, 12, 13, 49, 88; 99, 100; 199, 200; at least along its lower and upper horizontal parts.

The part of a gate 2 shown in Fig. 3 comprises pairs of vertical, profile-shaped beams 12, 13, which are so arranged as to be attached to horizontal attachment devices 18, 19 in the respective covering panel element 11, of which the respective uprights 20, 21 projecting from the aforementioned horizontal attachment devices 18, 19 are capable of being accommodated at least in matching horizontal grooves 50, 60 in the main beams 3, 4. The aforementioned covering panel element 11 is locked to the gate frame 15 by means of couplings on its respective lower and upper parts, and the aforementioned couplings, which are formed by at least parts of profile-shaped beams, are capable of being accommodated and securely retained in aforementioned coupling-accommodating channels 50, 60, which extend along the respective lower and upper main beams 3, 4.

The aforementioned sheet-shaped covering panel elements 11 are capable of attachment to the respective aforementioned coupling, in conjunction with which the coupling- accommodating channels 50, 60 are arranged with their openings facing in a vertical direction 40, 41 towards one another, and are integrated with the respective upper and lower long sides of the respective lower and upper main beams 3, 4.

Means for causing covering panel elements 11 to be locked to the frame 15 of the gate are also formed by couplings 12, 13 situated on the mutually opposing vertical sides of the covering panel elements 11 and are capable of being accommodated and securely retained in coupling-accommodating channels 70, 80, which extend along the respective side beams 5, 6 and vertical intermediate struts 8. The aforementioned coupling-accommodating channels 70, 80 are arranged for this purpose with their respective openings 70A, 80A facing in a direction towards one another 42, 43.

Means in the form of a number of snap-in locking projections 16, 17, such as laterally 44, 45 flexible spring devices, for example in the form of tongues, may be so arranged as to act at least between the lower frame beam 9 of the aforementioned covering panel element 11 and the lower beam 3 of the gate, but preferably also on its upper beam 10. The aforementioned projections 16, 17, which are situated on the covering panel element frame 14 in the illustrated examples, are preferably wedge-shaped and are capable of being accommodated in matching recesses 22, 23, see Figs. 9 and 10 in the bottom frame 3 and in the top frame 4 with a snap-in function.

A coupling-accommodating channel 50, 60 for the respective main beam 3, 4 extends for the entire length L of the aforementioned beam, and couplings 9, 10 and the coupling- accommodating channels 50, 60 consist of metallic material, such as steel or aluminium and preferably aluminium. A number of the beams in question exhibit profile form, for example in accordance with one or other of the following cross-sections: '-'-form, -j-form, ^■*—form, I-form or D-form.

The construction shown in Fig. 5 differs from other illustrative examples shown here through the design of the groove. This is formed in the aforementioned example by a male groove with a strip-shaped projecting part 150, 160 in the bottom beam 3 and the top beam 4 extending in the intended longitudinal extent of the gate, which parts are capable of being accommodated in a channel-shaped accommodating part 99, 100 in the respective lower and upper part of the covering element. The function is illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C.

Shown in Fig. 6 is a construction in which an I- shaped profile 199 forms the lower beam of a covering panel element 11 of the kind in question, and is accommodated in a matching channel-shaped groove 250 with lateral projections 255 in a main bottom beam 3. Figs. 6A-6C illustrate the function. Shown in Fig. 7 is a stack of prefabricated covering panel elements 11 laid one on top of the other, together with a schematic illustration of how constituent parts can be caused easily to be assembled in the gate without the need to use either bolts or welding, and without the need arising here for individual adaptation and compression in a vertical direction 41, but with horizontal movement being permitted.

By causing the in-fill panel 11 to be pushed into the bottom frame profile 3 in this way, or alternatively by sliding it in the longitudinal direction 24, as illustrated in Fig. 6, a snap-in function is obtained which means that it cannot be pulled out easily from the bottom beam profile 3. Finally, the upper top-forming main beam 4 is pushed down onto the in-fill panel 11, when the in-fill panel 11 may also have been caused beforehand to be attached to laterally situated outer beams 5, 6 and interjacent struts 8.

Removal of the in-fill panels 11 cannot be performed easily, and this is preferably not possible without first dismantling the parts.

The invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular with regard to the nature of the different component parts, or by the application of equivalent technology, without departing from the area of protection afforded to the invention as defined in the Patent Claims.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Arrangement (1) for a gate (2) or some other closure element, which is formed by pairs of essentially horizontal main beams (3, 4) held at a mutual distance (A) from one another and, at the respective ends (3A, 3B; 4A, 4B) of the beams, connecting pairs of essentially vertical side beams (5, 6) and, in the area delimited by the aforementioned beams (3-6) , attached covering devices (7) in the form of tubes, sheets, beams or similar which prevent penetration through the gate (2), characterized in that at least one sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel element (11) is so arranged, when accommodated between the main beams (3, 4) and the side beams (5, 6) of the gate, as to be locked at least to the aforementioned main beams (3, 4) with the help of interacting grooves (50, 60) .

2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned covering panel element (11) is preferably so arranged as to be locked to the aforementioned side beams (5, 6) also with the help of interacting grooves (70) .

3. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that a number of sheet-shaped prefabricated covering panel elements (11) , distributed in the longitudinal extent (24) of the gate and capable of being attached in a row to at least the main beams (3, 4) , are so arranged as to be locked to the aforementioned horizontal main beams (3, 4) with the help of interacting grooves (50, 60), and preferably also to an aforementioned side beam (5, 6) and/or to a number of essentially vertical struts (8) distributed at a mutual distance from one another and extending between the main beams (3, 4), similarly with the help of interacting grooves (70, 80) .

4. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that locking devices are formed by male and/or female grooves 50, 60; 70; 80; 150; 250, 255; 350, 355; 360, 365) .

5. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the aforementioned covering panel elements (11) are so arranged as to be accommodated in, or to accommodate, matching grooves (50, 60, 70, 80; 150; 250, 255; 350, 355; 360, 365) extending along at least parts of a beam-shaped frame (14) extending around its periphery or along its length.

6. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 5, characterized in that the grooves are channel-shaped or strip- shaped.

7. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 6, characterized in that the aforementioned grooves are so arranged as to extend along desired 6 beams of the main beams (3, 4) , the side beams (5, 6) and vertical beam-shaped intermediate struts (8) .

8. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 7 , characterized in that the frames (14) of the covering panel elements (11) are formed by profile-shaped beams (9, 10, 12, 13; 49, 88; 99, 100; 199, 200), at least along its lower and upper horizontal parts.

9. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 7-8, characterized in that vertical, profile- shaped beams (12, 13) are so arranged as to be attached to horizontal attachment devices (18, 19) in the respective covering panel element (11), of which the respective uprights projecting vertically from the aforementioned horizontal attachment devices (18, 19) are capable of being accommodated in matching horizontal grooves (50, 60) in the main beams (3, 4) .

10. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 8-9, characterized in that the aforementioned covering panel element (11) is locked to the gate frame (15) by means of couplings on its respective upper and lower parts, in that the aforementioned couplings (9, 10) , which are formed by parts of profile-shaped beams, are capable of being accommodated and securely retained in coupling-accommodating channels (50, 60) , which extend along the respective lower and upper main beams 3, 4, and in that the aforementioned sheet-shaped covering panel elements (11) are capable of attachment to the respective aforementioned coupling (9, 10) , in conjunction with which the coupling-accommodating channels (50, 60) are arranged with their respective openings facing in a direction towards one another, and are integrated with the respective upper and lower long sides of the respective lower and upper main beams (3, 4) .

11. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 8-10, characterized in that means for causing covering panel elements (11) to be locked to the frame (15) of the gate are also formed by couplings (12, 13) situated on the mutually opposing vertical sides of the covering panel elements (11) and capable of being accommodated and securely retained in coupling-accommodating channels (70, 80) , which extend along the respective side beams (5, 6) and vertical intermediate struts (8) , in conjunction with which the aforementioned coupling- accommodating channels (70, 80) are arranged with their respective openings (70A, 80A) facing in a direction towards one another (42, 43) .

12. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 8-11, characterized in that means in the form of a number of snap-in locking projections (16, 17) , such as flexible spring devices in the form of tongues, for example, are so arranged as to act at least between the lower frame beam of the aforementioned covering panel element (11) and the lower beam of the gate.

13. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 12, characterized in that the aforementioned projections (16, 17) are preferably wedge-shaped and are capable of being accommodated in matching recesses (22, 23) in at least adjacent main beams (3, 4) with a snap-in function.

14. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 10-13, characterized in that a coupling- accommodating-channel for the respective main beam (3, 4) extends for the entire length (L) of the aforementioned main beam (3, 4) , and in that couplings (9, 10) and coupling- accommodating channels (50, 60) consist of metallic material, preferably aluminium.

15. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that a number of the beams exhibit profile form in accordance with one or other of the following: ^u-form, |-|-form, -ⁱ—form, I-form and D-form.