GB2085961A

GB2085961A - Gate arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2085961A
Application number: GB8130463A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-10-23
Filing date: 1981-10-08
Publication date: 1982-05-06

Abstract

The gate arrangement preferably comprises a pair of gates 1, 2 which are mounted on tiltable posts 7, 8. The post, when tilted cause the gates to swing open about axes of pivoting X1, X2 to allow the vehicle to pass through the gateway. To tilt the posts, a pair of horizontal actuating members 21, 36 are arranged at ground level and are connected to the posts by links 19, 27 and (20), (28) (Fig. 4,. not shown). Downward movement of either actuating member causes the posts to tilt so that the gates will open. The axes of pivoting are preferably tilted permanently at an angle alpha to the vertical in a direction transverse to the direction of post movement so that the gates will have a natural tendency to close. The posts are moved back towards their original positions by means of return springs and at a rate controlled by a damper 53. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gate arrangement The invention relates to a gate arrangement and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a gate arrangement in which the gate can be opened by the wheels of a vehicle moving towards it to enable the vehicle to pass through a gated opening without the vehicle operator having to move from his driving position to operate the gate.

According to the invention there is provided a gate arrangement comprising a gate mounted for pivoting about an axis into an open or a closed position and means for tilting the axis of pivoting to cause the gate to swing from the closed position to the open position and for returning the axis to its original position to enable the gate to move back into its closed position.

The gate is preferably pivotally mounted on an upstanding post which is movable to enable the axis of pivoting to be tilted. The post may be movable by tilting about its lower end and may be connected by link means to an actuating member spaced from the gate, movement of said actuating member by means of an applied load being arranged to tilt the post. Bias means may be provided for biassing the post normally into an upright position so that the post will return to the upright position when the load is removed from the actuating member. A further actuating member may be provided on the opposite side of the post to the first actuating member.

Detent means may be provided for holding the gate in its open position, said detent means comprising a projection on the gate engageable with a retainer, the projection being arranged to co-operate with the retainer when the gate is open so as to hold the gate in the open position, the projection being arranged to disengage the retainer when the post moves back into the upright position under the influence of the bias means so that the gate is movable into the closed position.

Preferably further detent means is provided for holding the gate in its closed position said further detent means including said projection which is co-operable with a latching member, the latching member being pivotable by the actuating member to release the projection member when the actuating member is moved downwardly to tilt the post.

A damper may be provided for controlling the speed of closing movement of the gate.

By controlling the closing speed, it is possible to prevent the gate closing, say, during the interval between engagement of the actuating members by the front and rear wheels of a long vehicle passing through the opened gate.

Preferably the axis of pivoting of the gate is permanently tilted in a direction transverse to the direction of tilting movement so that the gate will have a natural tendency to swing closed after the axis has been moved back to its original position after opening of the gate.

In a preferred embodiment a second gate is provided, the second gate having means for tilting its axis of pivoting which is substantially a mirror image of the means for tilting the axis of the first gate so that the gates will open and close substantially simultaneously.

A gate arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a preferred arrangement of gates, Figure 2 is a plan view of the gates shown on Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2, Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line lV-lV in Fig. 2 Figures 5, 6 and 7 are part plan views of horizontal actuating members, Figures 8 and 9 are views of detents for holding the gates in their open positions, Figures 10 and 11 are sectional views of a preferred damper for controlling the closing movement of the gates.

The gate arrangement comprises gates 1 and 2 pivotally mounted at 3, 4, 5 and 6 to gateposts 7 and 8. Pivots 4 and 5 are spaced further from gateposts 7 and 8 than pivots 3 and 6 thereby inclining inwardly at an angle a to the vertical each axis X1, X2 around which the gates swing. The gateposts 7 and 8 are rigidly connected to a member 9 which may pivot on bearings 10 and 11. A frame 12 supports and spaces the bearings 10 and 11.

The gateposts 7 and 8 are biased normally into a vertical position by tension springs 13 and 14 mounted between the gateposts and extensions 15A and 15B of the frame 12 as in Figs. 3 and 4. To hold the gateposts in the vertical position the springs 13 and 14 are looped around pins 16 and 16A which can move vertically in slots 17 and 17A in the gateposts 7 and 8. The position of the springs 13 and 14 is such that they will cause the pins 16 and 16A to engage in recesses provided in lugs 18 and 18A, attached to the respective extensions 15A and 15B. The extensions 15A and 15B together with lugs 18 and 18A pass through apertures in gateposts 7 and 8.

Pins 16 and 16A also serve as connecting means for respective compression member 19 and 20 which are adjustable in length. The compression members 19 and 20 from gateposts 7 and 8 are attached to the ends of a horizontal cross member 21 and may pivot around that cross member. Positioned on extensions in each end of cross member 21 are rollers 22 and 23 (Fig. 7). Rollers 22 and 23 allow cross member 21 to move down inclined fixed guides 24 and 25 when the wheels of a vehicle move onto it. The movement of cross member 21 in turn transfers movement through compression members 19 and 20 to gateposts 7 and 8 so that the gateposts move into the inclined positions shown in broken lines in Figs. 3 and 4. The inclined fixed guides 24 and 25 are held in a frame 26.

Attached to the compression members 19 and 20 are respective tie rods or cables 27 and 28. The tie rods 27 and 28 are connected to the arms of bellcranks 29 and 30 (Figs. 3 to 6) which pivot on pins 31 and 32 mounted in brackets 33 and 34 which are part of a frame 35 that extends horizontally across the width of the gateposts in a manner similar to frame 26. The bellcranks 29 and 30 are connected by a cross member 36 with extensions passing though slots 37 and 38 in the arms of bellcranks 29 and 30. The extensions to crossmember 36 carry rollers 39 and 40 which engage in inclined fixed guides 41 and 42 at each end of frame 35. When the wheels of a vehicle rest on crossmember 36 it travels down the inclined fixed guides 41 and 42 and turns the bell cranks 29 and 30.

Movement of the bell cranks is transmitted to compression members 19 and 20 through rods 27 and 28 so as to move the gateposts 7 and 8 into an inclined position as shown in broken lines in Figs. 3 and 4. Such movement of the gateposts 7 and 8 causes the gate to swing to an open position as shown by the broken lines in Figs. 3 and 4. The cross members 21 and 36 constitute the said actuating members.

Spring loaded plungers 43 are mounted on each gate 1 and 2, each plunger being slidable within a tubular member 1A, 2A of the associated gate. Downward pressure is applied to each plunger 43 by a compression spring 44, which is retained at its upper end by a crosspin 45 secured in each member 1A, 2A. The lower end of each compression spring 44 bears against a second cross pin 46 which is secured to its associated plunger 43.

Cross pin 46 passes through two slots S in gate 1. Attached to the lower end of each member 43 is a roller 47.

The frame 12 has extensions 49 and 50 (Figs. 8 and 9) which carry brackets 51 and 52. Brackets 51 and 52 are formed so that when gates 1 and 2 swing open, the rollers 47 on the spring loaded plungers 43 ride over and drop behind them. The brackets 51 and 52 plungers 43 and rollers 47 constitute the aforesaid detent means. As the tension springs 13 and 14 exert a bias on the gateposts 1 and 2, the latter will move towards a vertical position once the vehicle wheels clear the cross member 21 or 36. In so doing the rollers 47 and 48 will be lifted clear of brackets 51 and 52. The gates 1 and 2 will then swing towards the closed position about their inwardly inclined axes X1, X2.

In order to allow time for a vehicle to pass through before gates 1 and 2 begin to close, a delaying device or damper 53 is provided.

The damper 53 is mounted on pivotable ends between frame extension 15A and gatepost 7.

The damper 53 applies a force which opposes the action of the tension springs 13 and 14 for the initial part of their movement when returning the gateposts 7 and 8 to a vertical position. A preferred type of damper will now be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11.

A hollow barrel 53 contains a fluid such as oil. A cap 54 serves to retain the oil in the barrel, and is provided with a sealed orifice through which a plunger spindle 55 passes.

Rigidly attached to plunger spindle 55 is a plunger 56 formed with a series of axially extending through bores 56A. A member 57 is screwed into plunger spindle 55 and has a cylindrical body portion 57A on which a sealing washer 58 is freely slidable. The stroke of the plunger 56 is such that a gap is maintained between the left hand end of the plunger and cap 54. A restricted orifice P for fluid is formed in the plunger spindle 55 the orifice communicating with an axial bore 55A extending axially from the right hand end of the spindle and passing though member 57.

It will be seen that when gatepost 7 is travelling from the vertical to the inclined position moving plunger 55 in the direction of arrow Y (Fig.10) oil may flow freely through the series of bores 56A in plunger 56 and transfer from one side to the other of plunger 56 causing little restriction to the extending of the damper. When tension springs 13 and 14 bias gatepost 7 towards the vertical position moving in the direction of arrow Z (Fig. 11) the pressure of the oil moves sealing washer 58 to the position shown in Fig. 11 sealing the bores 56A in plunger 56 and only allowing the oil to flow via the orifice P so reducing the speed of movement.To allow the movement to speed up when gatepost 7 nears the vertical position, the bore of barrel 50 is increased at 50A to allow oil to flow around the outside of plunger 56 for instance when plunger 56 is in the position shown in broken lines in Fig.

11. Where a vehicle passes through the open gates, the gates will begin to close as its wheels disengage the first cross member. Of course as its wheels pass over the second cross member during its movement through the gates, return movement of the posts will cease momentarily. However, without the dampers, the gates could continue to close and possibly engage the sides of a long vehicle passing though the open gateway.

When in the vertical or closed position gates, 1 and 2 may be bolted together. A spring loaded bolt 59 slides in guides 60 on gate 1 engaging in a recess 61 in gate 2. The end of spring loaded bolt 59 is connected by a cross pin 62 to the slotted end of cranked link 63 which in turn pivots on a fixed bracket 64 rigidly attached to frame 15A. When gatepost 7 moves to the tilted position, bolt 59 is withdrawn from recess 61. Also to locate the gates in the closed position further detent means including a recess 65 is provided for the spring loaded plungers 47 and 48 to engage. The recess is formed in a latching member 66 which pivots on the frame 12 about a pin 67. A slot 68 in member 66 receives a cross pin 69 in cross member 9.

When the gateposts are in a vertical position the recessed member 66 is positioned to retain the spring loaded plungers 47 and 48.

When the cross member 9 turns to incline the gateposts the recessed member 66 is pivoted by cross pin 69 and withdrawn from the plungers 47 and 48 allowing the gates to open.

To open the gates when a wheeled vehicle is not present, handles (not shown) are provided on the plungers 43 and bolt 59. Using the handles, the plungers and bolt may be withdrawn allowing the gates to be opened manually.

The distance between the closed gates and the cross members 21 and 36 can be selected as desired and the compression members 19 and 20 may be telescopic to enable their lengths to be adjusted. The frames 26 and 35 will normally be embedded in the roadway so that the cross members 21 and 36 will lie substantially flush with the road surface. The lengths of guides 24 and 41 limit the amount of pivotal movement of the posts by limiting the travel of the cross members.

In order to open the gates, both ends of either cross member 21 or 36 must be depressed. This presents no problem for a motor vehicle where both wheels will ride over a cross member together. However, it does prevent the gates being opened by animals such as cattle which would be unlikely to press down the cross members in that manner.

Whilst specific reference has been made to an arrangement of double gates the invention is applicable to a single gate arrangement.

Claims

1. A gate arrangement comprising a gate mounted for pivoting about an axis into an open or a closed position, and means for tilting the axis of pivoting to cause the gate to swing from the closed position to the open position and for returning the axis to its original position to enable the gate to move back into its closed position.

2. A gate arrangement according to Claim 1 in which the gate is pivotally mounted on an upstanding post which is movable to enable the axis of pivoting to be tilted.

3. A gate arrangement according to Claim 2 in which the post is movable by tilting about its lower end and is connected by link means to an actuating member spaced from the gate, movement of said actuating member being arranged to tilt the post.

4. A gate arrangement according to Claim 3 in which the actuating member comprises a horizontal bar movable downwardly in a guide by means of an applied load such as the wheels of a vehicle.

5. A gate arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4 in which bias means is provided for biassing the post normally into an upright position so that the post will return to the upright position when the load is removed from the actuating member.

6. A gate arrangement according to Claim 5 in which retaining means is provided for retaining the post normally in the upright position, operation of the actuating member being arranged to release the retaining means to enable the post to tilt.

7. A gate arrangement according to Claim 6 in which the retaining means comprises a horizontal pin movable in a substantially vertical slot in the post, the pin projecting from the slot for engagement with a holding member rigidly connected to a mounting for the post, the bias means normally holding the pin at the bottom of the slot in engagement with said holding member to hold the post in its upright position with the gate closed, and movement of the actuating member being arranged to urge the pin upwardly along the slot out of engagement with the holding member to enable the post to tilt and cause the gate to swing open.

8. A gate arrangement according to any of Claims 3 to 7 in which a further actuating member is provided on the opposite side of the post to the first actuating member.

9. A gate arrangement according to Claim 8 in which the further actuating member is connected by a further link means to the first said link means so that the movement of the further actuating member will move the first said link means and thereby tilt the post.

10. A gate arrangement according to Claim 9 in which the further actuating member comprises a horizontal bar movable downwardly in a guide by means of an applied load such as the wheels of a vehicle.

11. A gate arrangement according to any of Claims 5 to 10 in which detent means is provided for holding the gate in its open position, said detent means comprising a projection on the gate engageable with a retainer, the projection being arranged to co-operate with the retainer when the gate is open so as to hold the gate in the open position, the projection being arranged to disengage the retainer when the post moves back into the upright position under the influence of the bias means so that the gate is movable into the closed position.

12. A gate arrangement according to Claim 11 in which further detent means is provided for holding the gate in its closed position said further detent means included said projection which is co-operable with a latching member, the latching member being pivotable by the actuating member to release the projection when the actuating member is moved downwardly to tilt the post.

13. A gate arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the speed at which the gates move towards the closed position is controlled by a damping device.

14. A gate arrangement according to Claim 13 in which the damping device enables the speed of closing to increase as the gate approaches its closed position.

15. A gate arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the axis of pivoting of the gate is permanently tilted in a direction transverse to the direction of tiling movement so that the gate will have a natural tendancy to swing closed after the axis has been moved back to its original position after opening of the gate.

16. A gate arrangement according to any preceding Claim in which a second gate is provided, the second gate having means for tilting its axis of pivoting which is substantially a mirror image of the means for tilting the axis of the first gate so that the gates will open and close substantially simultaneously.

17. A gate arrangement according to Claim 16 when appendant to any of Claims 3 to 7 in which the or each actuating member is common to both gates so that downward movement of the or either actuating member will cause both gates to open.

18. A gate arrangement according to Claim 16 or 17 in which one of the gates is provided with a withdrawable bolt engageable with the other gate when the gates occupy their closed positions, the bolt being arranged to withdraw as the axes of pivoting are tilted to enable the gates to open.

19. A gate arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.