GB2174135A - Gates - Google Patents

Abstract

A gate (10) comprises identical end posts (12A, 12B) of L-section metal with pre-bored holes (13). Equal length transverse timber rails (14) are fitted between the end posts by bolts passing through holes (13). Rails (14) are braced by flat metal bracer members (15A, 15B) having pre-bored holes secured to respective end posts (12A, 12B) and to rails (14). A flat metal strap (16) with pre-bored holes is also affixed to rails (14) by bolts and a capping rail (17) extends along the uppermost rail (14) to provide protection against the elements. The gates are formed from a kit of parts with only the timber transverse rails requiring shortening on site to fit an entry to be secured. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gates This invention relates to gates.

A known problem in providing gates for securing an entry is that the lateral dimension of the entry varies from instance to instance and consequently gates have traditionally been manufactured on a one-off basis to dimensions appropriate for fitting to the entry. Where a number of entries require to be provided with gates this procedure is relatively time-consuming in that each entry requires to be individually measured and the measurements taken back to a workshop where individual gates are fabricated.In areas offarmland and forestry this is particularlytime-consuming and it would be advantageous to fabricate a gate in the vicinity of each entry but known forms of gate construction preclude such fabrication because accurate jigs and other apparatus are required to ensure that the manufactured gate is rectilineal, i.e. square or rectangular.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of gate which is capable of being assembled to a predetermined lateral dimension in the absence of jigs and like apparatus.

According to the present invention a gate comprises a pair of end posts made of L-section metal and each having pre-bored holes in the long limb of the L-section to enable fixation of transverse rails, a plurality of transverse rails of equal length fitting at each end to said end posts and being secured thereto by bolts extending through said pre-bored holes, a pair of bracer members made of flat metal bar and each having pre-bored holes, the pair of bracer members being secured to one of said end posts, to each other and to said transverse rails by bolts extending through said pre-bored holes, wherein the short limb of the L-section of each said end post is pre-bored to provide fixing apertures for a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure.

Preferably the transverse rails are made of press ure treated timber.

Preferably also a further pair of bracer members identical to said bracer member pair is provided for secural to the other of said end posts.

Preferably also a pair of straps made of flat metal bar and having pre-bored holes is provided for affixing to either side of said transverse rails inter mediate said end posts.

Further, in accordance with the present invention a method of manufacturing a gate comprises provid ing a kit comprising a pair of end posts made of L-section metal and each having pre-bored holes in the long limb of the L-section to enable fixation of transverse rails, at least one pair of bracer members made of flat metal bar and each having pre-bored holes, a plurality of transverse rails, a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure, the short limb of the L-section of each of said end posts being pre-bored to provide fixing apertures for said eyelet hinges and slip-bolt closure, and wherein said transverse rails are each cut to length as determined by the entry to be secured, fitted between the end rails by bolts extending through said pre-drilled holes thereof and braced by said bracer members secured to said transverse rails and at least one of said end posts by bolts passing through the pre-drilled holes in said bracer members, the eyelet hinges and the slip bolt closure being secured to the pertaining end post according to whether the gate is left hand or right hand hung.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figures 1 and 2 illustrate front and rear views of a gate according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A of Figure 2.

As is shown in the drawing gate 10 is formed by a pair of end posts 1 2A, 1 2B, which are identical to each other and are made of L-section metal having pre-bored holes 13 in the long limb of the L-section.

A plurality of transverse rails 14, in this instance five in number, and of equal length are fitted at each end to end posts 12A, 12B, and are secured thereto by bolts extending through the pre-bored holes 13. The rails 14 are made of timber and are braced by a first pair of bracer members 15A secured to end post 1 2A and to rails 14 and by a second pair of bracer members 15B secured to end post 12B and to the rails 14. The bracer members 15A, 15B are made of flat metal bar having pre-bored holes to permit bolts to extend therethrough. Centrally of the length of the gate 10 a strap 16A made of flat metal bar and having pre-bored holes is affixed to the transverse rails 14 by bolts. A timber capping rail 17 is secured to the uppermost transverse rail 14 primarily for aesthetic purposes but also as protection against the elements.

As will be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2 a second strap 16B is provided on the rear face of the gate and the bracer members which form the pair 15A are mutually connected together at their free end 18A and likewise the bracer members which form the pair 15B are secured together at their free end 18B.

The short limb of each end post 1 2A, 1 2B, is provided with a first pair of apertures 19 to which are secured eyelet hinges 20 for mounting the gate on hinge pins (not shown) secured to a gate hanging post (not shown). The short limb of each end post 12A, 12B, is also provided with a pair of apertures 21 one of which is utilised in post 12A for accommodating a slip bolt closure 22 the body of which is mounted between a pair of rails 14.

It is preferred that the end rails 12A, 12B be made of L-section galvanised steel having a long limb of 100 mm length, a short limb of 45 mm length, and a thickness of 6 mm. Each end rail 12A, 12B may also be provided with triangular webs at intervals along its length to reinforce the flanges (limbs) of the rails.

The bracer members which form pairs 15A, 15B and the straps 1 SA, 1 6B are preferably 40 mm wide galvanised steel of 6 mm thickness. All metal components are of predetermined length and, for example, the end posts 12A, 12B may be 1.1 m in length, the straps may be 1.1 m in length and the bracer members may each be 1.0 m in length. The overall length or width of the gate is determined by the entry to be secured and it is for this reason that rails 14 are preferably made of timber so that they can be cut to size in situ. However, it is preferred that the transverse rails have a section of 100 x 40 mm.

In order to manufacture and erect the gate 10 in accordance with the present invention a kit of parts comprising a pair of end posts, at least one pair of bracer members, at least one strap, a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure is provided together with a plurality of transverse rails of greater length than is required. The lateral dimension of the entry to be secured by the gate is measured and the rails 14 are cut to appropriate length.These are then loosely secured between the end posts 12A, 12B, by means of a single bolt per rail 14 in each post and the bracer members 1 SA, 1 SB are likewise fitted to the posts 12A,12B. The free ends 18A, 18B of the bracer members are then aligned with each other on the longitudinal centre line of the central transverse rail 14 prior to these free ends being bolted to that rail 14 by bolts. This arrangement enables the gate to be rectilineal and the composents of the gate are thereafter secured properly to each other by affixing of further bolts to the various members. It will be understood that because rails 14 are made of timber they can be readily bored in situ by a hand brace and bit to accommodate the bolts in appropriate position.

In a modification the rails 14 may be made of metal in tubular form preferably of rectangular section but this requires the use of power tools firstly to cut the rails to length and secondly to. bore the rails to accommodate the bolts. As an alternative, where the rails 14 are made of metal in tubular form they may be welded to the posts 12A, 12B.

By virtue of the present invention gates are readily constructed on site to a variety of lateral dimensions primarily utilising pre-fabricated components. It will of course be understood that where the lateral dimension of an entry is relatively small, it may be possible to dispense with one pair of bracer members 15A and both straps 1 6A, 1 6B.

Claims (7)

1. A gate comprising a pair of end posts made of L-section metal and each having pre-bored holes in the long limb of the L-section to enable fixation of transverse rails, a plurality of transverse rails of equal length fitting at each end to said end posts and being secured thereto by bolts extending through said pre-bored holes, a pair of bracer members made of flat metal bar and each having pre-bored holes, the pair of bracer members being secured to one of said end posts, to each other and to said transverse rails by bolts extending through said pre-bored holes, wherein the short limb of the L-section of each said end post is pre-bored to provide fixing apertures for a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure.

2. A gate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse rails are made of pressure treated timber.

3. A gate as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein a further pair of bracer members identical to said bracer member pair is provided for secural to the other of said end posts.

4. A gate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pair of straps made of flat metal bar and having pre-bored holes is provided for affixing to either side of said transverse rails intermediate said end posts.

5. A kit of parts for assembly to form a gate, said kit comprising a pair of end posts made of L-section metal and each having pre-bored holes in the long limb of the L-section to enable fixation of transverse rails, at least one pair of bracer members made of flat metal bar and each having pre-bored holes, a plurality of transverse rails, a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure, the short limb of the L-section of each of said end posts being pre-bored to provide fixing apertures for said eyelet hinges and slip-bolt closure.

6. A method of manufacturing a gate comprises providing a kit comprising a pair of end posts made of L-section metal and each having pre-bored holes in the long limb of the L-section to enable fixation of transverse rails, at least one pair of bracer members made of flat metal bar and each having pre-bored holes, a plurality of transverse rails, a pair of eyelet hinges and a slip bolt closure, the short limb of the L-section of each of said end posts being pre-bored to provide fixing apertures for said eyelet hinges and slip-bolt closure, and wherein said transverse rails are each cut to length as determined by the entry to be secured, fitted between the end rails by bolts extending through said pre-drilled holes thereof and braced by said bracer members secured to said transverse rails and at least one of said end posts by bolts passing through the pre-drilled holes in said bracer members, the eyelet hinges and the slip bolt closure being secured to the pertaining end post according to whether the gate is left hand or right hand hung.

7. A gate as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accopanying drawings.