GB2187494A - Hinge system - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge system for a gate or the like comprises a rod (2) extending vertically and beyond at least the lower edge of the gate (1) to which it is fixedly attached, plate means (4) hang an aperture to accept the rod (2) and adapted to be disposed on or under the ground. Collar means (3) are attachable to the rod for rotation therewith whereby substantially the entire downward component of the weight of the gate is transmitted through the collar (2) to the plate (4) and thence to the ground. The gate may be attached to the rotatable rod by two fixing means each comprising a collar (6), detachably fixable to and rotatable with the rod, and a pair of parallel arms (8) fixedly connected to the collar and extending therefrom to define a groove between them, the groove being adapted to accept a sheet of material to form, in use, a gate (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hinge system The present invention relates to a hinge system for a gate or the like.

It is known to hinge gates to a fixed vertically upstanding post by means of a pair of hinges one mounted above the other. In one form, each hinge comprises a vertical pin fixed to the gate post and a loop attached to the gate, each loop being rotatable about its respective pin. In order that the weight of the gate may be shared between the hinges, it is important that the loops are spaced apart by exactly the same amount as are the pins. This is not always the case, and since each component is permanently fixed either to the post or to the gate, the situation is rarely corrected. Furthermore, the weight of the gate, being supported on the post at a height some distance above the ground, imposes on the post a turning moment which may cause the post to become non-vertical, when there is a danger that the gate will contact the ground and be usuable only with difficulty.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge system for a gate which overcomes the above disadvantages and is comparatively some to install.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge system for gate or the like, comprising a rod extending, in use, substantially vertically and beyond at least the lower edge of a gate or the like to which it is fixedly attached, plate means having an aperture to accept the rod and adapted to be disposed on or under the ground, collar means attachable to the rod for rotation therewith and being larger than said aperture whereby substantially the entire downward component of the weight of the gate is transmitted through the collar to the plate and thence to the ground.

Preferably an upper, in use, end of the rod extends beyond the upper edge of the gate and a member, securable to an adjacent surface, is provided to at least partially encircle the rod which is freely rotatable with respect thereto.

Since this upper member takes no vertical component of the weight of the gate, it may be affixed directly to a wall or other existing surface without the necessity of providing a gate post.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge system for a gate or the like comprising a rotatable rod extending, in use, substantially vertically, and two fixing means each comprising a collar, detachably fixable to and rotatable with the rod, and a pair of parallel arms fixedly connected to the collar and extending therefrom to define a groove between them, the groove being adapted to accept a sheet of material to form, in use, a gate or the like.

Preferably bolt means or the like may be provided to hold the material in place in the groove.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows diagrammatically a gate and hinge system embodying the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, a gate 1 itself comprises a sheet of wood, metal, mesh or other suitable material of appropriate dimensions. A rod 2, longer than the height of the gate 1 is fixedly attached to the gate 1. At its lower end, the rod 2 is provided with a collar 3, again fixedly attached to the rod 2.

A plate 4 has an aperture to allow passage of the rod 2 but not the collar 3. The lower surface of the collar 3 therefore bears on the upper surface of the plate 4.

In order to install the hinge system, with or without the gate attached, a hole is made in the ground to accommodate the lower end of the rod 2 below the collar 3. The plate 4 is then placed on the ground or just beneath the surface and the rod inserted through the aperture therein. Once the collar 3 bears on the plate 4, the upper end of the rod 2 is held steady by means of a U-shape staple 5 or other suitable clip which may be easily attached to an adjacent wall, tree or the like.

In opening the gate, the rod 2 rotates with the gate and the collar 3 attached to the rod rotates with respect to plate 4. As can be seen, the entire downward component of the weight of the gate and the rod 2 is transmitted through collar 3 to plate 4 and is thus distributed over an area of ground. The preferred size of the plate 4 is between 12 and 18 inches square (30-50 cm square), although for larger, and thus heavier, gates it may be advisable to increase this size. There is no downward component of force acting on the staple 5 and thus this may be affixed to a comparatively non-load bearing surface.

One method of attaching the gate 1 to the rod 2 is shown in the drawing. This comprises a pair of fixing means 6 each comprising a collar 7 to which is attached a pair of parallel arms 8 which are spaced to define a groove into which the gate 1 may fit. The gate may then be attached to the arms 8 by means of bolts 9 or the like. For large gates, three or even more fixing devices may be used. The assembly of gate 1 and fixing means 6 may be attached to the rod 2 by passing over it the collars 7 before the staple 5 is applied, and fixing it at a desired height by means of grub screws 10.

Other methods of fixing the gate 1 to the rod 2 may, of course, be used. Similarly, the staple 5 may be replaced by any suitable alternative to hold the rod 2 substantially vertical without taking any of the downward com ponent of the weight. The rod 2 may be solid or tubular and of any convenient diameter.

The hinge system of the invention has been described for use with a gate although this does not preclude other uses.

Claims (5)

1. A hinge system for a gate or the like, comprising a rod extending, in use, substantially vertically and beyond at least the lower edge of the gate to which it is fixedly attached, plate means having an aperture to accept the rod and adapted to be disposed on or under ground, collar means attachable to the rod for rotatation therewith and being larger than said aperture whereby substantialy the entire downward component of the weight of the gate is transmitted through the collar to the plate and thence to the ground.

2. A hinge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper, in use, end of the rod extends beyond the upper edge of the gate and a member, securable to an adjacent surface, is provided to at least partially encircle the rod in a freely rotatable manner with respect thereto.

3. A hinge system for a gate or the like comprising a rotatable rod extending, in use, substantially vertically, and two fixing means each comprising a collar, detachably fixable to and rotatable with the rod, and a pair of parallel arms fixedly connected to the collar and extending therefrom to define a groove between them, the groove being adapted to accept a sheet of material to form, in use, a gate.

4. A hinge system as claimed in claim 3, wherein bolt means may be provided to hold the material in place in the groove.

5. A hinge system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.