GB2200164A - Releasable hinge mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a hinge mechanism attachable to a gate or door and a fixed adjacent post or frame, the hinge mechanism comprising a hinge (2), a hinge pin (8) engageable with an aperture (7) in the hinge (2) for pivotal movement of the hinge about the hinge pin, and means 19, (20 Fig. 5) for displacing the hinge or hinge pin such that the hinge and hinge pin are separable in the manner of a latch. A gate in the closed position can be supported equally between two posts by four such releasable hinge mechanisms, thereby allowing it to be hinged at will in opposite directions from either post, providing a choice of two arcs of movement rather than only one. <IMAGE>

Description

RELEASABLE HINGE MECHANISM This invention relates to a releasable hinge mechanism for use with gates or doors, particularly, though not exclusively, in connection with the movement of livestock through gateways.

An open gate in front of them is an invitation to animals to follow each other peacefully through the gateway. The same gate, held in the same position, may however be a highly inconvenient barrier if the animals are being driven from a different direction. In such cases some animals will pass round the open gate and may be persuaded to turn into the gateway, but the rest are likely to scatter, causing bewilderment and distress to the animals and wasting the herdsman's time rounding them up.

This inconvenience arises from the fact that the gate is permanently supported by, and hinges on, only one gatepost and is stopped, or latched against another gatepost. The gate may be capable of opening either inwards or outwards from a closed position but it can still only swing through one single arc of which the centre is the hinge of the first gatepost.

According to the present invention, in the closed position, a gate or door is supported equally between two gateposts by similar releasable hinge mechanisms at each end allowing the gate to be hinged, at will, in opposite directions from either gatepost, providing a choice of two rather than only one arc of movement. With this arrangement the gate can always be in the appropriate place, at the appropriate angle, whether to guide animals into the aperture between the gateposts or to guide them in the desired direction after they have passed through it.

The present invention provides a mechanism attachable to a gate or door and a fixed adjacent post or frame, comprising a hinge, a hinge pin engageable with an aperture in the hinge for pivotal movement of the hinge about the hinge pin and means for displacing the hinge or hinge pin such that the hinge and hinge pin are separable in the manner of a latch.

The invention also provides a mechanism as in the preceding paragraph comprising means for releasably holding the hinge pin in alignment with the aperture on returning- from an unlatched to a hingeing position.

The invention also provides a hinge mechanism as in the preceding paragraph whereby the releasable holding means comprise a convex curved surface engageable with a corresponding indented surface.

The invention also provides a hinge mechanism as in the preceding paragraph wherein the releasable holding means further comprise inclined surfaces for engagement with the convex curved surface such that, in use, the gate or door is lifted thereby prior to engagement between the convex curved surface and the indented surface.

Other features of the invention will appear from the description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a hinge attached to the upper part of the stile of a gate.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a corresponding hinge at the lower end of the same stile.

Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively, a side elevation and a plan view of an upper hinge pin assembly.

Figure 5 shows a side elevation of a corresponding lower hinge pin assembly.

Figure 6 shows a convex curved surface attached to a gatepost in engagement with the indented lower surface of the lower hinge shown in Figure 2.

Figures 7 and 7A show the inclined surfaces which raise the gate in the final stages of its return from an unlatched to a hingeing position.

Figure 8A shows in plan view the upper part of the upper hinge in engagement with releasable means for stopping and holding the hinge pin in alignment with the aperture of the hinge on returning from an unlatched position to a hingeing position.

Figures 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E show details of the stopping, holding and release mechanism shown in Figure 8A.

Figures 9 and 10 show, respectively, a side elevation and a front elevation of the upper part of the releasable hinge mechanism and the means of bringing the upper hinge and hinge pin into engagement.

Figures 11 and 12 show corresponding side and front elevations of the lower part of the hinge mechanism.

Figures 14 and 13 show corresponding elevations of the latching mechanism for alternatively engaging or disengaging the hinge with the hinge pin.

Figures 15 a#nd 16 show the trigger mechanism which comes into play when hinge and hinge pin are brought into alignment with each other on closure of the gate.

Figure 17 shows an arrangement of gates or doors wherein the gates or doors may be optionally hinged or latched on any one of a plurality of fixed posts or frames.

Figure 18 shows an alternative arrangement of the hinge mechanism embodying cranked hinges.

Figure 19 shows the use of twin sets of components attachable to the fixed post or frame enabling two gates or doors to be hinged or latched to one post or frame.

Figure 20 shows in plan view the arrangement of twin sets of components explained in c#onnection with Figure 19.

Figures 21 A, B, C, D, E and F show details of the housing attachable to the fixed post or frame to protect the release mechanism from damage.

As seen in Fi#gures 1 and 2, in side elevation, the upright stile member of a gate (or door or barrier) 1 is provided with an upper hinge member 2 and a lower hinge member 3 each of which is attached to an angle 4 secured to stile 1 by bolts 5, with or without shim 6, so that their common perpendicular axis is in parallel alignment with that of the hinges at the opposite end of the gate or door.

(In the present example, the hinges just described are the only members directly attached to and moving with the gate, all other members being embodied in the counterpart, mounted on the gatepost.) The upper hinge member 2 embodies a downward facing aperture 7 which is engaged by upward facing pin 8 forming part of an assembly of which the side elevation is shown in Figure 3 and a plan view, as seen on the lines of the arrows A-A in Figure 3 is shown in Figure 4.

Pin 8 and the guide tubes 9 are welded to the triangular plate 10 in which a square aperture is provided to allow the passage of parts of the release mechanism 57, 68 and 69, which will be described later, in connection with Figures 9 and 10. The guide tubes 9 move freely up and down the parallel vertical bars 11 which pass through the upper and lower flanges of channel 27, these bars also providing the axis on which latching arms 31 and 32 are pivotally mounted, as described in connection with Figure 8, and the release and reengagement apparatus slidably mounted for up and down movement, immediately above arms 31 and 32, as described in Figures 13 to 16.

As seen in Figures 9 and 10, channel members 54 and 61 are welded respectively below the lower flange of channel 27, and above the upper flange of channel 27. Channels 54 and 61 are provided with several holes (not numbered) by which the upper assembly may be bolted to the wall or gatepost.

The lower triangular plate 12 shown in side elevation in Figure 5 is identical with plate 10 (except for the absence of the square aperture) but guide tubes 14 face upwards and pin 13 faces downwards to engage the upward facing aperture 15 in the lower hinge member 3.

The round bars 16 on which the guide tubes ascend and descend are in alignment with bars 11 and have a similar purpose but form part of the lower channel, 26 to the lower flange of which is welded a channel member corresponding to member 54 attached to channel 27 and similarly provided with holes by which the lower assembly may be bolted to the wall or gate post.

Pins 8 and 13 can only be brought easily and smoothly into and out of engagement with apertures 7 and 15 if all these four components are accurately aligned with each other in both the vertical and horizontal planes and also with the centre of ball 24.

Gates and doors vary in height and the gateposts or doorways to which they are attached may have features which make it necessary for the upper components (Figures 9 and 10) and the lower components (Figures 11 and 12). The only mechanical connection between the upper and lower channels 27 and 26 is the link 20 the length of which can be easily varied.

It is however preferred that the hinge components be attached, preferably by welding, to a single rigid member which can be secured to the stile of a gate or door and that the appurtenancies of upper and lower brackets 27, 26 be correspondingly attached to a single rigid member which can be secured to a wall or gatepost. By this means accurate alignment of the components can be assured in manufacture. Examples of such single rigid members are discussed later in connection with Figures 22 and 23.

Pins 17 and 18 are welded respectively to pins 8 and 13 and provide pivotal attachments for links 19 and 20, as shown in Figures 9 and 11.

These bring the pins into or out of engagement with the apertures in hinges 2 and 3 but this can only take place if all horizontal forces acting on these components are eliminated beforehand.

The common perpendicular axis passing through hinge 2 and pin 8 and hinge 3 and pin 13 also passes through the centre of captive ball 24 and its housing 25 which is secured to the lower horizontal flange of bracket 26 by bolt 28. Such balls are standard articles of commerce in load transfer applications. Apart from heavy duty characteristics the ball 24, of which only the top is visible, is perferably supported within the housing on recirculating balls, providing substantially friction free rotation when supporting a load.

When a gate is in the open position horizontal forces are in action at the pivoting point, and the free end of the gate or door may be expected to show a slight sag, to the point where plate 21 is lower than the top of ball 24. To overcome this the ball 24 is first engaged by the inclined surface 23 (Figure 7).

When the vertical member of the gate 1 is pushed further (in the direction of the arrow) the inclined surface 23 rides easily up over the ball until the horizontal part of plate 21 is supported directly by the ball and soon afterwards the hole 22 is brought into alignment with it. At this stage the whole weight of the gate is supported on the balls at the two opposing gateposts and the gate is held upright by the engagement of pin 8 with hinge 3 which in the absence of lateral forces acting on them can be easily accomplished.

The captive spherical ball is perferred, particularly for heavy gates or doors, but it can be replaced by a simple convex curved surface engaging with a corresponding indented surface to achieve the same purposes of raising the gate at the moment of closure and thereafter providing a detent, keeping hinge and hinge pin in alignment.

The horizontal force needed to overcome the detent action of ball 24 when opening the gate depends on the size of hole 22. In some cases, a larger hole needing the application of greater force to overcome the detent may provide the simplest method of preventing the gate from opening accidentally when the hinge mechanism is disengaged. Figure 7A shows an arrangement whereby hole 22 in plate 21 is enlarged to accommodate a plug 82 held in position by pin 83, the orifice of the plug which engages. the ball having the diameter appropriate to the desired application.

Inevitably gates will often be closed rapidly, or indeed slammed, so provision is made for them to be stopped effectively before the hole in plate 22, or the orifice in plug 82, rises and moves clear of ball 24, allowing the gate to sag to its earlier position.

A latching mechanism at the top of the gate is shown in plan view in Figure 8A. It comprises a pair of arms, left handed 31 and right handed 32, arm 32 being shown also in engagement with the upper part of hinge 2 in Figure 9.

The other components of each arm consist of a top plate 33, a vertical pin 34 welded to the top plate and projecting from it both upwards and downwards, and a support tube 35 (see end elevation in Figure 8B) generally similar to the guide tubes 9 shown in Figure 3 but rather shorter. These arm assemblies pivot around the rods 11, which pass through the upper and lower flanges of channel 27, and the centre plate 36 as seen in figures 9 and 10.

Pins 34 (see #Figures 8B and 8E) embody grooves 37 locating a tension spring 38 passing underneath the plates 33, drawing the right hand arm 32 in a clockwise direction and the left hand arm 31 in an anticlockwise direction. These movements are checked, respectively, by the abutment of the upper parts of pins 34 against the pins 39 and 40 projecting from the vertical surface of channel 27 (Figure 10) leaving the arms in the engagement position shown in Figure 8A.

The designed operational arc of the hinge is 180C and if this is exploited to the full in the layout of the gateways the opposing hinge supporting the end of the gate when it is open may be situated anywhere up to 900 to the right or left of the position in which plate 4 is shown in Figure 8A. Instead of the hinge 2 approaching its engagement position in the direction of arrows A or B, the approach could be from the general directions of arrows C and D. A buffer strip 41 is provided on plate 36 (Figure 9) to prevent over-run in the latter case.

Approaching in the direction of arrow B, as in Figure 8A, the hinge 2 slides along arm 32 pushing it out of its path into the position shown in chained lines. By the time hinge 2 has abutted on the end of arm 31, spring 38 will have brought arm 32 back into the locking position behind it, preventing movement of the gate in either direction.

The triggering of the engagement mechanism of the hinge occurs only when the hinge 2 is correctly sited as in Figure 8A. This and the mechanism for disengagement of the hinge and the release of arms 31 and 32 will be described later.

Figure 9 is a side elevation and Figure 10 a front elevation of the upper part of the hinge, based on channel 27. Figures 11 and 12 show side and front elevations of the lower parts of the hinge, based on channel 26.

A rotatable actuating member to bring pins 8 and 13 into and out of engagement with hinges 2 and 3 consists of a pair of triangular plates 50 and 51 pivotally mounted on pin 52 integral with boss 53 which is welded to the channel member 54, which is welded to the underside of channel 27 and thus forming the upper part of the hinge. Plates 50 and 51 are held in parallel juxtaposition by pins 55 and 56 which after passing through plates 50 and 51, to which they are welded, project outwards to provide pivots for the ends of links 19 and 20 connected, respectively, to pins 17 and 18 on hinge pins 8 and 13, which are shown in engagement with hinges 2 and 3 in all the Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12. They can only be disengaged by the anticlockwise rotation of plates 50 and 51 as seen in Figure 10, and for ease of reference shown also in Figure 12.

A bias is provided to urge the hinge pins 8 and 13 into automatic engagement with the apertures 7 and 15 in hinges 2 and 3. This may take the form of extra weight added to link 20 and/or to the lower pin support plate 12 or compression springs 157 in connection with guide tubes 14.

Link 20 provides the only mechanical connection between the lower pin 13 and the mechanism based on the upper channel 27.

The vertical rod 57 and -the linkages which connect its upper end to lever 58 and its lower end to triangular plates 50 and 51 has two functions.

The first is to release the hinge pins from engagement with the hinges by the anticlockwise rotation of plates 50 and 51 to enable the gate or door to be opened. The second purpose, after the release of the hinge pins, is to leave the actuating mechanism in a state where it will re-engage the pins with the hinges instantly and automatically when the gate or door is closed and hinges 2 and 3 have been brought again into vertical alignment with pins 8 and 13 by the latching mechanism already described.

Lever 58 is pivotally mounted between plates 59 and 60 welded to the face of the upper channel member 61, on pin 62. It is connected to the upper end of rod 57 by a pair of links 63 in pivotal engagement with pin 64 passing through rod 57.

A small plate 65 is welded to the end of a round bar 66, threaded at its upper end to engage a nut 67 to which are welded plates 68 to form a yoke straddling the lower end of rod 57 to which it is pivotally attached by pin 69. The opposed end passes between plates 50 and 51 to which it is pivotally attached by pin 70, a slot 71 being provided in the lower flange of channel 27 to permit its passage.

The lever 58 is provided with a cranked bar 72 (Figure 10) to provide a convenient handhold at either side of the gate or door when the lever is lifted to impart anticlockwise rotation of plates 50 and 51 and thus to release pins 8 and 13 from hinges 2 and 3. A pin or padlock may be inserted in the hole at the top of upright member 73 (Figure 9) to prevent such release.

Referring to Figure 9, the lower half of the area between plate 36 and the upper flange of channel 27 is occupied by the latching mechanism already described in reference to Figure 8, whose left and right handed arm assemblies 31 and 32 are welded to guide tubes 35 pivoting on the vertical rods 11 (Figure 8B).

The tops of these two guide tubes 35 provide a support for the disengagement and triggering mechanism the upwards and downwards movements of which are also guided by vertical rods 11. In Figures 13 and 14 these guide tubes are shown but, for clarity, other details shown in Figure 8B are omitted.

Figure 13 is a front elevation and Figure 14 a side elevation showing the rod 57 passing through the upper flange of channel 27 and plate 36.

A pin 74 passes through the rod 57, preventing any further descent of that rod from the position shown. A short distance above it is a groove 75.

A plate 76 is supported on the short guide tubes 77 slidably mounted on pins 11. The upper parts of tubes 77 support and guide a trigger plate 78, for clarity identified only in chained lines in Figures 13 and 14, but shown in detail in Figures 15 and 16. The upper ends of the guide tubes also provide a mounting for the two "Y" shaped springs 81 working against the upright flange of plate 76 and the fender 80 forming part of trigger plate 78, urging them apart.

The trigger plate 78, guided and supported by tubes 77, is also supported at its centre by a spacer 79 passing through and secured to plate 76.

The spacer is deeper than the groove 75, allowing free vertical movement of rod 57 through it. The thickness of the trigger plate is less than the width of the#groove 75.

Figure 15 shows a plan view of the disengagement mechanism of the hinge, in the closed position of the gate or door. From whatever direction the hinge 2 approaches (see arrows A, B, C and D in Figure 8A) it will engage the lower part of fender 80 and compress the springs 81 moving the trigger plate from its outer position, shown in Figure 16, to the inner position shown in Figure 15.

Rotation of lever 58 (Figure 9) raises the rod 57. When the pin 74 reaches the underside of plate 76, groove 75 has already passed freely through spacer 79 and is in alignment with trigger plate 78. The aperture 82 in the centre of the trigger plate is wide enough at its leading end to allow the vertical movement of rod 57, but narrower at the opposite end to correspond with the diameter of the groove 75. Further upward movement of rod 57 raises plate 76 and with it the trigger plate. When the fender 80 is raised clear of hinge 2 (compare Figures 15A and 16A) springs 81 force trigger plate 78 outwards bringing the narrower part of aperture 82 into engagement with the groove 75. At the end of the upward movement of rod 57 fender 80 is well clear of the top of hinge 2 (Figure 16A).

When lever 58 is released, plate 76, together with trigger plate 78, descends but only until fender 80 reaches the top of hinge 2. At this stage the triangular plates 50, 51 have been fully rotated from their vertical position to the horizontal position shown in chained lines in Figure 10, with pins 8 and 13 held clear of hinges 2 and 3 by links 19 and 20.

With the hinges released, it only remains for the operator to release the latching mechanism shown in Figure 8, and apply such force to the gate or door as may be needed to overcome the detent action of ball 24 in hole 22 (or the aperture in plug 82, as in Figure 7A) to open the gate or door.

As soon as this happens, hinge 2 no longer supports fender 80 and the bias which causes the- clockwise rotation of plates 50, 51 causes the descent of rod 57 until the guide tubes 77 of plate 76 rest on the tops of guide tubes 35 as seen in Figure 13. Further descent of rod 57 is prevented by the still uninterrupted engagement of the aperture 82 in the trigger plate with the notch 75, which can only be released when the fender 80 is pushed back by hinge 2 and the wider end of the aperture is brought into full alignment with rod 57 when the gate is next closed. The fender at that stage is still projecting, as in Figure 16A, but at the lower level, shown in Figure 15A, where the hinge 2 will strike it.

The method by which the latching mechanism is released to allow the gate or door to be opened will now be described with reference to Figure 8 A, B, C., D and E.

If hinge 2 has approached from the directions shown generally by arrows C and D, the gate or door will be held in the closed position, after release of the hinge mechanism just described, only by the detent action of ball 24 in engagement with hole 22 and is otherwise free to withdraw in the reverse direction of those arrows.

If, however, hinge 2 has approached from the general direction of arrow A or arrow B, it will have forced its way to the engagement position past one or other of the arms 31 or 32 and be held between them. Either arm 31 must be withdrawn to allow hinge 2 to move to the left or arm 32 withdrawn to allow opening in the opposite direction.

The withdrawal of these arms is achieved with the aid of a latch based on angle 42, shown in plan view in Figure 8C, in rear elevation in Figure 8D (as seen on arrows E-E in Figure 8A), and in side elevation in Figure 8E.

The latch consists of a light angular member 42, slidably mounted on the upper surface of plate 36 (Figure 8E). It embodies a slot 43 through which passes a -short spacing tube 44 (Figure 8D) held in position by a washer 45 and a socket headed screw 46 engaging a tapped hole in centre plate 36. The upward component of angle 42 rests against the vertical surface of channel 27, preventing misalignment (Figure 8E).

Two pins, 47 and 48, are welded to the upward component of angle 42.

When the upper parts of pins 34 abut on pins 39 and 40 (Figure 8A), preventing further clockwise movement of arm 32 and further anticlockwise movement of arm 31, the lower parts of pins 34 are adjacent to pins 47 and 48 on angle 42 (Figures 8D and 8E) and serve to keep the latch 42 in the central position. Only the tension spring 38 prevents arm 31 from rotating clockwise and arm 32 from rotating anticlockwise. It is only necessary, therefore, to move the angle 42 to the left or right against the pull of spring 38, for pins 47 or 48 to engage the lower parts of pins 34 and bring either of arms 31 or 32 into the correct position to release the hinge 2 and allow the gate to be opened.

Angle 42 is slightly wider than the plate 36 and channel 27 and upright plates 49 are welded to its extremities. These may be pulled by the finger or pushed by a thumb equally conveniently from either side of the gatepost to release the latch. As already explained in connection with Figures 9 and 10, the cranked bar 72 welded to lever 58 provides similarly convenient means of raising lever 58 to release the hinges.

The advantages of the releasable hinge mechanism described in connection with a gate or door which hinges in opposite directions from a closed position are greatly enhanced when similar releasable hinge mechanisms are provided at the two opposing ends of the same gate with appropriate fittings on the opposing gateposts such that either end of the gate or door may be optionally hinged or latched at any gatepost.

These can be seen in the arrangement of gates and gateposts shown, diagrammatically, in plan view in Figure 17, which could advantageously be installed in a cattle market. The "D" shaped symbols represent gateposts embodying the features already described, the curved part of the D indicating the semicircle through which a gate can be hinged from that point.

The chained lines, 85, 86, 87 and 88, represent fixed railings terminating in gateposts A, B and C which are arranged as an equilateral triangle.

Gate 84 is shown supported on gateposts A and C shutting off area (1) into which cattle may be driven from the left. Releasing gate 84 from gatepost A and swinging it through 60 degrees to latch at B releases cattle from area (1) and provides them with an inviting entrance to area (2). When they have ente#red, the gate, hinged at B, is swung round and latched at A, confining the animals to area (2) and leaving a clear passage way between areas (1) and (3). Any number of similar enclosures can be provided in line abreast, either side of area (2), a valuable feature in places such as livestock markets, all being fed and evacuated through one single alleyway.

From area (2) animals can be released either into area (3) by leaving the gate hinged at A, and swinging its other end to C, or into area (-1) by hingeing at B and swinging to C.

If gateposts A and B not only form the base of equilateral triangle A-B-C but also form the base of square A-B-E-D, the same gate 84 can be moved round, alternately latching and hingeing, on each adjacent gatepost, i.e. A-C, C-B, B-E, E-D, D-A, and then either A-B or A-C, with opportunities at each stage of guiding animals in different directions.

In the description so far given the gates have been assumed to be of the same size and with hinges in line with the body of the gate itself.

Neither of these is necessarily the case. Figure 18 shows, in plan view, a gate 89 with a cranked hinge plate 90 taking the place of the angle 4 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Rigidity is provided by a web 91 welded to plate 90 and to angle 92, which is bolted to rectangular section 93, forming part of the gate 89. Misalignment is more easily avoided if upper and lower hinge plates 90 are welded to a single angle at the correct spacing.

This arrangement allows the arms 31, 32 (Figure 8) to engage the hinge 2, as described, the direction of approach of hinge 2 corresponding generally to arrows A, C, D or B as in Figure 8A.

Like the angle member 4, the cranked hinge 90 can also move 1800 about axis 2 ending in the position shown in chained lines.

The cranked hinge plate may be right handed, as shown, or left handed, and can be fitted to either or both ends of a gate or door, whatever its width. A crank of less severity, making an angle of 60 with the plate 90 is also shown in Figure 18, in chained lines, the corresponding components being designated as 89A, 90A, 91A, 92A and 93A.

The relevance of this alternative arrangement is shown diagrammatically in connection with hinges F and G in Figure 17. Gate 89A is able to engage gateposts D and D(i) and E and E(i) which would not be possible with the more severe crank shown in full lines in Figure 18. The more severely cranked hinge 89B is shown, left-handed, in engagement with post A(2) in Figure 19. The arcuate member 94 shown in chained lines in Figure 18 is the shield extending from top to bottom of a gatepost which will be described in connection with Figure 21.

In the example shown in Figure 17, a gate hinged at gatepost C may not need to swing through more than 60a Gateposts A and B can therefore be set, if required, at an angle which allows gate 84, hinged at A, to swing through 1800 from gatepost C, past gateposts B and D to gatepost D(i) and hinged at B to swing between C and E(i).

In any but the simplest installations it is likely that more than one gate may be in use. Some of the gateposts shown in Figure 17 will be omitted and others sited differently, e.g. to accommodate gates of different lengths. A common length of- gate is about four metres. The extra travel from gatepost D to D(i) is 30 degrees, leaving a gap of nearly two metres between the two posts, which is ample for the easy passage of animals to or from area (2).

With gate 89A supported between posts F and D(i), gate 84 can be brought into contact, but not into engagement, with post D(i). This allows the passage of animals into and out of area (4) but gives no access to area (5).

To overcome this inconvenience a twin gatepost fitting is provided at post E(i). With gate 89A supported between the lower position E(i)b and gatepost G, the upper post E(i)a and post E are unencumbered and can be engaged by gate 84, hinged at B and latching on E(i)a. At this stage gate 89A can either be left in the position shown in chained lines giving access to area (6) or hinged at G and latching on E to allow access to area (7). If E, E(i)b and G (like A, B and C) form an equilateral triangle gate 89 hinged at E to latch on E(i)b closes the aperture between posts E and E(i).

The situation where two gates need to latch on the same gatepost, as described above, is particularly likely to occur at an entrance to a busy area such as a cattle market. The frequent movement of gate 84 between posts A, B and C, makes posts A and B almost constantly unavailable to gates hinged elsewhere, e.g. at D or E. This can- be overcome by the provision of twin hinge facilities (such as those at E(i)) at the gateposts A and B. These are shown in Figure 19, the arrangement of the twin hinges being shown in detail in Figure 20.

Conveniently such twin hinges are made as a single unit, based on channels similar in side elevation to channels 27 and 26 in Figures 11 and 9 but approximately twice the width, with six, rather than three, holes of similar size and similar spacing arrangement abreast in channel 27, and four similar holes in channel 26 (Figures 11 and 12). The length of the latch member 42 (Figure 8C) is increased correspondingly, all the other moving parts being similar to those already described and numbered correspondingly.

The use of a pair of twin units is shown in Figure 19, where the single hinges, shown as A and B in Figure 17, are replaced by Hinges AI and BI respectively, each with its (a) and (b) facility, the four axes forming a parallelogram. Hinged on AI(a) gate 84 can latch on either BI(a) or BI(b) and hinged on these can latch on AI either at (a) or at (b). With the gate 84 supported between AI(a) and BI(a) all the movements described in connection with Figure 17 can be achieved as before, but AI(b) and BI(b) are available for hingeing or latching other gates, gate 89B being shown by way of example.

Conventional gateposts frequently have latching members projecting inwards which can cause injury to the flanks of animals passing between the gateposts. These cannot be acceptable in a system of barriers designed to facilitate and guide the orderly movement of livestock, or people, from one enclosure to another.

The risk of injury is increased still further if the gate is removed altogether, leaving not only the latch projecting inwards from one gatepost but the uppe#r and lower hinge pins projecting from the other. These are particularly dangerous in narrow gateways.

It is preferred therefore that that part of the releasable hinge mechanism which is mounted on the gatepost be shielded to provide a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface free of all projections. Such shielding has the important additional function of protecting the mechanism from damage. Figure 21A shows a -perspective view of the upper part of a shield 94 which extends the full length of the gatepost. The gap near the top is in alignment with the area between angles 27 and 36 (Figure 21B) the lower gap being in alignment with the ball assembly as seen in Figures 11 and 12. The upper and lower lips 95 and 96 of these gaps are provided with skirting composed of flexible bristles, through which the upper and lower hinges of the gate can pass, when latching or hingeing is taking p#lace as seen in Figure 21C where the upper part of the shield 94 is shown in section.

When no gate is in engagement with the gatepost, the opposed bristles provide a continuous screen inside the aperture, shutting off the interior from view, discouraging vandalism as well as preventing the entry of small birds which might otherwise nest there.

In areas where vandalism is expected, closure plates are provided as seen in perspective in Figure 21D and in plan view in Figure 21E. They consist of an arcuate plate 97, a web 98 which preserves the profile of the plate and provides a mounting for tube 99 which corresponds with hinges 2 and 3 in Figures 1 and 2. When these are to be inserted in the gap, the lower gap is closed first the plate 97 being located by the engagement of the ball 24 with tube 99. The second plate assembly is then inserted in the upper gap as seen in Figure 21F. The upper part of the tube 99 engages the trigger mechanism by pressing on the fender 80 allowing plate 50 to rotate clockwise bringing pins 8 and 13 into engagement with tubes 99. At this stage, the lever 58 is in the horizontal position shown in Figure 21C, further security being provided if required by placing a padlock in hole 73.

The shield closed in this manner presents a smooth uninterrupted surface, the only projection being the lever 58 and the latch 42/49.

As doors and gates vary in height and gateposts may be made in different shapes with different materials (e.g. timber, concrete or steel) it is desirable that releasable hinges be available in the separate forms described, i.e. a lower hinge unit as in Figures 11 and 12 and an upper hinge unit as in Figures 9 and -10.

In view of the importance of correct alignment of all components, it is preferable that the upper and lower components be rigidly attached, by welding or with bolts, to a single rigid member such as a channel 100 as seen in Figure 21, adapted to suit the gatepost, or as an angle 92 as seen in Figure 18 to fit any gate.

Where the gatepost is suitable, e.g. a rigid steel tube, the components may be secured by U bolts passing through angles 101 bolted to the hinges.

Other methods of attachment will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Figure 22 shows horizontal elements generally similar to those of the upper channel 27 seen in Figure 9 rigidly attached to two vertical round bars 112a and 112b, forming an assembly which can be inserted into the gatepost itself, suitable apertures being cut in the gatepost to admit hinges 2 and 3.

The round bars 112a and 112b project downwards and at a level corresponding to the size of the gate carry three plates similar to the above corresponding to the horizontal elements of the lower channel 26, with the difference that the bottom element corresponds with the upper member 105, the two above it 109 and 110 corresponding with plates 106 and 107.

The smaller holes in plates 105 and 111 remote from bars 112a and 112b are on the vertical axis of pins 8 and 13 and the ball unit 25 which is bolted to the underside of plate 111 as seen in Figure 24.

The apertures cut in outer tube 118 are guarded with bristles 95 and 96, through which hinge hinges 2 and 3 can pass when the gate is closed.

Several methods of reinforcing the tube 118 to compensate for the strength lost by the creation of these apertures will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

The rigid bars 112a and 112b project sufficiently above plate 105 to pass through spacing tubes 113 and 117 and engage recesses bored in the underside of capping member 114. The plate 105 is secured to the capping member by screws 115 and 116, passing through the smaller holes in plate 105, these screws also passing through spacers 117 of similar depth to spacer 113.

The diameters of the circular capping member correspond with the outer and inner diameters of the tube 118, provided that the inner diameter is not less than the length of plate 105.

The capping member 114 is secured to tube 118 with socket headed grub screws to avoid any interruption of the surface of the tube.

The lower extremities of round bars 112a and b project downwards through plate 111 to engage holes in plate 119 which is welded to the inside of tubular gatepost 118. Spacing tubes 121 and 122 are welded to the underside of plate 111 so that the threaded bar 28 can pass through plate 111 after the fitting of the nut which secures the ball unit to plate 111, the bar engaging the smaller hole in plate 119.

The whole assembly can be withdrawn from the gatepost when the grub screws securing the capping member are removed.

The vertical rod 57 passes through the large holes in plates 105 and 106 and protrudes above the capping member 114. It can be raised to release the hinge mechanism by the lever 58 and links 63 arranged as shown in Figures 9 and 10, with the supporting members 59 and 60 and the upright member 73 secured to the capping member.

Importance is attached to eliminating from the outer surface of the gatepost any projection which might catch in clothing or, for example, the tail of an animal. Improved methods are contemplated for raising the vertical rod with this in view, and protecting the rod and linkage from rain.

Claims (35)

Claims:

1. A hinge mechanism attachable to a gate or door and a fixed adjacent post or frame, the hinge mechanism comprising a hinge, a hinge pin engagable with an aperture in the hinge for pivotal movement of the hinge about the hinge pin, and means for displacing the hinge or hinge pin such that the hinge and hinge pin are separable in the manner of a latch.

2. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the displacing means comprise a linking member connecting the hinge or hinge pin to a rotatable actuating member, such that the hinge or hinge pin is displaced on rotation of the actuating member.

3. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the actuating member is rotatable manually.

4. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacing means act against a bias urging the hinge pin and aperture into automatic engag#ement on returning from an unlatched position to a hinging position.

5. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the displacing means act against gravity.

6. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacing means are operable such that the hinge pin is retracted from the aperture.

7. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge is attachable to the gate or doors and the hinge pin is attachable to the fixed post or frame.

8. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for releasably holding the hinge pin in alignment with the aperture on returning from an unlatched position to a hinging position.

9. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the releasable holding means comprise two opposed pivotally-mounted spring-biased stoppers for allowing the hinge and hinge pin to return to a hinging position from an unlatched position and for preventing further movement of the hinge or hinge pin by abutment thereagainst.

10. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the releasable holding means comprise a convex curved surface engagable with a corresponding indented surface.

11. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the convex curved surface comprises a captive spherical ball.

12. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the releasable holding means further comprise inclined surfaces for engagement with the convex curved surface such that, in use, the gate or door is lifted thereby prior to engagement between the convex curved surface and the indented surface.

13. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the releasable holding means are releasable manually.

14. A hinge mechanism as claimd in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components attachable to the fixed post or frame are enclosed in a housing having closable openings for allowing the components attachable to the gate or door to pass into the housing.

15. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the openings are closed by rows of flexible bristles.

16. A hinge mechanism as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein the housing is formed by the fixed post or frame, the fixed post or frame being hollow and tubular.

17. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, further comprising a second set of components attachable to the fixed post or frame and enclosed in the housing, such that two gates or doors may be hinged or latched to one post or frame.

18. A hinge mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. An attachment for a gate or door or a fixed adjacent post or frame, the attachment comprising two hinge mechanisms, each as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the hinge mechanisms being spaced apart and held in fixed alignment by a rigid connecting member.

20. An attachment as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the rigid connecting member comprises means for attaching the said member to the gate or door or fixed adjacent post or frame.

21. An attachment substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A gate or door having first and second hinge mechanisms as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18 attached to and spaced along a hingeable edge of the gate or door.

23. A gate or door having an attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21 attached to and extending along a hingeable edge of the gate or door.

24. A gate or door having first and second hinge mechanisms as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18 attached to and spaced along each of two opposing edges thereof, such that either edge may be optionally hinged or latched.

25. A gate or door having an attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21 attached to and extending along each of two opposing edges thereof, such that either edge may be optionally hinged or latched.

26. A gate or door as claimed in Claim 24 or 25, wherein the closed gate or door lies in a vertical plane and is optionally hinged or latched along opposite vertical edges thereof by upper and lower hinge mechanisms.

27. A gate or door as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 26 and Claim 2, wherein the displacing means of each hinge mechanism located along a single edge of the gate or door are connected to a single actuating member.

28. A gate or door as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 27, wherein the closed gate or door is coplanar with the adjacent fixed post or frame.

29. A gate or door as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 27, wherein the hinge mechanisms have cranked hinges whereby the closed gate or door lies in a different plane to the adjacent fixed post or frame.

30. A gate or door as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 29, wherein the hinges of the hinge mechanisms are attached to the gate or door and the hinge pins are attached to a fixed post or frame.

31. A gate or door substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. An arrangement of gates or doors each as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 31, wherein the gates or doors may be optionally hinged or latched at any one of a plurality of fixed posts or frames.

33. A gatepost or door frame comprising upper and lower hinge mechanisms, each hinge mechanism comprising a hinge, a hinge pin attachable to a gate or door and engageable with an aperture in the hinge for pivotal movement about the hinge pin, and means for displacing the hinge or hinge pin such that the hinge and hinge pin are separable in the manner of a latch.

34. A gatepost or door frame as claimed in Claim 33, wherein either or each of the hinge mechanisms have the features claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 18.

35. A gatepost substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.