GB2220691A

GB2220691A - Gate

Info

Publication number: GB2220691A
Application number: GB8816678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ping-Cheng Chan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-13
Filing date: 1988-07-13
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Also published as: GB8816678D0; GB2221240B; CN1041024A; GB8916052D0; GB2221240A

Abstract

A lazy-tongs gate (10) comprises a frame (11) and a plurality of uprights (12) each formed by two channel-shaped members (16) connected together by cross members (15, 15'), supported by corresponding studs (17) retained in the uprights by snap-engaging locking members 19. The frame is mounted on a wall by angled brackets (33 Fig 7 not shown) having a key hole slot (38) receiving a head (35) of a fastening screw fixed on the wall. Top and side members of the frame are connected together by angled connectors engaging with deformed portions of the side members. The bottom rail is joined to the sides by passing end projection of the rail through slots in the sides and deforming them. <IMAGE>

Description

GATE The present invention relates to a gate.

A first aspect of the invention provides a gate comprising a frame and a plurality of uprights slidably supported in the frame for movement between an extended position in which the gate is closed and a retracted position in which the gate is open, adjacent uprights being connected together by cross members, and each upright being formed by a pair of channel-shaped members arranged in face-to-face relationship and connected together by connecting members extending transverse to a plane containing the frame, wherein each end of a said connecting member is snap-fittably connected to a locking member located in a respective channel-shaped member.

Preferred and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims 2 to 11, inclusive.

A second aspect of the invention provides a gate comprising a frame, and a closure member slidably supported on a rail in the frame for movement between a first position in which the gate is closed and a second position in which the gate is open, wherein the rail has projections at opposite ends thereof, and wherein said projections extend through respective apertures provided in two sides of the frame, and have been deformed to secure the rail to the sides of the frame.

Preferred and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims 13 and 14.

A third aspect of the invention provides a gate comprising a frame, a closure member in the frame, and means for mounting the frame on a wall or the like, said means comprising an angled bracket attached to each side member of the frame, the bracket having a key hole slot in a limb thereof which in use faces a said wall, and which receives a head of a fastening member in use secured to the wall, the arrangement being such that the side members are fixed to the fastening members by placing the larger ends of the key hole slots over the heads of respective fastening members and moving the side members so as to position the heads over the smaller ends of the key hole slots.

Preferred and/or optional features of the third aspect of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims 16 and 17.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a gate comprising a frame, a closure member in the frame, and a plurality of angled brackets for mounting the frame on a wall or the like, the brackets being attached to the outside of the two sides of the frame, wherein a lateral extension is provided along each side of the frame to cover the brackets.

Preferably, the lateral extension includes an elongate plate, and an inturned flange along one edge of the plate for attachment to a corresponding side of the frame, the plate being inclined so as in use to lie at an acute angle to a said wall.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a gate comprising a frame, and a closure member in the frame, the frame being rectangular and including a top and two side members connected together by means of connectors, wherein each connector is connected to two ends of respective adjacent members by deforming the members so as to engage with the connector.

Preferably, each connector is planar and has two mutually perpendicular arms, and the top and side members are channel shaped, the free edges of the channel members are turned over to define longitudinally extending beads on the inside of the channel members, the beads providing passages for receiving the inner edges of the arms of the connectors, and wherein each arm has a cut-out, and after the channel members have been connected by the connectors, the beads are pressed into the corresponding cut-outs to secure the channel members together.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a gate in accordance with the invention; Figures 2(a) to 2(d) are fragmentary sectional views of the gate of Figure 1 taken respectively along lines II(a)-II(a), II(b)-II(b), II(c)-II(c) and II(d)-II(d); Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show locking members of Figures 2(a) and 2(b), respectively; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the gate of Figure 1 taken along line IV-IV; Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the gate of Figure 1 taken along line V-V; Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are fragmentary views of a rail of the gate of Figure 1; Figure 6(c) is an end view of the rail of Figures 6(a) and 6(b); Figure 7(a) and 7(b) show an angled bracket of the gate of Figure 1;; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the gate of Figure 1 taken along line VIII-VIII; and Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a corner of a frame of the gate of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a gate 10 shown therein comprises a frame 11, and a plurality of uprights 12 supported by rollers 13 on a rail 14 in the frame 11. The frame 11 is formed by a horizontal channel-shaped top member lla and two vertical channel-shaped side members llb, and is completed at the lower end by the rail 14 extending between the two side members llb. The rightmost upright 12 is connected to the frame 11, whilst The other uprights 12 are slidable between an extended position (Figure 1) in which the gate 10 is closed, and a retracted position (not shown) in which the gate 10 is open, as known in the art. A channel-shaped member 12' is connected to the leftmost upright 12 to form a stile of the gate 10.

Adjacent uprights 12 are connected together by cross members 15 and 15', which are shaped to enhance visual effect.

As shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(d), each upright 12 is formed by a pair of channel-shaped members 16, preferably of galvanised steel, arranged in face-to-face relationship and connected together by connecting members or studs 17 along the upright 12.

The studs 17 extend transversely to a plane containing the frame 11 and each end of stud 17 snap-fittably engages with a locking member 19 located in a respective channel member 16. Each channel member 16 has inturned flanges 20 along its free edges for retaining corresponding locking members 19 therein.

Two types of locking members 19a and 19b are provided and these are shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), respectively. Each locking member 19a, 19b comprises a tubular central boss 21, a shirt 23a, 23b surrounding the central boss 21, and an integral web 24 connecting the central boss 21 and the skirt 23a, 23b together. The central boss 21 of each locking member 19a, 19b has a cylindrical portion 21a at one end and at frusto-conical portion 21b at the other end.

The studs 17 are of galvanised steel, and the locking members 19 are moulded from nylon to provide some degree of resilience. Each stud 17 comprises a central cylindrical portion 18a, a head 18b at each end, and two frusto-conical neck portions 18c connecting the central portion 18a to respective heads 18b. The head 18b at each end of the stud 17 passes through the central boss 21 of a respective locking member 19a, 19b and the frusto-conical portion 21b of the boss 21 engages behind the head 18b to snap-fittably retain the stud 17 in the boss 21.

Locking members 19a support studs 17a in fixed positions with respect to corresponding uprights 12, and locking members l9b support studs 17b for slidable movement along corresponding uprights 12.

The skirt 23a of each locking member l9a is rectangular when viewed from one end. To fix a locking member 19a in position in a channel member 16, the inturned flanges 20 of the channel member 16 are deformed to engage the skirt 23a of the locking member 19a.

The skirts 23b of the locking members l9b are cylindrical to facilitate slidable movement of the locking members l9b in respective channel members 16.

The gate 10 has eight uprights 12 connected together by three vertically spaced rows of cross members 15, 15'. Cross members 15 are twice as long as cross members 15' and are connected to three successive uprights 12, whereas cross members 1;5' are connected to only two adjacent uprights 12. The cross-members 15 are arranged in each row in pairs. The cross-members 15 of each pair are arranged in scissor-like manner and intersect midway between their ends and are connected at the intersection to a common fixed stud 17a on an upright 12. The ends of the cross-members 15 of each pair are connected to respective slidable studs 17b on two other uprights 12 and in vertically spaced relationship to one another on each upright.The cross members 15' are also arranged in pairs and the two cross members 15' of each pair are connected at one end to a common fixed stud 17a on an upright 12 and at the other ends to respective slidable studs 17b on an adjacent upright.

Where two cross members 15, 15' are connected together at a fixed stud 17a, they are spaced from each other and from the corresponding locking members 19 by nylon washers 27. Where only one cross member 15 is connected to a slidable stud 17b, a nylon sleeve spacer 28 is used to locate the cross member 15 at the appropriate end of the stud 17b, as shown in Figure 2(d).

Figure 4 shows additional fixed studs 17c supported by locking members l9a to connect the upper ends of selected uprights 12. To maintain the separation of two locking members l9a on each stud 17c, and hence the separation of the upper ends of two channel members 16 of a corresponding upright 12, a galvanised steel sleeve spacer 29 is located on the stud 17c.

Figure 5 shows the use of further additional fixed studs 17d supported by locking members 19a at the lower ends of selected uprights 12 to support respective rollers 13.

As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the rail 14 is of inverted U-shape, preferably of galvanised steel.

The rollers 13 are of nylon and each has a concave peripheral surface 13' to conform with the upper surface of the rail 14. Longitudinally extending end projections in the form of lugs 31 are provided at opposite ends of the rail 14. To connect each end of the rail 14 to a corresponding side member llb, the lugs 31 extend through respective slots 32 provided in the side member llb, and the outer ends of the lugs 31 are deformed to retain the lugs 31 in the slots 32.

Referring now to Figures 1, 7(a) and 7(b), three angled brackets 33 are provided on the outer side of each side member llb for mounting the frame 11 on a wall 34 or the like. Each bracket 33 has two mutually perpendicular limbs 36 and 37. The limb 36 is welded to the side member llb and the other limb 37 faces rearwards of the frame 11. An inverted key hole 38 is formed in the limb 37, the smaller end of the key hole 38 having a lateral extension 40 directed towards the limb 36.

The frame 11 is assembled in situ. The rail 14 is firstly connected between the lower ends of the side members llb. Each side member llb is then placed against the wall 34 to allow heads of bolts 35, which are fixed to the wall 34, to pass through the larger ends of respective key holes 38. The side member llb is then slid vertically downwards, and is subsequently moved sidewards until the bolts 35 contact the end of the lateral extensions 40 of the key holes 38.

The limb 37 of each bracket 33 is inclined at a small angle, for example 3 degrees, to the wall 34, and the bolts 35 are screwed into the wall 34 so as to leave an appropriate gap between the bolt head and the wall 34 to facilitate connection of the brackets 33 to corresponding bolts 35.

As shown in Figure 8 a lateral extension 41 is provided along the entire length of the outer side of each side member llb to cover the brackets 33 and the deformed projections 31 of the rail 14 to avoid tampering. The extension 41 includes an elongate plate 42, preferably of galvanised steel, having inturned flanges 43 and 44 along its edges. The extension 41 extends at an acute angle, for example 45 degrees, to the wall 34, and is welded to the side member llb at the flange 43. The other flange 44 lies parallel to the wall 34 and is welded to the side of the limb 37 of the bracket 33 remote from the side member llb.

The interconnected uprights 12 are pre-assembled in the factory, and are placed on the rail 14 between the two side members llb. Finally, the top member lla is fixed as described below to complete the frame 11.

As shown in Figure 9, the top member lla is connected at each end to a respective side member llb by two angled connectors 45. The connectors 45 are planar and each has two mutually perpendicular arms 46.

The ends of adjacent top and side members lla and llb are mitered, and the free longitudinal edges of the members lla and llb are turned over to define longitudinally extending beads 48 on the inside of the members lla and llb. The beads 48 provide passages 49 for receiving the inner edges of the arms 46 of the angled connectors 45. Each arm 46 has a cut-out 47, and after the top and side members Ila and llb have been connected by the connectors 45, the beads 48 are pressed into the corresponding cut-outs 47 to firmly secure the top and side members lla and llb together.

To join the upper ends of the two lateral extensions 41, a further lateral extension 41' is provided along the upper side of the top member lla, as shown in Figure 1.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment and it is desired to include all such modifications as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A gate comprising a frame and a plurality of uprights slidably supported in the frame for movement between an extended position in which the gate is closed and a retracted position in which the gate is open, adjacent uprights being connected together by cross members, and each upright being formed by a pair of channel-shaped members arranged in face-to-face relationship and connected together by connecting members extending transverse to a plane containing the frame, wherein each end of a said connecting member is snap-fittably connected to a locking member located in a respective channel-shaped member.

2. A gate as claimed in claim 1, wherein each channel-shaped member has inturned flanges along its free edges for retaining the locking members in the channel-shaped members.

3. A gate as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each cross member is pivotably supported by at least two connecting members of adjacent uprights, one of said at least two connecting members being fixed in relation to its respective upright and the other connecting member being slidable along its respective upright.

4. A gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each locking member and a corresponding end of a said connecting member to which the locking member is connected have respective inter-engageable means which, when the locking member is snap-fittably connected to the connecting member, engage with each other to prevent removal of the locking member from the connecting member.

5. A gate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting members are double-headed studs, the heads at opposite ends of the stud being arranged to pass through apertures in corresponding locking members to snap-fit with the locking members.

6. A gate as claimed in claim 5, wherein each stud comprises a central portion connected to the two heads by neck portions which taper towards respective heads.

7. A gate as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said locking member includes a central boss in which the aperture is formed, and a peripheral skirt connected to the boss by an integral web.

8. A gate as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking members supporting the fixed connecting members are held in position in a corresponding channel-shaped member by deforming the channel-shaped member over the skirts of the locking members.

9. A gate as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the locking members supporting the slidable connecting members are cylindrical.

10. A gate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the uprights are supported by rollers on a rail in the frame.

11. A gate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rollers are supported by fixed connecting 'members at the lower ends of the uprights.

12. A gate comprising a frame, and a closure member slidably supported on a rail in the frame for movement between a first position in which the gate is closed and a second position in which the gate is open, wherein the rail has projections at opposite ends thereof, and wherein said projections extend through respective apertures provided in two sides of the frame, and have been deformed to secure the rail to the sides of the frame.

13. A gate as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rollers have concave peripheral surfaces which co-operate with a convex surface of the rail.

14. A gate as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rail is of inverted U-shape.

15. A gate comprising a frame, a closure member in the frame, and means for mounting the frame on a wall or the like, said means comprising an angled bracket attached to each side member of the frame, the bracket having a key hole slot in a limb thereof which in use faces a said wall, and which receives a head of a fastening member in use secured to the wall, the arrangement being such that the side members are fixed to the fastening members by placing the larger ends of the key hole slots over the heads of respective fastening members and moving the side members so as to position the heads over- the smaller ends of the key hole slots.

16. A gate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the key hole slot of each bracket is in use vertically orientated with the larger end of the key hole slot lowermost, and wherein the upper end of the key hole slot includes a lateral extension.

17. A gate as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said brackets are provided on the outside of respective side members.

18. A gate comprising a frame, a closure member in the frame, and a plurality of angled brackets for mounting the frame on a wall or the like, the brackets being attached to the outside of the two sides of the frame, wherein a lateral extension is provided along each side of the frame to cover the brackets.

19. A gate as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lateral extension includes an elongate plate, and an inturned flange along one edge of the plate for attachment to a corresponding side of the frame, the plate being inclined so as in use to lie at an acute angle to a said wall.

20. A gate comprising a frame, and a closure member in the frame, the frame being rectangular and including a top and two side members connected together by means of connectors, wherein each connector is connected to two ends of respective adjacent members by deforming the members so as to engage with the connector.

21. A gate as claimed in claim 20, wherein each connector is planar and has two mutually perpendicular arms, and the top and side members are channel shaped, the free edges of the channel members are turned over to define longitudinally extending beads on the inside of the channel members, the beads providing passages for receiving the inner edges of the arms of the connectors, and wherein each arm has a cut-out, and after the channel members have been connected by the connectors, the beads are pressed into the corresponding cut-outs to secure the channel members together.

22. A gate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.