GB2408064A

GB2408064A - Gate with connecting elements

Info

Publication number: GB2408064A
Application number: GB0424123A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Walmsley
Original assignee: GARFEX Ltd
Current assignee: GARFEX Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-30
Filing date: 2004-11-01
Publication date: 2005-05-18
Also published as: GB0325331D0; GB0424123D0

Abstract

A gate is assembled, preferably on-site, from a number of metal beams 112, 114, 116 which may be rectangular in cross-section, having cooperating connecting elements by which the beams are releasably secured together. The connecting elements may be threaded bolts and/or a peg and slot arrangement (figures 2 and 3). Further beams 160 complete the gate.

Description

GATE AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a gate and method of construction, and in particular to a metallic gate which can be assembled "on-site".

Unless otherwise indicated, throughout this specification directional and orientational terms such as "top", "bottom", etc., refer to the orientation of the gate and its component parts in the normal position of use as shown in Fig.1.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Gates are used at many locations, typically to selectively close an entrance to a site which is desired to be protected (i.e. through which entrance access is desired to be denied). Such a site may be an industrial or commercial premises to which access is required for delivery or collection vehicles, for example, but to which access is intended to be denied whilst the premises are closed or unoccupied. The gate is a physical barrier which can be placed across the entrance to the site.

A single gate may be provided for the entrance, in which case one side edge of the gate is typically hingedly mounted to a fixed upright, and another fixed upright is provided to which the other side edge of the gate may be temporarily secured. Alternatively, two gates may be provided, each hingedly mounted to a respective fixed upright, and which gates meet and can be temporarily secured together between the fixed uprights. The fixed uprights may be part of a fence, and together define the entrance which the gate is desired to close.

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. - 2 - The gate can include additional security features such as spikes or wire to deter unauthorized persons from climbing over the gate to gain access to the site.

The present invention is directed to a metallic gate, which would typically be used at the entrance to an industrial or commercial site.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRIOR ART

Gates of many different sizes and forms are known. For use at industrial or commercial premises, the gate will typically need to be of considerable size, e.g. a width of several metres to close off an entrance wide enough to allow the passage of large vehicles, and a height of around two metres to deter unauthorized persons from climbing over the gate. Gates may be made of wood, but for commercial and industrial applications are typically of metal.

Conventional metallic gates are manufactured as a rigid structure of the desired number and arrangement of metal beams, and are assembled at dedicated facilities, with the metal beams being permanently secured together such as by welding. The assembled gate is subsequently transported to the site of intended use. This presents a number of disadvantages.

The first disadvantage is the relatively low utilization of volume during transportation, i.e. the metal beams of the gate typically surround large volumes of air, and transporting these volumes of air is inefficient.

The second disadvantage is that the gate can only be painted (or otherwise protected against corrosion such as by powder- coating) after assembly, i.e. welding of the beams together will break down any paint or powder coat applied to the surrounding area. The pain.t. .o.. pQ0e. coat is typically . . . .. ..

. - 3 - applied by way of a spray, and a large proportion is wasted as it is sprayed into the spaces between the beams.

The third disadvantage is that the gate is manufactured to a specification dependent upon the customer's requirements, i.e. the gate will often be manufactured to suit the dimensions of the entrance of a particular customer. If the specification is not communicated accurately and completely to the gate manufacturer, or the specifications are not complied with, the assembled gate may not fit the entrance to the site. Alternatively, even if the gate is manufactured to standard dimensions, if the fixed uprights defining the entrance are erected at other than the standard separation the gate may not fit the entrance. It may be possible to make a slightly undersized gate fit the entrance by using spacers or the like upon the gate mountings, but if the gate is significantly undersized, or is oversized, then it must be scrapped and replaced, or if possible returned to the manufacturing site for disassembly and rectification.

Even if the gate can be disassembled and rectified, some of the metal beams will likely be irreparably damaged during disassembly and require replacement in the rectified gate.

The fourth disadvantage is that the specification of the customer may change, i.e. the customer may enlarge the entrance to its premises to accept larger delivery or collection vehicles, requiring a larger gate (or perhaps two gates which are together larger than the original gate, but are each smaller than the original gate). Alternatively, the customer may install a new fence bordering the entrance, resulting in a slightly larger or smaller entrance. In such circumstances, the existing gate becomes redundant, and will typically be scrapped and replaced.

The fifth disadvantage is that if the gate becomes damaged (perhaps through accident or design) a new gate must be manufactured, and often it can take several weeks to manufacture the new gate. During this period of time the ë. .e are .

e e tee e e e e e e e - 4 - security of the premises may be compromised, or additional security measures may need to be taken, in the absence of a fully operational gate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a metallic gate which avoids or reduces the problems associated with the prior art gates described above.

According to the invention, there is provided a gate assembled from a number of metal beams, the beams having cooperating connecting elements by which the beams may be secured together upon engagement of the connecting elements.

Accordingly, the gate is assembled by engaging together the respective connecting elements of the metal beams, the assembly requiring no welding or other method of permanently securing the beams together. This enables the gate to be assembled on site, reducing the wastage of space during transportation, and reducing the wastage of paint or powder coat during corrosion protection.

This also allows the gate to be assembled when required and enables a gate manufacturer or assembler to hold a stock of (differently dimensioned) components ready for assembly.

Should a customer require a gate the appropriate components could be provided and assembled with a minimum of delay.

The avoidance of delay could be critical in circumstances in which a gate securing the entrance to commercial or other premises is unusable due to damage and requires replacement; with the present invention the gate can be replaced in a matter of hours so that the reduction in security of the premises is minimized or avoided.

In addition, since the parts of the gate are not permanently secured together they ma.y he. Sass&bled on site also, . :e. . .. . - 5 which disassembly may be required if the gate is found to be undersized or oversized, or if the size of the entrance to the site subsequently changes. Accordingly, it is not necessary to scrap or return to the manufacturer the complete gate, but instead the manufacturer can supply only those parts of the gate which are subsequently required.

Preferably, the connecting elements comprise respective peg and slot arrangements, the or each peg means of one beam fitting into appropriate slot means of an adjacent beam.

Preferably also, at least some of the connecting elements can include securing means, the securing means acting to prevent the forced separation of connected beams.

Typically, the gate comprises a substantially rectangular frame made up of four substantially rigid beams (two of the beams being substantially vertical in use, and two being substantially horizontal in use). Additional beams may be included (horizontal and/or vertical in use) to add to the structural rigidity of the gate. Each of the beams is desirably connected to its neighbours by first connecting elements. Desirably also, at least some of the space enclosed by the frame is occupied by filling members which are secured to respective beams, preferably by second connecting elements. Thus, the first connecting elements are required to provide structural rigidity to the gate, whilst the second connecting elements are not required to provide structural rigidity, but only to retain the filling members. The second connecting elements do not therefore need to be as structurally accurate and secure as the first connecting elements.

Preferably, the filling members comprise tubes; preferably also the second connecting elements comprise projections from the ends of the filling members which can engage with lugs upon a beam. The interconnection of the projections e ëe eee bee eve e e a e e e e - 6 and the lugs is preferably by way of rotational movement of the filling member.

Desirably, the beams are made from hollow profiles of metal; usefully the metal is ERW grade hot rolled steel. Such metal is suitable for cutting by laser, which is a preferred method of forming the shapes required for the beams, the filling members, and the connecting elements thereof

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 shows an assembled gate located in an entrance; Fig.2 shows part of a first beam of a disassembled gate, and the first connecting elements of that beam; Fig. 3 shows part of a second beam of a disassembled gate, and the first connecting elements of that beam; Fig.4 shows part of a second beam of a disassembled gate, and the second connecting elements of that beam; Fig. 5 shows part of a filling member of a disassembled gate, and the second connecting elements of that member; Fig.6 shows another embodiment of gate, partially assembled; and Fig.7 shows a detail of the gate of Fig.6.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The gate 10 of Fig.1 comprises a substantially rigid frame comprising a first beam 12, three second beams 14, and a third beam 16. The first and third beams 12 and 16 have their longitudinal axes substantially vertical in use, whilst the second beams 14 have their longitudinal axes substantially parallel and horizontal in use.

The gate is mounted by hinges 20 to a first fixed upright 22, which is typically sunk some distance into the ground 24, so as to be able to support the weight of the gate 10 in cantilever. The first fixed upright 22 is connected to a fence 26, only part of which is shown in Fig.1.

The gate may be hinged about its hinges 20 between a closed position as shown, and an open position (not shown). In the closed position as shown the gate 10 closes the entrance between the first fixed upright 22 and the second fixed upright 30. The gate carries a bolt 32 by which it may be temporarily secured to the second fixed upright. The bolt may be lockable in known fashion.

The second fixed upright 30 is connected to a fence 34, only part of which is shown in Fig.1. Both of the first and second fixed uprights 22, 30 are substantially vertical.

It will be understood that when the gate 10 is in the open position persons and vehicles, as desired, can pass through the entrance between the fixed uprights 22 and 30.

It will also be understood that the first beam 12 is often referred to as the hinge stile, and the third beam 16 is often referred to as the slam stile.

Part of the first beam 12 is shown in Fig.2, specifically the part of the beam 12 adjacent its joint with one of the second beams 14. Fig.2 shows the cp.neting elements 36 of . . . .

,. . .. . 8 -..DTD: the first beam 12, and Fig.3 shows the cooperating connecting elements 40 of the second beam 14.

As shown in Figs.2 and 3, the first beam 12 and the second beam(s) 14 are of hollow rectangular profile. Three slot openings are formed in wall 38 of the first beam 12. Two of the slot openings 42 are adapted to receive the projecting pegs or tabs 44 of the second beam 14, the third slot opening 46 is adapted to receive the securing rail 50 of the second beam.

The slot openings 42 are of a length l, which is slightly greater than the corresponding dimension of the projecting tabs 44. The width of the slots 42 is also slightly greater than the thickness of the tabs 44. Accordingly, the tabs 44 can be inserted into the respective slots 42.

The projecting tabs 44 each have a cut-out recess 52 formed therein. The closed end of the recesses 52 are of a width w which are equal to, or only very slightly greater than, the thickness of the wall 38 of the first beam 12. The recesses 52 allow the second beam 14 to be connected to the first beam 12 by way of the projecting tabs 44 being inserted into the respective slots 42, and then moved downwardly (as drawn in Fig.3J so that respective parts of the wall 38 beneath the slots 42 occupy the recesses 52, and little or no relative longitudinal or lateral movement is permitted.

Whilst the above-described interconnection of the projecting tabs 44 and slots 42 will be sufficient to secure the first and second beams together in some applications, Figs. 2 and 3 shows a preferred embodiment in which securing means are provided to retain these parts in engagement when the gate has been assembled and is closed. Thus, with only the above-described interconnection it would be possible for an intending intruder to apply an upwards force adjacent the end of the second beam in an assembled gate, so as to lift the projecting tabs 44 relative to the slots 42, and so : : : ;. :. :. :. . 9

permit separation of the second beam(s) 14 from the first beam 12. The upwards force could be used to lift the second beams 14 even if the gate was closed and locked.

To avoid such unauthorized separation of the beams, a projecting rail 50 is provided upon the second beam 14, which rail can locate into slot 46 of the first beam 12.

When the rail 50 is located within the slot 46, such unauthorized force will not lift the second beam 14 relative to the first beam 12, and so separation of the beams is prevented.

However, in order to allow the assembly (and disassembly) of the second beam 14 from the first beam 12, the recesses 52 must be tapering, i.e. have an angled wall 54 (in this embodiment at an angle a), which allows the projecting tabs 44 to be introduced into the slots 42 at an angle, and moved relative to the slots at an angle, whereupon the rail 50 slides along the surface of the wall 38 as the recesses 52 surround parts of the wall 38. When the rail 46 overlies the slot 46 the second beam 14 can be rotated slightly (clockwise as drawn) until the rail 50 enters the slot 46.

Subsequent disassembly of the second beam 14 from the first beam 12 requires slight rotation (anti-clockwise as drawn) of the second beam 14 to release the rail 50 from the slot 46, whereupon the second beam 14 can be moved to release the wall 38 from the recesses 52. It will be understood, however, than when the gate is assembled and hung from its hinges 20 its weight is opposing such rotation, and when the bolt 32 is in place such rotation is prevented.

The angle required to permit assembly and disassembly will depend upon the depth d of the recesses 52, the separation between the recesses 52 and the rail 50, and the amount by which the rail 50 projects. All of these dimensions are variable to suit the designer's requirements, so that the .. ees ea. a e eve * e .. .. ee.. -

designer can set a relatively small angle a, or a relatively large angle A, as desired.

As shown, the projecting tabs 44 project from the end of the second beam 14 a height h below the top of the second beam 14. Desirably, the height h is at least as great as the depth d of the recesses, to ensure that when the gate is assembled the slots 42 are not visible above the second beam 14; if the slots were visible they might give an intending intruder information as to how to seek to disassemble the gate. Additionally, it can be arranged that in alternative embodiments the tabs 44 project from inside the side edges of the second beam, so that the sides of the slots 42 are not visible in the assembled gate. However, it is expected to be possible to laser cut the metal with sufficient accuracy that the projecting tabs 44 are a very tight fit within the slots 42, so that when the gate is assembled only a joint line is visible, and it is not apparent that a slot is present.

It will be understood that the connection between the second beams 14 and the third beam 16 can be identical to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or inverted. Specifically, the recesses 52 in the projecting tabs 44 of the end of the second beams 14 engaging the third beam could open downwardly as shown for the recess in Fig.3, or they could open upwardly, as desired. An identical arrangement is likely to be preferred, however, since when the gate is closed the weight of the second beams 14 and the filling members 60 is likely to be shared between the first and third beams 12 and 16, i.e. it is likely that the gate will need to be lifted slightly to engage the bolt 32 in the second fixed upright 30. However, since with the rail 50 located within the slot 46 upwards and downwards relative movement of the second beams relative to the first and third beams is prevented, the arrangement for the connection between the third beam and the second beams is not as e ë .

e. ., .e - 11 - critical as that between the first beam and the second beams...DTD: The gate 10 is designed for use at an industrial or commercial site, and may be several metres wide, and around two metres high, for example. Whilst the beams 12,14 and 16 provide the structural rigidity of the gate, it is necessary to infill the space between the beams to prevent access through the gate. In this embodiment the space is filled by a number of filling members, in the form of metallic tubes 60.

One possible means of interconnecting the filling members 60 with the second beams 14 is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig.4 shows a part of the underside of the top-most second beam 14, whilst Fig.5 shows the top end of a filling member 60.

It will, however, be understood that the upperside and underside of the middle second beam 14, and the upperside of the lower-most second beam can have similar connecting elements for connection to the ends of respective filling members.

The filling members 60 in this embodiment comprise tubes of substantially circular cross-section. Projecting from the end of the tube are two diametrically-opposed projecting tabs 62 having undercut recesses 64. The second beam 14 has a generally circular aperture 66 formed therein, the generally circular aperture 66 having two diametrically- opposed inwardly-projecting lugs 70. It will be understood that when the tube 60 is placed against the aperture the lugs 70 engage respective parts of the end of the tube; the tube 60 can then be rotated until the undercut recesses 64 engage the respective lugs 70.

It will be understood that the undercut recesses are designed to be a tight fit around the lugs 70, so that the tubes 60 can be secured to the second members 14 substantially free of rattle or inadvertent movement.

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Whilst it is possible for the tubes of an assembed gate to be rotated by sufficient force to release the recesses 64 from the lugs 70, this will not enable removal of the filling member since both of its ends are located between adjacent second beams 14.

It will be understood that the form of the connecting elements for connecting the filling members to the second beams could be altered without affecting the benefits of the invention. In particular, one, or more than two, projections and lugs could alternatively be used, or two projections and lugs which were not diametrically-opposed could be used, as desired.

In an alternative embodiment, the gate has only two second beams, one at its top edge the other adjacent its bottom edge. Whilst such an alternative arrangement is likely to be less rigid than the embodiment of Fig.1, it has the advantage that it is more difficult to climb over, i.e. there is no central second beam which might assist an intending intruder in climbing over the gate. The gate could of course carry spikes or other means of deterring an intending intruder from climbing over the gate, if this was desired.

In another alternative embodiment the tubular filling members are elongated, and span the distance between the top-most second beam 14 and the bottom-most second beam 14, there being a through-aperture in the middle second beam 14 (i.e. an aperture similar to the aperture 66 but without the lugs 70 in each of the upperside and underside walls of the second beam) allowing the elongated tubes to pass therethrough.

In yet another alternative embodiment the tubular filling members span the distance between the top-most second beam 14 and the bottom-most second beam 14, there being a through-aperture in both of the middle and bottom-most e.. .. e e :-::: : : : : e. .. . second beams 14. In this embodiment, the filling members can be inserted through the bottom-most and middle second beams 14, and in use be suspended from the top-most second beam 14. It will be understood that in such embodiments it is necessary that the filling members terminate sufficiently close to the ground in use to prevent their separation from the top-most beam 14.

The engagement of the filling members with the second beams is preferably adapted to maintain a substantially perpendicular relationship between those components. In this way, the filling members can act to prevent the rotation of the second beams through the angle required to disassemble the gate.

If desired, some or all of the filling members could extend beyond the top-most second beam 14 and terminate in a spike of other feature for deterring a person from climbing over the gate.

The gate can be assembled from its separate components at the site of its intended use, perhaps by skilled workers of the gate manufacturer, or even by the customer if sufficient instructions are provided. The components for the gate could be shipped with a minimum of wasted space, increasing the efficiency of transportation. In addition, it is envisaged that the components would be painted, powder coated or otherwise made corrosion resistant (and also aesthetically pleasing) prior to assembly. Since many gates would be made from similar components the paint plant could be designed to paint those components efficiently with minimum wastage of paint.

If the gate when assembled is found to be oversized or undersized, only the second beams are likely to require replacement. No damage need be caused to any of the components during disassembly, and replacement (correctly- sized) second beams couled..r.eadiey. he provided to ee. e e e e - 14 customer. The incorrectly-dimensioned second beams may be retained by the customer or manufacturer for another gate, or cut down by the manufacturer so as to be suitable for a smaller gate.

If the customer subsequently changes the dimensions of the entrance, the gate may similarly be disassembled and the second beams replaced.

Whilst the gate has been described as intended for assembly without welding or other permanent securement, it is of course possible that a customer would desire the additional security afforded by a small weld (such as a spot of MIG or TIG weld) at some or all of the joints between the first and second beams and between the third and second beams. Such a weld would cause the breakdown of paint or powder coat adjacent the weld site, but that would be over a small area which could subsequently be touched up by brush. Clearly, the welds should not be applied until the gate has been fully assembled and it has been checked to fit the site entrance. The use of welds for additional security could avoid the requirement for the projecting rail 50, if desired.

Alternatively, the connecting means for connecting the first beam (and if desired also the third beam) to one or more of the second beams could comprise a bolted construction. In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, for example, the first beam 112 and the third beam 116 each carry a pair of projecting spigots 72 for each of the (two) second beams 114. As better seen in Fig.7, the second beams 114 have a pair of inturned sides providing two enclosed channels 74, and a spigot 72 is provided for each channel 74 (only one of the spigots is visible). The second beam 114 is subsequently secured to the spigots by bolts (not shown) passing through aligned holes 76, 78, the holes 78 in the spigot preferably being threaded.

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e as. . . e e.. a. . .

e - 15 In another embodiment the end of the second beam could carry a captive nut which could be engaged by a bolt passed through the first beam and extending into the end of the second beam, the longitudinal axis of the bolt being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second beam.

The bolted construction has the advantage over the non- bolted construction described earlier that it requires less accurate machining of the parts of the gate. However, it is necessary to use bolts with a particular and non-standard form of head, so that an intending intruder cannot remove the bolts and disassemble the gate with a conventional spanner or wrench.

The embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 has an additional advantage in that the second beams 114 and the filling members 160 could be designed for a fence panel such as described in our GB patent 2,345,303 for example, the second beams 114 and the filling members 160 being assembled on site. Instead of using the assembled panel as a fence panel it could be used as a gate by fitting a first beam or hinge stile 112 and a third beam or slam stile 116 (the first beam 112 being pre- fitted with hinge components 80 and the third beam 116 being pre-fitted with bolt means 82. It will be understood that the bolt holes 76 in the second beams 114 will be provided for securement of the fence panel to fence posts or to the first and third beams of a gate, as desired.

Another advantage afforded by the accurate cutting of the beams in all embodiments, which accuracy is expected to be available with laser cutting for example, is that the components could be manufactured so that the first and second beams are not precisely perpendicular until the weight of the gate is applied. Thus, the angular relationship between the first (and perhaps also third) beams and the second beams could be one or two degrees away from perpendicular (fop exapla),.and.the beams only become ë : : i. . - 16 perpendicular when the gate is hung in cantilever, i, e. the weight of the gate slightly distorts some of the joints so as to make the beams perpendicular.

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Claims

A gate assembled from a number of metal beams, the beams having cooperating connecting elements by which the beams may be secured together upon engagement of the connecting elements, the beams being separable by disengagement of the connecting elements.
2. A gate according to claim 1 in which the connecting elements include at least one threaded bolt.
3. A gate according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the connecting elements comprise respective peg and slot arrangements, the or each peg means of one beam fitting into appropriate slot means of an adjacent beam.
4. A gate according to claim 1 in which at least some of the connecting elements can include securing means acting to prevent the forced separation of connected beams.
5. A gate according to claim 1 in which the gate comprises a substantially rectangular frame made up of four substantially rigid beams, two of the be-ems being substantially vertical in use, and two being substantially horizontal in use.
6. A gate according to claim 5 in which additional beams are included to add to the structural rigidity of the gate.
7. A gate according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which each of the beams is connected to its neighbours by first connecting elements, and in which at least some of the space enclosed by the frame is occupied by filling members which are secured to respective beams.

. # a ë a. a. e. - 18
8. A gate according to claim 7 in which the filling members are secured to the respective beams by second connecting elements.
9. A gate according to claim 8 in which the filling members comprise tubes.
10. A gate according to claim 9 in which the second connecting elements comprise projections from the ends of the filling members which can engage with lugs upon a beam.
A gate according to claim 10 in which the interconnection of the projections and the lugs is effected by way of rotational movement of the filling member.
12. A gate according to claim 1 in which the beams are made from hollow profiles of metal, ideally ERA grade hot rolled steel.
13. A method of constructing a gate comprising the steps of: {i} providing a plurality of second beams adapted to form the substantially horizontal members of the gate in use, the second beams having connecting elements; {ii} providing a number of filling members; {iii} securing the filling members to the second beams; {iv} providing a first beam and a third beam, the first and third beams being adapted to form the substantially vertical members of the gate in use, the first beam providing the hinge stile and the third beam providing the slam stile, the first and third beams having respective connecting elements cooperable with the connecting elements of the second beams; * e ëe.. e ee.

ee. e . . . . . e.

. - 19 {v} securing the first beam to the second beams and the third beam to the second beams by way of the respective connecting elements.

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