GB2417748A

GB2417748A - Gate with a closable opening within it

Info

Publication number: GB2417748A
Application number: GB0419396A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alun Thomas Beverley-Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-01
Filing date: 2004-09-01
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-01
Also published as: GB0419396D0; GB2417748B

Abstract

A gate structure 1 has an opening 2 within it, preferably of V- or U-shape, of sufficient size to permit passage of a person and preferably higher than the base of the gate, with a panel 3 to close off the opening. The panel 3 is pivotally mounted by hinge 4 so as to rotate within the plane of the gate 1 and is biased, preferably by gravity, towards a position which covers the opening. The panel may be accommodated with a recess formed in the gate, preferably by constructing the gate as two spaced parallel sheets. A handle 8 may be provided as well as one or more locks.

Description

241 7748 Gate This invention relates to gates and stiles.

Gates and stiles are widely used, especially in rural areas, as a means to prevent animals, such as livestock, from escaping an enclosure, such as a fenced field, while simultaneously permitting humans to pass through or over a fence. Gates are traditionally of the horizontal-swinging type and usually provide a means to secure the gate in the closed position. However, it is rather inconvenient to open a gate, pass through and subsequently close a gate. This often leads to gates being left open. This is undesirable as it may allow animals to escape. For this reason gates are frequently locked, so preventing free passage by humans. Stiles usually consist of one or more steps positioned in the vicinity of a wall or fence so as to provide a means by which a person my climb over a wall, but do not permit passage of farm animals. However, stiles also suffer from a disadvantage in that they require a person to possess significant agility. Their use is not without hazard as falls are common when attempting to step or climb over a stile. Moreover, stiles are inconvenient when walking a dog as few dogs are able to climb them.

The present invention provides a safe and effective means to limit the passage of animals or small children without inconveniencing adults. Its primary application will be as a gate in the countryside, but it could be used as a safety gate to prevent access of children to dangerous areas.

The general aim of the invention is to allow easy access and egress for pedestrians without the dangers and nuisance of climbing a traditional stile; furthermore, its unique closing mechanism desirably ensures the safe enclosure of animals and pets, and the exclusion of small children from hazardous areas.

Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention provides a gate comprising: a main body having an opening of sufficient size to let a person step through; a panel pivotably attached to said main body by a hinge, such that it is rotatable in the plane of said main body between a closed position in which the panel covers said opening and an open position in which it is substantially clear of said opening; the panel being biased towards the closed position in which it covers said opening.

That is the panel is hinged in the vertical plane and rotatable in that plane relative to a surrounding main body.

Thus, by rotating the panel to the open position a person can open the gate and climb through the opening.

Once they have passed through and released the panel it automatically returns to the closed position. As the panel is rotatably hinged, there is a lateral component to its movement from the closed to open position. This makes it easy to hold the gate open in contrast to a non rotatable guillotine arrangement in which the panel would have to be held above the users head as they climbed through the gate.

The gate is preferably self closing. Preferably the panel is gravity biased to the closed position, that is its construction and centre of gravity is such that when in the open position it has a natural tendency to fall back to the closed position.

The base of the opening is raised relative to the ground (e.g. raised relative to the base of the main body to form a step which has to be passed over when crossing the gate).

Preferably the opening is narrower at its base than at its top. This makes it easy for a human to pass through while still impeding animals. Preferably said panel comprises a handle to facilitate manual operation of the gate. The handle is preferably a recess or aperture in the panel. Preferably said main body provides a recess to accommodate said panel when it is rotated to said open position. Preferably one or more locks are provided to secure the panel in either the open position or the closed position.

Gates of the present invention may be constructed of wood, plastic, stone, concrete, metal or combinations thereof. Preferably the gate is constructed of a combination of metal and wood. More preferably, the panel and sheets are constructed of wood and the hinge mechanism is constructed of steel.

A further aspect of the present invention comprises a method for preventing passage of animals whilst permitting passage of humans comprising the positioning of a gate as hereinabove described in line with a fence or wall.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a side-on view of the gate in the open position.

Fig. 2 shows a side-on view of the gate in the closed position.

Fig. 3 shows, in perspective, the gate in the open position.

The gate in this example comprises a main body comprising two parallel sheets 1 and 1' and a V-shaped opening portion 2, cut out of the two sheets; a panel 3, pivotally secured to the two parallel sheets by a hinge 4; solid connectors, 6 and 7, fixed between sheets 1 and 1'; and a handle 8 in the form of an elongate aperture in panel 3. The panel is freely rotatable about its hinge, in the vertical plane of the gate, but is constrained between two limits of rotation by the solid connectors at 6 and 7. Parts of the panel 3 which are hidden behind the sheets 1 and 1' are shown in dashed lines in Figs. 1 to 3. The hinge is preferably a low friction single pivot hinge; although it would also be possible to use a sliding gear or parallel hinges.

Due to its shape and centre of gravity the panel is gravity biased such that it comes to rest in the closed position of figure 2. The panel can be lifted manually, by use of the handle 8, to open the gate. In the open position the panel is substantially enclosed by the recess provided between the two sheets on the right side of the gate. While Fig. 3 shows connectors 6, 7 extending along the whole length between the parallel sheets 1 and 1', it would also be possible to have small connectors extending between only a part of this length.

Furthermore, the main body 1 could be made of a single solid piece with a recess hollowed out on the right side for receiving the panel 3 in the open position. The important thing is that the main body constrains the freedom of rotation between two limits. It would also be possible to have rubber flaps along the edges of the opening 2 in order to prevent ingress of dirt. Locks may optionally be provided to secure the gate in either the open or closed position.

The gate is operated by a person who lifts the panel into its open position and steps through the opening, optionally placing his foot on the base of the opening 9 which is raised relative to the base 10 of the main body 1 which rests on the ground.

The gate in this example may be constructed of wood, preferably the panel and sheets are constructed of wood and the hinge mechanism is constructed of metal.

The gate of the present example may be positioned in line with a fence, e. g. by fixing between two fence posts, so as to provide a means to selectively allow humans to pass through said fence, but not farm animals.

Claims

Claims 1. A gate comprising: a main body having an opening of sufficient

size to let a person step through; a panel pivotably attached to said main body by a hinge, such that it is rotatable in the plane of said main body between a closed position in which the panel covers said opening and an open position in which it is substantially clear of said opening; the panel being biased towards the closed position in which it covers said opening.
2. A gate according to claim 1 wherein the panel is gravity biased towards the closed position.
3. A gate according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the main body has a recess for accommodating the panel when it is rotated away from the closed position to the open position.
4. A gate according to claim 3 wherein the main body comprises two substantially parallel sheets spaced apart by a distance adequate to accommodate said hinged panel therebetween.
5. A gate according to any of the above claims wherein the hinge is a single pivot hinge.
6. A gate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base of the opening is raised relative to the base of the main body.
7. A gate according to any one of the above claims wherein said opening is V-shaped or U-shaped.
8. A gate according to any one of the above claims wherein the hinged panel has a handle for facilitating manual opening of the gate.
9. A gate according to any one of the above claims wherein one or more locks are provided to secure the panel in either the open or closed position.
10. A gate substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A method for preventing passage of animals whilst permitting passage of humans comprising positioning of a gate according to any one of the above claims in line with a fence or wall.