GB2471515A

GB2471515A - Locking system for a kissing gate with an override position allowing gate to be completely opened

Info

Publication number: GB2471515A
Application number: GB0911522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Daniel John Goddard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-03
Filing date: 2009-07-03
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-03
Also published as: GB2471515B; GB0911522D0

Abstract

A one way ratchet mechanism for a kissing gate bolt 2 comprises a rotating cog which is permitted to travel in one direction but prevented from traveling in a second direction by a pawl 1, the gate bolt can be retracted in order to bypass the cog by means of a key. During normal use the kissing gate swings between two gate posts and is retained by the one-way ratchet mechanism. To open the gate beyond the gate post to allow free access through the gate to allow the passage of wheelchairs and scooters the striker 2 is retracted with the use of a RADAR key in the form issued by the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation; when the striker is retracted it can bypass the kissing gate latch and the gate can move to the completely open position. Upon removal of the key the striker 2 extends once more; the gate is biased to its closed, normal operation position, for example by self-returning hinges or springs and the one way ratchet permits passage of the strike bolt 2.

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION

Kissing gate operating and Locking system This invention relates to a device for enabling wheelchairs and scooters to pass through a kissing gate and for the gate to shut in a failsafe manner.

Kissing gates are used increasingly in order to prevent unauthorised access by certain vehicles, e.g. motorcycles to certain land including footpaths. However kissing gates also cause an access problem for wheelchairs and scooters.

If kissing gates are provided with a key accessible function to allow them to fully open past their normal operating (or closed') position into a pass-through (or open') position (so that wheelchairs and scooters can pass through) a further problem arises.

This problem is that, if the gate is not returned to its closed position, livestock can escape and unautborised vehicles can gain access to the land concerned.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a design of kissing gate that will swing back into its normal operating position as soon as it is let go. The gate is fitted with self-returning hinges or springs to ensure that it will swing back into the normal operating position. These could comprise rising butt, lynch gate hinges or springs to enable the gate to return.

The invention is further described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a kissing gate in both its normal operating positions and in its pass-through position and labels the fence post marked 3 and fence post marked 4 on the diagram; Figure 2 shows the form of locking mechanism incorporating a one way ratchet and the means of entry of a gate bolt.

Figure 1 shows how such hinges or springs operate to return the gate to its normal operating position when the gate moves from the position marked 1 to the fence post marked 3 in Figure 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow marked 2 in Figure 1. A catch mounted in one fence post (marked as 3 in Figure 1) allows the gate to move through it from the position marked 1 and then the gate is able to swing between two fence posts (marked 3 and 4 respectively in Figure 1) in the normal operating position. However the catch does not allow the gate to be pushed beyond point 3 into the pass-through position unless a key is used.

The invention will make sure that once the kissing gate has been opened into the pass-through position it will return automatically to the normal operating position. By this means access can be gained through the gate for permitted vehicle users and the risk of the gate being left open with the attendant risk of livestock escaping or unauthorised vehicles gaining access through the gate is reduced.

The gate is provided with a protruding bolt at a height which allows it to travel through the slot in the cover of the ratchet mechanism between the points marked 5 and 3 in Figure 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow marked 4 in Figure 2. This bolt is normally protruding enough so that it engages with the cog part of the ratchet mechanism. However the bolt can be retracted into the gate by using a key in the form issued by the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (a RADAR key) in the lock mechanism. When a RADAR key is used to open the lock on the gate a conventional multi lever lock mechanism is designed to retain the RADAR key whilst the bolt is retracted. When the bolt is retracted this allows the kissing gate to move into the pass-through position. However the design of the lock is such that it does not allow the RADAR key to be removed until the gate is returned to the out (safe) position. Therefore the user is forced to leave the bolt in the out (safe) position if they wish to retrieve their RADAR key.

Preferably RADAR keys can be used as a means of enabling selected persons to open the kissing gate by causing the bolt to retract using such a RADAR key. Disabled persons in particular could be issued with such keys to enable them to open the kissing gate allowing their wheelchairs or scooters to pass through the gate. The RADAR key holders can use such a key to retract the bolt and so allow the gate to open into the pass-through position. As soon as the RADAR keyholder withdraws their key and lets the gate go, the gate will swing back automatically into the normal operating position (between the positions marked as 3 and 4 in Figure 1).

The catch into which the gate bolt fits is designed as a one way ratchet as is illustrated in Figure 2 and marked 1. The ratchet mechanism is enclosed within a casing made of hard material which shields it and so prevents it being tampered with.

Claims

CLAIMSA one way ratchet mechanism comprising part of the locking system for a kissing gate bolt comprising a rotating cog which is allowed to travel in one direction and is prevented from travelling in the opposite direction by a ratchet pawl and a gate bolt which can be retracted into the gate by using a RADAR key in the form issued by the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (a RADAR key) comprising a key in the lock mechanism which retains the key whilst the bolt is retracted and releases the key when the bolt is deployed and the gate returns automatically to a closed (safe) position by means of self-returning hinges or springs.
2. A kissing gate locking system according to claim 1, in which the ratchet pawl and the point of connection between it and the rotating cog and the axis point of the rotating cog are enclosed within a casing made of hard material.
3. A kissing gate featuring the locking system according to claims 1 and 2 where the gate is fitted with self-returning hinges or springs which return the gate automatically from an open position to a closed (safe) position resulting in the kissing gate bolt entering and being secured by the one way ratchet mechanism.
4. A kissing gate locking system according to all of the preceding claims, in which the gate bolt is retracted into the gate by means of a RADAR key.