GB2475487A

GB2475487A - High security gate

Info

Publication number: GB2475487A
Application number: GB0920194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rob Horne
Original assignee: UNITSPARK Ltd
Current assignee: UNITSPARK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-18
Filing date: 2009-11-18
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-18
Also published as: GB2475487B; GB0920194D0

Abstract

The gate comprises a gate section 1 with first and second sides, a lever 11 positioned on the first side and a post 31 on the second side, with a connection between the lever and post enabling movement of the lever to move the post between a secured position and a free position, where the gate can be opened. Rotation of the lever about a fulcrum 12 to which the connection is also secured preferably causes substantially vertical movement of the post. The post may be biased towards the free position, preferably by a compression spring. The lever is preferably adapted to be secured in both the secured and free positions and covers 16 are provided for the lever and connection to prevent illegal access. A socket 101 is preferably formed in the ground beneath the gate for receiving the post.

Description

LOCKABLE GATE

This invention relates to a gate section. More specifically, but not exclusively, this invention relates to an anti-ram gate section.

Anti-ram devices are commonly employed in places where there is a high security risk and a need to restrict movement of vehicles. They are normally designed to withstand the impact of a car, or severely damage the car on impact to inhibit the car's movement. A common form of anti-ram device is a bollard. The bollard is a vertical post constructed to absorb the energy of an impact without substantially deforming. The bollard is, however, a permanent structure, which can be inappropriate in some circumstances.

A preferable form of bollard is a rising bollard. The rising bollard is retractable into the ground such that an operative can employ the rising bollard at appropriate times, however, the operative has to manually lift the rising bollard out of the ground when it is needed.

There are therefore health problems associated with rising bollards in that the operative may incur an injury due to the rising bollard's weight.

A gate, which may be part of a larger fence structure, may be situated outside a high security zone, and therefore may require an anti-ram device. However, there are problems associated with employing rising bollards with gates in part of a larger fence structure.

For example, in order to close the gate and employ the rising bollard, the operative must close the gate, lift the rising bollard out of the ground, and then exit the high security zone either by walking around the larger fence structure, or by using an exit gate employed at another section of the larger fence structure.

It is therefore desirable to have a lockable gate section that alleviates some or all of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus which may comprise a gate section having a first side and a second side, a lever, positioned on the first side and movable between an open and closed position, a post, positioned on the second side and movable between a free position and a secured position, and a member, connected substantially at opposing ends to the lever and the post, configured such that movement of the lever from the open position to the closed position causes the post to move from the free position to the secured position.

Advantageously, an operative may employ a post on a restricted side of a gate section by using a lever on an opposing side of the gate section. The operative therefore may not have to travel to the restricted side of the gate section, which may require walking around a larger fence structure, and therefore cuts down the operational time to close the gate section and employ the post.

Furthermore, the post may be employed or unemployed by movement of the lever. The operative therefore may not have to lift a rising bollard out of the ground (which poses health risks to the operative).

Preferably, the member is adapted to rotate about a fulcrum to the second side, which causes the post to move substantially vertically from the free position to the secured position.

Preferably, the lever is adapted to rotate about a fulcrum on the first side, wherein rotation of the lever about the fulcrum on the first side causes the member to rotate about the fulcrum on the second side, which causes the post to move substantially vertically between the free position and the secured position.

Preferably, the post has a mass between 10kg and 15kg.

Preferably, the lever is adapted to be securable in the closed position.

Therefore, the lever may be secured in the closed position, such as by a padlock.

Advantageously, therefore, only an operative with the appropriate key can unlock the lever in order to open the gate section.

The lever may be adapted to be securable in the closed position at a point along its length, and may further include a lever cover, for restricting access to the point from above and/or in front of the lever.

The lever cover restricts access to the point at which the lever is securable in the closed position from above and/or in front of the point, such that access to the point is only available from the sides or underneath the lever cover. This restricted access is advantageous as it may limit the use of, for example, an angle grinder, that a person may use in order to break the padlock in order to gain unauthorized use of the lever.

The lever may be further adapted to be securable in the open position. This may be by a locking pin that may be inserted through the lever when in the open position.

The locking pin may allow the operative to temporarily lock the lever in the open position, such that the post is temporarily locked in the free position. This allows free movement of the gate section, such that the gate section may be opened.

The post may include a post cover, which may include a slot for the member.

The post cover restricts access to the post. This advantageously limits the opportunity, for example, for a person to cut through the post when in the secured position such as to allow unauthorized free movement of the gate section.

Preferably, the post further includes biasing means, wherein the biasing means may be biased to force the post from the secured position to the free position.

The biasing means is biased to force the post from the secured position to the free position.

This may reduce the necessary force to be applied on the lever in order to move the post from the secured position to the free position. Advantageously, this may allow a heavier and/or stronger post to be used, which may decrease the likelihood of the post deforming during impact with a vehicle.

The biasing means may be a compression spring with a spring constant between 450N/m and 550N/m.

Preferably, the biasing means is covered with a biasing means cover.

Preferably, the member includes a member cover, for restricting access to the member from above and/or in front of the member.

The member cover restricts access to the member, which limits the opportunity, for example, for a person to use an angle-grinder to cut through the member.

The apparatus may further comprise a socket, for receiving the post in the secured position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a gate section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the post in the secured position; Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the gate section of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a front sectional view of the gate section of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a rear sectional view of the gate section of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates a side sectional view of the gate section of Figure 1; Figure 6 illustrates a front view of a gate section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the post in the free position; Figure 7 illustrates a rear view of the gate section of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a front sectional view of the gate section of Figure 6; Figure 9 illustrates a rear sectional view of the gate section of Figure 6; Figure 10 illustrates a side sectional view of the gate section of Figure 6; and Figure 11 illustrates a top view of a gate section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures ito 11.

Figures 1 and 3 illustrate a front view of a gate section 1. The gate section 1 may be part of a larger fence structure whereby further fence sections are positioned either side of the gate section 1.

The gate section 1 is positioned on a border of a restricted zone, such as a border of a high security area where movement of vehicles is restricted. The gate section 1 has a first side and a second side, whereby the first side defines the public' side of the gate section 1 and the second side defines the restricted' side of the gate section 1.

In the figures, the first side is the front side 2 of the gate section 1 and the second side is the back side 3 of the gate section 1.

The gate section 1 includes a box 10 which extends from the front side 2 to the back side 3 of the gate section 1.

On the front side 10 of the gate section 1, the box 10 includes a lever 11 which is adapted to rotate from an open position to a closed position about a fulcrum 12. Figures 1 to 5 show the lever 11 in the closed position.

The lever 11 includes a lever padlock plate 13, which includes a hole 14 adapted to receive a padlock (not shown). The box 10 further includes a box padlock plate 15, which also includes a hole 16 adapted to receive a padlock. When the lever 11 is in the closed position, the respective holes 14, 16 of the lever padlock plate 13 and the box padlock plate 15 are in registry. Thus, the lever 11 can be secured in the closed position by the padlock.

The box 10 further includes a front cover 16, which extends over at least part of the lever padlock plate 13 and the box padlock plate 15. The purpose of the front cover 16 is to restrict access to the lever padlock plate 13, the box padlock plate 15 and any padlock attached thereon.

The front cover 16 restricts access from above, from in front of, and from at least one side of the padlock plates 13, 15. Thus, access to the padlock plates 13, 15 and any padlock attached thereon is only available from underneath the padlock plates 13, 15, or possibly from one side. This inhibits a person using an object, such as an angle-grinder, to cut through the padlock plates 13, 15 or any padlock attached thereon.

The lever 11 further includes a locking pin 19, and the box 10 further includes a locking pin plate 20. The locking pin plate 20 includes a hole 21 to receive the locking pin 19, and is positioned on the box 10 such that when the lever 11 rotates from the closed to the open position, a lever hole 22 on the lever 11 is in registry with the hole 21 on the locking pin plate 20. Thus, the locking pin 19 can pass through both holes 21, 22 and secure the lever 11 in the open position.

The back side 3 of the gate section 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 4. On the back side 3 of the gate section 1, the box 10 is further provided with a member 30, which is adapted to rotate about the fulcrum 12.

As shown in Figure 5, the box 10 is further provided with a rotatable connector 40 between the front 2 and back sides 3 of the gate section 1. Therefore, a rotation of the lever 11 on the front 2 of the gate section 1 about the fulcrum 12 causes the member 30 on the back 3 of the gate section 1 to rotate about the fulcrum 12.

The back side 3 of the gate section 1 is provided with a rear cover 36, which covers at least part of the member 30.

The back 3 of the gate section 1 is provided with a post 31. In this embodiment, the post 31 has a mass of 13.3kg. The post 31 is adapted to move between a free position and a secured position. Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the post 31 in the secured position.

The skilled person will understand that the secured position is any position such that the post 31 is registered with an immovable object such as the ground 100. For example, as shown in the Figures 1 to 5, the post 31 extends substantially into the ground 100 beneath the gate section 1. In such an arrangement, the post 31 resists a force acting upon it, and preferably can resist a very large force (such as the impact of a moving vehicle) in order to be used for anti-ram purposes. As the post 31 is connected to the gate section 1, the post 31 inhibits opening of the gate section 1.

A post cover 33 is provided, which envelops the post 31. The post cover 33 is attached on one side to the gate section 1. The post cover 33 has a greater length than the post 31 such that the post 31 may move within the post cover 33. A bottom end of the post cover 33 is open to allow the post 31 to extend out of the post cover 33.

The post 31 includes a bolt 35 which extends out from a top end of the post 31 through the post cover 33. The bolt 35 is attached to the post 31 by a first nut 37 at one end of the bolt 35. A second nut 38 is provided at the opposing end of the bolt 35, on a section of the bolt that extends out of the post cover 33. A compression spring 39 is provided between the second nut 38 and the post cover 33, and forces the second nut 38 away from the post cover 33 when the post 31 is in the secured position. Therefore, the post 31 is subject to a force in the opposite direction to its weight.

In this embodiment, the spring constant of the compression spring 39 is 49ONIm.

A spring cover 34 is provided at the periphery of the post cover 33 to cover the spring 39, the section of the bolt, and the second nut 38.

The member 30 is attached to the post 31, by passing through a slot 41 provided on a side of the post cover 33, such that rotation of the member 30 causes the post 31 to move within the post cover 33.

A socket 101 is provided on a surface beneath the gate section. The socket 101 includes a hole adapted to receive the post 31. The socket 101 is positioned on the surface beneath the post 31 such that the post 31 extends through the socket 101 when the in the secured position.

The method of operation will now be described.

The post 31 is initially in the secured position as shown in Figures 1 to 5, and the padlock plates 13, 15 are locked by the padlock such that the lever 11 is secured in the closed position.

The operative unlocks and removes the padlock from the padlock plates 13, 15 such that the lever is unsecured. The operative may then rotate the lever 11 about the fulcrum 12 from the closed to the open position. This movement causes the member 30 on the back 3 of the gate section 1 to rotate about the fulcrum 12, which causes the post 31 to rise within the post cover 33 from the secured to the free position. This movement is assisted by the force exerted by the compression spring 39 on the second nut 38.

When the lever 11 is in the open position, the locking pin 19 is inserted through the lever hole 22 and the hole 21 in the locking pin plate 20 in order to secure the lever 11 in the open position.

The post 31 is thus secured in the free position. The skilled reader will understand that the free position is any position where the post 31 is not registered with an immovable object.

As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the post 31 is withdrawn into the post cover 33 and is no longer registered with the ground 100. Therefore, the gate section 1 is free to open and close.

The method of closing the gate section 1 will now be described.

The gate section 1 is moved into a closed position, such that post 31 is aligned above the socket 101. The locking pin 19 is removed from the hole 21 in the locking pin plate 20 and the lever hole 22, such that the lever 11 is unsecured.

It is preferable for the operative to hold onto a handle 9 of the lever 11 whilst removing the locking pin 19 as the weight of the post 31 is greater than the force exerted by the compression spring 39.

The operative then rotates the lever 11 about the fulcrum 12 from the closed position to the open position, which causes the member 30 to rotate about the fulcrum 12, which causes the post 31 to move from the free position to the secured position. Therefore, the operative must make sure the post 31 aligns with the socket 101 as he/she rotates the lever 11 in order for the socket 101 to receive the post 31.

The operative then places the padlock through the holes 14, 16 of the padlock plates 13, 15 in order to secure the lever 11 in the closed position.

In order for the skilled person to put the invention into effect, the dimensions of the preferred embodiment (which are in no way limiting), are as follows.

The lever 11 has a dogleg shape, including a lower half and an upper half. The lower half (which includes the fulcrum 12 and the hole 22) has a length of 251mm. The upper half (which includes the handle 9) has a length of 150mm.

The member 30 has a length of 350mm.

The post 31 has a length of 900mm, and is configured to extend a distance of 230mm out of the bottom of the post cover 33.

The bolt 35 has a length of 275mm, and the length of the section of the bolt and the compression spring when the post 31 is in the secured position is 40mm.

The compression spring is a stainless steel spring, 27mm wide, and pitch 10.

The first and second nuts are both M10 nuts.

Some or all of the elements of the apparatus are constructed out of stainless steel grade 304. This alloy is harder to cut and more corrosion resistant.

The skilled person will understand that the dimensions given above are for illustrative purposes, and are in no way limiting. The skilled person will therefore understand that the choice of dimensions (particularly the length of the lever 11 and the member 30, the mass of the post 31 and the spring constant of the compression spring 39) can be adapted for a particular gate section 1. The choice of these particular dimensions allows the operative to rotate the lever without undue physical burden.

The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus comprising a gate section having a first side and a second side; a lever, positioned on the first side and movable between an open and closed position; a post, positioned on the second side and movable between a free position and a secured position; and a member, connecting the lever and the post, configured such that movement of the lever between the open position and the closed position causes the post to move between the free position and the secured position.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the member is adapted to rotate about a fulcrum on the second side, which causes the post to move substantially vertically from the free position to the secured position.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lever is adapted to rotate about a fulcrum on the first side, wherein rotation of the lever about the fulcrum on the first side causes the member to rotate about the fulcrum on the second side, which causes the post to move substantially vertically between the free position and the secured position.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post has a mass between 10kg and 15kg.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post further includes biasing means, wherein the biasing means is biased to force the post from the secured position to the free position.
6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the biasing means is a compression spring with a spring constant between 450N/m and 550N/m.
7. Apparatus as claimed in either one of Claims 5 or 6, further comprising a biasing means cover.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever is adapted to be securable in the closed position.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever is adapted to be secured in the closed position at a point along its length, and further includes a lever cover, for restricting access to the point from above and/or in front of the lever.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever is further adapted to be securable in the open position.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post includes a post cover, including a slot for the member.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member includes a member cover, for restricting access to the member from above and/or in front of the member.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a socket, for receiving the post in the secured position.
14. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.