GB2624649A

GB2624649A - Baby boon - infant gate device

Info

Publication number: GB2624649A
Application number: GB2217522.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pilime Lorraine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-11-23
Filing date: 2022-11-23
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Also published as: CN220815484U; GB202217522D0

Abstract

An infant gate device 99 comprising: a gate 1, a frame 2, 3 & 6, an attachment mechanism 5 for attachment of the frame to a narrow location so as to limit access past the frame when the gate is in the frame. A locking means 10 for locking the gate in the frame comprising a biometric key 8. The locking means may comprise a fingerprint sensor and the gate may comprise a transparent or translucent panel 1.

Description

AN INFANT GATE DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant gate device, in particular a device providing a gate or barrier for blockage of passage of an inf ant or other vulnerable user.

Background

Many societies would encourage and allow infants and other vulnerable persons to have freedom of movement. However with increasing dangers in the world, even in a home, it can be difficult for carers to allow this.

For example a carer may be unable to monitor the person at all times, and so they may 15 have access for example to dangerous locations such as staircases.

As a result it is often common to use a stairgate or similar barrier to close off access. Unfortunately such barriers tend to be inconvenient, having necessarily complex means of opening locking means that is intended to close the barrier to the vulnerable 20 persons.

Therefore often the gate or barrier may be inadvertently left open, thereby eradicating the benefits of safety.

Prior Art

CN 2064 11 747 (LI) discloses a fingerprint identification induction door, includes the door body, magnetic lock and door handle, its characterized in that: the door body is provided with a fingerprint identification device, the fingerprint identification device comprises a first fingerprint identification module, a second fingerprint identification module, a fingerprint acquisition module, a processing module, a control module and a power supply, the first fingerprint identification module is arranged on the door handle, the second fingerprint identification module is arranged at the lower end of the door body, the first fingerprint identification module and the second fingerprint identification module are connected in parallel and then connected with the processing module, and the processing module is electrically connected with the magnetic lock through the control module; US 8 468 743 (TING et al) discloses a baby gate assembly comprising: a barrier frame for bridging a passageway and defining a U-shaped gateway; a gate mounted in the gateway for swinging movement between open and closed positions, respectively, out of and into alignment with the frame, cooperable latching means on the frame and gate releasably engagable to lock the gate in the closed position; means on the frame for detecting the presence of a designated person adjacent the gate and for automatically disengaging the latching means to unlock the gate to permit the designated person detected to open the gate by hands free operation and to walk through the gateway and for automatically re-engaging the latching means to lock the gate when the designated person is no longer detected adjacent the gate; and, a pedal mechanism operably connected to the latching means to disengage the latching means to permit the designated person to open the gate by hands free operation and to walk through the gateway when the designated person detecting means is inoperable.

US 2007 0 130 833 (MAITAL) discloses an automatic safety gate or security barrier for preventing infant and/or pet from gaining access through passageways. The gate includes a gate member adapted to be mounted to a wall portion and is movable to a closed position to prevent an infant and/or pet from passing through. The locking mechanism of the gate can be deactivated by a human having predefined properties which are measured by at least one sensor of the gate. Deactivating the locking mechanism allows opening of the gate. The gate can also be manually unlocked by means of a handle. In the case of using a motion sensor, the motion sensor range, angle and height can be adjusted in order to accommodate a variety of openings, such as doors, passageways, stairs, etc. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 30 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an infant gate device comprising: 35 a gate; a frame; an attachment mechanism for attachment of the frame to a narrow location so as to limit access past the frame when the gate is in the frame; and a locking means for locking the gate in the frame; wherein locking means comprises a biometric key.

In this way the device may thereby provide a secure means of closing a location, for example access to a staircase, such that only designated users are enabled to pass, more particularly preventing a vulnerable person or child from passing a dangerous location. In addition or the alternative the device provides such security in an easy to control fashion less liable to be circumvented, left open or displaced for ease.

In some embodiments of the device the biometric key comprises a fingerprint sensor. In this way the sensor may enable a quick and effective means of operating the locking means, which unauthorised persons are unable to cheat.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more hinge, wherein 15 the gate is hinged at the one or more hinges to the frame.

In some embodiments of the device the gate comprises a transparent or translucent panel, so as to allow an unauthorised person at least to look through the gate.

In some embodiments of the device the attachment mechanism is a temporary mechanism, so as to allow the device to be used for a period of time in a preferred location, for example when the user has a small infant or toddler in the house.

In some such embodiments of the device the frame comprises a lateral bar betweevice en uprights, wherein the uprights are arranged to provide the attachment mechanism for the location. This lateral bar in this way joins uprights so as to provide a rigid and self-supporting frame. The lateral bar may be envisaged to be located at the bottom edge of the device in use.

In some embodiments of the device the attachment mechanism is a permanent mechanism comprising screw fixings, for example in locations such as nurseries or similar.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises threaded extenders to 35 extend the frame to fit the location, so as to widen or narrow the width of the device so as to fit a plurality of locations. Additionally or alternatively a plurality of extenders to one or more sides of the device will enable accommodation of non-vertical or nonlinear locations.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises resilient extenders to extend 5 the frame to fit the location, which may be biased to open the width, so as to push against the surfaces of the location.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a manual override for the locking means, so as to allow passage through the location in event of damage to the 10 biometric means and/or passage in an emergency and/or passage by an authorised user who has not input biometric key data.

In some embodiments of the device the manual override comprises a physical key and in others the manual override comprises a keypad.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a self-closing mechanism, so as to ensure that the gate is safely closed automatically, for example a spring closer or similar.

In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a receiver adapted to receive electronic signals, so as to allow a user to control the locking means remotely and/or enabling a user to have connected personal electronic equipment, such as a smartphone or similar device which may be connected via intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM) or similar. Such connected equipment thereby may allow the user to operate the locking means by proximity alone.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in 5 Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device 10 shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an infant gate device 99 comprising: a gate 1; a frame 2,3,6; an attachment mechanism 5 for attachment of the frame to a narrow location so as to limit access past the frame when the gate is in the frame; and a locking means 10 for locking the gate in the frame; wherein locking means comprises a biometric key 8.

With reference to the particular embodiment pictured in the figures, the embodiment comprises a glass or acrylic pane forming the gate 1.

The gate 1 is hinged at two hinges 7 to a first upright 3 on one side of the gate 1.

On the opposed side of the gate there is a second upright 2.

Between the uprights of the frame there is shown a removable lateral bar 6. This lateral bar is held in sockets at the bottom of the uprights, so as to aid in structural rigidity for the embodiment when the attachment mechanism that is in use is a temporary 30 attachment mechanism.

The temporary attachment mechanism 5 for the embodiment shown in the Figures comprises a mechanism known in the art, comprised of four screw threaded placement clamps, which are located towards the top and bottom of the uprights on the outer 35 faces.

The clamps have endmost pads, and are screwed into the upright, or more particularly screwed out from the uprights so to push against a surface spaced apart from the upright and substantially parallel.

In this way the embodiment can be temporarily locked into a gap or location.

In addition or the alternative the embodiment comprises a permanent attachment mechanism which is provided by removal of the threaded clamps from the uprights.

In place of the clamps therefore there is provided screw fixing holes in side plates 15, into which the clamps also screw.

The holes can be used for screwing fixings 16 into a wall, door frame or other structure that constitutes the structure forming the narrow location the device is in use to block.

In such circumstances the uprights are directly attached to the location, and there is therefore no need for the lateral bar to provide support for the frame.

The uprights may be envisaged to be formed as metal or alloy square bars, and have 20 endmost caps 11,12, wherein the caps may be plastic or polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar, and wherein the caps include the attachment mechanism parts.

The pane is polycarbonate and includes a plastic handle 4 which upstands from a top 25 corner at the second upright, and defines a hole into which a user may place their hand for a secure means of opening the gate.

The second upright further comprises the locking means 10, which locking means is contained within the cap at the top of the second upright, locking into the handle 4.

The locking means comprises a solenoid controlled by a fingerprint reader 8. The fingerprint reader provides the biometric key, and is located on the top face of the cap. The reader 8 is controlled by a printed circuit board (PCB) 18 and power is provided by a displaceable battery 17, which is displaced by removal of a screwed cover 19.

The PCB is connected to the fingerprint reader, and a 18650 1200mAh removable and rechargeable battery.

On one side of the cap is the manual override mechanism 14, which is provided by a 5 lock for a physical key, which lock further operates the solenoid.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An infant gate device comprising: a gate; a frame; an attachment mechanism for attachment of the frame to a narrow location so as to limit access past the frame when the gate is in the frame; and a locking means for locking the gate in the frame; wherein locking means comprises a biometric key.
2. An infant gate device according to claim comprising a fingerprint sensor.
3. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim comprising one or more hinge.
4. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim with a gate comprising a transparent or translucent panel.
5. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism is a temporary mechanism.
6. An infant gate device according to claim 5 wherein the frame comprises a lateral bar between uprights, wherein the uprights are arranged to provide the attachment mechanism for the location.
7. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment mechanism is a permanent mechanism comprising screw fixings.
8. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim comprising threaded extenders to extend the frame to fit the location.
9. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim comprising resilient extenders to extend the frame to fit the location.
10. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim comprising a manual override for the locking means.
11. An infant gate device according to claim 11 wherein the manual override comprises a physical key.S
12. An infant gate device according to claim 11 wherein the manual override comprises a keypad.
13. An infant gate device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a self-closing mechanism
14. An infant gate device according to any preceding claim comprising a receiver adapted to receive electronic signals.