NZ209968A - Drive gudgeon with barbed shank - Google Patents

Description

209968 ./?■ { i. w / " \ // v r I-.'.' I 17 OCT 1985 ■ ^*cvj}y-' ;Patents Form No. 5 ;NEW ZEALAND ;PATENTS ACT 1953 ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;AFTER PROVISIONAL NO. 209968 DATED: 24 October, 1984 ;A DRIVE GUDGEON ;WE, FRANKLIN MACHINERY LIMITED, a New Zealand company of ;37 Subway Road, Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, ;to be particularly described in and by the following statement ;This invention relates to a drive gudgeon. ;It has been known for many years to provide a drive gudgeon, such drive gudgeons being used to provide mounting means for gates and the like. ;Up until this time, drive gudgeons have effectively provided a means where by a supporting rod or gudgeon is exposed from a gate post or the like for the purpose of pivotally mounting, for example, a gate. For example, ;drive gudgeons have included a shank portion which is generally elongate in nature and has a sharpened end, ;spaced apart barbs or "dags" being provided along the length of the shank. A head is forged onto the outer end of the shank (remote from the pointed end) and a bore or hole is pressed through the forged head. An upright pin or gudgeon is then located within the hole or bore and is welded or suitably secured in place. For example usually by welding, plugging and the like. At least a partial hole is then formed in the gatepost or other article to which the drive gudgeon is to be attached. The pointed end of the drive gudgeon is located within the hole or bore and a positive inward and longitudinal driving moment is applied to the forged head of the drive gudgeon, (such as by a hammer or driving tool), so as to axially drive the pointed end and barbed shank into the gatepost. In this way, the shank is engaged within the gatepost in a relatively secure manner, so that the upright pin or gudgeon is ;-3- ;209968 ;securely located and extending upwardly relative to the gatepost or the like, for the purpose of mounting and allowing pivotal movement of, a gate or the like. ;There have been a number of problems associated with 5 such drive gudgeons and with the methods used for manufacturing such drive gudgeons. ;It is an object of this invention to go at least some way towards overcoming or minimising, at least some of these problems. ;10 It is a further object of this invention to provide an efficient drive gudgeon. ;It is an object of a further aspect of this invention to provide a straight forward and effective method of forming a drive gudgeon. ;15 Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description. ;According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a drive gudgeon including an elongate shank being sharpened at one end and having spaced apart barbs extend-20 ing outwardly along the length thereof; an upwardly extending mounting rod or gudgeon being welded to an upper surface of said shank at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end. ;According to a further aspect of this invention there 25 is provided a drive gudgeon including an elongate shank having a pointed end; a plurality of angled barbs extending outwardly from said shank along the length thereof . • and behind said pointed end; an upstanding rod or 1 5 OCTI987rj 'gudgeon being provided and having a generally rounded ;10 ;15 ;20 ;25 ;209968 ;base flange integrally formed therewith and extending outwardly from a base thereof; said flange being welded to an upper surface of said shank at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end. ;According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of forming a drive gudgeon having an elongate shank, a pointed end and angled barbs extending outwardly of said shank along the length thereof; characterised in that an upright rod or gudgeon is welded onto an upper surface of said shank at or adjacent one end thereof. ;According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of forming a drive gudgeon having an elongate shank with a sharpened end and a plurality of barbs extending outwardly from said shank and rearwardly of the sharpened end, along the length of said shank; an upright rod or gudgeon extending upwardly from an end of said shank remote from said pointed end; said method being characterised in that the barbs are formed in said shank before the pointed end is profiled; the upright rod or gudgeon being welded to an upper surface of said shank at or adjacent an end thereof, remote from said pointed end. ;This invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: ;Figure 1: is a drive gudgeon as known and used up until this time. ;Figure 2: is a drive gudgeon according to ;_6_ 209968 ;one form of the present invention. ;Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the drive gudgeon known and used up until this time has included a length or shank 2 of metal material, the shank 2 being formed at Its leading or forward end with a pointed end 3. This is forged, split or profiled by a machine or hand, or by some other approp' riate means or method, into an appropriate point. Behind the pointed end 3, and along the length of the shank 2, are spaced apart and outwardly extending barbs or "dags" 4. These assist in holding the shank within a gate post or the like, ;when the shank is driven therein. ;At the butt or back end 6 of the shank, remote from the pointed end 3, a head member 10 is provided. The head member 10 is of a generally rounded configuration, ;and has a bore or hole 11 passing therethrough. Into the bore or hole 11 is located an upright rod or gudgeon 12, ;which is secured in position within the bore 11 int he head 10 by welding, plugging, capping and the like. Thus, ;the rod or gudgeon 12 extends upwardly from the butt end 6 of the shank 2, so as to be able to pivotally locate a connecting member of a gate or the like (not shown). ;The upright rod or gudgeon 12 is therefore located within the bore 11 of the head member 10, such as by welding and the like. This will be referred to hereinafter. ;The method of forming the drive gudgeon, used up until this time, and as referred to hereinbefore, has basically involved a number of steps including; inter alia: ;* 209068 1. The profiling or forming of the front end of the shank into a sharp end or point. 2. The formation of outwardly extending barbs or "dags" along the length of the shank and behind the pointed end. 3. The forging of a head onto the butt or back end of the shank. 4. The formation or pressing of a hole or bore in and through the forged head. 5. The location and securement of a rod or gudgeon within the hole or bore.

As will be appreciated, the formation of such an arrangement has been particularly time consuming and labour intensive. In a number of the steps, manual operation 15 is required, this taking up much labour time.

A number of disadvantages stem from the present method of manufacture.

Firstly, it is established practice to form the barbs or dags 4 in the shank 2 of the drive gudgeon after the 20 forward or front end 3 has been formed or profiled into a point. Thus, the shank 2 is held on its pointed end, in a substantially upright or vertical manner, and is balanced on the pointed end 3. This is then held and the barbs 4 are formed in the shank 2 by means of appropriate tooling 25 or machinery. For example cutters and the like. Thus, during the formation of the barbs 4, the shank 2 is held in an upright position balancing on the pointed or sharpened end 3. Thus, it is difficult to maintain 209968 it in a firm or positive position and in some cases, an amount of movement takes place. This in turn, can cause damage to the cutters and the like which are being used to form the barbs 4. This has often resulted in damage to machinery, this in turn leading to the cost of replacement, repairs and "down time" during repairs and replacement.

A further disadvantage is that the connection and formation of the head member 10 to the end 6 of the shank 2 (remote from the pointed end 3), is time consuming in that forging is required. In addition, once the head 10 has been forged onto the shank 2, it is necessary to form a bore or hole 11 in the head such as by means of a press die.

This sometimes has the effect of altering the shape of the shank 2, and generally flattening the shank, which then requires some reshaping.

Once the bore or hole 11 has been formed in the forged head, the upright rod or gudgeon 12 is located therein and is welded or plugged into position. This is again labour intensive, time consuming and expensive.

Once the upright rod or gudgeon 12 has been located in position, and it is desired to locate the drive gudgeon within a gate post or the like, certain other problems become apparent.

As referred to hereinbefore, an initial hole or recess is formed in the surface (viz: of a post) into which the drive gudgeon is to be passed. The pointed end 3 is then located within this hole or recess and a pressure or force such as an elongate,axial driving force (arrow "A" in Figure 1 209968 of the drawings) is then applied to the head 10 at the other end 6 of the shank 2, to force the shank and drive gudgeon inwardly of the post or member. In other words an axial driving force "A" is applied to the head 10 of the elongate 5 shank 2. Such blows are repeated, until the shank has moved axially into the gate post or the like so that the barbs engage in the material and positively and securely locate the rod or gudgeon 12 in a desired upright position, relative to, and extending outwardly and upwardly from, a 10 side or surface of the gatepost.

One problem with this is that the continuing axial fences (arrow "A" in Figure 1 of the drawings) being applied to the head 10 in order to drive the drive gudgeon into the fence post, tend in some cases to 15 deform the material of the head 10 such that the size of the hole or bore 11 passing therethrough nay vary slightly this in turn effecting the welding or plugging (and thus the engagement) between the bore 11 and the upright rod or gudgeon 12. This then can loosen the engagement of 20 the rod or gudgeon 12 within and relative to the head 10 and bore 11. While it may not have the immediate effect of disengaging the components, it does have the effect of weakening the joint or connection, such that once a gate (not shown) is mounted on the rod or gudgeon 12 and/or after a period of 25 time, further loosening and disengagment may take place, resulting in the gate being loose or appearing to be badly hung. In some cases, there.jnay be a collapse of the upright rod or gudgeon 12, away from the head 10 of \ OCTI987/oj V 209068 -s- the shank 2 such as to result in the gate becoming disengaged from the mounting rod or gudgeon 12.

The above problems result from the drive gudgeon used up until this time and from the method of manufacture.

We refer now to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

This shows a drive gudgeon according to the present invention wherein the elongate shank 20 still has a profiled or sharpened leading end 21, and a plurality of angled and outwardly extending barbs or "dags" 22 extending outwardly from the shank along the length thereof.

One important difference however and an advance in this area, is that the upright rod or gudgeon 23 at or adjacent the butt or back end 26 of the shank is welded to an upper surface 20a of the shank itself, and there is no separate head forged to the end of the shank; nor is there a bore located in the head into which the rod or gudgeon is located and attached. The upright rod or gudgeon 23 is welded directly to an upper surface or face 20a of the butt end of the shank 20. Thus, the potential loosening and/ or disengagement referred to above, is avoided, or at least, minimised.

In a preferred form of the invention as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, the rod 23 is elongate in formation and formed of an appropriate metal material, having a base flange 24 integrally formed therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom. This extends for example, outwardly in a generally curved or rounded formation, as a base flange or skirt 24. The rod 23 and base flange or skirt 209968 24 are located so that the rod Is attached to the upper face 20a of the shank, so as to be substantially "middled" relative thereto, and so as to extend upwardly from the upper face 20a thereof. The lower base or skirt 24 of the rod 23 extends outwardly from sides of the shank 20 to provide an aesthetic appearance and to also provide a bearing surface 24a against which a lower surface of a gate hinge (not shown) can move when a gate hinge is engaged over and relative to a rod or gudgeon 23 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

There is a clear welding engagement between the underside of the base or flange 24 of the rod 23 and the upper surface 20a of the shank of the drive gudgeon.

If desired, a rod or gudgeon 23 can be secured directly to an upper surface of the shank 20a such as by welding and the like. Alternatively some other form of base of the rod or gudgeon to allow for its connection by welding and the like, to an upper surface of the shank, at or adjacent a butt end thereof.

The advantages associated with the attachment of the rod or gudgeon in this manner include: 1. The elimination of the need to forge a head member onto the end of the shank. 2. The elimination of the need to specifically form or press a bore or hole in the forged head member. 3. The elimination of the requirement to specifically weld and locate (in a secure manner), 209968 the rod or gudgeon within the bore or hole in the head member. 4. The elimination of forces or pressure being applied to the end of the head during 5 entry of the drive gudgeon, which as referred to above tended to loosen the engagement between the head member and the rod or gudgeon.

In comparison, the welding of the rod or gudgeon 23 to an upper surface 20a of the butt end 26 of the 10 shank 20 is straight forward and efficient. It provides for a positive and secure location. The arrangment , ; also allows for a positive axial force (arrow "B" in t Figure 2 of the drawings) to be applied to the butt ;; end 26 of the shank 20, so as to drive the shank inwardly [ of a gate post and the like, without having the aforesaid disadvantageous effects on the rod or gudgeon, through the head member (resulting for example, in one or more of the problems set out above).

It has also been found in the present invention that / It is advantageous to form the drive gudgeon by a method whereby the barbs or dags 22 are formed along the length of the shank 20 before the leading end 21 of the shank is profiled into a pointed end In this way, an unprofiled and flat leading end of the shank 20 can be placed against 25 a planar or flat surface and held in position, while the appropriate machinery or device (such as a cutter) is used to form the barbs or dags 22. The positioning of the flat and unprofiled end of the shank 20 against a surface, to allow for formation of the barbs or dags • - 209968 22, provides for the shank 20 to sit on a flat and more secure surface, this avoiding the movement and unsteady nature of the operation referred to hereinbefore (when the shank was positioned on its pointed end). 5 Following the formation of the barbs or "dags" 22, the leading end is profiled or formed into a pointed or sharp end.

In use, and as with prior art arrangements, a hole or bore is formed in a gatepost and the pointed or pro-10 filed end 21 inserted therein. A driving force of forces "B" is/are then applied to the butt end 26 of the shank 20 (as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings) to drive the drive gudgeon into the gate post and the like so that the rod and gudgeon 23 is positioned in an 15 upward direction. As referred to hereinbefore, the application of force or blows ("B") to the end 26 of the shank 20 will be transmitted through the shank 20 and will not effect the location of the rod or gudgeon within a bore in the forged head as in the prior art 20 arrangement.

It should be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made to this invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof, as defind by the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. 209968 -13- ffHAT TO CLAIlf IS: 1. A drive gudgeon including an elongate shank being sharpened at one end and having spaced apart barbs extending outwardly along the length thereof; an upwardly extending 5 mounting rod or gudgeon being welded to an upper surface of said shank, at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end.
2. 2. A drive gudgeon as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upstanding rod or gudgeon has a base flange integrally formed 10 therewith, and which extends outwardly from the base of said upstanding rod or gudgeon; the base flange being welded to an upper surface of said shank at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end.
3. 3. A drive gudgeon as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base 15 flange extends outwardly from sides of the upper surface of said elongate shank.
4. 4. A drive gudgeon as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the base flange is substantially circular or rounded in formation, such as to act as a bearing surface for an underside of a 20 gate hinge engaged over and relative to said upstanding rod or gudgeon.
5. 5. A drive gudgeon as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of outwardly extending barbs are spaced apart along the length of said shank, leading- ends of said barbs being- profiled or formed into a pointed or sharp end.
6. 6. A drive gudgeon as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elongate shank is substantially rectang- , ^ ( L N .:<^oilar in cross set ion. ■Ty A drive gudgeon as claimed in any one of the preceding 25 o.q q claims, wherein the mounting rod or gudgeon is substantially circular in cross section, having a longitudinal axis at substantially right angles to a longitudinal axis of said elongate shank. S. A method of forming a drive gudgeon, which includes an elongate shank, a pointed end and angled barbs extending outwardly of said shank, along the length thereof; characterised in that an upright rod or gudgeon is welded onto an upper surface of said shank, at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end. 9. A method of forming a drive gudgeon, which includes an elongate shank, a pointed end and angled barbs extending outwardly of said shank along the length thereof, an upwardly extending mounting rod or gudgeon being welded to an upper surface of said shank, at or adjacent an end of said shank remote from said pointed end; charterised in that said barbs are formed in said shank, before formation of said pointed end. 10. A drive gudgeon substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. FRANKLIN MACHINERY LIMITED BY THEIR ATTORNEYS BALDWIN, SON <3c CAREY 0560b