US3314469A

US3314469A - Collapsible gates

Info

Publication number: US3314469A
Application number: US360979A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stanley R Kaufman; David M Kaufman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-04-20
Filing date: 1964-04-20
Publication date: 1967-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-18

Description

April 18, 1967 s. KAUFMAN ETAL 3,314,469

COLLAPSIBLE'GATES Filed April 20, 1964 2 Sheets$heet l INVENTORS STANLEY R. KAUFMAN DAVID M. KAUFMAN ATTORNEY.

April 18, 1967 R. KAUFMAN ETAL 3,314,469

COLLAPSIBLE GATES Filed April 20, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS STANLEY R. KAUFMAN DAVID M. KAUFMAN AT TOR NEY.

United States Patent 3,314,469 COLLAPSIBLE GATES Stanley R. Kaufman, Stokes Road, Yonkers, N.Y. 10710, and David M. Kaufman, 701 Palmer Court, Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 Filed Apr. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 360,979 6 Claims. (Cl. 160159) This invention relates to the art of collapsible gates, more particularly to an improved gate structure of the open grill type in 'which a lazy tong lattice forms the grill and is subject to being extended over an opening to 'be closed, or collapsed and stored adjacent a side of the opening, and in which the extended lattice is rigidly supported to prevent it from being flexed away from the opening.

A variety of different types of collapsible gate structures have been evolved for use in protecting store fronts, or display windows. These protective gates are employed to prevent unauthorized access or entry through the protected opening to the store front, display, or residence while at the same time admitting light and air, or permitting viewing of any articles of merchandise, or the like material, which is presented for display. The use of a lazy tong lattice in the formation of these protective gates has been found particularly suitable, since the lazy tong lattice when extended over the opening to be protected provides a grill through which the protected area may be viewed at the same time preventing access to the area. Collapse of the lattice is relatively simple and serves to fold the gate against a side wall of the protected opening.

Problems are, however, encountered in the use of this lazy tong lattice in the formation of protective gates in that the extended lattice is relatively flexible, and it is often found that intrusion to the protected area may be obtained by flexing the lattice away from the protected area to permit an intruder to squeeze between the bottom of the gate and the protected opening. To prevent this flexing, auxiliary guide channels have in the past been provided which are arranged adjacent the to and bottom of the extended lattice to prevent flexing thereof. These auxiliary channels have unfortunately themselves served as an implement to obtain access to the protected premises by some intruders. Thus the auxiliary guide channels which must be supplementarily afiixed to the gate structure after positioning of the grill work are often improperly aflixed by the user, and in such cases are removed by the intruder and employed as a crow bar to pry the grill work away from the protected area. Other problems have been encountered in connection with the conventionally employed auxiliary guide channels due to the fact that these auxiliary guide channels must be removed during movement of the gate from an open to a closed position. As a result of this removal, they have often been lost, or improperly arranged with respect to the lattice when utilized.

It is with the above considerations in mind that the present novel protective gate has been evolved, a protective gate employing a lazy tongs lattice in which the grill work formed by the extended lattice is rigidly supported when in an open position to prevent flexing thereof away from the protected area, and in which the means for providing desired rigidity to the open grill work are subject to simultaneous folding along with the grill lattice when the gate is folded to an inoperative position.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention -to provide an improved protective gate structure employing a lazy tongs lattice which when extended forms a relatively rigid grill through which the protected area may be viewed, though preventing unauthorized access to the area.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im- Patented Apr. 18, 1967 proved collapsible gate which when in operative position will not be subject to being flexed away from a closure position.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved protective gate constructed with requisite rigidity so as to prevent unauthorized displacement of the gate when in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved guide structure for a lazy tongs lattice which will permit the lazy tongs lattice to be extended over any given area and maintained in a secure position when in extended position.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a gate structure with an end p-ost member adopted for positioning adjacent the side wall of the opening to be protected. This end post is formed with a slideway, and a grill formed by an extensible lazy tongs lattice of angularly disposed crisscrossing pivotally joined overlapping truss bars is arranged so that those points of juncture of the truss bars forming the end of the grill work which must slide to permit extension of the lattice are slidably disposed in the slideway formed in the end post member. A guide post similar to the end post is arranged on the opposite end of the lattice. A telescoping guide track is arranged to slidably engage preferably the top and bottom of the lazy tongs lattice. The lattice is provided at its upper and lower extremities with extensible pivot pins which are slidably engaged in the track. The guide tracks are slidably and pivotally arranged with respect to the end post so that as the lazy tong grill is extended the guide tracks slide with respect to the end post under the influence of the contraction of the grill work in a direction perpendicular to its direction of extension. The guide track is preferably formed with a slide strut for sliding with respect to the end post, and a pivot strut pivotally connected with respect to the sliding strut, with the pivot strut having a telescoping portion extending outwardly therefrom as the lattice is extended. When the gate is in folded position, the pivoted struts are folded against the ends of the grill work to maintain the grill work in collapsed position against the end post. A projection is provided at the end of the guide track, and an apertured plate is provided for engagement by the guide pin as the grill work is extended, thus effecting locking of the guide tracks across the protected opening.

-Among the features of the invention is the arrangement of the guide tracks so that they are integral with the gate, whereby the possibility of their being lost, or improperly positioned is eliminated.

Another feature of the invention is that the guide tracks are automatically locked in position as the gate is extended over the opening to be protected.

A further feature of the invention resides in the slideway in the posts in engagement with the guide tracks to secure the guide tracks during extension of the lattice.

The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning, will be made most manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the novel collapsible gate shown in operative position closing off an opening; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the relationship of the lazy tongs lattice with respect to the guide track; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the gate in collapsed position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the upper end of the end post showing the details of the slideway formed in the end post, and the configuration of the slideway so as to limit the movement of the guide track; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing the channel-like configuration of the post member; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end of the lower guide track provided with a hasp shaped projection, and an apertured latching plate through which said hasp may be extended to effect locking of the gate.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

The novel gate 10, as shown in an open operative position in FIG. 1, and in -a collapsed folded position in FIG. 3 comprises a lazy tong lattice 11 formed by a plurality of angularly disposed criss-

crossing truss bars

15 and 16. Those truss bars designated 15 are inclined downwardly from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1, while those truss bars designated 16 are inclined upwardly from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1. The truss bars 15 are pivotally interconnected to the truss bars 16, at pivots 17 which may preferably be formed by means of rivets or the like. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the

truss bars

15 and 16 are formed of U-shaped steel channels as shown in FIG. 2.

The extremities of the grill 11 formed by intersecting

truss bars

15 and 16 are pivotally conjoined by means of pivot pins 20, which as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 are formed by headed rivets, the ends of which extend beyond the face of the truss bars. Arranged about the extensions from these pivot pins 20 are rollers 21 on opposed sides of the pivot joint. In the illustrated embodiment where the pivot joint is formed by a headed rivet 20 having head 22 at one end thereof and upset end 23 at the opposite end thereof, a washer 24 is preferably arranged between roller 21 and upside end 23 to insure proper retention of the roller.

An end post member 30, as seen to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 is employed as a primary support for the grill work 11 forming the gate 10. End post member 30, as best seen in FIG. 4 is formed by two opposed U-shaped channel members 31, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 5. The opposed channel members 31 'are conjoined by means of fastening members 32 in the form of rivets 33 having a head 34 at one end, and upset at 35 to secure the rivet in position. A spacer sleeve 36 is arranged about the rivet 33 between the channel members 31 to insure desired spacing between said channel members. As seen at the lower part of FIG. 4 the ends of the rivets forming the pivot pins 20 at the extremities of the grill 11, are slideable within the channels of channel members 31, thus joining the grill 11 to the end post 30.

At the upper and lower ends of the post member 30, the channel members 31 are contoured as at 41 as seen in FIG. 4. The central portion of the post is spaced apart a distance such as to accommodate the

truss bars

15 and 16 therebetween for free movement of the truss bars, while the ends of the channels 31 are spaced apart a distance such as to slidably accommodate a slide strut 40 which is substantially equal in cross-sectional dimension to the cross-sectional dimension of the center portion of post 30. The turning point 41 between the narrower portion of end post 30 and the wider ends of the end post serves to limit the movement of the strut 40 between the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the solid line position, as will become hereinafter more apparent.

A guide track 45 is provided for the upper and lower edges of the lazy tong lattice 11.' The guide track 45 comprises the slide strut 40, which as seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 is of a box channel configuration, and is slidably arranged with respect to end post 30. Slide strut 40 is formed with end turned

flanges

41 and 42 and is dimensioned to slidably receive rolls 21 on the extensions from pivot pin 20 joining the extremities of

truss bars

15 and 16 at the upper and lower ends of the grill lattice 11. In

the FIG. 4 view an end anchoring rivet 46 is extended through the truss 15' (see FIG. 1) and the strut 40. Sliding strut 40 is of a length such as to extend across the collapsed lattice 11, as seen in FIG. 3. Pivotally secured to slide strut 40 by means of hinge 42 is pivot strut 43 of a cross secetional configuration like that of slide strut 40. Where the guide track 45 is arranged at both top and bottom edges of the lattice as illustrated, the maximum length of pivot strut 43 is slightly less than half the height of the collapsed lazy tong lattice 11. In order to permit extension of the lazy tong lattice over an opening having a width greater than the combined length of

strut

40 and 43, strut 43 is provided with a telescoping extension 44, 'as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, with telescoping extension 44 of a box-like configuration geometrically similar to that of strut 43 and adapted to slide freely within strut 43. The spacing between the

inturned flanges

47 and 47 on telescoping strut 44 is equal to the spacing between the inturned flanges of strut 43 so as to permit free movement of the truss bars 15 and 16 during the extension and collapse of the lattice 11, as seen in FIG. 2. As seen in the drawings the upper and lower guide tracks are identical.

At the extremities of telescoping strut 44, a projection 48 is provided. A latching member 50 here shown in the form of an angle plate is formed with an aperture 51 Within which projection 48 is received when the gate is extended, as viewed in FIG. 1.

This projection 48 may take the form of a pin, as shown at the upper end of FIG. 1, or in the form of a hasp 52, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to permit use 'of a hasp lock where desired, and the latching member 50 is preferably mounted in a guide channel of a width sufficient to accommodate the end of strut 44.

A guide post 60 substantially identical to end post 30 is provided at the free end of the grill lattice 11 opposite to end post 30. Guide post 60 is formed of opposed channels contoured as channels 31 and secured by rivets and spacers in the fashion of post 30. The only difference between end post 36 and guide post 60 is that guide post 60 is preferably formed with a roller 61 at its bottom end to implement movement of the gate. The grill 11 is secured to the guide post 60 by arranging the ends of pivot pins 26 to slide in the channels forming guide post 60, as above described in connection with end post 30.

In lieu of, or in addition to hasp 52 a centrally positioned hasp and latch may be arranged at the center of the gate on guide post 60; where used alone this center hasp acting with the top and bottom projections provides three-point locking of the gate. 7

Where only 'a top or bottom guide strut 45 is employed, the length of the pivot strut may be made equal to the height of guide post 60 less the length of slide strut 40.

Operation The aforedescribed gate structure 10 may be employed in a variety of situations where it is desired to utilize a gate either over an opening, or as a covering, which does not prevent viewing of the covered area. Such gates find particular utility as protective gates in connection with storefronts or display cabinets where it is found necessary to protect the storefront or display cabinet from unauthorized entry or intrusion, while at the same time permitting view of the storefront or cabinets.

Where so employed, the gate 10 is arranged with the end post 30 secured to a side wall W (or the like datum) by the utilization of any conventional type of fastening member, or by the use of a mounting such as disclosed in applicants copending application S.N. 266,588. Thereafter when it is desired to close off the opening, pivot struts 45 are swung away from the free edge of the gate so that the upper strut is oriented as viewed in FIG. 1 to lie along the desired path of movement of the gate.

Thereafter the guide post 60 is drawn away from mounting post 30, as a result of which the lazy tong lattice 11 will be extended to close off the opening.

Due to the extension of the lazy tong lattice 11, there will be a contraction of the lattice in a direction perpendicular to its direction of extension, or away from the top and bottom of the opening as viewed in the drawing. As a result of this contraction, the guide tracks 45 formed by the upper and

lower struts

40, 43, and 44, will slide towards each other from the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the solid line position. The guide members 45 are limited in their movement by the curve 41 in the channel members 31. The amount of movement is preferably so designed as to permit a maximum of 6 inches of contraction away from the top of the opening to thereby prevent undesired intrusion through the gated opening.

As a result of the movement of the guide tracks 45 towards each other to their limiting positions, the projection 48 at the end of strut 44 will engage in aperture 51 of latching plate 50, thus securing the gate in operative position. Insertion of a hasp lock in hasp 48 may be employed to efiFect locking of the gate in operative position.

To open the gate, it is merely necessary to slide the guide post 60 back towards end post 30 thereby folding the lazy tong lattice. The telescoping strut 44 is pushed back into pivot strut 43 which is then hinged up against guide post 60 to maintain the gate in collapsed position.

It is thus seen that a simple unitary folding gate structure has been provided in which guide members are provided for a relatively flexible lazy tong lattice to maintain the lattice in rigid position over any desired opening, and prevent improper positioning of the gate.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the hereindisclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotally connected truss bars, one edge of said lattice arranged in the slideway of said end post and slidably connected thereto; and

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice, said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway of said end post, a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut, and a telescoping strut telescoping within said pivot strut.

2. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotally connected truss bars, one edge of said lattice arranged in the slideway of said end post and slidably connected thereto;

a guide post arranged at the free end of the lattice opposite said end post formed with a slideway slidably accommodating the sliding truss bars of said lattice;

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice, said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway of said end post, and a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut. 3. A collapsible gate as in claim 2 in which the slideways in said end post member and said guide post are 5 contoured to limit the movement of said guide track.

4. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post, said end post having a slideway formed therein;

a guide track slidably accommodating at least one edge of the lattice, said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway of said end post, a pivot strut pivoted to said slide strut, a projection on said guide track; and a latching member provided for fixed positioning at the extremity of the extended gate for engagement by said projection when said lattice is extended.

5. A collapsible gate as in claim 4 in which said projection comprises a hasp, and said latching member comprises an apertured plate through which said hasp is extended.

6. A collapsible open grill gate, said gate comprising:

an end post member, said end post member having a slideway formed therein;

a lazy tong lattice of angularly disposed criss-crossing pivotally connected truss bars, one edge of said lattice slideably engaged in the slideway of said end post;

a guide track on opposed edges of the lattice slidably accommodating, engaging and guiding the lattice in its extension and collapse, each said track comprising a slide strut slidably arranged in the slideway of said end post member, and a pivot strut pivoted to each said slide strut, each said slide strut limited in its movement in said slideway;

a guide post at the free end of said lattice, said guide post slidably accommodating the sliding truss bars of said lattice;

and a projection on said guide track engaging a latch plate when said lattice is extended.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1887 Bataille 160-144 4/1888 Goodwin et al. 160-160 X 4/1905 Record 160-150 X 8/1911 Ashlock 160-137 2/1917 Agee et a1. 160-136 12/1917 Fritz 160-160 X FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1953 France. 855,187 11/1960 Great Britain. 159,679 6/ 1957 Sweden.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 60 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner. D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A COLLAPSIBLE OPEN GRILL GATE, SAID GATE COMPRISING: AN END POST, SAID END POST HAVING A SLIDEWAY FORMED THEREIN; A LAZY TONG LATTICE OF ANGULARLY DISPOSED CRISS-CROSSING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TRUSS BARS, ONE EDGE OF SAID LATTICE ARRANGED IN THE SLIDEWAY OF SAID END POST AND SLIDABLY CONNECTED THERETO; AND A GUIDE TRACK SLIDABLY ACCOMMODATING AT LEAST ONE EDGE OF THE LATTICE, SAID TRACK COMPRISING A SLIDE STRUT SLIDABLY ARRANGED IN THE SLIDEWAY OF SAID END POST, A PIVOT STRUT PIVOTED TO SAID SLIDE STRUT, AND A TELESCOPING STRUT TELESCOPING WITHIN SAID PIVOT STRUT.