US792968A - Gate. - Google Patents

Description

'PATENTED JUNE 20,- 1905.

P. H. OONNOLLY.

GATE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV.15, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

P. H. GONNOLLY.

GATE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 15, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented June 20, 1905.

PATENT ()EEICE.

PETER H. CONNOLLY, OF ENNIS, TEXAS.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,968, dated June 20, 1905.

Application filed November 15, 1904. Serial No. 282,879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PETER H. CoNNoLLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ennis, in the county of Ellis and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gates, and more particularly to that class known as tilting gates; and the primary object of the present construction is to simplify the erection of a gate structure as an entirety and render the gate proper much more sensitive and reliable in opening and closing movements.

The invention consists of a special means connected to a tilting gate for releasing the same and also operating it in opposite vertical directions, the said means being of a simplified construction and capable of being readily assembled in operative position.

The invention further consists in the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate embodying the features of the invention and shown closed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the gate fully open. Fig.

3 is a rear end elevation of thegate structure.

Fig. i is a detail perspective view of a weight attachment.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The gate structure comprises a latch-post 2, an intermediate sustaining-guide 3, and a rear supporting-post 4, to which the prime operating devices are applied. The latchpost 2 is composed of two members, which are spaced apart from each other and separated by a lower block or analogous device 5 and has on the upper end thereof a striker or similar device 6 to cooperate with the latch, which will be presently explained. The sustaining-guide 3 is also composed of opposite members, which are considerably greater in vertical extent than the members of the latchpost 2 and have at the bottom an interposed space-block 7 with side fulcrumreceiving members 8, the opposite members of the sustaining-guide being strengthened by the application thereto of depending oblique braces, if desired, and top bracing means 9, extending to the upper terminal of the post 4. The gate 10 is movably disposed in the frame structure just set forth and may be of any desired form or composed either of wood or metal. The form shown consists of a series of slats or strips 11, terminally attached to a latch-stile 12, with a latch 13 on its upper end to engage the striker 6 on the post 2 and consisting of a suitable sliding bolt having an automatic operation with respect to said striker when thegate is closed. The slats or strips 11 are also attached at their rear ends to opposite side and end members (respectively designated by the numerals 14: and 15) and to a closing-strip 14:, forming a rear stile. The upper edge of the space-block or analogous device 7, between the lower extremities of the members of the sustaining-guide 3, is below the plane, with the upper surface of the space-block or similar device '5 disposed in the latch-post 2, and hence the gate 10 is always held by the sustaining-guide in such position that when it is closed the lower end of the latch-stile 12 will accurately bear on the space-block 5, the said latch-stile moving between the members of the latch-post and also inwardly and upwardly from said members in the closing and opening movements of the gate, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Some portion of the gate is always held. between the members of the sustaining-guide 3, and secured to the lower terminal of the rear stile of the gate is 'a weight attachment 16, having a socket 16 to receive the lower end of the latter stile, and a lower rounded edge 17, which permits it to ride over the upper end of the space-block 7. At a suitable elevation trunnions 17 project outwardly from the sides of the socket 16 and movably engage the members 7 of the space-block 7. Near the upper edge of the opposite sides of the socket 16 of this weight attachment bearing-lugs 17" project outwardly and have rear curved edges 17. When the gate is closed, the movement thereof is in opposition to a pair of elongated retractile springs 18, at-

tached to the lower portion of the rear stile and alsoto the supporting-post 4. These springs being attached to the rear stile of the gate above the trunnions 17 operate when the latch of thegate is released to initially draw the gate rearwardly and slightly in an upward direction between the members of the sustaining-guide, and thereby serve as starters to assist in opening the gate and relieve the operator of a material resistance to a readyopening movement of the gate. In the open ing and. closing movements of the gate the weight device 16 acts as a counterpoise, with obvious advantages in the tilting operation of the gate.

Many devices could be used to open and close the gate; but a preferred simplifiedconstruction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and consists of a crank member or device pivotally supported on the rear side of the post 4: and having a pair of depending legs 19below the fulcrum-point thereof and of elongated form, and an upper head 20, the crank member or element being constructed from suitable material in such manner as to produce the legs 19 and the head 20. The spacebetween the legs 19 is such as to permit them to freely move past theopposite side edges of the post 4, and attached to the lower ends thereof are pull-cords, cables, or other analogous devices 21, which are extended upwardly and passed through guide sheaves or pulleys 22 on the upper terminals of the members of the sustaining-guide, the pull-cords, cables, or analogous devices extending away from opposite portions of the sustaining guide to any distance desired and at such elevation as to be within easy reaching distance of an operator approaching the gate structure from either side. Secured to the upper end of the head 20 is the rear terminal of a latchcord, cable, or other analogous device 23, which moves over a pulley 24 in the upper end of the post 4 and has its forward end-connected to the latch 13 on the gates In the operation of the gate either one of the cords, cables, or analogous devices extending away from the opposite sides of the sustaining-guide may be grasped and a gentle pull exerted thereon. This pulling tensionon either one of the cords, cables, or analogous devices 21 draws both legs 19of the crank device forwardly and throws the head20 rearwardly, thereby releasing the latch 13, thus permitting the springs 18 to clear the latch members of the sustaining-guide and the latchpost 2. When the gate falls over to the rear,

as just explained, the rear curved ed'ges 17 of the lugs 17 contact with, move over, and depress the springs 18, thereby again setting up a spring tension on the gate to assist in the overthrow in the closing movement of the gate. To facilitate closing the gate, the latchcord, cable, or like device 23 is loosely held in close relation to the upper end of the rear stile of the gate by an eye 24:, through which it has free movement, and when the gate assumes a vertical position or is fully open and the rear stileof the gate assumes a lower horizontal position the legs 19 and head 20 of the crank device return to normal position. The operator after passing through the openspace of i the gate structure between the sustainingguide and the latch-post 2' grasps theopposite cord, cable, or analogous device 21 and gently pulls the same and again draws the-legs 19 gradually forward or toward the sustainingguide and-throws the head-2O rearwardly, the rearward movement of the said. head by reason of the engagementof the-latch-cord with the rear stile of thegateandthe assistance'ofi the springs 18 causes the lower rear extremity of the gate to be gradually lifted until apoint is reached where thecounterpoise-weight 1:6 is free to act or passes the center of movement, when the gate will be lowered by gravity, but without material jar. It will also be understood that the counterpoiseweight 16 acts similarly to the'operation just described when the gate is opened. When the gate returns to normal; closed position,.the weight thereof will be in oppositionto the springs 18, and when fully closed and latched'the tension of the said springs will be such as to cause them to automatically operateto throw the gate upwardly for a short distance in a longitudinal direction in. a further opening operation, as heretofore explained, and. by reason-of the attachment of the springs to the weight attachment above the trunnions.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the crank or prime operating device carriedby the post 1 is partially automatic in its operation by reason of its return to normal position when the gate is fully open, and which is due to the pull exerted on the head 20 by the latch-cord, cable, or other device 23 when. the gate'assumes aivertical position, as shown by Fig. 2.

In various applications of the operating niechanismthe proportions and: dimensions thereof will be modified to correspond to a change in the size of the gate, and the weight device 16 willalsobe regulated to meet such variation.

Having thus fully described: the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A tilting gate having pivotal means and a counterbalancing device, a. supporting structure in which the gate is movably. mountedby the pivotal means, spring devices attached to the gate and a part of the supporting structure for imparting starting movements to the gate in both the opening and closing operations thereof, a pivotally-disposed primary operating means having aswinging movement in opposite directions and which is returned to normal position when the gate is fully opened to come into play in the closing movement of the gate, and means for operating the gate at a distance from the latter.

2. Atiltinggatehaving pivotal means and a counterbalancing device thereon, a supporting structure for the gate includingasustainingguide engaged by the pivotal means, and a latch-post, a pivotally-disposed primary operating means having a swinging movement in opposite directions and which is returned to normal position when the gate is fully opened to come into play in the closing movement of the gate, and flexible connections between the primary operating means, the supporting structure and the gate.

3. A tilting gate, a supporting structure therefor in which the gate is pivotally mounted and including a latch-post having a device to engage a latch-bolt, a prime operating device movable in opposite directions in rear of the gate, flexible connections between the supporting structure and the lower terminals of the said operating device, the gate having a latch thereon, and a flexible connection between the upper extremity of the prime operating device, the rear extremity of the gate, and the latch on the latter.

4.. A tilting gate, a supporting structure therefor in which the gate is pivotally mounted and including a latch-post having a device to engage a latch-bolt, a prime operating device movable in opposite directions in rear of the gate, flexible connections between the supporting structure and the lower terminals of the said operating device, the gate having a latch thereon, a flexible connection between the upper extremity of the prime operating device, the rear extremity of the gate, and the latch, and means for starting the gate in its movement in the supporting structure when the latch is released to clear the latch end of the gate.

5. A tilting gate, a supporting structure therefor including a latch-post having a latchengaging device thereon, the gate being pro vided with a latch, a prime operating device movably supported on the structure in rear of the gate, flexible gate-operating connections movable through a part of the structure and connected to the lower extremities of the prime operating device, and a latch-operating connection secured to the upper extremity of the prime operating device and loosely held on the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and connected at its front end to the latch.

6. A tilting gate, a supporting structure vided with a latch, a prime operating device movably supported on the structure in rear of the gate, flexible gate-ope rating connections movable through a part of the structure and connected to the lower extremities of the prime operating device, a latch-operatin g con nection secured to the upper extremity of the prime operating device and loosely held on the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and connected at its front end to the latch, and a weight device on the lower terminal of the rear extremity of the gate.

7. A tilting gate, a supporting structure therefor including a latch-post having a latchengaging device thereon, the gate being provided with a latch, a prime operating device movably supported on the structure in rear of the gate, flexible gate-operating connections movable through a part of the structure and connected to the lower extremities of the prime operating device, a latch-operating connection secured to the upper extremity of the prime operating device and loosely held on the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and connected at its front end to the latch, and spring devices connected to the structure in rear of the gate and also to the lower portion of the rear extremity of the latter.

8. A tilting gate, a supporting structure therefor including a latch-post having a latchengaging device thereon, the gate being provided with a latch, a prime operating device movably supported on the structure in rear of the gate, flexible gate-operating connections movable through a part of the structure and connected to the lower extremities of the prime operating device, a latch-operating connection secured to the upper extremity of the prime operating device and loosely held on the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and connected at its front end to the latch, a weight device on the lower terminal of the rear extremity of the gate, and spring devices attached to a part of the structure in rear of the gate and also to the lower portion of the rear extremity of the latter.

9. A tilting gate, a supporting structure in which the gate is pivotally disposed and including a latch-post having a latch-engaging device, the gate being provided with a latch,

a prime operating means having flexible con-' nections attached thereto and movable through a part of the structure, and a flexible latchoperating connection attached to the prime operating device and loosely engaging the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and also attached to the latch, the flexible latch-operating connection restoring the prime operating device to normal position when the gate is fully opened.

10. Atilting gate, a supporting structure in which the gate is pivotally mounted and in- ICFO cluding a latch-post, an intermediate sustaining-guide, and a rear supporting-post, acrank device pivotally held on the'rear supportingpost and having depending legs and an upwardly-extending head, a latch carried by the gate to engage the latch-post, flexible connections attached to the lower ends of the legs of the crank device and movably passing overthe intermediate sustaining-guide and extending in opposite directions, and a flexible connection attached to the. head of the crank device and movably engaging the upper terminal of the rear extremity of the gate and at tached to the latch device. 7

11. A tilting gate, a supporting structure in which the gate is pivotally disposed, a weight device on the lower portion of the rear stile of the gate, said weight device being provided with trunnions and upper bearing projections, springs attached to the weight device between the trunnions and bearing projections, and flexible means attached to the gate for operating the latter.

12. A tilting gate, a supporting structure in which the gate is pivotally disposed, aweight attachment secured to the lower portion of the rear stile of the gate and having upper projections, spring devices attached to the weight attachment below the said projection, the latter bearing on the spring devices when the gate is opened, and flexible means attached to the gate for operating the same.

13. A tilting gate, a supporting structure in which the gate is pivotally disposed and including a latch-post having a latch-engaging device, the gate being provided with a latch, a prime operating means having flexible connections attached thereto and movable through a part of the structure, a weight attachment secured to the rear part of the gate and having upper projections, spring devices secured to the weight attachment below the said projection and also to a part of the structure, and a flexible latch-operating connection attached to the prime operating device and movably engaging the upper terminal of the rear extremity of thegate and also secured to the latter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER H. CONNOLLY.

Witnesses:

A. A. DUNKERLEY, C. M. CLARK.

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