ZA200808991B

ZA200808991B - Trackless sliding gate

Info

Publication number: ZA200808991B
Application number: ZA200808991A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Staas Manfred Erich Willy
Original assignee: Staas Manfred Erich Willy
Priority date: 2008-10-20
Filing date: 2008-10-20
Publication date: 2009-10-28

Description

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BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to a gate and more particularly relates to a trackless gate.

[002] Various types of security gates exist of which the most commonly known : security gates are security gates for closing driveways and gardens. Due to the N continuous risk of getting out of a vehicle to open the gate, many users are reverted to automated security gates.

[003] These types of gates are normally large and are required to run on tracks when closed by the user due to its weight. The track further ensured that gate is easily movable and does not strain an electric motor utilize for opening and closing the gates. oo

[004] Various problems exist when, especially large gates is a running on tracks.

One of the most common problems is that the track needs to be cemented in which results in a driveway having to be split especially when using driveway coverings such as paving.

[005] Furthermore, the track normally protrudes from the paving which results in especially motor vehicles having to drive over it. Various attempts have been made to alleviate this problem by positioning the track in such a manner that it is sunken in with respect to the driveway surface to define a channel in which the wheels for the gate can

~R run. However, a problem occurs when the driveway is washed alternatively when it rains as water accumulates in the channel, resulting in the wheels for the gate standing in the water and corroding.

[006] Also, maintenance with respect to the wheels utilize for the gate is time- consuming and costly.

[007] The known security gates are seen before described also poses a security risk as it is easy to remove the gate from the track, disengaging it from the electric motor and pushing it open.

[008] It is an object of the current invention to provide a trackless gate which will at least partially alleviate some of the aforementioned problems. : SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION : [009] This invention provides for a trackless gate which includes at least two supports, which is capable to engage with the gate so that the gate is horizontally movable relative to the supports between an open position and a closed position.

[0010] The supports may be position so that each support exerts pressure on the : gate in opposite directions so that the gate is supported horizontally at all times.

[0011] The supports may be positioned at any suitable distance apart from each other, alternatively may be positioned at opposite sides of the gate. The supports may consist of jockey wheels, which jockey wheels may be mounted on an upright, which upright may be secured in the ground, alternatively may be mounted to guide pillars of the gate.

[0012] The gate may include a hollow u-shaped runner which extends along the length of the gate and which is shaped so that the jockey wheels may run on the inside of the runner ensuring that the jockey wheels may exert pressure upwards or downwards relative to the ground.

[0013] The gate may further include guide rollers which are positioned near the top . side of the gate to ensure that the gate is supported upright.

[0014] The gate may further include stop ends which may be in communication with an electric motor to control the opening and closing of the gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Co

Fig 1 of the accompanying drawing illustrates a side view of the invention; and

Fig 2 of the accompany drawings illustrates a cross sectional end view of the invention according to Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing illustrates a trackless gate 10, which includes a bottom 12, a leading end 14, a back end 16 and a top 18. A plurality of posts 5 20 extending between the bottom 12 and the top 18. The gate further includes a runner 22 secured along the length of the gate 10 near its bottom 12. The runner 22 may be secured by means of any suitable fastener such as screws, alternatively may be welded to the bottom 12.

[0017] The gate 10 further includes at least two upright supports 24 and 26 which upright supports includes guide rollers 28 secured near the operative upper ends of the upright supports 24 and 26 respectively. The guide rollers 28 is position to abut the top 18 to support the gate 10 in an upright position.

[0018] A plurality of jockey wheel combinations 30 and 32 is provided for, which : jockey wheel combinations 30 and 32 is secured to upright supports 34 and 36 respectively. The upright supports 34 and 36 are secured to the ground 38 by any suitable means, but preferably is cemented into the ground and includes securing pins 40 which extends between the upright supports 24 and 26 respectively.

[0019] The gate 10 further includes at least two stop ends 44 which is in communication with an electrical motor (not shown), to control the opening and closing of the gate 10.

[0020] Each combination of jockey wheels 30 and 32 consists of a plurality of wheels 42 mounted on opposite sides of the upright supports 34 and 36 respectively as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

[0021] With reference to Figure 2, the jockey wheel combinations 30 and 32 respectively are positioned on the inner side of the hollow runner 22 which is u-shaped in cross-section.

[0022] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a balancing point exists between the leading end 14 and the backing end 16, where the gate is in such a position that only the weight of the gate that rests on the combination of jockey wheels 30 and 32 keeps the gate in the horizontal position.

[0023] Once the gate is in a closed position, the leading end 14 will in a see-saw motion, lean towards the ground, but the combination of the jockey wheels 30 will exert an upward force relative to the ground against the hollow u-shaped runner 22, while the combination of jockey wheels 32 will exert a downward force relative to the ground against the hollow u-shaped runner 22 ensuring that the gate remains balanced in a horizontal position. oo - [0024] Vice versa, once the gate is'in a closed position, the back end 16 will be inclined to lean towards the ground in a see-saw motion, but the combination of jockey wheels 30 will exert a downward force relative to the ground against the hollow u-shaped runner 22, while the combination of jockey wheels 32 will exert an upward force relative to the ground against the hollow u-shaped runner 22 ensuring that the gate remains balanced in a horizontal position. :

[0025] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many embodiments exist which fall within the scope of the current invention. For example, the jockey wheels may a A o be positioned at the top 18 of the gate with the gate being suspended in mid air.

The gate may further contain different support systems which may include a T-shaped support with bearings.

Claims

"TIT 1 cL K CLAIMS

1. A trackless gate having at least two supports, the support being capable to engage with the gate so that the gate is horizontally movable relative to the supports between an open position and a closed position.

2. A trackless gate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supports are in a position so that each support exerts pressure on the gate in opposite directions so that the gate is supported horizontally at all times.

3. A trackless gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the supports are spaced apart from each other. :

4. A trackless gate as claimed in claim 3 wherein the supports are positioned at opposite sides of the gate.

5. A trackless gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the supports consists of jockey wheels, which jockey wheels are mounted on an upright, which upright is secured in the ground.

6. A trackless gate as claimed in claim 5 wherein the upright is mounted to guide pillars of the gate.

7. A trackless gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the gate includes a hollow u-shaped runner which extends along the length of the gate.

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8. A trackless gate as claimed in claim 7 wherein the runner is shaped so that the jockey wheels run on the inside of the runner ensuring that the jockey wheels exerts pressure upwards alternatively downwards relative to the ground.

9. A trackless gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the gate include guide rollers positioned near the top side of the gate.

10. A trackless gate as claimed in claim 9 wherein the guide rollers ensure that the gate is supported upright.

11. A trackless gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the gate includes stop ends which are in communication with an electric motor to control the opening and closing of the gate.

12. A trackless gate as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11 with particular reference to Figure 1. DATED THIS 20™ DAY OF OCTOBER 2008. FORTHE APPLICANT DU RANDT & RICHARDS INC