Patent ID: 8365358
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: E05F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A universal swing hinge assembly for a gravity-closing gate, wherein the universal swing hinge assembly is configured to be selectively attached to a guardrail on a first side of a guardrail opening or a second side of the guardrail opening and allow the gravity-closing gate to open in either direction by rising from a lowest neutral position, the universal swing hinge assembly comprising: a. an upper hinge portion comprising a hinge pin thru hole; b. a back portion connected between the upper hinge portion and a lower hinge portion, wherein the lower hinge portion comprises a hole formed therethrough, and wherein the hole is axially aligned with the hinge pin thru hole; c. a recess formed in the universal swing hinge assembly between the upper hinge portion and the lower hinge portion, wherein the recess comprises an angled hinge face sloping upwards from the guardrail opening in one or more directions, and wherein the recess is configured to open towards the guardrail opening and receive a portion of the gravity-closing gate; and d. whereby the angled hinge face causes the gravity-closing gate to rise in either direction away from the lowest neutral position on the angled hinge face when the gravity-closing gate is opening and to return in either direction towards the lowest neutral position on the angled hinge face when the gravity-closing gate is closing, thereby allowing the universal swing hinge assembly to be attached to either side of the guardrail opening; e. wherein the hinge pin thru hole is disposed through the upper hinge portion along a hinge axis, wherein the hinge axis is at a first angle from a hinge assembly axis of the universal swing hinge assembly, wherein the angled hinge face is disposed at a second angle from the hinge assembly axis, and wherein the hinge axis is perpendicular to the angled hinge face.