Abstract:
An Improved Gate Assembly is disclosed. The preferred gate assembly is constructed primarily from plastic or other resilient material that resists denting, bending, chipping, cracking, and graffiti painting. The gate assembly includes a novel mounting and hinge system from which the gates hang and swing, and which permits the pivot points to flex in order to prevent damage to the gate members themselves. The preferred gate system includes a cane bolt assembly that remains retracted while the gates are being moved, and also flexes and/or bends if the gates are struck by a vehicle. The gates include shock-absorbing bumper assemblies to prevent damage to them and may include display sections for displaying pertinent warnings or other information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to gate and door systems and, more specifically, to an Improved Gate Assembly.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Trash enclosures can be found at virtually every commercial building or center. Generally speaking, the enclosure is a 3-sided cinder block wall built around one or more dumpsters or other large trash receptacle(s). For safety and aesthetic purposes, builders are required to place gates across the opening in the wall. It is these gates that are the focus of the present invention.  
         [0005]     The trash enclosure gates are generally custom-built for each trash enclosure. They are commonly made from either metal or wood and are typically fairly heavy duty, presumably to withstand the severe abuse that they sustain from garbage trucks and their drivers. Because some trucks and drivers are so careless in their handling of the gates, the typical lifespan of a gate is only a year or so before major repairs and/or replacement is necessary. Even if the gates aren&#39;t damaged by use that quickly, they do certainly become dented, rusty and the paint fades and/or peels. What is needed is a trash enclosure gate that can withstand the bumping and abuse from garbage trucks as well as providing a non-fading and non-peeling surface over the life of the gate. Such a gate might also be available in pre-established shapes and sizes in order to cut costs and aid in project management. Furthermore, the gates should be designed to have protective bumpers as well as resilient mounting systems to permit the gates, hinges, etc. to flex, rather than deform permanently.  
         [0006]     Another problem with the prior trash gates exists with the cane bolt. The cane bolt is a bar on the front of one or both trash doors. When each door is closed the cane bolt is slid down into a hole cut in the cement pad in the appropriate location; the cane bolt then restrains the door from opening.  
         [0007]     The problem with these prior cane bolt systems is that the operators are unable or unwilling to be careful with them. It is a common practice for the cane bolt to be lifted only long enough to release it from the hole, thereby freeing the door for movement—the careless user then throws the door open. While the door swings, the cane bolt drags along the cement or asphalt pad, thereby creating two problems: (1) an unsightly groove is cut into the pad; and (2) the cane bolt becomes bent and unworkable. What is needed is a system that prevents the cane bolt from dragging across the ground when the user fails to hold it up while the door is swinging open or closed.  
         [0008]     A further problem with these prior cane bolt systems is that the “careless user” frequently fails to re-insert the cane bolt in the hole before leaving the site. Without the cane bolt secured, the gates can easily come open, such as during a strong wind. What is needed is a cane bolt system that gives stronger encouragement for the “careless user” to secure the cane bolt once the gates or doors have been closed.  
         [0009]     Finally, trash enclosures are a favorite target for “taggers”, or persons spraying or writing graffiti on public or private structures. Since the trash enclosures are usually hidden from view, around the back of the buildings, they are constantly being graffitied. As a result, the gates must be repainted constantly to correct the aesthetics. What would be beneficial is a trash enclosure gate system made from material that is graffiti-proof, such that any graffiti could simply be washed off; there would be no need to re-paint the gates.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Improved Gate Assembly. The gate assembly should be made primarily from plastic or other resilient material that resists denting, bending, chipping, cracking, and graffiti painting. It is a further object that the gate assembly include a novel mounting and hinge system from which the gates hang and swing, and which permits the pivot points to flex in order to prevent damage to the gate members themselves. It is a still further object that the gate system include a cane bolt assembly that will remain retracted while the gates are being moved, and also flex and/or bend if the gates are struck, for example by a vehicle. Another object is that the gates include shock-absorbing bumper assemblies to prevent damage to the gates. Finally, it is an object that the gate(s) include a display section for displaying pertinent warnings or other information.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred gate assembly of the present invention installed on a trash enclosure;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are an exploded partial cutaway side view and top view, respectively, of a preferred gate hinge system;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a cutaway top view of one gate of the assembly and retaining peg of  FIGS. 1-3 , depicting a preferred bumper and associated members;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway top view of one gate of the assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 , depicting a preferred display alcove and surface;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway front view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , depicting a preferred latch bolt and cane bolt; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a partial cutaway front view of the latch and cane bolt of  FIG. 7 , depicting the cane bolt in a raised position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Improved Gate Assembly.  
         [0021]     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred gate assembly  10  of the present invention installed on a trash enclosure  12 . Generally, the trash enclosure  12  comprises a three-sided wall  14 , containing a space large enough to contain the trash containers themselves. The fourth side of the enclosure  12  is enclosed by a pair of gates  16 . The gates  16  may be designed to fit only pre-established enclosure  12  and wall  14  configurations. Alternatively, the gates  16  might be comprised of a plurality of linkable panels; the user simply needs to link together the appropriate number of panels to cover the opening in the wall  14 . The user may further prefer to include edge guards  17  at the top and/or bottoms of the gates  16 . The preferred edge guards  17  will be from the same material as the gates  16 , and be formed in either plates or “L”-shaped brackets, as shown.  
         [0022]     Generally, the gates  16  will comprise two gates hinged at the wall  14  and meeting each other in the middle, just as with conventional gate systems. What is unique here is that the gate system  10  of the present invention includes may novel features that drastically increase the durability of the gate system  10  over these prior gates. A single gate panel  16  may be employed in lieu of a pair of gate panels  16 , such as where space is a consideration.  
         [0023]     Now turning to  FIG. 2 , we might better understand the novel gate assembly  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a front view of the gate assembly  10  embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The gate assembly  10  comprises a first gate  16   a  and a second gate  16   b . Each gate  16  is formed from a single piece of durable material such as might be cast from a composite plastic. The plastic material will not peel, flake, chip, dent, warp or rust. Furthermore, the gates  16  may be available in a variety of colors; these colors are impregnated into the gates  16  themselves, and as such are extremely long-lasting and resistant to wear. As discussed earlier, another gate  16  embodiment may comprise two or more panels linked together. In such a case, each panel is made from a single piece of material.  
         [0024]     The gates  16  hang from and swing on hinge assemblies  18   a  and  18   b , respectively. The hinge assemblies  18  are molded from the same materials as the gates  16 . Further detail regarding the hinge assemblies  18  is provided below in connection with  FIG. 4 .  
         [0025]     At least one gate,  16   b  for example, is held in place when closed by a cane bolt  26 . The cane bolt  26  may be rigid or it may allow some deflection, or even be “breakaway”, in the event that a careless driver bumps or rams the gates  16 . To open the gate  16   b , the cane bolt  26  is simply slid upwardly and out of the receiving hole (not shown) formed in the ground. The cane bolt  26  may also include a means that holds the cane bolt  26  up away from the ground when the gate  16   b  is being swung open, to prevent the problem of dragging the cane bolt  26  and damaging the cement pad and/or cane bolt  26 .  
         [0026]     The gates  16  are furthermore coupled to each other by a latch bolt  28  that must be slid back to open the gates  16 . To avoid the common problem of failing to secure the cane bolt  26  when the gate  16   b  is closed, the gate assembly  10  might include a means for causing the latch bolt  28  and cane bolt  26  to depend on one another to operate. Such means might prevent the latch bolt  28  from being closed until the cane bolt  26  is secured into its receiving hole (not shown). Further detail regarding the cane bolt  26  and latch bolt  28  is provided below in connection with  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0027]     The hinge assembly,  18   a  for example, also includes a hinge post  20   a  that is secured to the ground as well as to the wall  14 . The hinge post  20   a  is also formed from the same durable plastic material as the gates  16  and hinge assemblies  18 . The hinge post  20   a  is suspended from the wall  14  by a plurality of struts  22 . The struts  22  are preferably comprised from a fairly rigid, yet elastic material, such as rubber. The struts  22  will firmly restrain the hinge posts  20  from movement during normal swinging of the gates  16 , but will allow the hinge posts  20  to yield if and when a truck strikes the gates  16 . When the force from the truck, etc. is removed from the gate assembly  10 , the struts  22  will contract to their original configuration, and the gates  16  will once again swing freely. These deformable struts  22  will, therefore, prevent permanent damage to the gate assembly  10  if the assembly is hit by a vehicle. It should be appreciated that the struts  22  shown are merely one example of a resilient, elastic mounting system for the hinge posts  20 ; many other designs are expected, including sliding configurations, among others. What is unique is the ability of the hinge posts  20  to temporarily deflect from vertical, and then return to their original positions. If the struts  22  are deformed beyond their elastic range, it is expected that they can be replaced very easily, again, without sacrificing the more expensive parts of the gate assembly  10 , such as the gates  16 .  
         [0028]     Another feature of the gate assembly  10  of the present invention are the display surfaces  24 . The display surfaces  24  are essentially flat alcove-like depressions formed into the gates  16  and possibly covered by clear plastic panels. It is believed that the display surfaces  24  will provide a convenient, orderly and protected place to post signs, warnings and the like. The actual shape, size and location of the display surfaces  24  is not critical, but only that they may be provided to give added utility to the gate assembly  10 .  
         [0029]     A still further feature of the gate assembly  10  of the present invention are the bumpers  30 . The bumpers  30  are designed to give even more protection to the gate assemblies  10  against careless drivers. Should a truck be backed into the gate assembly  10 , the truck will strike the bumpers  30 , and not the gates  16 . The bumpers  30  are designed to provide some dampening and cushioning, such as through rubber mounting components, similar to the struts  22 . More detail in regard to the bumpers  30  is provided below in connection with  FIG. 5 .  
         [0030]     Brief consideration of  FIG. 3  provides additional detail of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a back view of the gate assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . From the rear, one can notice that each gate  16  includes a frame  32  to provide additional structural rigidity. Again, what is unique is that in its preferred design, the frames  32  and gates  16  comprises a unitary piece of cast or otherwise-formed material. The frames  32  may have rectangular cross sections, such as might be simulated by 2- or 3-inch rectangular tube steel. Other configurations may be available, depending upon the particular application for the gate assembly  10 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  provide additional detail regarding the unique hinge assembly  18  in an exploded partial cutaway side view of same. Each gate  16  includes a plurality of gate hinge-halves  34  extending from the hinge-edge of the gate panel. These gate hinge-halves  34  cooperate with a plurality of post hinge-halves  36  formed as a unitary part of the hinge posts  20 . Like a conventional door hinge, the hinge-halves  34  and  36  have a substantially tubular shape to facilitate swinging of the gate  16  relative to the hinge post  20 . Furthermore, each gate hinge-half  34  is defined by a circular gate hinge bore  38  formed along the axis of rotation. Similarly, each post hinge-half  36  is defined by a circular post hinge bore  40  that is coaxial with the gate hinge bores  38 .  
         [0032]     The remaining components of the hinge assembly  18  are configured: (1) to provide maximum strength to the plastic hinge assembly  18 , and (2) to provide ease of assembly and disassembly. For ease of understanding, only the top portion of the hinge assembly  18  is depicted; the bottom portion is the mirror image of the top portion, except where noted. While the depicted embodiment has a post hinge-half  36  at the top of the hinge assembly  18 , other embodiments may start with a gate hinge-half  34 . Furthermore, while many of the components are shown to have a particular length or other configuration, it should be understood that other lengths and configurations may be necessary for a particular installation.  
         [0033]     Turning, now to the components of the hinge assembly  18 , there is first a hinge insert  44  is inserted into the post hinge bore  40 . The hinge insert  44  is made from metal or other durable material and is designed to prevent wear to the post hinge bore  40 . The hinge insert  44  is configured with fins or tabs (not shown) that will engage the walls of the post hinge bore  40  to prevent the hinge insert  44  from being removed without the proper tools.  
         [0034]     Next, a flanged insert  46  is slipped into the hinge insert  44 . The flanged insert  46  is usually made from metal or other durable material and is configured to have smooth outer and inner surfaces in order to facilitate rotation between itself and the hinge insert  44 . The flanged insert  46 , like the hinge insert  44  has a twin inserted upwardly into the bottom of the hinge assembly  18 .  
         [0035]     Finally, a hinge rod  48  is inserted into the flanged insert  46 . The hinge rod extends through substantially the entire length of the hinge assembly  18 . The hinge rod  48  is made from metal, and may have a threaded aperture at its tip (not shown). The threaded aperture tip is designed to accept the hinge rod retainer  50 , which is essentially a shortened duplicate of the hinge rod  48  that is designed to fit in the bottom of the hinge assembly  18  and screw into the threaded tip of the hinge rod  48 . In some situations, it might be preferable to provide other means for retaining the hinge rod  48 , such as simply pinning or screwing it into place, among other conventional means.  
         [0036]     As can be seen in  FIG. 4B , each strut  22  comprises a base portion  53  that is attached to the wall  14  by a conventional means, such as by driving a pair of cement nails  51  through apertures (not shown) in the base portion  53  and into the wall  14 . The hinge portion  20  may be attached to the base portion  53  by a resilient member, such as the spring  49  shown. The spring  49  will permit the hinge portion  20  to actually pull away from the wall  14  in the event that the gates  16  or hinge portion  20  are struck by a vehicle.  
         [0037]     In order to understand another novel feature of the present invention, we will now turn to  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIG. 5A  is a cutaway top view of one gate  16  of the gate assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  FIG. 5B  is a cutaway top view of a preferred retaining pin  52 . As a preliminary matter, one should notice the corrugated cross section of the gate  16 . While this particular design is not the exclusive embodiment, it is preferred because of its inherent strength and aesthetic similarities to wood paneling. In at least one location on each of the gates  16 , there may be a bumper  30  installed. The bumper  30  is probably plastic, like the rest of the gate assembly  10 , or it may be metal or other durable material. The bumper  30  is attached to the gate  16  in a way to provide cushioning therebetween to prevent the gate  16  from being damaged if the bumper  30  is struck, such as by a truck. In the present embodiment, the bumper  30  is attached to the gate  16  by a plurality of retaining pegs  52 . The retaining pegs  52  are durable plastic or metal and are designed to securely hold the bumper  30  in place, such as by screw-in or riveted attachment. Sandwiched between the bumper  30  and the gate  16  are grommets  54 . The grommets  54  are likely to be rings made from rubber of other elastic, durable material that is threaded over the retaining pegs  52  when the bumper  30  is being attached to the gate  16 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 5B  depicts a preferred retaining pin  52  design. The pin  52  may comprise an inner sleeve member  55  that slidingly engages with an outer sleeve member  59 . The inner and outer sleeve members  55  and  59  are preferably attached to one another by a biasing means  57 , such as a spring assembly, to hold the outer sleeve  59  in engagement with the inner sleeve  55  until the bumper  30  or gate panel  16  is struck by something, under which conditions, the inner and outer sleeves  55  and  59  will be permitted to slide apart in order to absorb the impact, rather than permit the gate  16  or hinges (not shown) to be damaged.  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway top view of one gate  16  of the gate assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 , depicting the aforementioned display surface  24 . Essentially, the display surface  24  is created by the formation of a display alcove  56 , which is a depression of rectangular or other shape created within the gate panel  16 . Because the gate  16  is cast or molded from a single piece of material, there is great flexibility in the shapes and locations of the display alcove  56 . The display surface  24 , as mentioned previously, is provided to permit an owner to post warning signs or other labels to the gates  16 . A clear plastic pane (not shown) may be provided for attaching over the display alcove  56  in order to protect any labels applied to the display surface  24 .  
         [0040]     As discussed above in reference to the background of the present invention, a particular problem with the prior gate systems exists with the cane bolt and latch bolt operation. To remedy the problem with drivers&#39; failing to engage the cane bolt  26 , the present invention includes means for preventing the user from securing the latch bolt  28  before the cane bolt  26  is engaged to the ground. Furthermore, to prevent the dragging cane bolt  26  problem, the present assembly includes means for pulling the cane bolt  26  up and away from the ground when the cane bolt  26  is not engaged.  FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway front view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , depicting a preferred latch bolt  28  and cane bolt  26  design, and wherein the cane bolt  26  is in the extended or engaged position.  
         [0041]     As can be seen, the cane bolt  26  extends upwardly through the cane bolt guide  58 . The cane bolt guide  58  is ideally a cylindrical enclosure that guides the cane bolt  26  in its travel, as well as houses the biasing means  60 . The biasing means  60  biases the cane bolt  26  upwardly to prevent it from dragging on the ground when disengaged. One biasing means  60  may be a conventional coil spring; other durable means for biasing the cane bolt  26  upwardly may be appropriate in some circumstances.  
         [0042]     Continuing up the cane bolt  26 , a cane bolt handle  62  is encountered. The cane bolt handle  62  provides the user with a means for lowering the cane bolt  26  to engage it with the ground. The end of the cane bolt  26  slidingly resides within the latch-cane interface means  64 . The latch-cane interface means  64  is where the axis&#39; of the latch bolt  28  and the cane bolt  26  intersect. As such, only one of the two may be fully extended into the latch-cane interface means  64  at one time. Consequently, the cane bolt  26  must be retracted from the latch-cane interface means  64  (and locked into the ground) before the latch bolt  28  can be extended and locked. Obviously, then, when the latch bolt  28  is retracted (i.e. the gates  16  are unlocked), the cane bolt  26  is free to be urged upwardly by the biasing means  60 .  
         [0043]     The latch bolt  28  slides back and forth within a pair of latch bolt guides  66 . A hasp  68 , configured to accept a locking device, might extend outwardly from the gate  16 . If the user desires to lock the gate  16  shut, he or she must simply extend the latch bolt  28  and then install the lock through the hasp  68 .  FIG. 8  depicts the latch-cane interface means  64  when the latch bolt  28  has just been retracted, thereby causing the biasing means (see  FIG. 7 ) to push the cane bolt  26  up into the latch-cane interface means  64 . The preferred cane bolt  26 , latch bolt  28  and other parts described herein will be made from metal or other durable material. It is critical that the reader understand that the depicted design for the latch bolt  28  and cane bolt  26  and the interface between the two is simply one embodiment; many other designs are available. What is important is the novel interaction and dependency between the two members, not the actual engineering design of this interaction.  
         [0044]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.