Abstract:
A method of gating a fence starts with providing an exit that has spaced-apart first and second enclosure portions joined by upper and lower cross-members and at least one anchor joined to at least one of said enclosure portions; a mostly solid door between said enclosure portions and openable, said door and said enclosure portions having inward-facing surfaces; a latch coupling said door to one enclosure portion, said latch securing said door closed, said latch only operable from said inward-facing surface; and a guard attached to one of said enclosure portions and projecting inwardly proximate said latch. The next steps are digging holes for the enclosure portions and at least one anchor sufficiently deep to permit the lower cross-member to sit in the ground; placing the exit; pouring concrete up to about the ground surface; and attaching the fence to the enclosure portions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/973,160, filed Sep. 17, 2007. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to safety exit gates designed to thwart entry by unwanted visitors and especially to such gates affording quick escape from fire or the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Oil and gas sites need to have exit-only doors for employees to race out if there is an explosion, spill or other serious problem. Generally, such exit-only gates are constructed on-site. The fence installer digs post holes for supports on either side of the gate. The supports are set in place and concrete is poured around the supports up to the ground level. Then connectors are welded to the supports to provide hinges for the door to swing open. For panic exits, the side of the gate facing the work area is equipped with a horizontal bar that immediately opens the gate when depressed. 
         [0004]    Current gates are deficient in several ways. Problems include lack of safety and difficulties surrounding the process of installing the gate. Current gates allow a determined person—terrorist or teenager—to enter the work area. Even though the work area is surrounded with a fence topped with barbed wire, terrorists could defeat current gates with little difficulty and cause a dramatic explosion. Moreover, youths are drawn to the pumps and are able to enter the area, often at the exit-only gate. Even though the gate has a release only on the inside, determined youths with smaller limbs can get around the usual preventative measures and open the exit-only gate. Children like to ride on the moving pump jack and will climb onto it. However, because the pump jack is slippery with oil, they fall off and onto the underlying counterweight. If they do not immediately hop off the counterweight, they can be crushed between the moving pump jack and the counterweight. In the San Juan Basin alone, seven children have been killed in the oil fields in the last five years. Countless others have entered the forbidden enclosures. 
         [0005]    In spite of the identified risks posed by terrorist and to neighboring children, no progress has been made in improving exit-only gates and deterring unwanted access. One of the reasons is the economics of the situation. Because current technology requires welding near oil or gas, the company desiring the gate must first apply for and negotiate to obtain a “hot-work” permit. In that, the company experts describe the steps to minimize explosion. Then they must assemble a team to oversee gate installation, including inspectors and assorted company supervisors. The company also must stop all oil/gas pumping activity to lower the amount of oil or gas in the air and thereby decrease the possibility of explosion. The team may need to sweep the area with a sensor to assure a low level of volatile gases. 
         [0006]    Only when the site is established as safe can the fence installer enter and install the gate. Therefore, the current practice is very time-consuming, with delays for obtaining a “hot-work” permit and for assembling the team to oversee this potentially disastrous activity. The current practice is very expensive, with specialized employees necessary to prepare the permit application and to supervise the gate site. Not to be ignored is the cost of closing down the work site: stopping oil pumping for several hours or a day can cost $10,000 to $100,000. Little money is left over for the actual installation of the gate, so that activity is usually assigned to the lowest bidder, using current methods and cheap materials. 
         [0007]    In contrast, there have been recent developments in child-proofing fences and gates, but most of these are designed to increase the difficulty of manipulating the gate and latches. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,265 features a gate latch with two control members which are separated by a distance greater than that which can be effectively spanned by a preschool child. The control members must be operated first in a sequence and then simultaneously to operate the latch release mechanism. Such controls would slow employee exit and would not prevent terrorist access. Clearly such mechanisms are incompatible with panic exiting from a gas or oil disaster. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a solution to the current problems of access by terrorists and children, possibility of explosion during installation, and expensive and time-consuming delays due to permitting and activities by highly trained employees. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention includes spaced apart first and second enclosure portions; a mostly solid door disposed between the enclosure portions, the door being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the enclosure portions, the door and the enclosure portions having inward-facing surfaces; a latch operatively coupling the door to at least one of the enclosure portions, the latch being operable to secure the door in the closed position, the latch being operable from proximate the inward-facing surface to release the door to be moved to the open position; and a guard attached to one of the enclosure portions and projecting inwardly proximate the latch. The guard blocks most attempts by a person standing outside the gate to manipulate the latch with a tool, a finger, or perhaps forcing a hand or arm through the gate or fence and reaching toward the latch. Being installed on an immobile part of the gate, the guard is stationary in a relatively safe, familiar, fixed location and does not move with the door. 
         [0010]    Another exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention has a penetration-defeating barrier disposed on the door proximate the latch. This reinforces the part of the door nearest the latch and, especially where the door is not solid, helps exclude fingers and tools from the part of the door nearest the latch. 
         [0011]    In another exemplary embodiment, the enclosure portions are joined together, preferably by cross-members welded to them above and below the level of the door, allowing the combination to be delivered with the door already hung on the first enclosure portion and the latch correctly approximated to the second enclosure portion. 
         [0012]    In another exemplary embodiment, at least one anchor is attached to at least one of the enclosure portions. Preferably, each of them has an anchor attached. Anchors are used to immobilize the enclosure portions when the anchors are buried or in concrete. 
         [0013]    In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the enclosure portions includes a post. Round or rectangular tubular galvanized steel of the type found in cyclone fencing and other outdoor enclosures works well and is easily welded or bolted. 
         [0014]    In another exemplary embodiment, the door is movable, outward-only, to the open position. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the guard angles or curves distally toward the door and might interfere with the door were the door to open inwardly. In one such exemplary embodiment, the guard projects inwardly and at an angle toward the door and partially covers the latch proximate the inward-facing surface of the door, the better to frustrate attempts to reach the latch from outside the gate and fence. In another such exemplary embodiment, the guard projects inwardly and curves distally toward the door and partially covers the latch proximate the inward facing surface of the door. 
         [0015]    In another exemplary embodiment, the latch includes a push-bar opening mechanism very well suited to the needs of a person fleeing from fire or other danger. Also in accordance with the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of an exit door closure for securing a mostly solid door, where the door has an inward-facing surface and an opposite, outward-facing surface, relative to an adjacent enclosure portion, and where the enclosure portion also has an inward-facing surface and an opposite, outward-facing surface, the claimed exit closure, includes a latch operatively coupling the door to enclosure portion, the latch being operable to secure the door closed relative to the enclosure portion, the latch being operable from proximate the inward-facing surface of the door to release the door to open relative to the enclosure portion; and a guard projecting from the inward-facing surface of the enclosure portion proximate the latch. This combination of latch and guard are installed where an existing combination of door and enclosure portions is to be preserved, but security is to be upgraded. 
         [0016]    Also in accordance with the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of an exit door closure guard, for thwarting circumvention of a latch closing an exit door relative to an enclosure portion, where the door has an inward-facing surface and an opposite, outward-facing surface, relative to an adjacent enclosure portion, and where the enclosure portion also has an inward-facing surface and an opposite, outward-facing surface, includes a guard projecting from the inward-facing surface of the enclosure portion proximate the latch. This guard is installed where an existing combination of enclosure portions, door and latch is to be preserved, but security is to be upgraded. 
         [0017]    Also in accordance with the present invention, an exemplary method of gating a fence has the steps of integrating spaced-apart first and second enclosure portions with the fence; disposing a mostly solid door between the enclosure portions, the door being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the enclosure portions, the door and the enclosure portions having inward-facing surfaces; providing a latch operatively coupling the door to at least one of the enclosure portions, the latch being operable to secure the door in the closed position, the latch being operable from proximate the inward-facing surface to release the door to be moved to the open position; and affixing a guard to one of the enclosure portions, the guard projecting inwardly proximate the latch. This method provides or upgrades gate security by replacing the existing enclosure portions, door and latch with the combination in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0018]    In another exemplary method in accordance with the present invention, the step of joining the enclosure portions together is carried out before the step of integrating them with the fence. The enclosure portions, preferably with the door hung and the latch correctly approximated, are delivered to the site of installation as a unit. 
         [0019]    Another exemplary method further includes a step of joining at least one anchor to at least one of the enclosure portions, preferably before integrating them with a fence. This provides an enclosure portion which is ready to be immobilized by burial or setting in concrete. 
         [0020]    Another exemplary method includes the steps of joining the enclosure portions together. Performing all these steps before installation—and even before delivery—reduces the need for labor and tools at the site of installation. 
         [0021]    This exemplary method of gating a fence has a first step of providing an exit with spaced-apart first and second enclosure portions joined by an upper cross-member and a lower cross-member and at least one anchor joined to at least one of said enclosure portions; a mostly solid door disposed between said enclosure portions, said door being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to said enclosure portions, said door and said enclosure portions having inward-facing surfaces; a latch operatively coupling said door to one of said enclosure portions, said latch being operable to secure said door in said closed position, said latch being operable from said inward-facing surface to release said door to be moved to said open position; and a guard attached to one of said enclosure portions and projecting inwardly proximate said latch. The other steps include digging holes for the enclosure portions and at least one anchor sufficiently deep to permit the lower cross-member to sit in the ground; placing the exit; pouring concrete up to about the ground surface; and attaching the fence to the enclosure portions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein: 
           [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a prior art structure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is an inside elevational view of an exit in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top view thereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top view thereof; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an inside perspective view thereof; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of alternative embodiments thereof; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an outside elevational view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    There are significant problems and delays at oil and gas sites in installing the current style of panic-exit gates. Because of the current design, there are frequent reports of accidents and even deaths of children at oil and gas sites. Even worse, such sites could easily be entered by terrorists to create a large-scale incident. We have designed an innovative latched gate to solve these vexing safety problems. In an additional embodiment, we have made further improvements to not only increase safety but also avoid the risk of explosion during installation. Because of these additional improvements, companies can avoid welding and the attendant “hot-work” permitting process, closure of the work site and presence of additional personnel. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows an outside perspective view (from outside the work site) of current gate construction, which provides a light-weight chain-link gate  10 , with light-weight supports  15  on either side which are welded to the chain-link fence  20 . A horizontal plate  25  is positioned across the middle of the gate  10  to slow access to the latch (see  FIG. 2 ). To the right of the gate  10  is a vertical plate  30 , which is welded to the edge of the gate  10  to slow access to the underlying latch (not shown). For security, the gate supports  15  are set in concrete  40 . However, the light weight metal used in the typical assembly can be pushed and pulled to permit the entry of a hand around or under the vertical plate  30 . Also small hands can enter the chain links to the right of the vertical plate  30  to reach and open the latch. The inventor inserted a hand between the gate  10  and its lightweight supports  15  to open gate  10  and access the panic latch on the other side of the door ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a closer view of the gate  10  from the inside, showing the side vertical plate  30  and the horizontal plate  25 . Now the panic-exit device  35  is visible. It has a housing  42  which is attached to the gate  10 . Inside the housing  42  is the depressible push bar  45 . On the end of the panic-exit device  35  are latches  50  and  55 . The lower larger latch  50  is actuated when push bar  45  is depressed. Latch  55  is part of the mechanism for use with an entry key and is unused and unneeded in this design. 
         [0033]    In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that forma part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrating specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of present inventions. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments of the invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0034]    The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3 , an inside elevational view of a preferred embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention, shown generally at  60 , having a first enclosure portion  62 , a second enclosure portion  64 , a door  66 , a latch  68 , and a guard  70 . 
         [0035]    The first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64  are usually spaced-apart portions of an gate or fence such as may be built to secure an oil pump or any other hazardous area. While they are shown as square posts which are made of steel, aluminum or wood, they can also be spaced apart portions of any fence or wall, such as a stone or concrete wall, so long as they are robust enough to support a door  66  and meet the security requirements of the gate. In one embodiment, the enclosure portions are 3″ by 3″ square tubing with 3″×3″ caps. In the context of the present invention, the first and second enclosure portions  62  and  64  are preferably formed and placed precisely enough to assure close tolerance relative to a door  66  and should not permit a person easily to insert an arm into the area that is being enclosed. The door  66  is disposed between the first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64  and is hinged to the first enclosure portion  62 . In one embodiment, the door is 18ga sheet metal (galvanized) and has side, bottom and top reinforcements of 2″ by 2″ square 16ga tubing. In this embodiment the door measures about 48″ by 66″ tall. The side posts extend above the door and support at least one row of barbwire (e.g., 2 pt barbwire) or razor wire. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are top views of an exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention. The door  66  is movable between a closed position and an open position, here being shown hinged to the first enclosure portion  62  and openable in the outward direction relative to the second enclosure portion  64 . The door  66  has an inward-facing surface  72 , namely, the surface facing the interior of the area being enclosed. In one embodiment these hinges are 3″ door hinges disposed at the bottom, middle and top of the door. 
         [0037]    The door  66  is hinged to the first enclosure portion  62  in any of a variety of ways: it may be balanced; alternatively, it may be biased closed, as, for example, by being mounted at an angle so as to be shut by gravity, or by being spring-hinged. The door  66  is preferably formed of a sturdy material (such as 18″ga galvanized sheet metal) without openings that would allow a person to insert an arm into the area that is being enclosed. Preferably, it is formed of heavy duty aluminum or, where the passage of wind or light is to be allowed, of a heavy duty steel mesh having openings too small for fingers or tools. For example, the door  66  has slits for passing of wind. Preferably, the door  66  is brightly colored or reflectively coated at least in part to serve as a visual cue during escape in darkness or smoke. 
         [0038]    A latch  68  is located on the inward-facing surface  72  of the door  66 . The latch  68  operatively couples the door  66  to the second enclosure portion  64 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , and as will be appreciated more clearly from  FIG. 4 , the latch  68  is shown in a bolt-engaging relationship to the second enclosure portion  64 . In this way, the latch  68  is operable to secure the door  66  closed. The latch  68  is also operable from proximate the inward-facing surface  72  of the door  66  to release the door  66  so that the door  66  may be moved to an open position. As shown, the latch  68  is of the push-bar-to-exit variety that may be found on fire doors or other panic exits and is of outdoor grade (Global Door Controls, Inc., Charlotte, N.C.). The panic bar is covered with red or a reflective coating. 
         [0039]    A guard  70  projects inwardly (i.e., toward the area being enclosed) proximate the latch  68 . As shown, the guard  70  is formed by firmly attaching a rigid plate (in one embodiment approximately 12 centimeters long, 10 centimeters high and 0.4 centimeters thick) to the second enclosure portion  64 . Where the second enclosure portion  64  is a steel post, a steel plate is welded or bolted to it. Other means of forming or attaching the guard  70  may be substituted, such as, for example, forming it integrally with the second enclosure portion  64 , fitting it to a groove or slot formed in the second enclosure portion  64 , or the like. The dimensions of the guard  70  are variable and may, for example, be increased so that the guard  70  projects  20  or more centimeters inward and extends farther above and below the latch  68 . The material is also variable. Preferably, the guard  70  is formed of solid steel. To defeat intruders, a thickness in the range of about ¼″ to ⅛″ is desirable. Alternatively, the guard  70  is formed of spring steel, a tight, tough mesh or screen, tempered glass, or the like. Preferably, the latch  68  is finished to be highly contrasting, easily recognized and reflective to facilitate its recognition in darkness or smoke. 
         [0040]    The guard  70  functions to defeat the type of tampering that has enabled many intruders in the past to enter an oil well work site. Even though a person might be able insert a finger, a small hand or forearm, or a tool such as a pair of pliers or a screwdriver into the enclosed area—perhaps between the wires of a cyclone fence or through a gap between the second enclosure portion  64  (fence post) and an edge of a segment of fence—such a person will have difficulty bypassing the guard  70  while maintaining enough leverage and control to operate the latch  68 . 
         [0041]    In a panic exit-only gate like those found at oil pump work sites, the exit in accordance with the present invention allows the latch  68  to be operated quickly and the door  66  to be forced open outwardly in an emergency, while it protects the latch  68  from unwanted manipulation by persons located outside the gate. Additionally, the guard  70  projects from the usually immobile second enclosure portion  64  and not from the door  66 . Contrastingly, a guard  70  projecting from a door  66  would move with the door  66  as the door  66  swings open and would protrude into the path of persons using the door  66  to exit. In an emergency, such a guard  70  could snag the clothing or equipment of a person who may be rushing out through the exit to escape fire or dangerous vapors, possibly injuring that person and possibly also causing the gate to backlash into the path of another person. 
         [0042]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , in an exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention, an additional penetration-defeating barrier  74  is optionally disposed on the door  66  proximate the latch  68 . As illustrated, the barrier  74  extends the width of the door  66  and approximately  15  centimeters above and below the level of the illustrated push-bar-to-exit latch  68 . The barrier is useful to reinforce the covered area of the door  66  against forcible penetration. 
         [0043]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3  and now also to  FIG. 6 , an inside perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention, a welded rectangular steel upper cross-member  76 , at least one row of barbwire  77 , and lower cross-member  78  join the first enclosure portion  62  to the second enclosure portion  64 . The lower cross-member  78  is intended to be buried in the ground during installation. In one embodiment, the cross-members are 2″ by 2″ square galvanized tubing welded to the enclosure portions. Other materials, shapes and methods of joining may be substituted. For example, aluminum tubing, wood, I-beams, reinforcement bars, polymeric and composite extrusions, or the like, may be welded, bolted, wired, tied, interference-fitted, glued, or otherwise fused to form the illustrated structure. 
         [0044]    When joined together in this manner, the gate is deliverable as a complete module and installable without any need for assembly at the place of installation. Advantageously, any skill and care needed to properly assemble and fasten the exit may be procured efficiently at a factory, rather than being deployed at great expense at the place of installation. 
         [0045]    With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , in another exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention, a tubular steel first anchor  80  is welded to the first enclosure portion  62  and a tubular steel second anchor  82  is attached to the second enclosure portion  64 . The first anchor  80  and the second anchor  82  are located at a level below the lower cross-member  78 , so that cross-member  78  and the anchors may be buried or, preferably, set in concrete which is poured at the time of installation. They extend roughly horizontally and are oriented so as not to interfere with other portions of the gate or fence, which may also be underground. Besides tubular steel, other weather-resistant materials and shapes, such as solid bars, can be used 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of an exit in accordance with the present invention, in which the guard  70  not only projects inwardly but also is angled toward the door  66 , partially covering at least a portion of the latch  68  and at least a portion of the inward-facing surface of the door  66 .  FIG. 8  is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a gate in accordance with the present invention, in which the guard  70  projects inwardly and also distally curves toward the door  66 , partially covering at least a portion of the latch  68  and at least a portion of the inward-facing surface of the door  66 . These angled and curved embodiments further obstruct any tool being used to disengage the latch  68  from the second enclosure portion  64 , thereby further frustrating an intruder. It is noted that these embodiments are suited primarily for a door  66  which opens outwardly only, such that a guard  70  which is angled or curved toward the door  66  would not interfere with the operation of the door  66 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the exemplary embodiments of the exit use a push-bar-to-exit type of latch  68 —which is preferable when escaping from a ruptured oil well, a fire, an impending explosion, or the like, because one need not exercise precision or control in order to open the door  66 . However, because so little precision or control is required to open the door  66 , such an arrangement is vulnerable to unwanted manipulation by intruders who insert a body part or tool into the fence or gate from the outside in an attempt to unlatch the easily-opened door  66 . Advantageously, the guard  70  compensates for this vulnerability by forcing any inserted body part or tool to follow an inconveniently indirect path to reach any part of the latch  68 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is an outside elevational view of an exit in accordance with the present invention showing the first enclosure portion  62 , the second enclosure portion  64 , and the door  66 , which is hinged to the first enclosure portion  62 . A long, narrow, rigid strip  84  is shown affixed to the second enclosure portion  64  to reduce the tolerance between the second enclosure portion  64  and the door  66  in order to resist tampering. In one embodiment, this strip is 1.5″ wide and about ⅛″ thick galvanized strap metal. 
         [0049]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , an exemplary embodiment of an exit closure in accordance with the present invention is useful for securing a door  66  relative to an adjacent enclosure portion. This exemplary exit closure comprises a latch  68  installed to operatively couple the door  66  to the enclosure portion  64 . The latch  68  is operable to secure the door  66  closed relative to the enclosure portion  64  and is also operable from proximate the inward-facing surface  72  of the door  66  to release the door  66  to open relative to the enclosure portion  64 . A guard  70  is attached to the enclosure portion  64  and projects from the inward-facing surface of the enclosure portion  64  proximate the latch  68 . This exemplary embodiment of an exit closure is a valuable addition to, or replacement for, the latch  68  that might commonly be used on a previously installed panic exit-only gate. 
         [0050]    Also with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , an exemplary embodiment of an exit closure guard  70  in accordance with the present invention is useful for enhancing the intrusion resistance of a door  66  which is secured closed relative to an adjacent enclosure portion by a latch  68  of the type previously discussed, namely, one operable to secure the door  66  closed relative to the enclosure portion and is also operable from proximate the inward-facing surface  72  of the door  66  to release the door  66  to open relative to the enclosure portion. In accordance with the present invention, an exit closure guard  70  comprises a guard  70  attached to the enclosure portion and projecting from the inward-facing surface of the enclosure portion proximate the latch  68 . This exemplary embodiment of an exit closure guard  70  is a valuable addition to a previously installed panic exit-only gate already equipped with a push-bar-to-exit latch  68 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and described above, the guard  70  is variable in dimensions, shape, material and means of attachment. 
         [0051]    Also with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , an exemplary method of gating a fence in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of integrating spaced-apart first and second enclosure portions  62  and  64  with the fence or wall; disposing a door  66  between the enclosure portions  62  and  64 , the door  66  being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the enclosure portions  62  and  64 , the door  66  and the enclosure portions having inward-facing surfaces; providing a latch  68  operatively coupling the door  66  to one of the enclosure portions  64 , the latch  68  being operable to secure the door  66  in the closed position, the latch  68  being operable from proximate the inward-facing surface  72  to release the door  66  to be moved to the open position; and affixing a guard  70  to one of the enclosure portions, the guard  70  projecting inwardly proximate the latch  68 . 
         [0052]    Optionally in accordance with this exemplary method, the enclosure portions  62  and  64  may be joined together before they are integrated with the fence. This is accomplished by welding an upper cross-member  76  and a lower cross-member  78  between the first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64 . Thus, the door  66  is closely and safely approximated to the first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64  before installation of the gate on site. 
         [0053]    Also with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , an exemplary method of gating an fence in accordance with the present invention comprises the additional steps of joining at least one anchor  80  to at least one of the enclosure portions and burying the anchor  80  or setting it in concrete during installation. This is preferably accomplished by welding a tubular steel first anchor  80  to the first enclosure portion  62  and a tubular steel second anchor  82  to the second enclosure portion  64 . In this way, the first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64  are ready to be immobilized in the ground as soon as the hole(s) is dug. In one embodiment, 2 anchors are affixed (as by welding) to the enclosure portions  62  and  64  and are 2″ to 3″ galvanized steel pipe. 
         [0054]    Also with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , in another exemplary method of gating a fence or wall in accordance with the present invention, the steps of joining the first enclosure portion  62  to the second enclosure portion  64  together and joining the anchors  80  and  82  to them are performed before the step of integrating them with the gate, after which the assembled parts are ready to be placed in the ground as a unit and immobilized with concrete. 
         [0055]    Also with continued reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , in another exemplary method of gating a fence in accordance with the present invention, the steps of disposing the door  66  between the first enclosure portion  62  and the second enclosure portion  64 , providing the latch  68 , and affixing the guard  70  to the second enclosure portion  64  all are performed before the step of integrating the enclosure portions with the fence, and then, before the step of integrating the enclosure portions with the fence, further steps are included for joining an upper cross-member  76  to the enclosure portions above the door  66 , joining a lower cross-member  78  to the enclosure portions below the door  66 , and joining at least one anchor  80  or  82  to at least one of the first enclosure portion  62 , and/or the second enclosure portion  64 . 
         [0056]    Advantageously, this exemplary method of gating a fence allows two very important operational changes. First, the skill and equipment for precisely approximating the first enclosure portion  62 , second enclosure portion  64 , upper cross-member  76 , lower-cross-member, anchor(s)  80  and/or  82 , door  66 , latch  68 , and guard  70  and appropriately joining them are procured efficiently at a factory location, lowering costs and improving quality and working conditions. Second, such activities as cutting, welding, and de-burring no longer need to be performed at the work site. These activities all produce flame or sparks, which are dangerous in the presence of flammable vapors or liquids or in near dry brush or grassland—precisely the conditions found in an oil field. Because the method in accordance with the present invention gates the work area without requiring any of those activities, it can be conducted without seeking a hot-work permit and possibly also without ceasing flammable vapor-producing operations at the site of installation. Thus, gating the work area in accordance with the present invention upgrades the security and safety of the work site while avoiding opportunity costs and regulatory compliance costs of doing so with previously existing technology and practices. 
         [0057]    As can be seen from the drawing figures and from the description, each embodiment of the exit, exit gate closure, exit gate closure guard  70 , and method of gating a fence in accordance with the present invention solves a problem by addressing the need for improved intrusion resistance and streamlined, fire-safe installation, especially around flammable materials. 
         [0058]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0059]    In the foregoing description, if various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure, this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims, and such other claims as may later be added, are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.