Abstract:
The gate may be fixed within a doorway or into walls above stairs. The gate is constructed of two horizontal beams pivotally connected by vertical beams, joined by pivot pins. At one end, the horizontal beams are pivotally connected to a hinge so that they may pivot vertically relative to the hinge, which is connected to one side of a door frame and permits the gate to swing open and closed. When closed, the gate latches into saddles on the opposite side of the door frame. When open, the entire gate pivots vertically to incline in a direction of the stairs. When pivoting vertically, the vertical beams remain vertical and the horizontal beams incline.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/689,658 filed on Jun. 11, 2012 by Robert L Swafford entitled Classic Step Store Gate, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a gate for the top or bottom of stairs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevation view of the gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of the gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side elevation view of the gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the gate in a storage position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a detail top view of the hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a detail top view of the hinge, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  is a cutaway top view of the hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of the hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front detail view of the installed hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side detail view across section A-A of the installed hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7C  is a detail top view of the hinge, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A to 1C , front Elevation view exhibits a clean structure, with no screws, nails or pivot pins visible. The top of the gate is a rounded handrail measuring, one and one half inches or more in thickness, extending across the opening and rounding at the ends. This gate is sturdy and attractive. The gate lifts or lowers to move up or down stairs or a slope to open or block a passageway. It was developed for safety, strength, usefulness, and is up to date with quality homes. This gate uses a modified bent strap hinge, combined with a pivot pin, to allow it to be lifted upward or downward. 
     The top beam  3   a  of Classic Step Store Gate is a strong rounded handrail for safety. The bottom beam  3   b  is equal to top beam inverted. The gate can be rotated 180 degrees and mount left or right hinge. The horizontal beams  3   a ,  3   b  are recessed to allow the vertical members  5  to mount flush with the top beam  3   a  and bottom beam  3   b . Nothing projects above the top beam (a safety feature). All screws or pivot pins (not shown) are inserted from the back of the gate. The front is un-cluttered. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7C , this gate is not built with a pivot post as my patent No. 61/687,908 is built. It does not use top and bottom brackets. The gate uses modified strap hinges  2 . One hinge  2  is near the top, and one near the bottom. These two hinges  2  attach to the first vertical member  5  of the gate, with two screws  25  into the vertical beam. Two screws (not shown) attach the opposite end of the hinge to the wall or door jamb through holes  26 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-C  and  FIG. 2 , the modified hinges  2  or specially designed hinges allow the first vertical member  5  or beam to rotate over 180 degrees; that is directly away from the operator, across the passage way, or move toward the operator standing in front of the gate. Between the two screws  4   a  holding the hinge  2  to the vertical post  5 ; the hinge  2  has a pre drilled hole  24  for a pivot pin or screw  4   a . The hole is slightly larger than the pivot screw  4   a . Placing the drill bit in the hole, a hole is drilled through the vertical beam, equal in size to the hole in the hinge  2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7A  as well, a screw  26 , made for anchoring into wood, will pass through this prepared hole, entering the back side of the vertical beam  5 , then through a plastic washer  27  and finally, tie into the top horizontal beam  3   a . A second horizontal beam  3   b  will be used at the bottom of the gate. It will be inverted from the position of the top horizontal beam  3   a , and tie to the lower end of the vertical beam  5  with a pivot pin  26  as used on the top beam  3   a.    
     A lighter weight, or smaller dimension picket of proper length will be attached with a single pivot pin  23 , or screw at each end. Additional vertical members  5 , referred to as pickets, will space equally across the opening. All pivot points  4   b  will be spaced with plastic or nylon washers  27  to ensure smooth operation when lifting or lowering the gate. 
     All screws  4   a ,  4   b ,  26  will enter from the back side of the gate, and be of correct length not to break through the front surface of the classic step store gate. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the Rear Elevation view exhibits the gate&#39;s structure. The top and bottom of all vertical members  5  are rounded to maintain equal clearance as the gate is raised or lowered to avoid injury to fingers. All vertical members  5  have an equal distance between pivot points  4   b , and all must be in a direct line and equally spaced, top and bottom. A proper and correct radius must be established, equal to the measure from pivot point  4   b  to the clearance of distance between top and bottom beam  3   a ,  3   b  flanges and the pivot point  4   b  established. This top and bottom clearance distance must stay equal when raising or lowering the gate. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a Front Elevation perspective view exhibits structure with operating end of gate resting in saddle brackets  10 . The gate rests in a saddle bracket  10  when in closed position. These saddles  10  can be of various shapes or sizes and should include a spacer block of equal shape. Spacer blocks (not shown) can be used to adjust clearance, and stop the gate end from scuffing the wall. Spacer blocks can also be used at hinge end of gate if needed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the step storage exhibits a very clean and attractive storage position. A metal hook and slot device could be made. A metal hook and slot device (not shown) could be mounted to hold the hand rail solid. An optional rubber pad (not shown) would hold the bottom beam from scuffing edge of a step. A skilled person could install the device to hold the loose end of the top beam  3   a  to anchor it solidly in place when open. A rubber pad (not shown) would be an option for the contact point with the bottom horizontal beam  3   b  while in storage position. Also note, bottom beam  3   b  and top beams  3   a  are equally made, making it easy to mount the gate to wall or door, right or left hinge. 
       FIG. 5  exhibits a detail drawing of top view, looking down. The top rail is drawn with a portion removed to see the three major positions of the gate. Top view illustrates the gate moved away from the operator. It could be lifted for up stairs, or lowered down a set of stairs. When closed, the top rail makes a good safety feature at the top of a stairway or slope. The hinge used in the gate, distributes any stress that might occur, to the steel hinge 
       FIG. 6  exhibits a clean and neat hinge, devised for this use. A specially designed hinge is shown which allows a pivot point pin to pass through the hinge to strengthen the framework, and places the load of the horizontal beams on the steel hinge. This hinge can be a part of this patent. It shows holes drilled in the proper place to reduce stress on wood member of the gate. It would eliminate un-used holes, making the hinge stronger and more attractive. And reduce time when the gate goes into production. 
       FIG. 7A  exhibits a Front Elevation detail, exhibits in dotted lines, the rear of the structure, position of hinge, and how the top beam  3   a  trims out near the ends. It illustrates a nylon washer  27  placed between all members to prevent scuffing. The gate drawing shows a one piece beam  3   a , rounded top and some operating clearance, needed when the gate is lifted or lowered to the maximum. The hinge  2  fits between the gate members  3   a ,  3   b ,  5 , and is illustrated as a hinge  2  made for this purpose. 
       FIG. 7B  showing Section A-A illustrates the gate in the closed position with the top beam cut off. The square end of the hinge  2  is fastened to a door jamb, as in a home for which it was designed at the top of steps declining about 4 feet, to a laundry room and family room. 
     This gate can also be installed with stick on pads which can be removed without damage. The pads are a standard item for use in closets or on walls for hanging things.