Gate support apparatus

An apparatus defining a carriage to arrange for securement to a bottom surface of a gate, wherein the carriage includes an upper tray assembly for receiving the gate, with a lower framework pivotally mounted relative to the upper framework for accommodating uneven ground terrain, with the lower framework mounting a wheel rotatably thereto, with the wheel's axle generally aligned with the lower framework.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the invention 
The field of invention relates to gate support apparatus, and more 
particularly pertains to a new and improved gate support apparatus wherein 
the same provides for pivotally mounted frameworks arranged relative to 
one another, wherein the lower framework mounts a wheel to permit the 
apparatus to accommodate various undulations in a ground surface under an 
associated gate mounted to the framework. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Typically, gates utilized relative to fences and the like are typically of 
a rather expansive structive and over a period of time will sag relative 
to supporting posts and hinges mounting the gate. To alleviate this 
problem, the prior art has positioned a wheel relative to the gate to 
permit the gate to roll over an underlying surface while the wheel affords 
support to the gate during its arc of swing. The situation arises 
frequently where an underlying ground support is not an equal distance at 
all points about the arc of swing, and accordingly the gate is permitted 
to place strain on the supporting structure of the gate when the wheel is 
spaced above such underlying surfaces. In an effort to overcome 
deficiencies of the prior art, the instant invention sets forth a 
plurality of frameworks defining a carriage, wherein a lower framework is 
pivotally mounted relative to an upper framework and the lower framework 
supporting a support wheel. Support for the gate is addressed by a spring 
member that typically biases the lower framework outwardly relative to the 
upper framework to thereby effect upwardly pressure to the gate and 
minimize suspended weight upon an associated gate's support structure. 
Accordingly, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a 
new and improved gate support apparatus as set forth by the instant 
invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as 
effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the present invention 
substantially fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of gate 
support apparatus now present in the prior art, the present invention 
grovides a gate support apparatus wherein the same utilizes pivoted 
frameworks biased apart relative to one another, with a lower framework 
mounting a support wheel to rotatably traverse and underlying ground 
support relative in a gate mounted upon the upper framework. As such, the 
general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved gate 
support apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art gate 
support apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention provides an apparatus defining a 
carriage to arrange for securementi to a bottom surface of a gate, wherein 
the carriage includes an upper tray assembly for receiving the gate, with 
a lower framework pivotally mounted relative to the upper framework for 
accommodating uneven ground terrain, with the lower framework mounting a 
wheel rotatably thereto, with the wheel's axle generally aligned with the 
lower framework. 
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in 
the perticular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and 
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of 
all of its structures for the functions specified. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof the 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
There skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved gate support apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior 
art gate support apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
gate support apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured 
and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved gate support apparatus which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved gate support apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such gate support apparatus economically available to the buying 
public. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a 
new and improved gate support apparatus which provides in the apparatuses 
and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, wh ile 
simultaneously overcoming some of th e disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
There together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 9 
thereof, a new and improved gate support apparatus embodying the 
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated 
by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
More specifically, the gate support apparatus 10 of the instant invention 
essentially comprises an upper carriage pivotally mounted relative to a 
lower carriage, wherein the upper carriage includes an "L" shaped support 
member parallel to a second support flange 16 that includes a downwardly 
extending first mounting flange 17 coextensive with the second support 
flange 16. The "L" shaped support member 11 includes an abutment flange 12 
projecting orthogonally above a first support flange 13. The first support 
flange 13 and the second support flange 16 are substantially coplanar. A 
second mounting flange 18 orthogonally mounted to a bottom surface of the 
first support flange 13 is arranged parallel to and spaced from the first 
mounting flange 17. A forward and rear bridge plate 14 and 14a 
respectively are orthogonally mounted to respective forward and rear 
terminal ends of the first and second support flanges 13 and 16. Adjacent 
forward portions of the respective first and second mounting flanges 17 
and 18 are pivoted respective first and second mounting flange links 19 
and 20 respectively at upper terminal ends of the first and second 
mounting flange links through respective first and second pivot axles 21 
and 22 that are coaxially aligned relative to one another. A central axle 
23 is orthogonally directed through lower terminal ends of the first and 
second mounting flange links 19 and 20, wherein a medial link 24 is 
pivotally mounted at a forward terminal end of the medial link medially of 
the central axle 23. A rear end of the central axle 23 is pivotally 
mounted to a rear link 25 between an upper and lower terminal end of the 
rear link, with a lower terminal end of the rear link pivotally mounted 
about a rear link second pivot axle 33 that is orthogonally directed 
through spaced parallel lower first and second legs 26 and 27 respectively 
of the lower carriage. A rear link first pivot axle 32 pivotally connects 
the rear terminal end of the medial link 24 to the rear link 25 adjacent 
an upper terminal end of the rear link 25 mounting a forward end of a 
spring 37, wherein the rear end of the spring 37 is fixedly mounted 
medially of a rear plate 38 that is orthogonally oriented to a rear edge 
portion of the rear bridge plate 14a and the first and second support 
flanges 13 and 16. Lower first and second leg links 28 and 29 are 
pivotally mounted at their upper terminal ends to the central axle 23 
adjacent the first and second mounting flange links 19 and 20. Lower 
terminal ends of the first leg links 28 and 29 are pivotally mounted to 
the lower first legs 26 and 27 forwardly of the rear link second pivot 
axle 33. A wheel support flange 30 is orthogonally mounted to a forward 
terminal end of the lower first and second legs 26 and 27 rotatably 
mounting a cylindrical wheel member 31 axially thereof by a wheel axle 31a 
. A right and left rear positioning plate 34 and 35 are integrally mounted 
in an orthogonal relationship relative to the rear bridge plate 14a and 
extend downwardly therefrom, with a positioning plate axle 36 orthogonally 
directed adjacent lower terminal ends of the right and rear positioning 
plates 34 and 35 pivotally mounting rear end portions of the lower first 
and second legs 26 and 27. In this manner, the upper carriage is typically 
biased away from the lower carriage, as illustrated, whereupon support of 
a gate "G" provides pressure applied to the gate minimizing strain on 
support hardware (not shown) relative to the gate. 
If required, a matrix of projecting spikes 39 are mounted coextensively to 
a top surface of the first support flange 13 and may further include 
rupturable adhesive packets 40 positioned adjacent the spikes 39 to 
enhance engagement of the gate "G" relative to the upper carriage. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a modified construction of the invention wherein the 
lower carriage utilizes a rectilinear framework utilizing upper leg, such 
as 26a, to provide enhanced support in use. Further, a modification 10b, 
as illustrated in FIG. 5, may incorporate a socket 41 mounted medially of 
and orthogonally relative to a forward bridge plate mounting a spring 
therewithin to bias a socket rod 41 outwardly thereof that supports the 
cylindrical member 31. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further 
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant 
invention shall be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.