Foldable gate

The present disclosure is generally directed to a gate having a frame that can fold and collapse into a compact profile for purposes of storage and travel. In an embodiment, a gate consistent with the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame members coupled together via hinged couplers. The hinged couplers provide an in-use configuration whereby the frame members occupy substantially the same plane and form a picture-frame/rectangular shape. Preferably, a foldable material such as mesh at least partially surrounds each frame member and extends between the frame members to form a sidewall. The hinged couplers include at least a first hinged coupler configured to allow for out-of-plane rotation about a first axis to fold the frame members relative to each other in a clamshell fashion, and at least a second hinged coupler to allow for in-plane rotation about a second axis to collapse the frame members.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to safety gates that bridge between passageways, and in particular, to a safety gate with a foldable frame to transition to a storage/travel configuration.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Safety gates, commonly referred to as baby gates, bridge between passageways to keep children and pets contained within a specific area, or to keep children and pets from entering certain areas as the case may be. So-called “portable” baby gates can include a mechanism that reduces the overall footprint of the same for purposes of storage/travel. However, such portable baby gates tend to require a significant amount of storage space even when in the storage/collapsed configuration. Moreover, such baby gates often remain extended during travel/storage as the amount of time and user frustration to collapse and re-deploy a baby gate often outweighs the benefits of fully collapsing the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Existing baby gates remain challenging to store and travel with in general. Baby gates that are marketed as “portable” often include limited storage/travel features. For instance, some gates provide the ability to collapse/retract to a minimum passageway width, or are constructed from relatively light-weight material. However, such existing portable gates remain relatively awkward to carry/store, and moreover, remain incapable of being stored within space-constrained spaces such as backpacks, suitcases, and overhead bins on a plane.

Thus, the present disclosure is generally directed to a safety gate, also referred to herein as gate device or simply a gate, having a gate frame that can fold and collapse into a compact profile for purposes of storage and travel. In an embodiment, a gate consistent with the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame members coupled together via hinged couplers to provide a gate frame, and preferably, a rectangular gate frame. The hinged couplers preferably provide an in-use configuration whereby the frame members occupy substantially the same plane and form a picture-frame/rectangular shape. Preferably, a foldable material such as mesh at least partially surrounds each frame member and extends between the frame members to form a sidewall. The hinged couplers also preferably include at least a first hinged coupler configured to allow for out-of-plane rotation about a first axis to fold the frame members relative to each other in a clamshell fashion, and at least a second hinged coupler to allow for in-plane rotation about a second axis to collapse the gate frame. The hinged couplers therefore allow the gate frame102to transition into a storage configuration whereby the frame members rotate about two different rotational axis to ultimately extend substantially parallel relative to each other for ease of storage and travel.

FIGS.1-5show an example gate100consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the gate100includes a plurality of frame members (also referred to herein as tubular frame members) shown collectively as gate frame102(which may also be referred to herein as a frame) and individually as frame members102-1,102-2,102-3, and102-4, a plurality of hinged couplers104-1,104-2,106-1,106-2, a fabric sidewall108, and a plurality of optional adjustable pressure members110. As shown, the gate frame102preferably includes at least four frame members.

Each of the frame members can have a rectangular profile, e.g., as shown inFIG.1, or have other shapes/profiles including rounded, triangular, oblong, and/or octagonal. The frame members of the gate frame102preferably comprise a metal, metal alloy, plastic, or any other suitably rigid material. Each of the frame members of the gate frame102can be formed from the same or different material and preferably include a similar structure and profile.

The structure of each frame member of the gate frame102can include a hollow body to advantageously reduce overall weight, or can be solid depending on a desired configuration. As discussed below, having hollow frame members for the gate frame102also allows for having telescoping capabilities, whereby a frame member with a first diameter at least partially receives and surrounds an inner frame member with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Accordingly, the example gate100shown inFIGS.1-5includes telescoping frame members, e.g., frame members102-1,102-3that can extend/telescope to adjustably increase or decrease the overall width of the gate100to accommodate openings of various dimensions.

The gate100further includes optional adjustable pressure members110, which may also be referred to herein as simply pressure members. The optional adjustable pressure members110preferably include a body in the form of a threaded screw/bolt and an adjustable head affixed to one end of the body. The optional adjustable pressure members110then engage a threaded opening in an associated hinged coupler.

As shown more clearly inFIG.2, the pressure members110preferably extend coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first and third members102-1,102-3such that the pressure members110provide an adjustable extension of the first and third members102-1,102-3to permit a user to increase/decrease force applied to a doorway/opening by the gate100. As discussed below, a user can also optionally engage telescoping members to perform more “coarse” grain adjustment of the gate100during installation/removal.

In an embodiment, the fabric sidewall108comprises natural or synthetic fabric materials such as cotton, vinyl, polyester, and preferably, materials naturally resistant or otherwise treated to prevent wrinkling, water absorption, and/or staining such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and olefin, or a combination thereof. In addition, the fabric sidewall108can include a mesh (e.g., as shown inFIG.1) to promote air flow and allow light to pass therethrough. Preferably, the fabric sidewall108allows for at least 80 percent of incident light to pass therethrough. The fabric sidewall108can optionally include hook and loop sections to permit a user to remove the fabric sidewall108from the gate frame102for cleaning purposes.

As further shown inFIG.1, the fabric sidewall108at least partially surrounds each of the frame members of the gate frame102. The fabric sidewall108thus advantageously obscures from view substantially all of the frame members and the associated frame locking devices to increase aesthetic appeal, and importantly, also to reduce the risk of pets/children coming into contact with the same and inadvertently disengaging frame locks.

The fabric sidewall108can also include the aforementioned hook and loop sections, or other tensioning feature such a strap, to allow a user to increase tension between the fabric sidewall108and the gate frame102to provide additional structural integrity when in the in-use configuration.

As discussed in greater detail below, the gate100can be collapsed/folded into a storage configuration whereby the gate100has a compact footprint for portability (See, e.g.,FIG.5) and/or to decrease the space necessary to store the gate100when not in use (e.g., within an automobile trunk, closet, drawer).

As shown inFIG.3the frame members of the gate100provide a frame with an overall height H1, and a minimum overall width W1when in the extended/in-use configuration. As noted above, the gate100may be extended/widened by a user such that the overall width of the gate100can be extended between the minimum overall width W1and a maximum overall width. Preferably, the maximum overall width of the gate is at least 10% greater than the minimum overall width W1, and more preferably, at least 25% greater than the minimum overall width W1.

Storage case/sleeve112demonstrates one example of the compact footprint achieved by the gate100in the collapsed/folded configuration. In this preferred example, and as is shown more clearly inFIG.5, the gate100is folded and collapsed to an overall height of H2, an overall width of W2and an overall cross-wise width of CW2. Preferably, the overall width W2of the gate100in the collapsed/folded configuration is substantially equal to the overall minimum width W1of the gate frame of the gate100in the in-use/unfolded configuration (SeeFIG.3).

On the other hand, the overall height H2of the gate100in the collapsed/folded configuration is preferably 50% less than the overall height H2of the gate frame102of the gate100in the in-use/unfolded configuration, and more preferably, at least 90% less. Accordingly, the ratio over the overall height H1in the in-use/unfolded configuration relative to the overall height H2in the collapsed/folded configuration is preferably between 2:1 to 10:1. In one preferred example, the ratio over the overall height H2in the collapsed/folded configuration relative to the overall height H1in the in-use configuration is 50±10%. The compact footprint of the gate100in the collapsed/folded configuration also preferably includes an overall cross-wise width CW2(SeeFIG.5) that is preferably no greater than 2-3 times greater than the cross-wise CW1of the frame members (SeeFIG.3) of the gate frame102.

In one non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H1is equal to 27 inches, the maximum overall width W1is equal to 48 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW1is 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the in-use configuration (SeeFIG.3). In this preferred example, the overall height H2is equal to 5 inches, the overall width W2is equal to 27 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW2is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the storage configuration (SeeFIG.5).

In another non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H1is equal to 34 inches, the maximum overall width W1is equal to 60 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW1is 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the in-use configuration (SeeFIG.3). In this preferred example, the overall height H2is equal to 5.25 inches, the overall width W2is equal to 34 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW2is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the storage configuration (SeeFIG.5).

In another non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H1is equal to 39 inches, the maximum overall width W1is equal to 72 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW1is 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the in-use configuration (SeeFIG.3). In this preferred example, the overall height H2is equal to 6.5 inches, the overall width W2is equal to 39 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW2is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame102is in the storage configuration (SeeFIG.5).

FIG.2illustrates the gate100without the fabric sidewall108for purposes of showing additional aspects and features of the gate100. In particular, the embodiment ofFIG.2shows the second and third frame members102-1,102-3having a telescoping arrangement. The overall dimensions, e.g., height and width, of the second and third frame members102-1,102-3measures greater than that of the corresponding dimensions of the first and second extendable portions103-1,103-2, respectively.

Thus, the second and third frame members102-1,102-3preferably provide a cavity capable of receiving at least a portion of the first and second extendable members103-1,103-2, respectively, and allow a user-supplied force, e.g., applied along the X axis, to increase/decrease the overall width of the gate100. Stated differently, the first and third frame members102-1,102-3and corresponding first and second extendable sections103-1,103-2provide telescoping frame members/arrangements to allow a user to selectively set the overall width of the gate100during use.

Continuing on, the gate100includes first and second frame locks116-1,116-2to switchably lock and unlock the first and second extendable portions103-1,103-2respectively. Each of the first and second frame locks116-1,116-2at least partially surround and securely couple to an associated frame member (e.g.,102-1,102-3). The first and second frame locks116-1,116-2can include a locking arrangement, such as a detent mechanism, to prevent movement of the frames102-1,102-3relative to their respective extendable portions along the X axis, for example. Thus, the first and second frame locks116-1,116-2allow a user to increase/decrease the overall width of the gate100via the telescoping frame members. The gate100can include a plurality of predefined extents based on, for instance, openings provided along the extendable portions103-1,103-2that engage with the detent of the first and second frame locks116-1,116-2, as discussed in greater detail below.

As further shown inFIG.2, the gate100includes a plurality of hinged couplers to couple frames together and provide rigidity when in-use, e.g., when bridged between opposite sides of a door casing/room opening. The rigidity provided by the hinged couplers in this so-called “in-use” configuration of the gate100reduces or otherwise minimizes warping of the gate100under load to ensure that each of the frame members of the gate frame102remain substantially within a common plane under load. Thus, the in-use configuration permits the gate100to bridge between sidewalls/surfaces of a doorway/opening and resist buckling/collapsing/deforming to maintain structural integrity when exposed to loads commonly introduced by pets, children, and accidental contact in general.

Of course, the risk of gate displacement and/or injury to people/pets substantially decreases when the gate100gets fully transitioned from a storage configuration (as shown and described below) to the in-use configuration shown inFIG.2. The in-use configuration includes, preferably, the hinged couplers fully opened to a position that encounters associated integrated stops and the engagement of optional first and second sliding locks114-1,114-2. In addition, the in-use configuration can further include extending pressure members110and/or the telescoping frame members102-1,102-3based on user-supplied forces to increase/decrease overall width of the gate100to securely bridge between sidewalls of a doorway/opening.

Preferably, the gate100includes a nominal expected loading of at least about 1-300 pounds, although other nominal load targets are within the scope of this disclosure. For instance, in instances where the gate100aims to withstand loads of up to 300 pounds or more applied against either side (i.e., force applied against member(s) and/or the fabric sidewall108) materials for the members and hinge joints and/or fabric sidewall108can be selected to maximize rigidity. For instance, the gate100can include frame members formed or otherwise reinforced with metal such as steel, aluminum, titanium, or a suitably rigid plastic. In addition, the gate100can include additional features to secure the same into a doorway using, for instance, hooks, slots, or other suitable devices that can securely couple the gate100into an opening for use as a barrier.

As is shown, the plurality of hinged couplers include a first set/pair of hinged couplers (104-1,104-2) and a second set/pair of hinged couplers (106-1,106-2). Each of the plurality of hinged couplers include a body that defines first and second openings disposed substantially transverse with each other to receive and couple to the ends of frame members102. Thus, the frame members extend substantially transverse relative to each other, and preferably at substantially a right angle (e.g., 90±5 degrees), when an end of each gets inserted at least partially into the openings of the hinged couplers.

Continuing on, the first pair of hinged couplers (104-1,104-2) that define at least a portion of the rectangular profile of the gate are preferably diagonally disposed relative to each other and form opposite corners of the gate100. To this end, an imaginary straight line drawn across the gate100(e.g., along the line shown generally at118) intersects with both of the hinged couplers104-1,104-2. Likewise, the second pair of hinged couplers106-1,106-2also define at least a portion of the rectangular profile of the gate100and are also preferably diagonally disposed relative to each other and form the other corners of the gate100.

Structure and function of the first and second pairs of hinged couplers forming the gate100will now be discussed in turn. The first pair of hinged couplers (104-1,104-2) each include a segmented/multi-portion body, wherein the body segments/portions define knuckles/projections that interlock with each other to allow for rotation about a first rotational axis118(SeeFIG.6). For instance, as shown inFIG.6, the hinged coupler104-1preferably includes first and second body portions602-1,602-2. The first and second body portions each provide an interlocking portion at one end that are configured to couple to each other and form a through hole. A pin604can extend through the through hole formed by the interlocking portions to allow for the first and second body portions to rotate relative to each other. The first and second body portions602-1,602-2further provide an opening at a second end. The opening of each of the first and second body portions602-1,602-2is preferably configured to receive and couple to respective frame members of the gate frame102.

Likewise,FIG.8shows an example of the hinged coupler106-2. As shown, the hinged coupler106-2includes first and second body portions802-1,802-2, respectively, which are configured to rotate relative to each other. Likewise, The first and second body portions802-1,802-2each include openings at an end to couple to respective frame members as shown.

Continuing withFIGS.1-5, the first rotational axis118defined by the hinged couplers104-1,104-2allows for the frame members on either side of each of the hinged couplers104-1,104-2to rotate relative to each other about the first rotational axis118, and thus by extension, rotate the hinged couplers106-1,106-2, towards each other in a clam-shell fashion. The first rotational axis118may also be referred to herein as a common (or concentric) rotational axis. The sliding locks114-1,1-14-2, can be spring loaded and can allow a user to disengage the locks to allow for the first and second hinged couplers104-1,104-2to rotate and transition the gate100to the storage configuration.

Accordingly, the rotational axis118of the hinged couplers104-1,104-2allows for the gate100to be folded substantially in half to bring the first and second frame members102-1,102-2, substantially in parallel with each other, and likewise, the second and third frame members102-2,102-3substantially in parallel with each other. Stated differently, the gate100includes a clamshell hinge arrangement based on hinged couplers104-1,104-2providing a continuous/common hinge that extends along the first rotational axis118to allow for bifurcation of the gate100into two (substantially equal) portions that can be joined or at least brought in close proximity with each other. To this end, and for simplicity, the first and second hinged couplers104-1,104-2may be referred to as first and second clamshell hinges. One example of the gate100folded into this intermediate storage position is shown inFIG.4.

On the other hand, each of the hinged couplers106-1,106-2allow for rotation about a second rotational axis120. The second rotational axis120extends substantially transverse relative to the first rotational axis118and also extends substantially transverse relative to the plane in which the gate100extends when in the in-use configuration. Accordingly, the hinged couplers106-1and106-2each define a hinge joint or pivot joint to allow for their associated frame members to pivot and rotate about the second rotational axis120towards each other. Thus, each of the hinged couplers106-1and106-2may also be referred to herein as first and second pivot hinges.

However, it should be noted that each of the hinged couplers106-1,106-2are preferably “locked” and prevent rotation when the gate100is in the in-use configuration as is shown inFIG.3, for instance. Such locking is based on the first and second hinged couplers106-1,106-2having non-concentric/non-collinear rotational axis. Although the second rotational axis120extends coaxially from both the first and second hinged couplers hinges106-1,106-2, rotation along that axis is limited/prevented as the first and second hinged couplers104-1,104-2securely hold their associated frame members in position, which is to say substantially transverse relative to each other, therefore “locking” the first and second hinged couplers106-1,106-2. Thus, the gate100can advantageously lock the hinged couplers106-1,106-2when in the in-use configuration.

On the other hand, when the gate frame102of the gate100is transitioned to the folded/intermediate storage configuration as shown in the example embodiment ofFIG.4, the hinged couplers106-1and106-2then preferably concentrically align based on rotation of the first and second hinged couplers104-1,104-2such that each can rotate about a common, concentric/collinear rotational axis120′. In response to such alignment, the hinged couplers106-1and106-2preferably only then, e.g., only after rotational movement of the first and second hinged couplers104-1,104-2, allow the first and second frame members102-1,102-2to rotate about the rotational axis120′ relative to the third and fourth frame members102-3,102-4to transition from the intermediate storage configuration to the storage configuration. This rotation then results in the hinged couplers106-1,106-2being brought adjacent each other. One example of the gate100in the storage configuration is shown in the example embodiment ofFIG.5.

Turning again to the example embodiment ofFIG.5, the storage configuration of the gate100includes each of the frame members of the gate frame102extending parallel relative to each other to provide a compact footprint. The fabric sidewall108, although not shown inFIGS.3-5, can remain attached to the gate100when transitioning the gate100to the storage configuration. In this scenario, the fabric sidewall108preferably bends/folds during the transition from the in-use to the intermediate configuration, and then to the full storage/folded configuration, and can simply occupy the interstitial space between the parallel frame members.

FIG.7shows an example cross-sectional view of the frame lock116-2and the hinged coupler106-2. As shown, the frame lock116-2includes a spring and detent mechanism to allow a user-supplied pressure to disengage the lock to extend the frame members, e.g., via telescoping frame member102-3.FIG.8shows the example hinged coupler106-2and frame lock116-2when the gate100is in the in-use configuration.

FIG.9shows an example embodiment900that includes the telescoping frame member102-3having a push-button frame lock902. A safety gate consistent with the present disclosure can utilize such push-button frame locks as an alternative to the frame locks116-1,116-2. In this embodiment, the push-button frame locks902allow for the telescoping frame members, e.g.,102-1,102-3(FIG.2), to extend/collapse to adjust the overall width of the gate, as discussed above.

The push-button frame locks902can utilize a detent mechanism similar to that of the frame locks116-1,116-2, the description of which will not be repeated for brevity. However, the push-button portion of the push-bottom frame lock902can utilize, for instance, a spring bias that changes the tactile ‘feel’ of the button904in response to whether the gate is in a storage or in-use configuration. For instance, as discussed above the frame includes extendable sections103-1,103-2that corresponds with frame members102-1and102-3, respectively. The push-bottom frame lock902can work in conjunction with the extendable sections and engage one or more detent positions as the gate transitions from the storage to in-use configuration. In response to extending the gate to one or more of the detent positions, the button904may indicate a ‘locked’ position based on a spring force that gets applied to the button904in response to encountering the detent. This spring force can cause the button904to protrude from the push-button frame lock902so that a user can easily locate and manipulate the same through, for instance, a fabric covering.

In use, a user may therefore run their fingers along the fabric/material surrounding the frame member102-3until their hand encounters the button904to displace/push the same and ‘unlock’ the extendable sections. The curved profile and contours of the push-button frame lock902allows for one or more fingers to comfortably grip the same while one or more other fingers are used to apply force on to the button904. When two or more locks are utilized, a user can simply grip each push-button frame lock and engage the locks and allow gravity to draw/collapse the extendable sections103-1,103-2(FIG.2) into each other, for example.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure a gate device to extend across a passageway is disclosed. The gate device comprises a plurality of frame members, a plurality of hinged couplers to couple the frame members together to provide a gate frame and transition the gate frame from an in-use configuration to a storage configuration, each hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having first and second body portions rotatably coupled to each other, and wherein the hinged couplers transition the gate frame from the in-use configuration to the storage configuration based on at least a first hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having respective first and second body portions being configured to rotate relative to each other about a first axis of rotation, and at least a second hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having respective first and second body portions being configured to rotate relative to each other about a second axis of rotation, the first and second axis of rotation being substantially transverse relative to each other.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a gate consistent with the present disclosure may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure, which is not to be limited except by the claims.