Abstract:
A gate assembly including a frame for positioning in an opening through which selective entry is required. A barrier is mountable on the frame via a hinge and the barrier is movable relative to the frame between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open. An automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier from the open position to the closed position without user intervention. The automatic closure mechanism is associated with the hinge and includes at least two ramps or inclined surfaces on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions.

Description:
This application incorporates and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/170,724, U.S. Pat. No. 8,341,886, entitled “GATE ASSEMBLY” filed Jul. 10, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This invention relates to a gate assembly, and particularly to a self closing gate assembly. 
     Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a self closing mechanism for a gate assembly in the form of a child safety barrier, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the self closing mechanism can be applied to any gate or barrier assembly. 
     It is known to provide child safety barriers which are removably located in an opening of a doorway, stairway and/or the like to prevent a child or animal from going through the opening when the barrier is in a closed position. The barriers typically include a frame which is fitted to side walls defining the opening, and a gate or barrier which is hingedly or slidably mounted to the frame for movement between open and closed positions. A problem with such child safety barriers is that a user can accidentally leave the barrier open, thereby allowing the child or animal to pass through the opening unsupervised. 
     In order to overcome the abovementioned problem, it is known to provide automatic closure mechanisms for gates, such that as soon as a user releases their grip on the gate, the gate automatically moves from an open position to a closed position. For example some automatic gate closure mechanisms include sprung hinges. The automatic closure mechanisms have to be designed so that a small child or animal cannot accidentally trap a body part therein as the gate moves to the closed position. 
     It is an aim of the present invention to provide a gate assembly with an improved automatic closure mechanism. 
     It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a gate assembly having an improved automatic closure mechanism. 
     It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide an automatic closure mechanism for a gate assembly. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided gate assembly, said gate assembly including frame means for positioning in an opening through which selective entry is required, barrier means mountable on said frame means via hinge means and said barrier means movable relative to said frame means between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open, and wherein an automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier means from the open position to the closed position without user intervention, characterised in that the automatic closure mechanism is associated with the hinge means and includes at least one ramp or inclined surface on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions. 
     Thus, the present invention allows for automatic closing of a gate assembly without user intervention, thereby preventing the gate being accidentally left open. 
     The frame means is typically positioned in an opening defining a doorway, passageway, at the top or bottom of a set of stairs and/or the like. An outer surface of the frame means typically engages with wall surfaces defining the opening. 
     Positioning means can be provided on or associated with the outer surface of the frame means to allow the frame means to engage with wall surfaces defining the opening. The positioning means can include one or more friction pads and/or the like. The positioning means can be adjustable to allow the width of the gate assembly to change to accommodate different sizes of openings in which the gate assembly is located in use. 
     Preferably the barrier means includes at least upper or top hinge means and lower or base hinge means for mounting the barrier means to the frame means. Further preferably the ramp or inclined surface is associated with the lower or base hinge means. 
     In one embodiment the closure mechanism includes at least one inclined surface or ramp on or relative to which a part of the base of the barrier means moves in use. The inclined surface or ramp preferably has a first end closest to or adjacent to the side wall with which the gate assembly is fitted to in use or an upright frame member to which the barrier means is joined, and a second end provided furthest from or a spaced distance said side wall or said upright frame member. The second end is lower in vertical height than the first end. Thus, the ramp or inclined surface slopes downwardly in a direction towards a base frame member from the direction of a side wall or top frame member. 
     Preferably the base of the barrier means moves in a downwardly direction on the ramp or inclined surface (i.e. towards a narrowing taper of the ramp or inclined surface) as the barrier means rotates/pivots about said hinge means towards a closed position. The base of the barrier means moves in an upwardly direction on the ramp or inclined surface (i.e. towards a widening taper of the ramp or inclined surface) as the barrier means rotates/pivots about said hinge means towards an open position. 
     Preferably the closure mechanism includes a recess or aperture which at least part of the base of the barrier means drops into just prior to reaching the closed position. The recess or aperture is preferably located at the end of or adjacent the ramp or inclined surface. 
     Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the base of the barrier means moves relative to the inclined surface or ramp under gravity or a biasing force prior to dropping into the recess or aperture when moving from an open position to a closed position. The base of the barrier means undertakes the movements in reverse when moving from a closed position to an open position. 
     Preferably a user is required to lift the barrier means in an upwardly direction to move the base of the barrier means out of the recess or aperture and onto the ramp or inclined surface when moving the barrier means from a closed position to an open position. 
     In a preferred embodiment two ramp or inclined surfaces are provided on either side of the recess or aperture. As such, the barrier means can be opened and closed in either a forwardly or rearwardly direction and the automatic closure mechanism will still function. 
     The one or more ramps or inclined surfaces are typically defined on an upper surface of a housing and the recess or aperture is defined between the ramps or inclined surfaces in the housing. The two ramps or inclined surface are typically symmetrical and substantially parallel to each other. 
     Resilient biasing means are typically associated with the hinge means and said resilient biasing means biases the barrier means to the closed position. A user has to manually overcome the biasing force of the biasing means to move the barrier means to an open position. This may require the user to lift the barrier means. The biasing means can include a spring in one example. 
     Preferably the hinge means includes a hinge pin on one of the barrier means or frame means which is locatable in an aperture, slot or recess in the other of the barrier means or frame means in use, the hinge pin rotatable in said aperture, slot or recess to allow rotation of the hinge means. This in turn allows pivoting of the barrier means between open and closed positions. 
     Preferably the hinge means including the resilient biasing means is provided in at least the bottom hinge adjacent or forming part of the automatic closing mechanism. 
     The barrier means typically has hinge means arranged on a first side or lateral end or edge and latching means for latching the barrier means are arranged on a second or opposite lateral or side edge or end. The barrier latching means engages with latching means on the frame means or surrounding wall surface to lock the barrier means in the closed position. The automatic closure mechanism aligns the latching means on the frame means and barrier means to allow correct latching. 
     Preferably when the base of the barrier means is substantially aligned with the recess or aperture of the closure mechanism, the barrier latching means is substantially vertically aligned with the frame latching means. As the barrier means drops into the recess, the barrier latching means is lowered into engagement with the frame latching means. 
     In use, a user releases the latching mechanism and lifts the barrier means to remove the base of the barrier means from the recess of the closure mechanism, thereby opening the gate. 
     Preferably release of the latch mechanism and lifting action can be undertaken by a single user&#39;s hand, thereby freeing up the user&#39;s other hand for holding one or more objects, such as a baby and/or the like. 
     Preferably the latching mechanism is located on or adjacent an upper part of the barrier means or frame means. The position of the latching mechanism on the gate assembly and the lifting force required to lift the barrier means from the recess of the closure mechanism is such that a young child or animal are unlikely to be able to perform the opening actuation steps, thereby preventing a child from accidentally gaining passage through the gate assembly without adult supervision. 
     When the barrier means is in an unlatched position, it can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis via the hinge means. 
     The barrier means can include one or more gate panels. If more than one gate panel is used, said gate panels can be moved relative to each other, such as for example to allow the width of the barrier means to be adjusted. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a gate assembly. 
     In one embodiment of the method, said method includes the steps of positioning frame means in an opening through which selective entry is required, mounting barrier means on said frame means via hinge means and moving said barrier means relative to said frame means between a closed position, wherein the opening is closed, to an open position, wherein the opening is open, and wherein an automatic closure mechanism is provided for moving the barrier means from the open position to the closed position without user intervention, the automatic closure mechanism associated with the hinge means and including at least one ramp or inclined surface on which at least part of the gate travels when moving between the open and closed positions. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an automatic closure mechanism for a gate assembly. 
     Preferably the gate assembly is in the form of a child safety gate. The gate is typically in a form to allow detachable attachment within an opening of a building to which selective passage to is required. 
     In one embodiment indicator means, such as for example audible, visual and/or kinaesthetic means are associated with the barrier means to allow a user to be informed of whether the gate assembly is correctly fitted, whether the barrier means has not closed properly and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment limiting means are provided on or associated with the upper hinge means to limit vertical movement of a hinge pin in a hinge channel or recess. The limiting means in one example includes inter-engaging members, such as a flange provided on one of the hinge pin or hinge channel which engages with a shoulder arrangement provided on the other of the hinge pin or hinge channel, and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment the latching means includes a latch element which is slidably movable relative to a recess defined in a keep housing between a latched position, wherein the latch element is located in the recess of the keep housing and the gate is closed, to an unlatched position, wherein the latch element is located a spaced distance from the recess of the keep housing and the gate can be opened. 
     Preferably the latch element is resiliently biased to the latched position. The resiliently biasing means in one example can be a spring. Further preferably the biasing means are arranged to provide a biasing force in a substantially horizontal direction. 
     The advantage of the present invention is that accurate alignment of the latching mechanism is achieved on automatic closing of the gate assembly to ensure correct latching takes place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gate assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the gate assembly in  FIG. 1  in a closed position with at least the latch mechanism and hinge mechanism shown in cross section; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the automatic closure mechanism shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  showing the different components; 
         FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  show enlarged cross sectional views of the hinge means shown in  FIG. 2  in an open and closed position respectively; 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  show an outer view of the hinge means in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  respectively; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the upper latch mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the lower latch mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a gate assembly  2  comprising frame means  4  and barrier means  6 . The barrier means  6  is hingedly movable relative to frame means  4  between an open position, wherein passage through an opening of the gate is possible, to a closed position, wherein passage through the opening of the gate is prevented. 
     The frame means  4  includes two spaced apart lateral frame members  8 , and a base frame member  12  joining the lower ends  14 ,  16  of the lateral frame members together. An opening is defined between frame members  8 ,  10 ,  12  to allow passage of a user therethrough when the barrier means is in an open position. 
     Adjustable positioning means in the form of screw threaded friction pads  20  are provided on upper and lower parts of the lateral frame members  8 ,  10  to allow engagement of the frame against the walls of a doorway opening in use. The friction pads  20  are rotatable via screw threaded portions  22  joined to pads  20  to allow adjustment of the width of the gate assembly. Screw threaded portions  22  are complementary to screw threaded portions  24  defined on an internal surface of housing  26  to allow movement of the friction pads in a substantially horizontal direction. Other adjustable positioning means could be provided in required. 
     The barrier means  6  includes a gate panel having a base member  28 , a top member  30  and a plurality of upright struts  32  located at spaced apart intervals between members  28 ,  30 . 
     The barrier means  6  is hingedly joined to lateral frame member  8  via upper hinge  34  and lower hinge  36 . In accordance with the present invention, lower hinge  36  includes an automatic closure mechanism as will be described in more detail below. A latch mechanism  38  is provided between end  40  of top member  30  and upper end  42  of lateral frame member  10 . 
     The automatic closure mechanism includes a housing  44  having inclined side walls  46 ,  48  with a recess  50  defined between said side walls, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The top edge  52  of the side walls  46 ,  48  act as ramps for movement of a lower surface of base member  28  thereon. More particularly, side walls  46 ,  48  taper from end  54  adjacent lateral post  8  to end  56  facing lateral post  10 . Recess  50  is substantially elongate in form and the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to base frame member  12 . 
     Lower hinge  36  includes a hinge pin  58  which is joined to base member  28  of the barrier means and is rotatably mounted in a complementary shaped channel  60  defined in base frame member  12 . 
     As the gate moves from an open position to a closed position, hinge pin  58  rotates in channel  60  about a longitudinal axis of said pin  58  and a lower surface of base member  28  moves down one edge of side wall  46 ,  48  from end  54  to end  56 . At a pre-determined point in this movement, base member  28  of the barrier means is aligned and substantially parallel with elongate recess  50 , causing base member  28  to drop into recess  50 , thereby moving base member  28  towards base frame member  12 . This in turn closes barrier means  6  with respect to frame means  4  and moves the latch mechanism into a locked position, as will be described in more detail below. 
     Upper hinge  34  includes a hinge pin  62  provided in a housing  64  joined to top member  30  of the barrier means  6  which is rotatably mounted in a complementary shaped channel  66  defined in a housing  68  joined to lateral frame member  8 , as shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 5   b . Hinge pin  62  rotates substantially about the longitudinal axis of pin  62 . With the barrier means in an open position, housing  64  is raised a pre-determined spaced apart distance above housing  66  and a lower end  70  of pin  62  is located adjacent a top end  72  of channel  66 . A flange  74  on lower end  70  of pin  62  engages with a shoulder  76  of top end  72  to prevent the hinge pin  62  being lifted completely out of engagement with channel  66  in use. As the barrier means  6  moves to a closed position, lower end  70  of pin  62  moves towards end  78  of housing  68 , and a lower edge  80  of housing  64  moves adjacent to and/or into engagement with top edge  82  of housing  68 . Edges  80  and  82  typically have complementary inclined edges to provide a neat aesthetic appearance to housings  64 ,  68 . 
     Resilient biasing means in the form of a spring (not shown) are associated with the hinge pin  62  to bias the hinge  34  to a closed position. Thus, whenever the barrier means is opened, as soon as a user lets go of the barrier means, said barrier means moves to a closed position and the base member of the barrier means follows the top edge  52  of the automatic closure mechanism to shut the barrier means. 
     The latch mechanism  38  includes a handle portion  84  provided at upper end  40  of the barrier means  6 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . A latch  86  is provided on a free end of handle portion  84  for engagement in a recess  88  defined in a keep housing  90  located at upper end  42  of lateral post  10 . Latch  86  is slidably mounted in handle portion  84  between an unlatched position, wherein latch  86  is disengaged from keep housing  90 , to a latched position, wherein latch  86  engages in keep housing  90 . A spring  92  resiliently biases latch  86  to the latched position. A button  94  provided on a top surface of latch  86  allows latch  86  to be moved by a user to the unlatched position. 
     Thus, in use, in order to open the barrier means, a user grips handle  84  and slides button  94  of latch  86  away from lateral frame member  10  using their fingers, as shown by arrow  96 . Once the latch  86  is in an unlatched position, the user lifts handle  84  using the same hand, as shown by arrows  98 , thereby lifting base member  28  out of the recess  50  in the automatic closure mechanism and lifting upper hinge pin  62  relative to channel  66  in a substantially vertical direction. With base member  28  clear of recess  50 , the barrier means can be moved to an open position. Once the user releases barrier means  6 , the barrier  6  automatically closes due to rotation of the hinge pin in the recess, and when base member drops into recess  50 , latch  86  is substantially vertically aligned with keep housing  90  and is lowered substantially simultaneously to a latched position. 
     Optionally, a lower latch mechanism  100  can be provided at end  16  of lateral frame member  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Lower latch mechanism  100  includes a protruding latch  102  joined to free end  104  of base member  28 , which locates in a recess  106  of a housing  108  provided on base frame member  12  when the barrier means  6  is in a closed position. Latch  102  is moved clear of recess  106  on lifting barrier means  6  to move the same to an open position. When the latch  86  is vertically aligned with the opening of keep housing  90 , latch  102  is substantially vertically aligned with recess  106 . Lowering of latch  86  into engagement with keep housing  90  lowers latch  102  into the opening of recess  106 . 
     It will be appreciated that the gate assembly of the present invention can include any or any combination of the abovementioned features and/or other known features of gate assemblies. The gate assembly can be of any suitable shape, design and/or dimensions and can be formed from any suitable material or material, such as wood, metal, plastic, fabric and/or the like. 
     The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.