Abstract:
A gate closer used to automatically close an existing fence gate upon opening in either direction includes a bracket attaches to and extending upwardly from a hinge side of the gate and over any existing fence post that supports the fixed side of the hinge. The outer end of the bracket provides an attachment to a cable, which is in turn connected to a stationary pulley and tension spring mounted to a top frame portion of the fence. The opposite end of the spring is connected to an adjustment rod used to adjust tension force of the spring. The cable provides a constant force on the bracket, which forces the bracket and attached gate to the neutral or closed position. The apparatus works regardless of which direction the gate is opened as it come to rest in the closed position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to gates, and in particular, to closing devices for gates. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bi-directional gates are attached to many outdoor fences to enable entrance from either direction. While these gates normally include a latching device many users forget or don&#39;t bother to utilize the latch and consequently leave the gate open. Leaving a gate open can enable animals to become loose or lost, children to wander from their home, and other similar situations can occur. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a closing device for bi-directional gates. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 1,802,444, issued in the name of Noel, describes an attachable gate closing device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,328, issued in the name of Endres, describes a closing device for a gate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,842, issued in the name of Lenz, describes an automatic gate closer. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many devices are not suited to attach to gates which swing open in a bi-directional manner. Other are not suited to be retrofitted to an existing gate. Furthermore some do not include an automatic closing means. Accordingly, there exists a need for gate closer without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an automatic gate closer which can be retrofitted to any bi-directional gate. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing an automatic gate closer. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gate closer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the gate closer with a pivot assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the pivot assembly with an attached cable. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the cable with a tensioner assembly to enable the cable to provide a constant tension force upon the pivot assembly to cause the existing gate to bias to a closed position while traveling along clockwise and counter clockwise directions towards the existing fence. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a corner fitting attached to a rod to be attached to the existing fence. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide fasteners to attach the gate closer to an existing gate. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the tensioner with a spring anchored to the cable and an adjustment knob to adjust a tension force of the spring. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing a device that provides a means of attaching a cable to a pivot assembly, fixing a tensioner assembly to the top of an existing fence, and providing a tension force upon the pivot assembly to cause an existing gate to be biased toward a closed position. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a gate closer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the gate closer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of a tensioner assembly portion  20  of the gate closer  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  gate closer 
               20  tensioner assembly 
               22  spring tube 
               24  end cap 
               26  inner space 
               28  fastener aperture 
               30  first spacer 
               32  second spacer 
               36  anchor strap 
               50  cable 
               54  spring 
               56  “U”-bolt clamp 
               58  eye bolt 
               60  lock nut 
               62  adjustment knob 
               68  offset rod 
               70  pivot assembly 
               72  angle bracket 
               74  rod 
               76  cable pinch bolt 
               78  cable pinch bolt aperture 
               100  existing gate 
               102  existing fence 
               106  custom corner fitting 
               108  rod orifice 
               110  pulley assembly 
               112  pulley bracket 
               114  pulley 
               120  threaded fastener 
               122  set screw 
               124  washer 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side perspective view of a gate closer (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to automatically close an existing gate  100  of an existing fence  102 . The existing gate  100  may swings in one or in both directions. The apparatus  10  comprises a pivot assembly  70  comprising a “Z”-shaped angle bracket  72  which is rigidly attached to an upper corner of the existing gate  100 . The angle bracket  72  extends up and over any part of the existing fence  102 , and is subsequently attached to a cable  50  via a standard cable pinch bolt device  76 . The cable  50  provides a constant tension force upon the angle bracket  72  via attachment to a tension spring  54  which is located within a tubular tensioner assembly  20 . The tubular tension assembly  20  is fixed to the top of the existing fence  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). The opposite end of the tensioner assembly  20  includes a threaded adjustment knob  62  that is used to adjust the tension of a spring  54 . In use, the cable  50  applies a bias force that causes the existing gate  100  to be biased toward a closed position. The apparatus  10  works equally well regardless of which direction the existing gate  100  swings. 
     The pivot assembly  70  comprises an integral “Z”-shaped angle bracket  72  which is attached to a hinged corner of the existing gate  100 . The angle bracket  72  is attached to, and acted upon by the cable  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), thereby enabling the linear force exerted by the cable  50  to be converted into a biasing torsional force which acts upon the existing gate  100  to return the existing gate  100  to the closed position. The pivot assembly  70  further includes a rod  74  and a custom corner fitting  106 . The custom corner fitting  106  has a plurality of integral set screws  122  for clamping the custom corner fitting  106  to the existing gate  100 . This requires replacement of any existing top corner fittings of the existing gate  100  with the custom corner fitting  106 . The custom corner fitting  106  enables attachment of the angle bracket  72  to the existing fence  100  by insertion of the angle bracket&#39;s  72  rod  74  into the custom corner fitting&#39;s  106  rod orifice  108 . The apparatus  10  is envisioned as being introduced in kit form to fit popular fences  102  manufactured by companies such as, but not limited to: MERCHANT METALS INC.®, MASTER HALCO INC.®, and others. The rod  74  comprises a straight length of metal stock approximately three-quarters of an inch (¾ in.) in diameter and one foot (1 ft.) long that is welded to the bottom of the angle bracket  72  so as to extend downward. As noted the rod  74  is in mechanical communication with the custom corner fitting  106  by being inserted into the rod orifice  108  at the top of the custom corner fitting  106 . The rod  74  is fixed in a position relative to the custom corner fitting  106  via a plurality of set screws  122  that are arranged around the custom corner fitting  106 . In particular, it should be understood that the rod  74  does not rotate when the set screws  122  are tight. 
     As previously described, the cable  50  is attached to the distal end of the angle bracket  72  using a standard cable pinch bolt  76  which is inserted into a cable pinch bolt aperture  78  of the angle bracket  72 . The cable  50  extends downward at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees (45°) to tangentially engage the bottom groove of the pulley  114 . The pulley  114  aligns the cable  50  with the spring  54  within the tensioner assembly  20  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The tensioner assembly  20  is securely attached to the top of the existing fence  102  via a pair of anchoring straps  36 . The anchoring straps  36  are wrapped around the spring tube  22  and the top of the existing fence  102  and then tightened. This positions and attaches the tensioner assembly  20  to the existing fence  102  adjacent to the existing gate  100 . The anchoring straps  36  are envisioned to comprise pipe clamps, tie-wraps, or equivalent binding devices. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , exploded and section views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a tensioner assembly  20  and a pivot assembly  70 . Said tensioner assembly  20  provides a spring-loaded means to apply an adjustable tension upon the pivot assembly  70 . Said tensioner assembly  20  comprises a spring tube  22 , a pair of end caps  24 , a first spacer  30 , a second spacer  32 , a tension spring  54 , a length of cable  50 , an adjustment knob  62 , and a pulley assembly  110 . The spring tube  22  provides a linear plastic or metal hollow tubular member being approximately two (2) feet in length and having an inner space portion  26  having a diameter of approximately one and one-quarter (1¼) inches, thereby providing a discrete and safe means to house the spring  54  as it expands and contracts during use. A distal portion of the spring tube  22  provides a means to anchor and adjust a length of the spring  54  via a threaded eye bolt  58  which is connected to an end portion of said spring  54  within the spring tube  22 . Said eye bolt  58  in turn extends through an aperture portion of the end cap  24  where it is externally threadingly attached to a jam nut  60  and the adjustment knob  62 . The jam nut  60 , along with a washer  124 , are engaged upon said threaded end portion of the eye bolt  58  along an external surface of said end cap  24  to provide selective threaded lengthening or shortening of an internal portion of said eye bolt  58  and also the attached spring  54 . The threaded end of the eye bolt  58  provides an attachment means to the adjustment knob  62 , thereby lengthening or shortening the spring  54  to adjust a tension force produced by the spring  54 . 
     The opposite end of the spring  54  is internally affixed to the cable  50  using a common “U”-bolt cable clamp  56 . The cable  50  protrudes outward from the proximal end of the spring tube  22  through another end cap  24 . The extended portion of the cable  50  is guided by the pulley assembly  110  toward the pivot assembly  70 . The pulley assembly  110  is affixed to the bottom of that end cap  24  via a first spacer block  30  and an offset rod  68 . The pulley assembly  110  comprises a “U”-shaped pulley bracket  112  which axially supports a single-groove metal pulley  114 . The first spacer block  30  is attached to that end cap  24  using common threaded fasteners  120  that pass through one end of the offset rod  68 . The other end of the offset rod  68  attaches to the pulley assembly  110 . The offset rod  68  is an elongated “Z”-shaped member which offsets the horizontal position of the pulley assembly  110  to align the cable  50  coming from the pulley  114  with the spring  54  in the spring tube  22 . The spring tube  22  also comprises a second spacer block  32  at an opposing proximal end, also being fastened to the spring tube  22  in a similar manner as the first spacer block  30  using threaded fasteners  120  and corresponding fastener apertures  28 . The first  30  and second  32  spacer blocks enable the spring tube  22  to be mounted slightly above the existing fence  102 , thereby providing sufficient clearance between the cable  50  and pulley assembly  110 , and the subjacent existing fence  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  compatible with tubular portions a particular manufactured fence  102  onto which the apparatus  10  is to be installed; removing an existing top corner fitting portion of the gate  100  being closest to the hinged edge; replacing said original corner fitting with the custom corner fitting  106  and securing by tightening the set screws  122 ; inserting the rod portion  74  of the pivot assembly  70  into the rod aperture portion  108  of the custom corner fitting  106 ; positioning the existing gate  100  and the angle bracket  72  at a desired orientation with regards to the stationary portion of the existing fence  102 ; securing the angle bracket  72  to the gate  100  by tightening the respective set screws  122 ; attaching the cable  50  to the cable pinch bolt portion  76  of said angle bracket  72  in a conventional manner; mounting the tensioner assembly  20  to a top surface of an adjacent length of the existing fence  102  using the anchor straps  36 ; adjusting the tension of the spring  54  acting upon the cable  50  by turning the adjustment knob  62  until obtaining a desired resultant rotary motion of the gate  100 ; securing said adjustment knob  62  in position by tightening the lock nut  60 ; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  to automatically bias the gate  100  toward a center or closed position following an opening of said gate  100 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.