Abstract:
The present invention relates to a gate stabilizer for reducing sag-inducing stress on a gate comprising a support member and a stabilizer assembly, said stabilizer assembly including a rotating member having a first end portion adapted to engage said support member and a fixed member. The present invention further relates to a fence system incorporating said gate stabilizer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention generally relates to fence gates. More specifically, the invention is a gate stabilizer intended to eliminate gate sag, reduce the stress on gate hinges, and prevent a gate from being forced open. 
         [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    Gate systems, and particularly livestock gates that are usually heavier and larger than normal fence gates, in which the gate hangs on hinges attached to a gate post but is not otherwise supported are plagued by a unique set of problems. One problem routinely experienced by users of these gates is the tendency of gates to sag in at least two non-exclusive manners. First, the sag may result from the failure of the gate structure itself. Second, the otherwise unsupported weight of the gate can cause the gate post to bend or tilt. 
         [0008]    The first failure is caused by the fact that the gate is only supported at one end by the hinges that are attached to the gate post. This results in the weight of the gate applying forces to the internal structure of the gate that can result in failure over time. 
         [0009]    The second failure is caused by the force couple the weight of the gate applies to the gate post through the hinges. Since the opposing end of the gate is unsupported, the weight of the gate acts to pull the upper hinge, and therefore the upper portion of the gate post, toward the gate. Simultaneously, the weight of the gate acts to push the lower hinge, and therefore the lower portion of the gate post, away from the gate. Over time, this can cause the fence post to bend or to tilt relative to its original positioning thereby causing the gate to sag. 
         [0010]    Prior solutions to this problem have tended to create additional problems. For example, the free end of the gate can be supported by a wheel, but this makes the gate difficult to operate as it does not swing freely, especially when the gate is installed over uneven ground or gravel. Other solutions have focused on devices that increase stress on the hinges by employing tactics such as tensioning a gate to a gate post. Other approaches to resolving this problem result in a weakening of the gate structure as a whole by reducing the strength or weight of the gate itself. Alternatively, other methods rely on hinges of increased strength to attempt to counterbalance the stress of the gate. 
         [0011]    In summary, no real effort has been made to remedy the cause of gate sag by reducing the stress applied to the hinges and the structure of the gate. Instead, known devices and methods either attempt to compensate for the problem of gate sag once it has occurred or create added stress on the gate and hinges that eventually results in gate sag. 
         [0012]    Another problem faced by typical gate structures is that the unsupported gate latches only at the middle to upper portion of the gate. This makes the gate susceptible to being forced open at the lower portion by an animal or child being contained or excluded in part by the gate. This typical structure also results in a gate system that is susceptible to vibration and movement that may cause injury to livestock. 
         [0013]    The object of this invention then is address the above identified problems by providing an apparatus that can is inexpensive and easy to apply to both gate systems that are already in service and new gate systems regardless of what side the gate is hinged on. In addition to reducing the stress on the gate and the gate post, the present invention is livestock proof, meaning that it cannot be opened by the nose, shoulder, or hoof of animals such as cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing sag-inducing stress on a gate comprising a support member and a stabilizer assembly, said stabilizer assembly including a rotating member having a first end portion adapted to engage said support member and a fixed member. The present invention further relates to methods for using said apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention as mounted on a gate and latch post. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention installed in a gate system. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C are pictorial views of an embodiment of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the present invention —gate stabilizer  1  formed from galvanized steel. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , gate stabilizer  1  includes L-shaped support member  10  and stabilizer assembly  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, support member  10  is sized to pass through latch post LP as best seen in  FIG. 2 . Support member  10  is affixed to latch post LP using nuts  12 . Support member  10  includes upstanding cylindrical portion  16 . 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , stabilizer assembly  100  includes fixed member  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , fixed member  110  is a generally U-shaped member adapted to wrap around the gate post GP as best seen in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, fixed member  110  is attached to gate post GP by compressing fixed member  110  around gate post GP using bolt  112  and nut  114  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). Of course other methods of attaching fixed member  110  may be used including, but not limited to, bolting it directly to gate post GP or welding it directly to gate post GP. Fixed member  110  further includes cylindrical projections  116  and  118  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ) extending from its sides along the centerline of gatepost GP. And the end portion of fixed member  110  is adapted to receive coupling pin  150  through the inclusion of a pair of coupling apertures  120  and  122  that coupling pin  150  can pass through. 
         [0023]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , stabilizer assembly  100  further includes rotating member  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, rotating member  130  is a generally U-shaped member that includes a pair of rotational apertures  132  and  134  located opposite each other at the midpoint of its length. Rotational apertures  132  and  134  are sized to receive cylindrical projections  116  and  118 , allowing rotating member  130  to rotate about cylindrical projections  116  and  118 . The end portion of rotating member  130  including the closed portion of the “U” is adapted to engage support member  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, this adaptation comprises tubular member  136 , which is permanently affixed to the inner surface of rotating member  130  and sized to receive cylindrical member  16  of support member  10 . The opposing end portion of rotating member  110  is adapted to receive coupling pin  150  through the inclusion of a pair of coupling apertures  138  and  140 . 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , cylindrical projections  116  and  118  include holes  117  and  119  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ) located in the end portion of each projection opposite fixed member  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, spring-type cotter pins  142  and  144  pass through holes  117  and  119  respectively to hold rotating member  130  in place. 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , coupling pin  150  includes a cylindrical shaft  152  sized to pass through coupling apertures  120 ,  122 ,  138 , and  140 . Spring-loaded ball-bearing  154  is located toward one end of cylindrical shaft  152  to prevent coupling pin  150  from being inadvertently removed. Cap  156  is mounted at the opposing end of cylindrical shaft  152 . Cap  156  includes flange  158  that is larger in diameter than coupling aperture  138 . Cap  152  further includes opening  160  through which wire ring  162  passes. Shroud  131  is attached to coupling member  130  such that it shields the end of coupling pin  150  toward which spring-loaded ball-bearing  154  is located to prevent livestock from being able to inadvertently dislodging coupling pin  150 . While shroud  131  is shown as being rectangular and open at the top and bottom, shroud  131  can take on any shape that prevents an animal from contacting the end of coupling pin  150 . For example, instead of being open at the top, the top of shroud  131  could be connected to rotating member  130  at an angle. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , stabilizer assembly  100  is mounted on the end of gate G opposite hinges H. Support member  10  is affixed to latch post LP opposite stabilizer assembly  100 . Gate stabilizer  1  operates to reduce sag inducing stress in gate G and hinges H when rotating member  130  is engaged with support member  10  as shown in  FIG. 5A  by supporting a portion of the weight of gate G. This results in a lessening of the forces on hinges H and the forces within the members of gate G that tend to cause gate sag. 
         [0027]    In the illustrated embodiment, stabilizer assembly  100  is located toward the bottom of gate G on gate post GP such that rotating member  130  can be allowed to hang parallel to gate post GP in a disengaged position when it is not engaged with support member  10  as shown in  FIG. 5C . This allows rotating member  130  to be out of the way when gate G is opened and closed. This location has the added benefit of increasing the ability of the gate to retain animals by preventing the lower portion of the gate from being pushed outward when rotating member  130  is engaged with support member  10 . 
         [0028]    In an alternate embodiment, gate post GP could include a through hole that would align with holes  138  and  140  when rotating member is in the disengaged position. This would allow coupling pin  150  to lock rotating member  130  in its disengaged position to prevent it from inadvertently rotating when gate G is opened or closed. This would also provide a place to store coupling pin  150  when gate stabilizer  1  is not engaged. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5C , coupling pin  150  can be inserted through coupling apertures  120  and  122  in fixed member  110  when gate stabilizer  1  is not engaged. 
         [0029]    In an alternative application, gate stabilizer  1  could be mounted toward the top of gate G to replace conventional latch L. If used in this manner, gate stabilizer  1  would provide the gate latching function in addition to reducing sag-inducing stress by carrying a portion of the weight of gate G unlike conventional latch L. 
         [0030]    Gate stabilizer  1  is used to reduce sag-inducing stress in Gate G by affixing stabilizer assembly  100  to gate post GP on the end of gate G opposite hinges H. Support member  10  is then affixed to latch post LP opposite stabilizer assembly  100 . Gate stabilizer  1  is then engaged by rotating the engagement end of rotating member  130  up toward gate post GP. Gate G is then moved to its closed position. The engagement end of rotating member  130  is then rotated down to engage support member  10 . Coupling apertures  138  and  140  in the opposing end of rotating member  130  are then aligned with coupling apertures  120  and  122  in fixed member  110  and coupling pin  150  is passed though coupling apertures  138 ,  120 ,  122 , and  140  to firmly fix rotating member  130  relative to fixed member  110 . Gate stabilizer  1  is disengaged by reversing these steps. 
         [0031]    While the above describes the illustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art may appreciate that certain modifications may be made to the apparatus and methodology herein disclosed, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, one or both of fixed member  110  and rotating member  130  could be a flat member instead of a U-shaped member. In such a configuration, shroud  131  could be mounted to either rotating member  130  or fixed member  110  as required to shield the end of coupling pin  150 . Also, coupling pin  150  could be a padlock instead of a cylindrical device. Thus, it should be understood that the invention may be adapted to numerous rearrangements, modifications, and alterations and that all such are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.