Abstract:
The current invention presents an illuminated safety or security gate having an optional audible alarm device. The gate includes an electrically operated light adapted to illuminate the gate directly, to project a visible signal away from the gate, or both. The gate includes an electrical system having a battery or plug and cord to supply power, controls, and conductors connecting the light, power source, and controls. Optionally, the controls include a programmable timer, a light-sensitive (photo-electric) controller or a motion sensor to control operation of the light, and a manual switch which controls intensity of the light. Additionally, a motion sensor controls both the light and the audible alarm. The various controls may be combined if desired. A remote controller is optionally provided.

Description:
[0001]    This application is related to previous application Ser. No. 09/249,293, filed on Feb. 12, 1999, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,157, on Jun. 27, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates primarily to portable, removable security gates and barriers (hereinafter, “gates”) of the type temporarily installed in hallways and doorways of buildings for the purpose of preventing children and pets from passing into areas from which they are to be excluded. More particularly, the invention improves upon prior art gates by adding both an illuminated warning beacon and an optional audible alarm, enabling persons to see and/or hear the gate in the dark. This invention finds utility in any building or controlled exterior area wherein a gate is placed, and where a person may possibly stumble over or walk into the gate if the latter is not visible due to darkness.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Security gates are employed from time to time to prevent children and pets from gaining access to certain areas within a building, such as a home. A gate normally has apparatus for temporary and removable engagement of wall and door jamb surfaces for mounting, although they may be permanently installed, as well. The gate may remain in place for days, weeks, or months during a period when it is desired to control access of children and pets to specific portions of a building. If a gate remains in place overnight, or during other conditions when it is obscured by darkness, then it is possible for people to walk into or stumble over the gate. This may arise due to forgetfulness or because a visitor to the house is unfamiliar with the gate.  
           [0006]    In many cases, little serious injury or damage ensues. However, in some situations such as a gate placed at the top of a flight of stairs, injury can potentially be severe. Should a person fall over or past the gate, he or she could possibly fall down the flight of stairs. Potential consequences of such an occurrence are extreme.  
           [0007]    Apart from hazard of injury and the nuisance of being obliged to reinstall the gate, a person walking into the gate may cause damage to the building. It is an easy matter for the apparatus engaging a building wall or door jamb to chip paint or to gouge a hole or scratch into an architectural finish such as paint.  
           [0008]    The prior art has provided security gates with various amenities. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,115, issued to T. Brent Freese et al. on Aug. 1, 1995, 5,457,914, issued to Marvin B. Johnson on Oct. 17, 1995, 5,535,552, issued to Carl M. Stern on Jul. 16, 1996, and 5,809,694, issued to Mark Anthony Postans on Sep. 22, 1998, all illustrate security gates which are used to control access within buildings. In each case, the subject gate lacks both the illuminated beacon and audible alarm as seen in the present invention, and controls and power supply associated with the novel gate.  
           [0009]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention improves upon security gates by providing an illuminated beacon and optional audible alarm so that a security gate may be seen and/or heard at night and during other conditions of darkness. The improved gate has both manual and automatic control features activating and inhibiting operation of the illuminated beacon and audible alarm. Illumination emanates from one or more fixtures mounted on the gate. In various embodiments, the fixture illuminates the gate itself or transmits a visible signal away from the gate, or several fixtures both illuminate the gate and also transmit a visible signal. The illumination beacon warns passers by of the presence of the gate regardless of the nature of the beacon. Either type of beacon may constantly be on or may flash intermittently.  
           [0011]    The beacon is controlled by manual control, automatic control, or both. Operation of the beacon is inhibited in two embodiments by a photoelectric cell, which enables operation only in dark conditions, or by a programmable timer. In alternate embodiments, the beacon may normally remain off, illuminating responsive to detection of motion by an integral motion detector, in which case an audible alarm may also be incorporated into the design. Intensity of light may be controlled manually in discrete steps or progressively by a dimmer switch.  
           [0012]    The gate itself may be of any known type. Illustratively, it may comprise a fixed barrier that permanently obstructs a walkway, doorway, corridor, or the like as long as it is in place. As an alternative to a fixed barrier, the gate may be the pass-through type comprising a gate, either temporary or permanently installed. The gate may comprise a single panel which engages two opposed vertical surfaces by pressure. This type of gate will be called a pressure mounted gate. Alternatively, it may be of a type having parallel sliding panels which open to allow passage. In a further alternative, the gate may have a telescoping or scissors action, expansible barrier. In still another alternative, the gate may have a panel which rotates about a generally vertical axis.  
           [0013]    The gate may have diverse apparatus for holding itself in place other than being horizontally expansible. For example, it may have eyes which receive fasteners which are driven into a wall or other vertical environmental surface. This type will be called a wall mounted gate. The gate is modified from conventional construction to contain one or more batteries, lighting fixtures, audible alarm and controls. The controls optionally include a remote controller to enable the beacon to be controlled remotely.  
           [0014]    Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to render a security gate visible in dark conditions.  
           [0015]    It is another object of the invention to provide a security gate with an illuminated beacon.  
           [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to control when the illuminated beacon operates.  
           [0017]    Still another object of the invention is to operate the beacon automatically under dark conditions.  
           [0018]    A further object of the invention is to operate the beacon when a person or animal is moving in the vicinity of the novel gate.  
           [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide an optional audible alarm activated by motion sensor when a person or animal is in the vicinity of the gate.  
           [0020]    An additional object of the invention is that the gate have its own power supply and controls carried thereon.  
           [0021]    Still a further object of the invention is selectively to illuminate the gate and to project a visible signal warning of the presence of the gate.  
           [0022]    Yet another object of the invention is to control intensity of the beacon.  
           [0023]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0024]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 3 and 4 are end elevational views of alternative embodiments of the illumination system of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic illustrating a power and control scheme.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic illustrating remote control.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic, front view of still another embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 of the drawings shows an illuminated, portable, removable safety gate  10  of the type employed for obstructing a passageway (not shown). Passageways that are controlled by gate  10  are typically corridors, doorways, fence opening and other points along areas intended for human occupancy and use. Such passageways may be bounded by walls, partitions, and other structural or architectural features which constrain people to travel along the passageway but not to depart laterally therefrom. For purposes of discussion of the present invention, the interior or tailgate of a motor vehicle will also be considered a passageway as the gate  10  could be used to constrain pets or cargo in the rear of a vehicle.  
         [0033]    For the purposes of this invention, gate  10  may be either of the type permanently obstructing a passageway as long as the gate is installed along the passageway, or alternatively a device intended to facilitate authorized passage. In most cases, passage requires merely the ability to open the gate  10 , as gates are typically intended to deny passage to children and pets. Gates facilitating passage include those having a panel which pivots about a vertical axis, those which expand to obstruct a passageway but can be compressed to create an opening or gap, and those having parallel upright panels which telescope to create an opening or gap. The novel improvements are equally applicable to all varieties of gates, including permanent gates, such as in an outdoor fence. For purposes of disclosure, however, a temporary, swinging gate will be used, depicting a typical mounting method for such a gate. Since the novel improvements are applicable to all gate types, the method of mounting is, likewise, immaterial to the invention and may be either temporary or permanent.  
         [0034]    All gates  10  encompassed by the present invention share similar structures. These structures typically include a frame, such as that indicated at  12 . Frame  12  supports a gate panel  14  which may be solid or partially open to pass air and light. Gate panel  14  may be rigid and capable of self-support so that a separate frame is not required. Alternatively, panel  14  may be flexible or resilient. Regardless of the precise nature of frame  12  and gate panel  14 , gate panel  14  is supported in vertical orientation by frame  12 . Frame  12  further comprises vertical channels  16 ,  18  and horizontal upper channel  20  and horizontal lower channel  22 .  
         [0035]    Gate  10  of the type encompassed by the invention is intended to be easily installed and removed, although it may be permanently installed. Gate  10  has mounting apparatus  24  adapted to mount frame  12  in an erect position to at least one environmental surface (not shown). The mounting device forms no part of the invention and could be any of a variety which are known to the art.  
         [0036]    Gate panel  14  is, typically, pivotally supported on one post  24  and latches to the other post  24  by a tongue  32  which is received in a suitable receptacle  34 . Receptacle  34  will be understood to include apparatus for releasably retaining tongue  32  when tongue  32  enters receptacle  34 . Pivotal support of gate panel  14  is accomplished by a suitable hinge or journaling arrangement indicated at  36 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, posts  24  are joined by a strut  38  which is firmly fixed to both, thereby preventing posts  24  from deflecting unduly as gate  10  is wedged between two opposing walls.  
         [0037]    Typically, gate  10  has expansible members such as screws  28  which can be adjusted to contact or operably engage the walls or other fixed, permanent, generally vertical environmental surfaces, thereby supporting gate by wedging. However, other mounting elements may be substituted for screws  28 . Illustratively, gate  10  may have elements (not shown) which project laterally from gate  10  by cam action or other actuation schemes to contact the supporting walls. In a further alternative, projecting eyes (not shown) for receiving fasteners (not shown) which may be driven into the supporting walls.  
         [0038]    Thus far, features of gate  10  are generally conventional. Gate  10  departs from prior art gates in that it has integral illumination source for safety purposes. The electrically operated illumination source such as lamps  40  is supported on frame  12 . Lamps  40  have reflective covers  42  adapted to reflect light downwardly onto the front side of gate panel  12 . As employed herein, “front” is for semantic designation of one of the broad or large ends or faces of gate panel  12 . The rear or opposed large end or face of gate panel  12  could also be illuminated by additional lamps (not shown) or by a different arrangement which will be described hereinafter.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 shows the electrical system which operates lamps  40 . The electrical system includes a source of electrical power such as battery  44 , a control switch  46 , and electrical conductors  48 ,  50 ,  52  connecting lamps  40  to battery  44 . Conductors  48 ,  50 ,  52  will be understood to include the number of separate conductors required to accomplish the recited functions, even though they are depicted as a single element. It should also be understood that a power source other than a battery could be used. A control knob  54  accessible from the exterior of gate  10  operates switch  46 . Switch  46  may turn lamps  40  on and off if desired. Alternatively, switch  46  may merely control intensity of light generated by lamps  40 , leaving on-off control to other components. In the latter case, switch  46  may be a dimmer switch arranged to vary illumination of said illumination source in a continuous, progressive manner. Alternatively, switch  46  could be a three position switch arranged to limit illumination to three different levels. Both dimmer switches and three position switches and their circuitry are known, and will not be further described herein.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 illustrates how a single lamp  60  may be employed to project light to both front and rear sides  62 ,  64  of gate panel  12 . Lamp  60  has a reflective cover  65  which overlaps both front and rear sides  62 ,  64 , and is dimensioned and configured to reflect light as indicated by arrows A. In FIG. 4, an additional lamp  66  is configured to project light away from gate panel  12 . This arrangement provides a visual signal which signals presence of gate  10 , but does not directly illuminate gate  10 .  
         [0041]    In preferred embodiments of the invention, the illumination source is operated by an automatic on-off controller. This automatic controller may take several forms, which may be employed singly or in any preferred combination. Referring now to FIG. 5, a programmable timer  68  operates the illumination source at predetermined times and extinguishes the illumination source at other times. In addition, a light-sensitive (photo-electric) switch  70  is included in the electrical system, and connects the illumination source to electrical power responsive to sensing a predetermined threshold of diminished ambient light levels. A motion sensor  72  is mounted on gate  10  in a suitable location for sensing motion within a predetermined distance of itself, and makes electrical connection responsive to sensing motion within its range. Motion sensor  72  may optionally control audible alarm  56  in addition to or in place of lamp(s)  40 ,  60  or  66 . Audible alarm  56  could be a bell, horn, buzzer, speaker or any other audible alarm as is known in the art. It would be evident to one skilled in the art that the duration of illumination of lamps  40 ,  60  or  66  and the sounding of audible alarm  56  would be determined by the setting of motion sensor  72 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a remote controller  74  generates command signals. A signal receiver  76 ,  78 , or  80  is located on or proximate gate  10 . Each signal receiver is adapted to receive the command signals and to control the illumination source by its respective controller  68 ,  70 , or  72  responsive to command signals generated by remote controller  74 . Remote controller  74  may operate on radio frequency signals, may generate infrared signals, or may utilize any suitable radiant energy signals. Receivers  76 ,  78 ,  80  will be understood to be connected to power of battery  44 , or other external power source, although this feature is omitted for brevity in the drawings.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 7, power may be derived from a plug and cord assembly  82 . Plug and cord assembly  82  may be connected directly to lamp  40  and the electrical controls, or may be connected to a battery recharger  84 , which is in turn connected to battery  44 .  
         [0044]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.