Abstract:
A modular guide frame for use with gates of various thicknesses is assembled from separate side portions. The side portions are provided with hubs, having facets of different widths. The hubs may be coupled with one another to align the facets and provide different gate guide configurations, having various channel widths. An extension plate may be coupled between the side portions to further expand the width of the channel. Elongated sealing members may be secured within the channel to further customize the fit between the guide frame and a gate. The symmetrical nature of the side portions allow them to be manufactured from a single extrusion form, while retaining the ability to be used with one or more differently sized gates.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to guides for sliding gates and more particularly to a modular guide frame that may be easily adapted for use with gates having different or slightly irregular thicknesses. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Simple mechanical gates, such as slide gates, stop gates and weir gates have been used for countless years in fields such as agriculture, municipal water systems, wastewater systems, and the like. Such systems are typically comprised of a single, planar gate that slides between open and closed positions within an elongated guide or channel, which is shaped to conform to the shape and size of the gate. These gates and their guides have been previously fabricated from numerous different materials, including wood, steel, galvanized steel, extruded aluminum, reinforced polymers, and the like. Clearly, one of the most common methods of fabricating such a system is to prepare a gate, having a particular size and shape, and then fabricating a gate guide to fit the gate. The gate guide may be provided in the form of one or more elongated, one-piece channels that may be cut to size and reconfigured into a particular shape that will slidably receive the gate. The gate guide may then be mechanically secured in position or imbedded within concrete or other suitable material, depending upon the particular application. 
   However, a problem frequently encountered in the assembly and installation of a gate system occurs when a gate is selected that has an uncommon or slightly irregular thickness. In these instances, pre-fabricated gate guide materials may provide a channel width that is too broad to provide an adequate sealing engagement between the gate and the gate guide, or the channel may be too narrow, preventing the gate from being received within the gate guide. In either situation, the installer is forced to custom fabricate a gate guide to adequately receive the gate, if a new gate, having standard dimensions cannot be used. Unfortunately, custom fabricating gate guides can be costly and time consuming. This is especially true in large-scale settings that require a plurality of gates having one or more unique gate sizes or configurations. 
   Accordingly, what is needed is a modular gate guide frame that may be fabricated using efficient, extrusion methods while being quickly and easily adapted for use with one or more gates having unusual or slightly irregular dimensions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The gate guide frame of the present invention is preferably provided in a modular configuration, having separate first and second side portions. Each side portion is provided with elongated first and second wing members that extend outwardly from the rearward portion of a hub. Each hub is shaped to have at least to side faces that extend forwardly from the backsides of each hub. At least two mating faces extend inwardly from the distal ends of the side faces, forming a forward end portion for each hub. The mating surfaces are shaped and positioned so that the mating faces from opposing side portions may be operatively coupled with one another. Side faces from each hub combined to define the width of the channel that is formed when the two side portions are coupled with one another. In a preferred embodiment, the side faces of each hub are provided with different widths. Accordingly, the hubs from the opposing side portions may be selectively joined with one another in different configurations to provide a gate guide with one of various different widths. 
   Each side portion of the gate guide is provided with at least two wing members that extend along the length of the gate guide. The wing members are positioned with respect to the hub so that, depending upon the manner in which the opposing hubs are coupled with one another, one wing member from each side portion will combine to form a pair of spaced-apart frame rails, while the remaining wing members provide anchors for stabilizing the gate guide. 
   In one preferred embodiment, elongated channels are formed within the wing members. Resilient sealing members may be secured to the wing members within the elongated channels inside the spaced-apart frame rails, to provide a smooth sliding motion and a snug, sealing fit for the gate in a closed position. 
   It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide a modular guide frame for gates that may be easily adapted for gates having various thicknesses and configurations. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular guide frame for gates of various thicknesses that may be fabricated from a single extrusion form. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modular guide frame for gates that may be formed using a single pair of frame halves to form a guide channel having one of at least three different, pre-selected, channel widths. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modular guide frame for a gate that is formed from a single pair of identically shaped frame halves and an optional expansion plate to easily accommodate at least four different, pre-selected gate widths. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular guide frame for gates that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modular guide frame for gates that may be easily adapted in the field for use with gates having a wide range of thicknesses and further provide the option of using resiliently deformable sealing members to engage the opposing surfaces of the gate as it moves between open and closed positions. 
   These and other objects will be apparent to those having skill in the relevant art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the modular guide frame of the present invention as the same could be assembled for use with a gate having a narrow thickness; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the guide frame depicted in  FIG. 1  as the same could be assembled for use with a gate having a large thickness; 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the guide frame depicted in  FIG. 1  as the same could be assembled for use with a gate having an intermediate thickness; 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of one manner in which the modular guide frame of the present invention could be assembled for use with a gate in a fluid passageway; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional, side elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the modular guide frame of the present invention as the same could be configured to slidably receive a gate; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view of still another embodiment of the modular guide frame of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a top, section view of the guide frame depicted in  FIG. 6  as the same could be assembled for use with a relatively wide gate. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference is made to accompanying  FIGS. 1-7 , which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, however, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
   The modular guide frame  10  of the present invention may be used with sliding gates of various shapes and sizes and in a wide array of different applications. In its preferred embodiment, the guide frame  10  is provided with a first side portion  12  and a second side portion  14 . While it is contemplated that the first and second side portions  12  and  14  could be provided with various structural differences to accommodate specific applications, it is preferred that they be nearly identical in size and shape. Accordingly, both first and second side portions  12  and  14  are provided with a first wing member  16  and a second wing member  18  that extend outwardly from the rearward portion of a hub  20 . The hubs  20  are each multi-facetted, being provided with at least a first side face  22  and a second side face  24  that extend forwardly from the rearward portions of each hub  20 . Each hub is further provided with at least a first mating face  26  and a second mating face  28 . As depicted in the accompanying figures, the first and second mating faces  26  and  28  should extend outwardly and inwardly from the distal end portions of the first and second side faces  22  and  24 . While only two side faces and two mating faces are shown for each hub, it is contemplated that certain applications may permit the hubs  22  to have a geometry that utilizes additional side faces and/or mating faces to accommodate the needs of the particular applications. 
   The first and second mating faces  26  and  28  on the hubs  20  are shaped and positioned so that they may be coupled with a first mating face  26  or second mating face  28  from an opposing hub  20  in various configurations, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . While the first and second mating faces  26  and  28  are depicted as being flat, it is contemplated that textured, curved, keyed, or other specifically shaped faces could be provided to the first and second mating faces  26  and  28 . Regardless of the shape selected, however, the shapes should be provided in a manner that is easily and securely matable with one another. The orientation of the first and second mating faces  26  and  28  should be such that one of the first and second side surfaces  22  and  24  on one hub  20  will align with either the first side surface  22  or the second side surface  24  of the opposing hub. While the side surfaces depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  align with one another in a generally coplanar fashion, it is contemplated that the orientation may be angular with respect to one another, so long as the combining side faces form an operable base for the guide channel, which will slidably receive a gate  30 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side faces  22  and  24  on each hub  20  have different widths, one being shorter than the other. In this manner, when the first and second side faces  22  and  24  are coupled adjacent one another, a gate guide frame  10  may be provided having one of two or more different gate channel widths when the first side portion  12  and second side portion  14  are coupled with one another. For example,  FIG. 1  depicts an instance where the second side surfaces  24  from two opposing hubs  20  are coupled adjacent one another to form a narrow gate channel  32 .  FIG. 2  depicts an arrangement where the first side portion  12  and second side portion  14  are coupled with one another in a manner that places the first side surfaces  22  of both hubs  20  adjacent one another. This arrangement produces a wide gate channel  34 .  FIG. 3 , on the other hand, depicts an arrangement where the first side portion  12  and second side portion  14  are arranged with respect to one another so that a first side surface  22  and second side surface  24  are positioned adjacent one another, forming an intermediate width gate channel  36 . 
     FIG. 4  depicts one contemplated arrangement of the modular guide frame  10 , as the same could be provided to slidably receive a gate. This figure demonstrates the fact that a single section of modular guide frame can first be cut into a first side portion  12  and a second side portion  14  and then cut again into a plurality of pieces so that the first and second side portions  12  and  14  may be arranged in the desired configuration, such as the rectangular passageway depicted in  FIG. 4 . While the guide frame  10  is depicted in  FIG. 4  as being imbedded within a solid material, such as concrete, other known materials are contemplated into which the components of the guide frame  10  may be imbedded. Moreover, it is contemplated that certain applications may permit the guide frame  10  to be mounted to a surface using one or more mechanical fasteners. Irrespective of its final form, it may be advantageous to first join the first side portions  12  and second side portions  14  so that the side portions do not move with respect to one another when one or more sections are being installed. Depending upon the materials selected to fabricate the guide frame  10 , various adhesives, structural fasteners, and methods of welding, such as the spot welds  38  are contemplated. The guide frame  10  may be formed from nearly any material that will withstand the operating environment of the desired application. Examples of such materials may include, but will certainly not be limited to steel, galvanized steel, wood, reinforced polymers and the like. However, certain extrusion processes and materials, such as those used to manufacture extruded aluminum, may be highly desirable due to the strength and lightweight of the material and the ease in which it may be mass produced from a single form. 
   In one preferred embodiment, elongated channels  40  are formed along the lengths of at least one side of the first wing members  16  and second wing members  18 . The channels  40  should be sized and shaped to securably receive elongated sealing members  42 . The sealing members  42  should extend outwardly from the channels  40  so that, when the channels  40  are disposed along inner walls of generally parallel, spaced-apart frame rails formed by either the first wing members  16  or second wing members  18 , a portion of the sealing members  42  will slidably engage the outer surfaces of a gate  30  as it is moved between open and closed positions. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing members are formed to have a generally curved cross section, such that the portion that engages a surface of the gate  30  will present few, if any flat surfaces or corners that may be exposed to and snagged by edge portions of the gate  30 . However, it is contemplated that the sealing members  42  can be provided in a wide variety of shapes, having curved features, flat features, or a combination of the two. The deformably resilient nature of the material used in forming the sealing members  42  will further accommodate the fit of a gate  30  having a thickness that is slightly more or less than desirable for the channel width provided. Moreover, the sealing engagement between the sealing members  42  and the gate  30  will help to inhibit the passage of fluids between the guide frame  10  and the gate  30 . Although several natural and synthetic materials, such as rubber and certain closed cell foam products, an ultra high-molecular weight (UHMW) polymer will be preferred due to its ability to minimize friction between the gate  30  and the sealing members  42 , which will ultimately reduce the operating force required to move the gate  30  between open and closed positions. 
   Another preferred embodiment of the modular guide frame  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . These figures demonstrate the use of an extension plate  44  that has a width which extends between opposite side portions. The opposite side portions of the extension plate  44  are preferably sized and shaped to engage either of the first or second mating faces  26  and  28  on either of the first side portion  12  or second side portion  14 . An extension plate  44  may be provided with a specific width and used with the first and second side portions  12  and  14  to provide a guide frame  10  for use with gates having a substantial thickness. Accordingly, extension plates  44  may be provided in several different widths or cut to length and width in the field to accommodate gates of various dimensions. As with the previously described embodiments, one of the first and second side surfaces  22  and  24  from each of the first and second side portions  12  and  14  will align with a surface of the extension plate  44  to provide a channel base for the guide frame  10 . While the channel base depicted in the figures is generally coplanar, it is contemplated that curved or angled variations may be provided to accommodate particular applications. 
   In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as a substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 
   Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.