Patent GB-414421-A (GB)
Title: Improved means for automatically opening gates and the like
IPC: E05F13/04
Filed: 1933-02-09
Abstract: 414,421. Door-operating mechanism; door holders ; fastenings. STAPLES, E. H., Compton Leigh, Otford, Kent. Feb. 9, 1933, No. 3974. Addition to 360,644. [Classes 44 and 65 (i).] In means for unfastening, opening and closing gates by the passage of a vehicle, as described in the parent Specification, the underground catch device holding the mechanism in the open position is replaced by a visible arrangement acting on the gate itself. Shockabsorbing springs are provided in the mechanism to ensure correct operation by vehicles of any weight, and closing springs may be provided to supplement the action of the treadle springs. The treadles on either side of the gate are the same as those of the parent Specification, respectively exerting a push on rod h and a pull on rod h<2> when depressed to operate, through the catch mechanism, an upright lever j and a horizontal lever l<4> connected to the gates and their fastenings as in the parent Specification ; the treadles may be modified for operation by railway vehicles. Each rod h<1>, h<2> is connected to a threaded rod r sliding in lugs a on a bar s<1> and carrying stop nuts r<3>, Fig. 6, and also abutment nuts r<2> to engage a spring r<1> surrounding the rod r between nuts r<2> and the right-hand lug s of bar s<1> ; depression of one of the treadles, causing motion of one of the rods r to the right, is thus transmitted through a spring to one of the bars s<1>, which is also moved to the right. Between the two bars s<1> is a block t having a pin on each side to engage slots in the bars s', so that movement of either bar s<1> does not affect the other bar s<1> but is communicated to the block t, which is connected through a crank l<2>, l<4> to the further of a pair of double gates; this gate may be opened by hand independently of the mechanism, the pins on the block t then sliding in the slots in both bars s<1>. Each bar s<1> carries a pin s<2> to engage one arm of a crank w connected to the tail of a lever v which operates a pivoted catch u, Fig. 8, engaging the bottom of the gate or a plate as thereon ; movement of one of the bars s<1> thus pulls down the corresponding catch u clear of the gate, against the action of a spring v<3> acting on the lever v. Each bar s<1> is also connected to a lever, n or o, mounted freely on a shaft j<12>, and a third lever j<1> is fixed to the shaft between the levers n, o and has pivoted to its end two catches n<1>, o<1> ; the lever j<1> also has abutments j<15> for engagement by the levers n, o. Fig. 6 shows the mechanism in an intermediate position in the opening movement, all the levers being normally in the position in which lever n is shown, with the catches n<1>, o<1> raised by engagement with a stop q. Assuming a vehicle to approach from the right, depression of the first treadle will move over lever o and withdraw the corresponding catch u ; lever o carries lever j with it, by reason of the abutment j<15>, to unbolt and open the gates, which are then held in the open position by the other catch u. As levers o, j<1> move over, the catch o<1> falls into engagement with the notched end of lever o, thus locking the two levers together. When the vehicle passes through the gate and depresses the other treadle, lever n is moved over to withdraw the second catch u to allow the gate to close ; when lever n has completed its movement, it becomes locked to lever j<1> by the catch n<1>, and the three levers move back together, on the closing of the gate, until the catches n<1>, o<1> are raised by the stop q. If the gate has been opened by hand, the catches u must be depressed by the foot to free the gate for closing. The closing of the gates may be effected either by hanging them so that they rise in opening or by springs attached to branches of the levers j, l<4>, Fig. 2, in addition to the treadle springs.