Patent Publication Number: US-2021180393-A1

Title: Foldable gate

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/947,521 filed on Dec. 12, 2019, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This specification relates to safety gates that bridge between passageways, and in particular, to a safety gate with a foldable frame to transition to a storage/travel configuration. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Safety gates, commonly referred to as baby gates, bridge between passageways to keep children and pets contained within a specific area, or to keep children and pets from entering certain areas as the case may be. So-called “portable” baby gates can include a mechanism that reduces the overall footprint of the same for purposes of storage/travel. However, such portable baby gates tend to require a significant amount of storage space even when in the storage/collapsed configuration. Moreover, such baby gates often remain extended during travel/storage as the amount of time and user frustration to collapse and re-deploy a baby gate often outweighs the benefits of fully collapsing the same. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an example gate consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows an example frame for use by the gate of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows another perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2  in a partially folded configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows the frame of  FIG. 2  in a storage configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows an example hinged coupler consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  shows an example locking mechanism for use by the frame of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows another example hinged coupler for use by the frame of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  shows another example hinged coupler for use by the frame of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Existing baby gates remain challenging to store and travel with in general. Baby gates that are marketed as “portable” often include limited storage/travel features. For instance, some gates provide the ability to collapse/retract to a minimum passageway width, or are constructed from relatively light-weight material. However, such existing portable gates remain relatively awkward to carry/store, and moreover, remain incapable of being stored within space-constrained spaces such as backpacks, suitcases, and overhead bins on a plane. 
     Thus, the present disclosure is generally directed to a safety gate, also referred to herein as gate device or simply a gate, having a gate frame that can fold and collapse into a compact profile for purposes of storage and travel. In an embodiment, a gate consistent with the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame members coupled together via hinged couplers to provide a gate frame, and preferably, a rectangular gate frame. The hinged couplers preferably provide an in-use configuration whereby the frame members occupy substantially the same plane and form a picture-frame/rectangular shape. Preferably, a foldable material such as mesh at least partially surrounds each frame member and extends between the frame members to form a sidewall. The hinged couplers also preferably include at least a first hinged coupler configured to allow for out-of-plane rotation about a first axis to fold the frame members relative to each other in a clamshell fashion, and at least a second hinged coupler to allow for in-plane rotation about a second axis to collapse the gate frame. The hinged couplers therefore allow the gate frame  102  to transition into a storage configuration whereby the frame members rotate about two different rotational axis to ultimately extend substantially parallel relative to each other for ease of storage and travel. 
       FIGS. 1-5  show an example gate  100  consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the gate  100  includes a plurality of frame members (also referred to herein as tubular frame members) shown collectively as gate frame  102  (which may also be referred to herein as a frame) and individually as frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 2 ,  102 - 3 , and  102 - 4 , a plurality of hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ,  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2 , a fabric sidewall  108 , and a plurality of optional adjustable pressure members  110 . As shown, the gate frame  102  preferably includes at least four frame members. 
     Each of the frame members can have a rectangular profile, e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 , or have other shapes/profiles including rounded, triangular, oblong, and/or octagonal. The frame members of the gate frame  102  preferably comprise a metal, metal alloy, plastic, or any other suitably rigid material. Each of the frame members of the gate frame  102  can be formed from the same or different material and preferably include a similar structure and profile. 
     The structure of each frame member of the gate frame  102  can include a hollow body to advantageously reduce overall weight, or can be solid depending on a desired configuration. As discussed below, having hollow frame members for the gate frame  102  also allows for having telescoping capabilities, whereby a frame member with a first diameter at least partially receives and surrounds an inner frame member with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Accordingly, the example gate  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  includes telescoping frame members, e.g., frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  that can extend/telescope to adjustably increase or decrease the overall width of the gate  100  to accommodate openings of various dimensions. 
     The gate  100  further includes optional adjustable pressure members  110 , which may also be referred to herein as simply pressure members. The optional adjustable pressure members  110  preferably include a body in the form of a threaded screw/bolt and an adjustable head affixed to one end of the body. The optional adjustable pressure members  110  then engage a threaded opening in an associated hinged coupler. 
     As shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 , the pressure members  110  preferably extend coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first and third members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  such that the pressure members  110  provide an adjustable extension of the first and third members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  to permit a user to increase/decrease force applied to a doorway/opening by the gate  100 . As discussed below, a user can also optionally engage telescoping members to perform more “coarse” grain adjustment of the gate  100  during installation/removal. 
     In an embodiment, the fabric sidewall  108  comprises natural or synthetic fabric materials such as cotton, vinyl, polyester, and preferably, materials naturally resistant or otherwise treated to prevent wrinkling, water absorption, and/or staining such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and olefin, or a combination thereof. In addition, the fabric sidewall  108  can include a mesh (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to promote air flow and allow light to pass therethrough. Preferably, the fabric sidewall  108  allows for at least 80 percent of incident light to pass therethrough. The fabric sidewall  108  can optionally include hook and loop sections to permit a user to remove the fabric sidewall  108  from the gate frame  102  for cleaning purposes. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the fabric sidewall  108  at least partially surrounds each of the frame members of the gate frame  102 . The fabric sidewall  108  thus advantageously obscures from view substantially all of the frame members and the associated frame locking devices to increase aesthetic appeal, and importantly, also to reduce the risk of pets/children coming into contact with the same and inadvertently disengaging frame locks. 
     The fabric sidewall  108  can also include the aforementioned hook and loop sections, or other tensioning feature such a strap, to allow a user to increase tension between the fabric sidewall  108  and the gate frame  102  to provide additional structural integrity when in the in-use configuration. 
     As discussed in greater detail below, the gate  100  can be collapsed/folded into a storage configuration whereby the gate  100  has a compact footprint for portability (See, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) and/or to decrease the space necessary to store the gate  100  when not in use (e.g., within an automobile trunk, closet, drawer). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  the frame members of the gate  100  provide a frame with an overall height H 1 , and a minimum overall width W 1  when in the extended/in-use configuration. As noted above, the gate  100  may be extended/widened by a user such that the overall width of the gate  100  can be extended between the minimum overall width W 1  and a maximum overall width. Preferably, the maximum overall width of the gate is at least 10% greater than the minimum overall width W 1 , and more preferably, at least 25% greater than the minimum overall width W 1 . 
     Storage case/sleeve  112  demonstrates one example of the compact footprint achieved by the gate  100  in the collapsed/folded configuration. In this preferred example, and as is shown more clearly in  FIG. 5 , the gate  100  is folded and collapsed to an overall height of H 2 , an overall width of W 2  and an overall cross-wise width of CW 2 . Preferably, the overall width W 2  of the gate  100  in the collapsed/folded configuration is substantially equal to the overall minimum width W 1  of the gate frame of the gate  100  in the in-use/unfolded configuration (See  FIG. 3 ). 
     On the other hand, the overall height H 2  of the gate  100  in the collapsed/folded configuration is preferably 50% less than the overall height H 2  of the gate frame  102  of the gate  100  in the in-use/unfolded configuration, and more preferably, at least 90% less. Accordingly, the ratio over the overall height H 1  in the in-use/unfolded configuration relative to the overall height H 2  in the collapsed/folded configuration is preferably between 2:1 to 10:1. In one preferred example, the ratio over the overall height H 2  in the collapsed/folded configuration relative to the overall height H 1  in the in-use configuration is 50±10%. The compact footprint of the gate  100  in the collapsed/folded configuration also preferably includes an overall cross-wise width CW 2  (See  FIG. 5 ) that is preferably no greater than 2-3 times greater than the cross-wise CW 1  of the frame members (See  FIG. 3 ) of the gate frame  102 . 
     In one non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H 1  is equal to 27 inches, the maximum overall width W 1  is equal to 48 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW 1  is 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the in-use configuration (See  FIG. 3 ). In this preferred example, the overall height H 2  is equal to 5 inches, the overall width W 2  is equal to 27 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW 2  is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the storage configuration (See  FIG. 5 ). 
     In another non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H 1  is equal to 34 inches, the maximum overall width W 1  is equal to 60 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW 1  is 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the in-use configuration (See  FIG. 3 ). In this preferred example, the overall height H 2  is equal to 5.25 inches, the overall width W 2  is equal to 34 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW 2  is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the storage configuration (See  FIG. 5 ). 
     In another non-limiting preferred example, the overall height H 1  is equal to 39 inches, the maximum overall width W 1  is equal to 72 inches, and the overall cross-wise width CW 1  is 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the in-use configuration (See  FIG. 3 ). In this preferred example, the overall height H 2  is equal to 6.5 inches, the overall width W 2  is equal to 39 inches and the overall cross-wise width CW 2  is equal to 2.25 inches when the gate frame  102  is in the storage configuration (See  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the gate  100  without the fabric sidewall  108  for purposes of showing additional aspects and features of the gate  100 . In particular, the embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows the second and third frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  having a telescoping arrangement. The overall dimensions, e.g., height and width, of the second and third frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  measures greater than that of the corresponding dimensions of the first and second extendable portions  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2 , respectively. 
     Thus, the second and third frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  preferably provide a cavity capable of receiving at least a portion of the first and second extendable members  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2 , respectively, and allow a user-supplied force, e.g., applied along the X axis, to increase/decrease the overall width of the gate  100 . Stated differently, the first and third frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  and corresponding first and second extendable sections  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2  provide telescoping frame members/arrangements to allow a user to selectively set the overall width of the gate  100  during use. 
     Continuing on, the gate  100  includes first and second frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  to switchably lock and unlock the first and second extendable portions  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2  respectively. Each of the first and second frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  at least partially surround and securely couple to an associated frame member (e.g.,  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3 ). The first and second frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  can include a locking arrangement, such as a detent mechanism, to prevent movement of the frames  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  relative to their respective extendable portions along the X axis, for example. Thus, the first and second frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2  allow a user to increase/decrease the overall width of the gate  100  via the telescoping frame members. The gate  100  can include a plurality of predefined extents based on, for instance, openings provided along the extendable portions  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2  that engage with the detent of the first and second frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the gate  100  includes a plurality of hinged couplers to couple frames together and provide rigidity when in-use, e.g., when bridged between opposite sides of a door casing/room opening. The rigidity provided by the hinged couplers in this so-called “in-use” configuration of the gate  100  reduces or otherwise minimizes warping of the gate  100  under load to ensure that each of the frame members of the gate frame  102  remain substantially within a common plane under load. Thus, the in-use configuration permits the gate  100  to bridge between sidewalls/surfaces of a doorway/opening and resist buckling/collapsing/deforming to maintain structural integrity when exposed to loads commonly introduced by pets, children, and accidental contact in general. 
     Of course, the risk of gate displacement and/or injury to people/pets substantially decreases when the gate  100  gets fully transitioned from a storage configuration (as shown and described below) to the in-use configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . The in-use configuration includes, preferably, the hinged couplers fully opened to a position that encounters associated integrated stops and the engagement of optional first and second sliding locks  114 - 1 ,  114 - 2 . In addition, the in-use configuration can further include extending pressure members  110  and/or the telescoping frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  based on user-supplied forces to increase/decrease overall width of the gate  100  to securely bridge between sidewalls of a doorway/opening. 
     Preferably, the gate  100  includes a nominal expected loading of at least about 1-300 pounds, although other nominal load targets are within the scope of this disclosure. For instance, in instances where the gate  100  aims to withstand loads of up to 300 pounds or more applied against either side (i.e., force applied against member(s) and/or the fabric sidewall  108 ) materials for the members and hinge joints and/or fabric sidewall  108  can be selected to maximize rigidity. For instance, the gate  100  can include frame members formed or otherwise reinforced with metal such as steel, aluminum, titanium, or a suitably rigid plastic. In addition, the gate  100  can include additional features to secure the same into a doorway using, for instance, hooks, slots, or other suitable devices that can securely couple the gate  100  into an opening for use as a barrier. 
     As is shown, the plurality of hinged couplers include a first set/pair of hinged couplers ( 104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ) and a second set/pair of hinged couplers ( 106 - 1 ,  106 - 2 ). Each of the plurality of hinged couplers include a body that defines first and second openings disposed substantially transverse with each other to receive and couple to the ends of frame members  102 . Thus, the frame members extend substantially transverse relative to each other, and preferably at substantially a right angle (e.g., 90±5 degrees), when an end of each gets inserted at least partially into the openings of the hinged couplers. 
     Continuing on, the first pair of hinged couplers ( 104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ) that define at least a portion of the rectangular profile of the gate are preferably diagonally disposed relative to each other and form opposite corners of the gate  100 . To this end, an imaginary straight line drawn across the gate  100  (e.g., along the line shown generally at  118 ) intersects with both of the hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 . Likewise, the second pair of hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  also define at least a portion of the rectangular profile of the gate  100  and are also preferably diagonally disposed relative to each other and form the other corners of the gate  100 . 
     Structure and function of the first and second pairs of hinged couplers forming the gate  100  will now be discussed in turn. The first pair of hinged couplers ( 104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ) each include a segmented/multi-portion body, wherein the body segments/portions define knuckles/projections that interlock with each other to allow for rotation about a first rotational axis  118  (See  FIG. 6 ). For instance, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the hinged coupler  104 - 1  preferably includes first and second body portions  602 - 1 ,  602 - 2 . The first and second body portions each provide an interlocking portion at one end that are configured to couple to each other and form a through hole. A pin  604  can extend through the through hole formed by the interlocking portions to allow for the first and second body portions to rotate relative to each other. The first and second body portions  602 - 1 ,  602 - 2  further provide an opening at a second end. The opening of each of the first and second body portions  602 - 1 ,  602 - 2  is preferably configured to receive and couple to respective frame members of the gate frame  102 . 
     Likewise,  FIG. 8  shows an example of the hinged coupler  106 - 2 . As shown, the hinged coupler  106 - 2  includes first and second body portions  802 - 1 ,  802 - 2 , respectively, which are configured to rotate relative to each other. Likewise, The first and second body portions  802 - 1 ,  802 - 2  each include openings at an end to couple to respective frame members as shown. 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 1-5 , the first rotational axis  118  defined by the hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  allows for the frame members on either side of each of the hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  to rotate relative to each other about the first rotational axis  118 , and thus by extension, rotate the hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2 , towards each other in a clam-shell fashion. The first rotational axis  118  may also be referred to herein as a common (or concentric) rotational axis. The sliding locks  114 - 1 ,  1 - 14 - 2 , can be spring loaded and can allow a user to disengage the locks to allow for the first and second hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  to rotate and transition the gate  100  to the storage configuration. 
     Accordingly, the rotational axis  118  of the hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  allows for the gate  100  to be folded substantially in half to bring the first and second frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 2 , substantially in parallel with each other, and likewise, the second and third frame members  102 - 2 ,  102 - 3  substantially in parallel with each other. Stated differently, the gate  100  includes a clamshell hinge arrangement based on hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  providing a continuous/common hinge that extends along the first rotational axis  118  to allow for bifurcation of the gate  100  into two (substantially equal) portions that can be joined or at least brought in close proximity with each other. To this end, and for simplicity, the first and second hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  may be referred to as first and second clamshell hinges. One example of the gate  100  folded into this intermediate storage position is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     On the other hand, each of the hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  allow for rotation about a second rotational axis  120 . The second rotational axis  120  extends substantially transverse relative to the first rotational axis  118  and also extends substantially transverse relative to the plane in which the gate  100  extends when in the in-use configuration. Accordingly, the hinged couplers  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  each define a hinge joint or pivot joint to allow for their associated frame members to pivot and rotate about the second rotational axis  120  towards each other. Thus, each of the hinged couplers  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  may also be referred to herein as first and second pivot hinges. 
     However, it should be noted that each of the hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  are preferably “locked” and prevent rotation when the gate  100  is in the in-use configuration as is shown in  FIG. 3 , for instance. Such locking is based on the first and second hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  having non-concentric/non-collinear rotational axis. Although the second rotational axis  120  extends coaxially from both the first and second hinged couplers hinges  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2 , rotation along that axis is limited/prevented as the first and second hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  securely hold their associated frame members in position, which is to say substantially transverse relative to each other, therefore “locking” the first and second hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2 . Thus, the gate  100  can advantageously lock the hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  when in the in-use configuration. 
     On the other hand, when the gate frame  102  of the gate  100  is transitioned to the folded/intermediate storage configuration as shown in the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the hinged couplers  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  then preferably concentrically align based on rotation of the first and second hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2  such that each can rotate about a common, concentric/collinear rotational axis  120 ′. In response to such alignment, the hinged couplers  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  preferably only then, e.g., only after rotational movement of the first and second hinged couplers  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 , allow the first and second frame members  102 - 1 ,  102 - 2  to rotate about the rotational axis  120 ′ relative to the third and fourth frame members  102 - 3 ,  102 - 4  to transition from the intermediate storage configuration to the storage configuration. This rotation then results in the hinged couplers  106 - 1 ,  106 - 2  being brought adjacent each other. One example of the gate  100  in the storage configuration is shown in the example embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
     Turning again to the example embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the storage configuration of the gate  100  includes each of the frame members of the gate frame  102  extending parallel relative to each other to provide a compact footprint. The fabric sidewall  108 , although not shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , can remain attached to the gate  100  when transitioning the gate  100  to the storage configuration. In this scenario, the fabric sidewall  108  preferably bends/folds during the transition from the in-use to the intermediate configuration, and then to the full storage/folded configuration, and can simply occupy the interstitial space between the parallel frame members. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example cross-sectional view of the frame lock  116 - 2  and the hinged coupler  106 - 2 . As shown, the frame lock  116 - 2  includes a spring and detent mechanism to allow a user-supplied pressure to disengage the lock to extend the frame members, e.g., via telescoping frame member  102 - 3 .  FIG. 8  shows the example hinged coupler  106 - 2  and frame lock  116 - 2  when the gate  100  is in the in-use configuration. 
       FIG. 9  shows an example embodiment  900  that includes the telescoping frame member  102 - 3  having a push-button frame lock  902 . A safety gate consistent with the present disclosure can utilize such push-button frame locks as an alternative to the frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2 . In this embodiment, the push-button frame locks  902  allow for the telescoping frame members, e.g.,  102 - 1 ,  102 - 3  ( FIG. 2 ), to extend/collapse to adjust the overall width of the gate, as discussed above. 
     The push-button frame locks  902  can utilize a detent mechanism similar to that of the frame locks  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2 , the description of which will not be repeated for brevity. However, the push-button portion of the push-bottom frame lock  902  can utilize, for instance, a spring bias that changes the tactile ‘feel’ of the button  904  in response to whether the gate is in a storage or in-use configuration. For instance, as discussed above the frame includes extendable sections  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2  that corresponds with frame members  102 - 1  and  102 - 3 , respectively. The push-bottom frame lock  902  can work in conjunction with the extendable sections and engage one or more detent positions as the gate transitions from the storage to in-use configuration. In response to extending the gate to one or more of the detent positions, the button  904  may indicate a ‘locked’ position based on a spring force that gets applied to the button  904  in response to encountering the detent. This spring force can cause the button  904  to protrude from the push-button frame lock  902  so that a user can easily locate and manipulate the same through, for instance, a fabric covering. 
     In use, a user may therefore run their fingers along the fabric/material surrounding the frame member  102 - 3  until their hand encounters the button  904  to displace/push the same and ‘unlock’ the extendable sections. The curved profile and contours of the push-button frame lock  902  allows for one or more fingers to comfortably grip the same while one or more other fingers are used to apply force on to the button  904 . When two or more locks are utilized, a user can simply grip each push-button frame lock and engage the locks and allow gravity to draw/collapse the extendable sections  103 - 1 ,  103 - 2  ( FIG. 2 ) into each other, for example. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure a gate device to extend across a passageway is disclosed. The gate device comprises a plurality of frame members, a plurality of hinged couplers to couple the frame members together to provide a gate frame and transition the gate frame from an in-use configuration to a storage configuration, each hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having first and second body portions rotatably coupled to each other, and wherein the hinged couplers transition the gate frame from the in-use configuration to the storage configuration based on at least a first hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having respective first and second body portions being configured to rotate relative to each other about a first axis of rotation, and at least a second hinged coupler of the plurality of hinged couplers having respective first and second body portions being configured to rotate relative to each other about a second axis of rotation, the first and second axis of rotation being substantially transverse relative to each other. 
     While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a gate consistent with the present disclosure may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure, which is not to be limited except by the claims.