Patent Publication Number: US-6666435-B2

Title: Self-closing gate for fence enclosures

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of fence gates and more particularly to self-closing gates used with tensioned fences of the sort used as a safety barrier on residential swimming pools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Safety barriers are required in many states around residential swimming pools to prevent the accidental drowning of small children. Oftentimes, these safety barriers are stretched-panel fences with flexible, lightweight panels (typically nylon mesh) attached to poles slid into mounting receptacles. They can be temporarily removed when the pool is in use. 
     In a tensioned fencing system, the individual fence panels are linked together with latches, hooks, or clips that are effectively child-proof. The poles within an individual panel are installed to slant slightly inward, towards each other. When linked with other panels, the poles must be pulled outwardly, stretching the panel as well as imparting a force upon the portion of the pole inserted into the mounting receptacle, thereby making it very difficult to dislodge any pole. When a panel is disconnected and the tension relaxed, the poles can be easily removed and no longer function as a safety barrier. 
     The removal of one or two panels in a tensioned fencing system can serve the same purpose as a gate and allow swimmers access to enter and leave the pool. However, it is not a self-closing system, so the fencing system will not be secure until the poles are re-inserted and connected to the other panels. 
     A self-closing or auto-locking gate for tensioned fencing systems can be found in Sadinsky&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,769. The gate employs a U-shaped frame with tensioned mesh within the frame. One side of the gate is attached to a pair of support poles while an opposite side of the gate is latched to an additional pair of support poles. The support poles are initially slanted inwardly towards the gate but which achieve vertical alignment when connected to the fence and subsequently reacts to the tension of the fence. The support poles absorb the fence tension without transferring that tension to the gate. Thus, the fence tension is required to achieve proper alignment and facilitate auto-locking. If panels near the gate are disconnected while cleaning the pool, then the tension on the support poles will be reduced and the support poles will no longer be in vertical alignment. The resulting inward force will be absorbed by the U-frame or by the latch. The potential for the frame or latch bending is increased as is the likelihood of misalignment and failure of the auto-locking capability. 
     A further limitation in this type of gate is the lack of rigidity or strength in the gate&#39;s U-frame. In typical operation, it is likely that adults, teenagers, or a plurality of children will eventually expose the gate to forces greater than those achieved by a 70 pound child or the gate&#39;s maximum limit. The result in exceeding this limit will be the compromise of the frame&#39;s integrity. The warped or bent frame will create such misalignment as to prevent the gate from closing or opening. 
     An additional limitation in this type of gate is the employment of round support and framing members, increasing the possibility of members rotating out of alignment over time. Each time the gate is vigorously opened, pressure is put on the support poles. Brackets connecting the support poles to one another to oppose this force but continued operation risks the rotation of the round support poles within the brackets and the associated misalignment. Without diligent adjustments and maintenance, the resulting misalignment can prevent the gate from properly functioning in its self-closing capacity. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide a reliable self-closing safety gate that can maintain its safety features under all operating conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention teaches a device for improving the safety, reliability, and functionality of self-closing gating systems. The exemplary self-closing gate for fence enclosures includes a gate frame that is comprised of vertical and horizontal frame members with mesh screen tensioned between the frame members. One pair of support members includes hinges for fastening to one side of the gate frame while an additional pair of support members includes a latching device to engage the opposite side of the gate frame. Each pair of support members is connected together on the top and bottom with mounting plates. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the framing members and support members have generally square cross sections. Square members provide greater strength and rigidity than comparable round members. Importantly, this added strength enables the gate frame to withstand much greater loads without succumbing to bending or warping. This ensures that the latching device will always be able to safely secure the gate. 
     In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the square support members have round socket members extending from the bottom. The round socket members are inserted into the receiving holes or sockets that have been drilled into the surface surrounding the enclosure. This insures compatibility with current installation techniques within the industry. 
     Advantageously, the present invention can operate properly without the need for the fence system to be under tension. By solving the problem without having to rely upon the tension of the fencing system, the user can be assured that the gate can operate properly under all operating conditions. Additionally, the gate can be used with enclosures that not under tension. The present invention is a powerful solution to improving the safety and reliability of fence enclosures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred gate. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a latching device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary gate for fence enclosures can be seen in FIG.  1 . The gate  10  comprises a plurality of components. The components include frame members, support members, connecting means, and latching means. The components are configured to achieve the desired objective of improving the safety of fencing systems specifically and swimming pools in general. 
     In FIG. 1, an exemplary gate frame  16  is illustrated. A pair of vertical frame members  12  are spaced apart and connected to a pair of horizontal frame members  14 . Because the strength of the present invention is a paramount concern, the preferred material for the vertical  12  and horizontal frame members  14  is aluminum although other materials exhibiting similar strength and weight attributes could be used. With aluminum, connection of the vertical  12  and horizontal frame members  14  is achieved with standard welding techniques. 
     The vertical  12  and horizontal frame members  14  have a generally square cross-section with a typical width of 1.25 inches and a thickness of 0.125 inches. The vertical frame member  12  has a typical length of 48 inches while the horizontal frame member  14  has a typical length of 30 inches. Although these dimensions should not be considered as limiting in any way, square stock of these dimensions is readily available and contributes to limiting the costs of the exemplary invention. 
     A length of mesh screen  18  is tensioned between the vertical frame members  12  and horizontal frame members  14 . The mesh screen  18  is uniformly tensioned between 15 to 20 lbs. around the outside of one side of the vertical  12  and horizontal frame members  14 , thereby creating a flat surface that will not provide a child with a footing on either the mesh screen  18  or the lower of the pair of horizontal frame members  14 . 
     Two pairs of support members  20  are seen in FIG.  1 . The support members  20  have generally square cross-sections with a typical width of 1.25 inches and a thickness of 0.125 inches. The support members are longer than the vertical frame members  12  to insure that the gate frame  16  has enough clearance to swing freely. 
     Socket members  28  are inserted into the bottom of the support members  20 . When 3.0 to 4.0 inches of the socket member  28  remain extended beyond the support member  20 , the socket member  28  is welded in place. With a diameter of 1.0 inches, the socket member  28  rests securely in the support member  20 . Moreover, the diameter is consistent with the hole or socket diameters that are typically used when installing tensioned fences. 
     The support members  20  are connected in pairs by mounting plates  22 . The mounting plates are welded to the top and bottom of the support members  20  as seen in FIG.  1 . The mounting plates are generally rectangular in shape. A preferred size is 3.75 inches in width by 1.25 inches in height and 0.125 inches in thickness. 
     The preferred material for the support members  20 , the socket members  28 , and the mounting plates  22  is aluminum although other materials exhibiting similar strength and weight attributes could be used. 
     The gate frame  16  is attached to the support members  20  with at least two hinges  24 . The hinges are self-closing and are attached to an inside support member  20  and a vertical frame member  12 . Internal springs (not shown) within the hinge  24  exert a force that counters the opening of the gate such that the gate will automatically close when it is released. 
     A latching device  26  is attached to the side opposite the hinges  24 . The latching device  26  is shown in more detail in FIG.  2  and is comprised of a magnetic member  30  that is attached to a vertical frame member  12  (not shown), and a latching member  32  that is attached to a support member  20  (not shown). The magnetic member  30 , and therefore the gate frame, is attracted to and received by a latching cylinder  36  on the latching member  32 . The latching member  32  includes a release knob  34  to pull up the latching cylinder  36  and disengage the magnetic member  30 . The latching member  32  can include a key mechanism  38  to enable locking of the gate with a key  40  and thereby provide additional security to the present invention. An example of a commercially available latching device  26  is the Magna-Latch® gate closure system. 
     In operation, the present invention would be integrated into a tensioned fencing system. The outermost support members  20  of the gate  10  would be fastened to the tensioned fence poles. The tensioned fence poles attached to the support members are not slanted inwardly relative to the other fence poles but rather vertically or slightly outwardly, thereby absorbing much of the force from the remaining fence poles. The outermost support members  20  are effectively isolated from the bulk of the tension of the fencing system, making installation and removal of the gate faster and easier. The gate operation is not impacted if the fencing system is not under tension. Fastening the gate  10  to the support members  20  provides the additional advantage of reducing the possibility of the gate being inadvertently removed or displaced by children. 
     It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention specifically shown and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make alternate embodiments using different configurations and functionally equivalent components. All such alternate embodiments are intended to be included in the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.