Patent Publication Number: US-7219709-B1

Title: Retractable gate

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to removable gates for temporarily closing off doorways to restrict the movement of children or pets and, more particularly to a retractable gate removably attached between the doorframes of a dwelling or other such structure, said gate having a flexible web membrane attached to a rotatable shaft supported within a housing said shaft being turned by a knob said shaft being lockable against rotation by a spring loaded ratchet mechanism. 
   There is frequently a need to restrict the movement of children or pets throughout a dwelling especially in situations where potential hazards exist. Childproof gates have traditionally been used to corral children into areas where they may safely be left or in which they can be supervised. These gates have taken many forms including collapsible wooden slats or solid pieces slid into retaining channels attached to each doorjamb. Such devices are unwieldy and may themselves present pinching hazards as they are collapsed, additionally they may have insufficient height to discourage stepping over the top of them, a practice which itself has resulted in numerous accidents to adults. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is mounted to a doorway by an attachment bracket attached to each side of the doorframe. The gate device is fully wound and enclosed within a case the case is mounted on one side of the doorway. The flexible gate is affixed at the outer edge to a carrier bar which has three protruding attachment studs that are offered up to a series of slotted holes in the bracket on the opposite doorframe. The slotted holes are shaped such that the attachment studs are first pushed into a top opening allowing the stud&#39;s hemispherical head to protrude into a space within the bracket. Once the heads are inside the bracket, the carrier bar is pushed downward approximately ¼″ which pushes the stud heads down into and behind the edges of the slots. This locks the studs to the bracket and effectively seals the doorway. Removal is accomplished by simply raising the carrier bar ¼″ to release the studs from the slots whereupon the carrier bar can be separated from the mounting bracket. The flexible gate is then rolled back inside the case and the carrier bar is folded back around the case and attached thereto. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a flexible gate contained within a case removably attached to one side of a doorway and which can be deployed by unwinding from within the case and attached to a removably attached bracket on the opposite side of the doorway. 
   It is a further object of the invention to retain the flexible gate within the case by securing the gate mounting shaft against rotation with a lockable ratchet and pawl means. 
   It is a further object of the invention to make the gate high enough that adults will not attempt to step over it and possibly injure themselves thereby. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a plurality of attachment brackets which may be mounted to multiple doorways to facilitate the deployment of the gate in a choice of locations. 
   It is a further object of the invention to secure the gate in place against a child&#39;s attempts to remove it, by rotating the rewind knob to tension the gate and pull the attachment studs tightly into position within the mounting bracket. It is a further object of the invention to lock the gate in position under tension by deploying the ratchet and pawl lock. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a retractable gate made from durable ABS plastic or other such suitable material which can be cleaned and which is resistant to deterioration and resilient against damage from children or pets. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a retractable gate which can be deployed in doorways or at the head or the foot of stairs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of the assembled and deployed retractable gate according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view partially in section of the assembled and deployed retractable gate according to the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an inset elevational view partially in section of the rewind section according to the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an inset elevational view partially in section of the lower pivot section according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view partially in section of the assembled rewind and locking system according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  a front elevational view partially in section of the assembled rewind and locking system according to the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view partially in section of the locking means according to the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
       FIG. 8   a  is an inset view of a detail of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
       FIG. 9   a  is an inset view of a detail of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is an elevational view partially in section of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
       FIG. 10   a  is an inset view of a detail of an attachment bracket according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the annexed drawings in which like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which the invention is designated overall by the numeral  10  and the main case rewind section is designated overall by the numeral  30  and the main case is designated by the numeral  38 . 
     FIG. 1  shows the retractable gate  1  deployed from its storage position within case  30 . Attachment brackets  20  are in position against doorframes  60  ready to accept studs  34 . Carrier bar  15  supports flexible mesh  12  which is attached with seams  14  and supported by stiffening members  16 . Rewind knob  32  is positioned above case  38  which is stiffened and reinforced by longitudinal indentations  38   b.    
     FIG. 2  shows the inner components main support tube  33  and groove  33   b  into which screen  12  is inserted to retain it while it is rewound by rewind knob  32 . Pivot end  33   a  facilitates the retention and rotation of shaft  33 . 
     FIG. 3  shows case cover  35   a  supporting shaft  33 , rewind knob  32 , and ratchet  31  which in turn is restrained from turning by screw  31   a . Screen upper guide  36  provides a shoulder against which seams  14  and screen  12  are evenly rewound into case  38 .  FIG. 3  shows in more detail pivot point  33   a  as it protrudes through rear case  35 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , rewind knob  32  rotates in the direction of arrow  32   b  to pull screen  12  back inside case  38 . Carrier bar  15  can be attached to case  38  when screen  12  is not deployed. This is accomplished by pulling the end of screen  12  around such that stud  34  can be inserted into retaining slot  39 . Lock handle  40  moves pawl  41  ( FIG. 7 ) to engage with ratchet  31 . 
     FIG. 6  shows carrier bar (and thus screen  12  attached) being accessed through slot  38   a  in the front of case  38 . 
     FIG. 7  shows the underside and working parts of ratchet  31  and pawl  41 . As ratchet  41  is rotated counter clockwise around axis  41   a , pawl  41  is able to pass over the teeth of ratchet  31 . Tension is maintained by spring  41   f . In the locked position (shown), ratchet  31  cannot rotate clockwise which retains screen  12  in position and maintains pressure upon the heads of studs  34  so they may not be easily removed by a child. By its nature, the ratchet/pawl lock must be slightly rotated in order for the unlocked position to be reached whereupon lever  40  can be moved to disengage pawl  41 . The unlocked position is retained by spring stop assembly  41   e  wherein spring  41   c  pushes plunger  41   d  outward to engage with groove  41   b . This assembly provides a tactile “click” signifying that the unit is engaged. 
     FIGS. 8–9   a  show both sides of brackets  20  and  FIGS. 10 and 10   a  show details of stud  34  being attached to carrier  15  by nut  34   a . Stud  34  is inserted into hole  20   a  in bracket  20  which is attached to wall  60  by screw(s)  60   a . As stud  34  enters opening  20   a  and its head is inside the opening, carrier  15  is pushed downward and repositions stud  34  in position  34   b  behind edge  20   b  which removably locks it in place for deployment of the invention screen.