Patent Publication Number: US-2012036786-A1

Title: Adjustable gate mounting hinge

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/372,614 filed Aug. 11, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to a gate mounting hinge. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a gate mounting hinge that is adjustable while supporting a gate. 
     A gate is typically supported by hinges attached to a fixed post or other fixed structure. One type of gate hinge utilizes a “J” shaped bolt that extends into a portion of a movable gate. A distance between the fixed post and the gate is adjusted to provide a desired gate alignment with another gate or a second fixed post. This distance is typically adjustable by rotating the “J” bolt. 
     As appreciated, because the vertical portion of the “J” bolt is required to be facing in a given direction, adjustment is limited to a complete turn of the bolt. In other words, to adjust the distance and thereby gate alignment, the “J” bolt must be turned a full turn. Moreover, the adjustment can only be accomplished with the “J” bolt free of the gate. In such instances, it can be difficult to determine if the gate is properly adjusted until reassembled and therefore increase the effort and time required to provide a desired alignment of the gate assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mounting hinge for supporting a movable gate includes a mounting plate attachable to a fixed structure and an adjustment member constrained from horizontal movement by the mounting plate. The mounting hinge also includes a gate supporting member engaged with the adjustment member and movable responsive to a rotation of the adjustment member relative to the mounting plate. 
     A movable gate includes a mounting plate attachable to a fixed post, an adjustment member constrained from horizontal movement by the mounting plate, and a gate supporting member engaged with the adjustment member and movable responsive to a rotation of the adjustment member relative to the mounting plate. The gate supporting member includes a horizontal threaded portion received in a hole in the adjustment member and a vertical portion. The moveable gate includes a rotatable gate, and the vertical portion of the gate supporting member is received within an opening of a post of the rotatable gate. 
     A method of adjusting a position of a movable gate includes the steps of attaching a mounting plate to a fixed support and constraining movement of an adjustment member supported by the mounting plate. The method includes the steps of supporting a movable gate support member with the adjustment member and rotating the adjustment member to move the gate support member relative to the fixed support to a desired position indicative of a desired gate alignment. 
     These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an example gate assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an example adjustable mounting hinge; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the example adjustable mounting hinge as shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an example clamp to be attached to a post of a gate; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the example clamp as shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view view of the example clamp as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a gate assembly  10  is provided between fixed posts  15  of a fence. The gate assembly  10  includes movable gates  12 . Each of the gates  12  are mounted for movement relative to the fixed posts  15  by mounting hinges  18 . The gates  12  can pivot relative to the fixed posts  15 . A top gap  14  and a bottom gap  16  between the gates  12  are adjustable by adjusting each of mounting hinges  18  away from or toward a corresponding fixed post  15 . The horizontal movement of the mounting hinges  18  provide for the adjustment of the gaps  14  and  16  between the gates  12  to provide a desired alignment. As should be appreciated, although the disclosed gate assembly  10  includes two gates  12 , a gate assembly including a single gate  12  will also benefit from this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the example mounting hinge  18  includes a “J” member  20  that includes a horizontal threaded portion  26  and a vertical portion  22 . In this example, the vertical portion  22  includes a support flange  24  for supporting a corresponding gate  12 . The vertical portion  22  extends upward and is received within an opening (not shown) defined by a post  11  of the gate  12 . As appreciated, the mounting hinge  18  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  includes an upward extending vertical portion  22  and is therefore utilized at a bottom part of the gate  12 . The upper mounting hinge  18  would be substantially identical with the vertical portion  22  extending downwardly into a corresponding opening (not shown) of the gate  12 . Moreover, in some installations, both the upper and lower mounting hinges  18  would extend upward to facilitate removal of the one of the gates  12  by lifting upward. Accordingly, the mounting hinges  18  could be orientated in different ways as required for a specific application and mounting requirement and remain within the contemplation of this disclosure. 
     A mounting plate  28  includes openings  40  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  18  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  28  can be stamped or machined. A fixed housing  30  is attached to the mounting plate  28 . The example fixed housing  30  is attached to the mounting plate  28  by a continuous weld  42 . It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to attach the housing  30  to the mounting plate  28  by any form of weld or other attachment process. A rear end  36  of the threaded portion  26  extends rearwardly from the mounting plate  28  into an opening  17  defined within the corresponding post  15 . As appreciated, the opening  17  is provided to receive the rear end  36  and allow for sufficient horizontal travel to adjust the gaps  14  and  16 . 
     The housing  30  receives pins  34  through corresponding apertures  35  in the housing  30  to retain a horizontal position of an adjustment nut  32 . In one example, the adjustment nut  32  is hexagonal in shape. The example adjustment nut  32  includes a larger diameter portion  29  including a groove  38  that is aligned within the housing  30  and the pins  34 . The pins  34  are received within the groove  38  to prevent horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  32  relative to the mounting plate  28 . However, the pins  34  allow rotation of the adjustment nut  32  to facilitate horizontal movement indicated by arrows “A” responsive to rotation of the adjustment nut  32 . 
     The threaded portion  26  of the J-member  20  can therefore be moved in the direction of the arrows A by rotation of the adjustment nut  32  without changing the orientation of the vertical portion  22 . Therefore, the gate  12  can remain in place as the adjustment nut  32  is rotated to adjust a distance  25  between the vertical portion  22  and the mounting plate  28 . Adjustment of the distance  25  provides for the adjustment and alignment of the gaps  14  and  16  between the gates  12 . The distance  25  is indicated between the mounting plate  28  and a center line of the vertical portion  22 . However, the distance  25  is representative of the gap between the inner part of the gate  12  and the corresponding fixed post  15  that correspond to the gaps  14  and  16  between gates  12 . Accordingly, the distance  25  could be measured from different parts as an indication of an adjusted distance utilized to provide the desired gaps  14  and  16  at an opposite end of the gate  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another mounting hinge  18 ′ includes features common with those disclosed and described with regard to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , but for the position of the housing  30 . In this example, the housing  30  is mounted to a back side of mounting plate  28 ′ such that the housing  30  would be at least partially received in a recess  19  in the corresponding fixed post  15 . This configuration would present a less cluttered appearance, but would require the addition of the recess  19  in the fixed post  15  or structure to accommodate the housing  30  along with the opening  17  that receives the extended rear end  36  of the threaded portion  26 . Further, the mounting plate  28 ′ includes an opening  44  into which a portion of the adjustment nut  32  is received. The opening  44  provides a clearance fit with the adjustment nut  32  such that the adjustment nut  32  can rotate freely to move the J-member  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , another example mounting hinge  46  includes a mounting plate  48  including openings  40  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  46  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  48  can be stamped or machined. The mounting plate  48  includes apertures  50  that receive pins  37  that engage a groove  39  in a larger diameter portion  45  of an adjustment nut  33 . The mounting plate  48  includes a necked down portion  54  that defines an opening  52  for larger diameter portion  45  of the adjustment nut  33 . The pins  37  extend through the apertures  50  within the thickness of the mounting plate  48  in close proximity to the opening  52  such that a portion of each of the pins  37  is received within the groove  39  of the adjustment nut  33 . The adjustment nut  33  is thereby constrained from horizontal movement responsive to rotation such that the J-member  20  moves horizontally to adjust the distance  25  as required to set the gaps  14  and  16 . The placement of the groove  39  and the pins  37  are such that a back surface  55  of the adjustment nut  33  is disposed flush with a back side of the mounting plate  48 . Accordingly, no accommodation is required in the fixed post  15  for anything other than the rear end  36  of the threaded portion  26 . In other words, the mounting plate  48  can be attached directly to the surface of the fixed post  15  with only the opening  17  for receiving the rear end  36  of the threaded portion  26 . This example mounting hinge  46  provides a reduced cross-sectional profile that maintains the desired uncluttered appearance. Moreover, this example mounting hinge  46  reduces the number of parts and required secondary assembly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another example mounting hinge  56  includes a mounting plate  58  including openings  40  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  56  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  58  can be stamped or machined. The mounting plate  58  defines a stepped opening  60  that receives an adjustment nut  70 . The mounting plate  58  includes a thickness  62  within which is disposed the stepped opening  60  having a portion with a large diameter  64  proximate to the fixed post  15  and a portion with a constraining small diameter  66  distal to the fixed post  15  that receives a portion of the adjustment nut  70 . As the constraining small diameter  66  is smaller than the large diameter  64 , the stepped opening  60  defines a flange  77  that defines the constraining small diameter  66 . The adjustment nut  70  includes a large flange  72  that is received within the large diameter  64  and a small flange  68  that is received in the constraining small diameter  66  and disposed between the large flange  72  and a body  73  of the adjustment nut  70  (the body  73  including the hexagonal sides, in one example). A front side  83  of the large flange  72  abuts the flange  77  of the mounting plate  58  within the stepped opening  60 . 
     The combined thicknesses of the flanges  68  and  72  are equal to the thickness  62  of the mounting plate  58 . The small flange  68  is located within the portion of the stepped opening  60  including the constraining small diameter  66 , and the large flange  72  is located in the portion of the stepped opening  60  including the large diameter  64 . The large flange  72  is larger than the constraining small diameter  66 , which retains the adjustment nut  70  within the mounting plate  58 . The large flange  72  is received within the thickness  62  of the mounting plate  58  such that the mounting plate  58  can be mounted flat against the fixed post  15 . The flange  77  further prevents horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  70  relative to the mounting plate  58  due to the fact that the flange  77  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the larger flange  72 . The body  73  of the adjustment nut  70  extends out from the front of the mounting plate  58 . 
     Once the mounting plate  58  is attached to a fixed post  15 , a back side of the larger flange  72  abuts the fixed post  15  and along with the constraining small diameter  66 , constrains horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  70 . Therefore, rotation of the adjustment nut  70  will move the J-member  20 , while maintaining the adjustment nut  70  in a fixed horizontal position. When the mounting hinge  56  is not mounted to the fixed post  15 , the adjustment nut  70  can move freely through the back side of the mounting plate  58 . However, once installed, the adjustment nut  70  is retained by the mounting plate  58  against the fixed post  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another example mounting hinge  74  includes a mounting plate  76  including openings  40  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  74  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  76  can be stamped or machined. The mounting plate  76  includes a thickness  86  within which is disposed a stepped opening  75  having a portion with a large diameter  78  proximate to the fixed post  15  and a portion with a small diameter  80  distal to the fixed post  15  and defined by a flange  81  that receives a portion of the adjustment nut  82 . 
     The adjustment nut  82  includes a flange  84  with a front side  90  that abuts the flange  81  of the mounting plate  76  within the stepped opening  75 . The small diameter  80  defined by the flange  81  is large enough to receive a body  89  of the adjustment nut  82 , but too small to allow for passage of the flange  84 . Therefore, the body  89  of the adjustment nut  82  extends out from the front of the mounting plate  76 . 
     Once the mounting plate  76  is attached to a fixed post  15 , a back side of the flange  88  abuts the fixed post  15  and along with flange  81  having the smaller diameter  80 , constrains horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  82 . Therefore, rotation of the adjustment nut  82  will move the J-member  20 , while maintaining the adjustment nut  82  in a fixed horizontal position. When the mounting hinge  74  is not mounted to the fixed post  15 , the adjustment nut  82  can be moved freely through the back side of the mounting plate  76 . However, once installed, the adjustment nut  82  is retained by the mounting plate  76  against the fixed post  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , another example mounting hinge  92  includes a mounting plate  94  including openings  40  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  92  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  94  can be stamped or machined. Attached to the mounting plate  94  is a fixed housing  98 . The example fixed housing  98  is attached to the mounting plate  94  by a continuous weld  100 . It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to attach the housing  98  to the mounting plate  94  by any form of weld or other attachment process. 
     The housing  98  defines a stepped opening  96  that receives an adjustment nut  99 . The stepped opening  96  includes three portions of different diameters. The stepped opening  96  includes a portion having a diameter  108 , a portion having a diameter  112 , and portion a having diameter  110  therebetween that is smaller than the diameters  108  and  112  and defined by a flange  106  formed by the housing  98 . The adjustment nut  99  includes a body  114 , a large flange  104  having a diameter, and a small flange  102  including a diameter smaller than the diameter of the large flange  104 , and the small flange  102  is located between the body  114  and the large flange  104  (which both have larger diameters) to define a groove  116  therebetween. The large flange  104  is received within the portion of the stepped opening  96  having the diameter  108 , the small flange  102  is received within the portion of the stepped opening  96  having the smaller diameter  110 , and the body  114  is received in the portion of the stepped opening  96  having the diameter  112 . 
     The large flange  104  of the adjustment nut  99  is retained between the flange  106  of the housing  98  and the mounting plate  94 , retaining the adjustment nut  99  to the mounting plate  94 . Accordingly, rotation of the adjustment nut  99  moves the J-member  20  horizontally to adjust the distance  25  without moving the adjustment nut  99  horizontally. Moreover, the flange  106  is received within the groove  116  such that the mounting plate  94  can be mounted flat against the fixed post  15  and to prevent further horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  99  relative to the mounting plate  94 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , another example mounting hinge  118  includes a mounting plate  120  including openings  122  through which fasteners (not shown) extend for mounting the mounting hinge  118  to one of the fixed posts  15 . The mounting plate  120  can be stamped or machined. A fixed housing  122  is attached to the mounting plate  120 . The example fixed housing  122  is attached to the mounting plate  120  by a continuous weld  124 . It should be understood that it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to attach the housing  122  to the mounting plate  120  by any form of weld or other attachment process. 
     The housing  98  defines a stepped opening  128  that receives an adjustment nut  126 . The stepped opening  128  has a portion with a large diameter  130  proximate to the fixed post  15  and a portion with a small diameter  132  distal to the fixed post  15  and defined by a flange  134  of the housing  122 . The adjustment nut  126  includes a body  136  and a flange  138  that has a larger diameter than the body  136 . The flange  138  is received within the portion of the opening  128  having the large diameter  130  that defines a groove  140 , and the body  136  is received in portion of the stepped opening  128  having a diameter  142 . The flange  138  of the adjustment nut  126  is retained between the flange  134  of the housing  122  and the mounting plate  120 , retaining the adjustment nut  126  to the mounting plate  120 . 
     Accordingly, rotation of the adjustment nut  126  moves the J-member  20  horizontally to adjust the distance  25  without moving the adjustment nut  126  horizontally. Moreover, the flange  138  is received within the groove  140  such that the mounting plate  120  can be mounted flat against the fixed post  15  and to prevent further horizontal movement of the adjustment nut  126  relative to the mounting plate  94 . 
       FIGS. 16 to 18  show an example clamp  144  that receives the vertical portion  22  and is attached to the post  11  of the gate  12 . In the example shown and described, the clamp  144  is used with the mounting hinge  56 . However, the clamp  144  can be employed with any of the above-described and illustrated mounting hinges. 
     The clamp  144  includes a hollow cylindrical body  146  and a clamp  148  including a first clamp portion  150  attached to the hollow cylindrical body  146  and a detached second clamp portion  152 , each including an aperture  154  and  156 , respectively, that together define an opening  158 . A fastener (not shown) is received in the aperture  154  and  156  to secure the clamp portions  150  and  152  together. The post  11  of the gate  12  is received in the opening  158 . A cover  160  is located on an upper portion of the hollow cylindrical body  146  and is secured to the vertical portion  22  by a fastener  162 . The hollow cylindrical body  146  is rotatable relative to the cover  160 . The cover  160  includes a circumferential bushing  164  that receives an upper portion of the vertical portion  22  to provide alignment. 
     The clamp  144  includes a bushing  166  located between the vertical portion  22  and a rotatable mandrel  168  attached to the hollow cylindrical body  146 . A vertical member  170  is attached to the rotatable mandrel  168 , and an adjacent vertical member  172  is attached to the cover  160 . In one example, the vertical members  170  and  172  are pins. A resilient member  174 , such as a spring, is located between the vertical member  170  and the rotatable mandrel  168 . The resilient member  174  is pre-loaded and includes a first arm  176  and a second arm  178 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the first arm  176  is located on a first side of the vertical members  170  and  172 , and the second arm  178  (shown in dashed lines) is located on an opposing second side of the vertical members  170  and  172 . That is, the first arm  176  and the second arm  178  are separated by the vertical members  170  and  172 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 18 , the gate  12  can rotate 90° into the page and 90° out of the page. When the hollow cylindrical body  146  rotates in either direction upon movement of the gate  12 , the vertical member  170  rotates therewith and away from the vertical member  172 , moving the arms  176  and  178  apart. As the resilient member  174  is pre-loaded, the resilient member  174  returns the gate  12  to the position shown in  FIG. 18  upon release of the gate  12 . 
     Accordingly, the disclosed example mounting hinges facilitate gate adjustment with the gate in an assembled condition. Moreover, the example mounting hinges provide a continuous infinite amount of adjusting positions as the J-member itself need not be rotated to perform any adjustment. 
     Although an example of the mounting hinge has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 
     The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than using the example embodiments which have been specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.