Abstract:
A barrier assembly is disclosed having a middle door portion that pivots about a vertical axis on one side of the frame. A linear extending actuator provides widening ability to the barrier assembly, and allows a more secure grip on opposing walls.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/287,387, filed Apr. 8, 2016; the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety into this disclosure. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure relates generally to barrier assemblies. In particular, the subject disclosure relates to linear actuator extensions for barrier assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Falls are a leading cause of injuries to children and toddlers in the home. Safety gates can be used around the home to prevent children from entry into a staircase region or keep the children in a safe area in the home where they can be watched by a caregiver. Additionally, safety gates can be used to prevent movement of small household pets into unwanted spaces or rooms. Securing the safety gates poses many challenges, including ease of installation and connection strength. Accordingly, there is a need for the development of a safety gate that can easily be installed and removed and provides a secure installation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    The present subject disclosure provides a barrier gate that is easy to assemble and disassemble, has modular component parts, and may be tightened with ease. 
         [0005]    In one exemplary embodiment, the present subject matter is a barrier assembly. The barrier assembly includes a frame; a barrier door disposed within the frame; and at least one linear actuator extension disposed inside the frame at about at least one corner of the barrier door, wherein an inwardly force is applied toward the barrier door by the linear actuator extension. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary embodiment, the present subject matter is a barrier assembly. The barrier assembly includes a frame; a pivoting barrier door disposed within the frame; a lock assembly having a locking element that releases the frame from the pivoting door when the locking element is engaged; and at least one linear actuator extension disposed inside the frame at about at least one corner of the barrier door, wherein an inwardly force is applied toward the barrier door by the linear actuator extension. 
         [0007]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present subject matter is a barrier assembly. The barrier assembly includes a frame; a pivoting barrier door disposed within the frame; a lock assembly having a locking element that releases the frame from the pivoting door when the locking element is engaged; and at least one linear actuator extension disposed inside the frame at about at least one corner of the barrier door, wherein an inwardly force is applied toward the barrier door by the linear actuator extension; and wherein the linear actuator extension is adapted to separate the frame and the door when activated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a barrier assembly having a linear actuator extension attached therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a linear actuator extension in a retracted position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a linear actuator extension in a partial extended position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a linear actuator extension in an extended position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate an assembly procedure for a linear actuator extension, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0015]    Particular embodiments of the present subject disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a barrier gate assembly  100  having a modular and versatile component system. The left and right sides of the barrier gate have substantially the same or similar components, and so the number labels will be the same. To further differentiate between the left and right sides, “L” is used to designate the left side and “R” is used to designate the right side. In general, a combination of three vertical components  145 / 120 / 147  is stacked upon each other on both the left and right sides, as will be discussed in more detail below. Together they form the outer frame or the two “bookend” portions of the barrier gate. 
         [0017]    The  145 / 120 / 147  combination on each side of the barrier gate  100  is designed to abut against a wall or other flat or study surface and attach the barrier gate  100  thereto. The central portion of the barrier gate comprises a rotatable junction about the  145 R/ 120 R/ 147 R vertical axis which allows the central door portion  181 / 182 / 183  to pivot to open and close the door portion. Further, one or more clasps or other securing mechanisms  151 ,  152 ,  160  etc., may be used to lock the door portion to the left side of the barrier gate frame. 
         [0018]    In certain exemplary embodiments, the barrier assembly  100  includes a frame that is to be mounted against opposing walls. A pivoting barrier door is disposed within the frame. Various linear actuator extensions are provided in the frame at about the corners of the barrier door. Further, the present subject disclosure presents an adjustable extender portion  150  which acts to extend the width area of the barrier gate  100  by providing an extendable width gate auxiliary. The extender portion  150  may be adjusted to different widths which would accommodate different needs to extend the side frame to frame width of the barrier gate  100 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate the function of the width extender mechanism in the adjustable extender portion  150 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , a linear actuator extension may be positioned in various positions. In  FIG. 2A , the linear actuator extension is in a retracted position. That is, the linear actuator extension is secured to a first vertical frame member  140 . A male threaded element  155  of the linear actuator extension is adapted to be rotated via a worm gear mechanism causing a female receiving element  160  attached to an intermediate vertical member  140 L to retract and extend inward and outward respectively. A screwdriver actuator  156  may be used to drive the worm gear and extend or retract the male threaded element  155  with respect to the female receiving element  160 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the female receiving element  160  is attached to an intermediate vertical member in a retracted position with respect to the length of the male threaded element  155 . In  FIG. 2B , the female receiving element  160  is attached to the intermediate vertical member is in a partially extended position along the male threaded element  155  thereby exerting a pressure between the frame and the barrier door. 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 2C , the female receiving element  160  is attached to the intermediate vertical member is in a fully extended position along the male threaded element  155  thereby extending the position between the frame and the barrier door and exerting a sufficient pressure between the frame and the barrier door to secure the barrier assembly in position. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate a step by step instruction on how to assemble a barrier gate, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject disclosure. The reverse steps may be followed in order to disassemble the barrier gate assembly  100 . 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 3A , an upper vertical component  110  and a lower vertical component  115  are shown to vertically connect to a middle portion  120 . Each of the vertical components  110 ,  115 , has a slider  111 ,  116 , respectively, which is designed to slide into and secure within a crevice of the middle portion  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , once the two vertical components  110 / 115  are secured to middle portion  120 , a set of wall securing plates  130 ,  135  are mounted thereto by inserting a projection  131 / 136  within corresponding apertures  113 / 115  in the upper and lower vertical components  110 / 115 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , wall securing plates  130 / 135 , are mounted to a wall by screws  133 / 138 , which secure screw holes  132 ,  137  of the securing plate  130 ,  135  into opposing walls, respectively. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3D , once the opposing sides (or frames) of the barrier gate have been secured to opposing walls, a side frame  140  is mounted on each side. Side frame  140  includes a top portion  141 , a bottom portion  142 , and downward projections  144 ,  149 , which are adapted to fit within accommodating apertures  134 ,  139  of the wall securing plates  130 ,  135 , respectively. Next, as shown in  FIG. 3E , a set of clasps  145 ,  147  secure to the areas  146 ,  148  which serves to lock the side frame  140  into position and prevent its removal. 
         [0025]    Finally,  FIG. 3F  shows door portion  180  having upper horizontal bar  181  and lower horizontal bar  182  securing a plurality of vertical bars  183 . Also shown is extender  150  houses the linear actuator described in  FIG. 2  in its top portion, and which serves several functions. Once function is to extend the side to side width of the barrier gate assembly  100 . Another function is to firmly secure the door portion  180  to the side frames  140  so as to provide a firm, solid and unshakeable barrier. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3F  also shows a snap lock assembly  160  in various positions. There may be a plurality of snap lock assemblies  160  in the barrier assembly  100 . A first snap lock assembly may be located on an upper portion of the frame and a second lock assembly may be located on a lower portion of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 3F . It is to be understood that various types of locking mechanisms assemblies are possible in addition to a snap lock assembly. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the snap lock assembly  160  is in a closed position. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3E , a turnbuckle housing may cover a linear actuator extension located on the first vertical frame member. The turnbuckle housing is connected to an upper portion of a securing plate that is mounted to a wall or doorframe. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 3E , the snap lock assembly  160  is in an open position. The snap lock assembly  160  includes a receiving hole that mates with a snap lock button. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the receiving hole is located in the door portion  180 . The snap lock button is located on an extension attached to the vertical frame member. 
         [0029]    When the snap lock button is depressed, a depressible element attached to the snap lock button releases the extension from a telescoping slot attached to the intermediate vertical member. In the closed position, the extension slides inside the telescoping slot and is locked into position once the snap lock button is placed inside the receiving hole. 
         [0030]    The barrier door  180  detaches from the frame after the pivoting barrier door has swung open and the two snap lock assemblies have been configured to the open position as described above. 
         [0031]    The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the subject disclosure. It is understood therefore that the subject disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.