IMPROVEMENTS IN GATES AND IN THE POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR THE SAME.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augustus Lea Bricknell, of Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill,
in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GATES
AND IN THE POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR THE SAME.'
"
Sealed the 3rd June 1879, and dated the 17th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augustus Lea Bricknell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1878.
AUGUSTUS LEA BRICKNELL, of Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill, in the City of
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GATES AND IN THE POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR THE
SAME.
This Invention has for its object improvements in gates and in the posts or
supports for the same.
Great difficulty has hitherto been experienced in maintaining ordinary field or
farm gates in a condition of efficiency. The post on which a gate is hung, and
which is called the hanging post, is usually set perpendicularly in a hole in the earth
which is afterwards rammed around its base. The gate is then hung on one side of
the post, and its weight thus sustained naturally constantly tends to draw the post
out of the upright and in the direction of the weight, a tendency which the yielding
character of the earth unfits it to resist. Any declination of the hanging post
produces to a larger and proportionate extent a lowering or "dropping" of the head
of the gate. When this occurs, the latch is more or less removed from its best
relation to the catch. The head of the gate eventually drags upon the ground, and
from one or both of these causes its efficiency is impaired. Props or struts of wood,
iron, or stone are sometimes used underneath the gate and slanting upward against
the hanging post for the purpose of propping or "shoring" it up, but as these also
depend for their effective support upon the yielding earth, the original difficulty is
merely delayed.
My Invention, so far as regards the hanging post, consists in curving, inclining,
extending, projecting, or carrying forward its lower end under the gate, and in the

page_text: direction of the other or shutting post, to a point at or about the centre of gravity
of the combined weight of the gate and its hanging post, whereby a balancing of
the gate, or nearly so, is obtained.
It is obvious that if a gate rigidly constructed were hung upon a rigid post, the
lower extremity or "foot" of which reached in the manner described at least to the
centre of gravity of the combined weight of the two, they would, if merely placed
on a surface, be self sustaining and would continue their position unchanged. A
post so constructed I prefer to cast in iron and in one piece, though for convenience
in manufacture or transit it may be made in pieces and afterwards rigidly united.
That part of the hanging post which it is intended shall project beneath the surface
of the ground and toward the shutting post may be curved or straight, and may
proceed from the hanging post at a right or other angle as may be desirable for its
protection or otherwise. I prefer that its end. should project to a point at or about
the centre of gravity as described, but it may project to a somewhat less extent or
further so long as a balanced or nearly balanced gate is obtained. The gato according
to my Invention consists partly of wood and partly of iron. At the end at which
it is hung a frame, by preference of cast iron, is used, equal to the depth of the gate,
and of about half its length. The timber bars or rails are arranged on one or both
sides of this frame and secured to it by screws, or in any other efficient manner.
The frame may have upon it a ledge or ledges above and below, or above or
below each or either rail as a means of retaining the rail in its place, in addition to
the screws or bolts or other fastening. The frame may also be provided with a brace
or braces to increase its vertical rigidity, and with flanges to provide transverse
rigidity. The ends of the bars or rails which project beyond the frame are held
together at suitable distances by wooden or iron plates or bars screwed, bolted, or
otherwise fastened between the rails.
Except when it is desired to provide the gate with rails on one side of the frame
only, it is desirable to divide the rails so much of their length as will admit of the
convenient admission of the frame which can then be bolted between the separated
ends. These may be separated so far as to admit one or more of the vertical
wooden or iron plates or bars described, or single rails may be used on each side
from end to end and united as described. For the purpose of rendering the operation
of fixing or erecting this gate as simple as possible, and with a view of dispensing
with the necessity for skilled labour, I prefer to temporarily attach the "shutting
post to the previously erected gate, which thus forms a gauge to secure the proper
relative position of the "shutting" post and its catch or catches to the gate and its
latch or latches. Or the same result may be effected by a light strip or strips of wood
or iron arranged to connect the "shutting " post to a convenient part of the "hang-
ing" post until the former has been erected and rammed, when they are removed.
I also cast the hanging and shutting posts in chills, whereby the cost of production
is greatly reduced.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Augustus Lea Bricknell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th June 1879.
AUGUSTUS LEA BRICKNELL, of Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill, in the City of
London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN GATES AND IN THE POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR THE
SAME
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in gates, and in the posts or
supports for the same. Great difficulty has hitherto been experienced in maintaining
ordinary field or farm gates in a condition of efficiency. The post on which a gate
is hung, and which is called the "hanging post," is usually set perpendicularly in a
hole in the earth, which is afterwards rammed around its base. The gate is then
hung on one side of the post and its weight thus sustained naturally constantly
tends to draw the post out of the upright and in the direction of the weight, a
tendency which the yielding character of the earth unfits it to resist. Any
declination of the hanging post produces to a larger and proportionate extent a
lowering or "dropping" of the head of the gate. When this occurs the latch is
more or less removed from its best relation to the catch, the head of the gate
eventually drags upon the ground, and from one or both of these causes its efficiency
is impaired. Props or struts of wood, iron, or stone are sometimes used underneath
the gate and slanting upward against the hanging post for the purpose of propping
or "shoring" it up, but as these also depend for their effective support upon the
yielding earth the original difficulty is merely delayed.
My Invention, so far as regards the hanging post, consists in curving, inclining,
extending, projecting, or carrying forward its lower end under the gate and in the
direction of the other or shutting post to a point at or about the centre of gravity
of the combined weight of the gate and its hanging post, whereby a balancing of
the gate, or nearly so, is obtained.
It is obvious that if a gate rigidly constructed were hung upon a rigid post, the
lower extremity or "foot" of which reached in the manner described at least, to the
centre of gravity of the combined weight of the two, they would if merely placed
on a surface be self sustaining and would continue their position unchanged. A
post so constructed I prefer to cast in iron, and in one piece, though for convenience
in manufacture or transit it may be made in pieces and afterwards rigidly united.
That part of the hanging post which it is intended shall project beneath the surface
of the ground and toward the "shutting" post may be curved or straight, and may
proceed from the hanging post at a right or other angle as may be desirable for its
protection or otherwise. I prefer that its end should project to a point at or about
the centre of gravity as described, but it may project to a somewhat less extent or
further so long as a balanced or nearly balanced gate is obtained.
The gate, according to my Invention, consists partly of wood and partly of iron.
At the end at which it is hung a frame, by preference of cast iron, is used equal to
the depth of the gate, and of about half its length. The timber bars or rails of the
gate are arranged on one or both sides of this frame and secured to it by screws or
in any other efficient manner. The frame may have upon it a ledge or ledges above
and below, or above or below each or either rail, as a means of retaining the rail in
its place, in addition to the screws, or bolts, or other fastening.
The frame may
also be provided with a brace or braces to increase its vertical rigidity, and with
flanges to provide transverse rigidity. The ends of the bars or rails which project
beyond the frame are held together at suitable distances by wooden or iron plates or
bars screwed, bolted, or otherwise fastened upon or between the rails.
Except when it is desired to provide the gate with rails on one side of the frame
only it is desirable to divide the rails so much of their length as will admit of the
convenient admission of the frame, which can then be bolted between the separated
ends. These may be separated so far as to admit one or more of the vertical woodon

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure 2 is a plan of a gate and hanging and
shutting posts with my improvements applied thereto; Figure 3 is an edge view of
the "hanging post" separately; Figure 4 is a similiar view of the "shutting post;"
and Figure 5 is an end view of the gate separately.
a is the "hanging post" which according to my Invention is extended forward at
its lower end or foot a¹ under the gate in the direction of the other or "shutting
post" to a point at or about the centre of gravity of the combined weight of the
is obtained.
gate and its hanging post, whereby a balancing of the gate, or nearly so,
The toe or forward end of the foot a¹ is provided with an enlargement a² to afford
additional security against such part sinking into the ground, and the lower end or
heel of the post a is provided with a similar enlargement a³ to prevent the same
being lifted out of the ground by the leverage exerted by the gate.
I prefer to cast the "hanging post" a and foot a' in one piece, though for con-
venience of manufacture or transit it may be made in pieces and afterwards rigidily
united.
"
The foot a¹ may be curved or straight, and may proceed from the "hanging post'
at a right or other angle as may be desirable for its protection or otherwise, but the
form shown in the Drawing is that which I prefer.
bis the gate which according to my Invention consists partly of wood and
partly of iron. At the end at which it is hung a frame b', by preference of cast
iron, is used equal to the depth of the gate and of about half its length. The
timber bars or rails 62 of the gate are arranged on one or both sides of this frame
The frame b¹ is
and secured to it by screw bolts 63 or in other convenient manner.
provided preferably, as shown, with bosses or enlargements 64 around the holes
through which the screw bolts 63 are passed; these bosses or enlargements serve to
give additional strength to the frame b' at such parts, and to more widely separate
the two halves of the timber bars or rails 62 at such parts, whereby great lateral
strength is obtained, and in order to obtain greater strength the frame b' is provided
with projections 65 which penetrate the timber bars or rails 62 at such parts and
prevent such bars or rails slipping upon the frame b¹, and the latter may be provided
with a ledge or ledges above and below, or above or below each or either rail, as a
means of retaining the rail in its place in addition to the screws, or bolts, or other
fastenings. The frame b¹ is also preferably provided, as shown, with a brace or
braces 6 to increase its vertical rigidity, and it may also be provided with flanges
The ends of the bars or rails 62 which
(not shown) to provide transverse rigidity.
project beyond the frame b¹ are held together at suitable distances by wooden, or
preferably iron, plates or bars 67, as shewn, screwed, bolted, or otherwise fastened
upon, or preferably between the rails.
Except when it is desired to provide the gate with rails on one side of the frame
only, it is desirable, as shown, to divide the rails 6' so much of their length as will

page_text: admit of the convenient admission of the frame 6' which can then be bolted between
the separated ends as shown.
I prefer to provide the "hanging post" a with two lugs a on each side of its
central line in order to permit the gate to be hung so as to open on either side
thereof.
as
c is the "shutting post" which I provide with a catch c¹ on each side of its central
rib c to enable the gate to shut on either side thereof, and for the purpose of
rendering the operation of fixing or erecting this gate and the "shutting post
simple as possible, and with a view of dispensing with the necessity for skilled
labour I prefer to temporarily attach the "shutting post" to the previously erected
gate, which thus forms a gauge to secure the proper relative position of the "shutting
post" and its catch or catches to the gate and its latch or latches.
Or the same result may be effected by a light strip or strips of wood or iron
arranged to connect the "shutting post" to a convenient part of the "hanging
post" until the former has been erected and rammed, when such strip or strips are
removed.
I also cast the "hanging" and "shutting posts" in chills, whereby the cost of pro-
duction is greatly reduced.
I would here remark that if desired separate bars or rails 6x can be fixed on each
side of the frame b', or on only one side of such frame; in either case the splitting
of the rails as before described will be avoided, whilst in the latter case the bosses
or enlargements 6* may be dispensed with on either or both sides of the frame b'.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
First. Forming the "hanging post with its lower end extended or carried
forward in the direction of the "shutting post" in manner and for the purpose
substantially as herein shown and described.
"
Secondly. I claim forming gates with a frame b¹ fixed between separate bars or
rails, or between split rails, in manner and for the purpose substantially as herein
shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Augustus Lea Bricknell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.