Patent Description:
This invention also relates to an actuation system for moving sliding gates and to a gate assembly.

In particular, in motorized sliding gates, a rack is fixed to the base of the gate. The rack has a toothing which engages a pinion rotated by a driving apparatus in order to open and close the gate.

A variety of racks for sliding gates are known from the prior art.

Racks are known that are made of steel, which is a material that ensures the sturdiness and straightness of the rack. However, the steel product has a number of disadvantages, including the lack of electrical insulation, the need for lubrication, oxidation, and noise.

Racks are also known that are made of polymer material, for example nylon, which racks are molded onto a metal core, for example a steel bar. The use of the metal core is justified by the fact that it preserves the linearity of the molded product, especially when the rack is a certain length, for example greater than <NUM>. <CIT> discloses an example of a rack.

The object of this invention is to obtain a rack which is able to overcome the disadvantages of the racks of the prior art.

In particular, the object of this invention is to provide a rack which is made exclusively of polymer material but which does not comprise a metal core.

These objects are achieved by means of a rack according to claim <NUM>, an actuation system according to claim <NUM>, and a gate assembly according to claim <NUM>. The claims dependent thereon describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The features and advantages of the subject matter of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

In accordance with the accompanying figures, the reference sign <NUM> is used to indicate, as a whole, a rack according to the invention. The rack <NUM> is suitable to be used in an actuation system <NUM> for a gate <NUM>.

This actuation system <NUM>, comprising the rack <NUM>, is also part of the subject matter of this invention.

In particular, the rack <NUM> is suitable to be fixed to the base of a gate <NUM> in order to allow the gate to automatically slide open and closed. The actuation system <NUM> and the gate <NUM> form a gate assembly <NUM>.

This gate assembly <NUM>, comprising the actuation system <NUM>, is also part of the subject matter of this invention.

According to this invention, the rack <NUM> comprises a rack body <NUM> which mainly extends in a longitudinal direction along a rack axis X-X. This rack body <NUM> is made in one piece.

According to the invention, the rack body <NUM> is made of polymer material only.

For example, the rack body <NUM> is made of polyamide PA6 (commonly known as "nylon"). For example, this polyamide PA6 is reinforced with glass fiber. For example, this polyamide PA6 is reinforced with <NUM>% glass fiber.

For example, the rack body <NUM> has a length of approximately <NUM> meter, for example <NUM> millimeters.

In the following description, the terms "lower", "upper", "front" and "rear" and terms equivalent thereto refer to the rack in a configuration in which it is fixed to the base of the gate <NUM>, i.e. oriented horizontally and with its rear side facing the gate <NUM>.

According to the invention, an upper toothing <NUM> and a lower toothing <NUM> are formed in the rack body <NUM>, which toothings are suitable to engage a pinion <NUM> of a driving member <NUM> for moving the gate <NUM>.

According to the invention, the upper toothing <NUM> and the lower toothing <NUM> are mutually equal and are symmetrical with respect to the rack axis X-X.

According to the invention, the rack body <NUM> forms a vertical wall <NUM>.

This vertical wall <NUM> divides the rack body <NUM> into a front portion and a rear portion. In other words, each toothing <NUM>, <NUM> extends, in the dimension thereof which is perpendicular to the rack axis X-X, i.e. in the direction of the breadth or width thereof, so as to straddle the vertical wall <NUM>. In other words, the vertical wall <NUM> divides the rack body <NUM> into the front portion and the rear portion in the direction of the breadth or width of the rack.

In one embodiment, the rack body <NUM> is divided substantially symmetrically by this vertical wall <NUM>. In other words, this vertical wall <NUM> divides the rack body <NUM> into a front portion and into a rear portion that are substantially mutually equal.

According to the invention, the rack body <NUM> is substantially hollow. Said front portion and said rear portion are therefore a front longitudinal cavity and a rear longitudinal cavity, respectively, which extend along the rack axis X-X.

According to one embodiment, each toothing <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a plurality of teeth <NUM> separated by a plurality of depressions <NUM>.

For example, the upper toothing <NUM> and the lower toothing <NUM> each have a number of teeth <NUM> equal to <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the distance transverse to the rack axis X-X between two teeth <NUM> is equal to <NUM> millimeters.

According to the invention, embodiment, the rack body <NUM> forms reinforcing ribs <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, each depression <NUM> of at least one set of depressions <NUM> of a toothing <NUM>, <NUM> is connected to two respective depressions <NUM> of at least one set of depressions <NUM> of the other toothing by means of these reinforcing ribs <NUM>. For example, a set of depressions comprises alternating depressions of a toothing, i.e. one depression every two depressions of a toothing.

In other embodiments, a set of depressions comprises one depression every four depressions of a toothing.

In one embodiment, these two depressions <NUM> are axially offset with respect to the depression <NUM> of the facing toothing to which they are connected. In particular, with respect to the rack axis X-X, a depression <NUM> from which two reinforcing ribs <NUM> extend is positioned at an intermediate distance between the two depressions <NUM> of the opposite toothing to which it is connected by the reinforcing ribs.

In one embodiment shown in the figures, one depression 132A in every two depressions 132A, 132B of a first toothing is connected by means of two reinforcing ribs <NUM> to the two depressions 132C adjacent to the depression 132D of the second toothing facing the depression 132A of the first toothing from which the reinforcing ribs <NUM> extend.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing ribs <NUM> form a grating which passes through each of the two longitudinal cavities, i.e. the front and rear cavities. In this grating, the reinforcing ribs <NUM> are alternatively parallel to one another and are symmetrical with respect to the rack axis X-X.

According to the invention, each reinforcing rib <NUM> is connected to the vertical wall <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, a plurality of slotted fixing elements <NUM> interposed between the upper toothing <NUM> and the lower toothing <NUM> is formed in the rack body <NUM>.

For example, the number of slotted fixing elements <NUM> is equal to <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the distance along the rack axis X-X between two slotted fixing elements <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM> millimeters, for example equal to <NUM> millimeters.

In a preferred embodiment, the distance along the rack axis X-X between the end slotted element and the (closest) end of the rack is between <NUM> and <NUM> millimeters, for example equal to <NUM> millimeters.

According to one embodiment, a through slot <NUM> is formed in each of said slotted fixing elements <NUM>, for a screw to pass through for fixing the rack <NUM> to the base of the gate <NUM>. In other words, a fixing screw extends so as to engage a fixing slot <NUM>. This means that the rack <NUM> and the gate <NUM> mechanically engage one another.

According to one embodiment, this slot <NUM> has a vertical extension.

In other embodiments, the rack according to the invention can be fixed to the base of the gate by means of other fixing systems, for example can be glued to the gate by means of a specific adhesive.

According to a preferred embodiment, the upper toothing <NUM> and the lower toothing <NUM> comprise front faces <NUM> and rear faces <NUM>. In other words, each toothing <NUM>, <NUM> extends between the front face <NUM> and the rear face <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the distance between the front faces <NUM> and the rear faces <NUM> is equal to <NUM> millimeters.

According to one embodiment, the slotted fixing elements <NUM> protrude horizontally from a vertical rear plane defined by the rear faces <NUM> of the toothings <NUM>, <NUM>. This vertical rear plane is preferably parallel to the plane of extension of the gate <NUM> on which the rack <NUM> is to be mounted.

In a preferred embodiment, the slotted element comprises a front face slotted element <NUM> and a rear face slotted element <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the front face slotted element <NUM> lies on a plane defined by the front faces <NUM> of the toothings <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear face slotted element <NUM> positionable so as to tightly rest against the gate <NUM>. In other words, the rack <NUM> is fixed to the gate <NUM> such that the front face slotted element <NUM> is in contact with the gate <NUM>. In this way, the pinion <NUM> can engage the rack <NUM> while not entering into direct contact with the gate <NUM>, thus preventing vibration and wear phenomena both of the gate <NUM> and the pinion <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the distance between the plane defined by the rear faces <NUM> of the rack <NUM> and the plane defined by the rear face slotted element <NUM> is approximately equal to <NUM> millimeters.

For example, the rack <NUM> has a weight between <NUM> and <NUM> grams, for example equal to <NUM> grams.

As stated, the actuation system <NUM> for moving a gate <NUM> is also part of the subject matter of this invention. This actuation system <NUM> comprises a driving member <NUM>, a pinion <NUM> rotationally actuatable by the driving member <NUM>, and the rack <NUM> which engages the teeth of the pinion <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the rack <NUM> is configured to engage the pinion <NUM> with the upper toothing <NUM> thereof or with the lower toothing <NUM> thereof. In other words, the pinion <NUM> of the driving member <NUM> can engage the upper toothing <NUM> or the lower toothing <NUM> without distinction.

In a first embodiment, the rack <NUM> engages the teeth of the pinion <NUM> by means of the upper toothing <NUM>, i.e. such that the pinion <NUM> is positioned above the axis X-X.

In a second embodiment, the rack <NUM> engages the teeth of the pinion <NUM> by means of the lower toothing <NUM>, i.e. such that the pinion <NUM> is positioned below the axis X-X.

As stated, the gate assembly <NUM> is also part of the subject matter of this invention. This gate assembly comprises a gate <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM>, the rack <NUM> of which is fixed to the gate <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the gate <NUM> mainly extends in a longitudinal direction along a gate axis Y-Y.

In one embodiment, the rack <NUM> is fixed to the gate <NUM> such that the rack axis X-X is parallel to this gate axis Y-Y.

In one embodiment, the rack <NUM> is fixed to the gate <NUM> such that the rack axis X-X is parallel to the ground.

Innovatively, the rack for motorized gates that is the subject of this invention fully achieves the intended object. Similarly, the actuation system for a gate that is the subject of this invention, comprising said rack, also fully achieves the intended object. Moreover, the gate assembly that is the subject of this invention also fully achieves the intended object.

Advantageously, on account of the geometry of the rack, the lack of steel core does not compromise the straightness of the rack, despite the length thereof.

The rack according to this invention can advantageously indiscriminately engage the teeth of a pinion by means of the upper toothing or the lower toothing, i.e. can be used indiscriminately along one of the two longitudinal sides.

The rack of this invention is advantageously extremely light and makes storing, moving and fixing said rack to the base of the gate easier.

Claim 1:
A rack (<NUM>) for motorized gates, comprising a rack body (<NUM>) which mainly extends in a longitudinal direction along a rack axis (X-X), wherein an upper toothing (<NUM>) and a lower toothing (<NUM>) are obtained in the rack body (<NUM>), suitable to engage a pinion (<NUM>) of a driving member (<NUM>) for moving a gate (<NUM>), wherein the upper toothing (<NUM>) and the lower toothing (<NUM>) are mutually equal and are obtained symmetrically with respect to the rach axis (X-X); characterized in that the rack body (<NUM>) is made in one piece of polymer material only,
wherein the rack body (<NUM>) forms a vertical wall (<NUM>), wherein each toothing (<NUM>, <NUM>) extends, in the dimension thereof which is perpendicular to the rack axis (X-X), straddling the vertical wall (<NUM>) , wherein said vertical wall (<NUM>) divides the rack body (<NUM>) into a front portion and a rear portion,
wherein the rack body (<NUM>) is substantially hollow , wherein said front portion and said rear portion are therefore a front longitudinal cavity and a rear longitudinal cavity, respectively, which extend along the rack axis (X-X), wherein the rack body (<NUM>) forms reinforcing ribs (<NUM>),
wherein each reinforcing rib (<NUM>) is connected to the vertical wall (<NUM>).