Patent ID: 12221830

DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIG.1, the present gate apparatus is indicated by reference numeral10. Gate apparatus10includes an upper right connection12, an upper left connection14, a lower left connection16, and a lower right connection18. The gate apparatus10further includes an upper intermediate connection20and a lower intermediate connection22.

The gate apparatus10further includes a gate frame24. Gate frame24includes a first frame portion26and a second frame portion28. The frame portions26,28are identical to each other such that only the first frame portion26is described below.

First frame portion26includes an upper support member30extending horizontally and a lower support member32extending horizontally. Extending to and between the upper and lower support members30,32are a set of eight vertical or traversing support members34to tie the upper and lower support members30,32to each other. Each of the upper and lower support members or rails30,32extends transversely and is straight, tubular and rigid. Each of the vertical support members34is straight, tubular and rigid. First frame portion26is one-piece and integral. The vertical support members34are spaced apart from each other in an equidistant manner. As shown inFIG.3, an outer end vertical support member34is engaged to each of the upper and lower support members30,32at a position adjacent to the outer ends of the upper and lower support members30,32. As shown inFIG.3, an inner end vertical support member34is engaged to each of the upper and lower support members30,32at a position adjacent to inner ends of the upper and lower support members30,32. Upper and lower support members30,32are rectangular or square in section. Vertical support members34are cylindrical. Each of the outer ends of the upper and lower support members30,32includes a fixed nut36having a threaded opening. Each of the inner ends of the upper and lower support members30,32includes a triangular block insert38. The oblique face of the triangular block insert38provides an inclined transition from one support member to the other support member30or from one support member32to the other support member32when the first and second frame portions26,28are engaged to each other.

First and second frame portions26,28are engaged to each other by the upper and lower intermediate connections22. The intermediate connections20,22are identical to each other such that only the upper intermediate connection20is described. The lower intermediate connection22is turned upside down when on the gate apparatus10.

Intermediate connection20is shown inFIGS.1,2,3,13A,14A,14B,14C,15A,15B,15C,15D,15E,15F,16A,16B,16C,16D, and16E. Intermediate connection22is shown inFIGS.1,2,3, and13B.

Intermediate connection20has an outer portion40and an inner portion42. Outer portion40is generally U-shaped. Outer portion40is integral and one-piece. Outer portion40includes a ceiling44and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls46,48. Each of the sidewalls46,48has a through opening50formed therein. The opening50is adjacent to ceiling44and is located generally midway between the ends of the sidewall46,48in which the opening50is formed. Opening50is generally an oblong shape and is elongated along an axis parallel to the ceiling44. Ceiling44is solid and has no openings. Each of the sidewalls46,48is stepped. Opening50is formed in an outermost step52of each of the sidewalls46,48. Each of the sidewalls46,48includes a pair of inner steps54, with the inner steps54disposed on each of the sides of the outermost step52. Each of the ends of each of the sidewalls46,48includes a turned in retainer56. The retainer56travels the height of the sidewall and retains the inner portion42against longitudinal movement relative to the outer portion40. There are four retainers56, one on the end of each of the sidewalls46,48, and the retainers56abut up against ends of the inner portion42when the inner portion42is engaged to the outer portion40. The ceiling44includes a flat and smooth outer surface and a flat and smooth inner surface. Ceiling44is a plate portion and sidewalls46,48are stepped. The ends of the ceiling44are rounded or curved and the opposing side edges of the ceiling44are stepped to track the stepped shaped of the sidewalls46,48.

The inner portion42of the intermediate connection20is integral and one piece and includes three U-shaped portions, namely, an intermediate U-shaped portion58and two end U-shaped portions60. U-shaped portions58,60are integral and one-piece with each other through a floor62, which makes up a part of each of the U-shaped portions58,60. Each of the end U-shaped portions60has a pair of opposing upright end sidewalls64. Intermediate U-shaped portion58includes a pair of opposing upright intermediate sidewalls66. Sidewalls64,66are stepped such that intermediate sidewalls66are spaced apart a greater distance from each other than are each of the pairs of end sidewalls64. Such spacing apart of the intermediate sidewalls66spaces the inner surfaces of the intermediate sidewalls66from the side faces of the upper and lower rails30,32such that the intermediate sidewalls66have room or space to be pinched inwardly by tabs68. Each of the intermediate sidewalls66includes this tab68that engages one of the openings50of the outer portion40. Each of the tabs68includes an outer surface that is oblique or inclined. The oblique outer surface tapers inwardly and upwardly such that, when the outer and inner portions40,42are brought together, the bottom edges of sidewalls52of outer portion40slide downwardly upon the oblique outer surfaces of the tabs68to draw in the sidewalls52until the tabs68pop into the openings50. The tab68includes a protruding undersurface or retaining surface or retainer70that engages a lower edge forming opening50such that, to disengage outer portion40from inner portion42, the tabs68are squeezed together until the undersurface70is free of the lower edge that forms a portion of opening50, whereupon the outer portion40and inner portion42can be drawn apart. Each of the end edges of floor62includes a set of two notches or receptors72formed therein for receiving a cylindrical upright support member34from the first frame portion26and a cylindrical upright support member34from the second frame portion28. The notches72of each pair are separated from each other by an extension74. The extension74terminates short of a straight line extending from outermost end portions of the floor62. The notches72of each pair form the shape of a W in its respective end edge of the floor62. The intermediate sidewall66of the inner portion42engages complementary stepped inner face of the intermediate sidewall52of the outer portion40to aid in minimizing longitudinal movement of the inner portion42relative to the outer portion40. The outer edges of the end sidewalls64of the inner portion42engage the retainers56of the outer portion40to also aid in minimizing longitudinal movement of the inner portion42relative to the outer portion40. The floor62of the inner portion42includes a web or lattice or network76of raised plastic portions or strips that are integral with the inner portion42. The network76of raised strips provides support among the U-shaped portions58,60. The network76is includes a pair of lateral straight sections engaging opposing end walls64and floor62, which lateral straight portions of the network76are engaged to each other by longitudinal straight sections, which longitudinal straight sections traverse and engage the floor section between sidewalls66to engage longitudinal straight sections arriving from the other pair of opposing end walls64. Network76provides lateral rigidity to opposing end walls64and floor62, longitudinal rigidity to floor62between longitudinally opposing notches72, and bypasses intermediate opposing sidewalls66to permit flexibility or resiliency to intermediate opposing sidewalls66. Network76further spaces the floor62from imperfections such as weld portions that may be present on the gate frame24.

When engaged to each other, the outer and inner portions40,42make up the intermediate connection20or the intermediate connection22. The intermediate connection20provides a longitudinal through opening78for adjacent upper rails30, where one upper rail30is provided by the first frame portion26and where the other upper rail30is provided by the second frame portion28. The intermediate connection22provides a longitudinal through opening78for adjacent lower rails32, where one lower rail32is provided by the first frame portion26and where the other lower rail32is provided by the second frame portion28.

The first and second frame portions26,28may be aligned such that two adjacent upright support members34of first frame portion26are disposed directly lateral of two adjacent upright support members34of second frame portion28to form a set of four upright support members34. Then, to form upper intermediate connection20, the inner portion42is first inserted longitudinally between 1) one set of two upright support members34disposed directly laterally of each other and 2) the other set of two upright support members34disposed directly laterally of each other. Then the inner portion42is slid upwardly and over the side faces of the upper rails30such that the side faces of the upper rails30confront the inner faces of the end sidewalls64and such that the inner faces of the intermediate sidewalls66are spaced from the side faces of the upper rails30such that the intermediate sidewalls66can be squeezed together by the tabs66. Here the notches72receive the upright support members34. Then the outer portion40is snapped onto the lower portion42such that the tabs68snap into or lock into the openings50of the intermediate sidewall portions52. In a similar manner, the lower intermediate connection22can be formed. The inner portion42is inserted between the upright support members34directly vertically underneath the upper intermediate connection20and then slid downwardly to capture the lower rails32. Then the outer portion40is snapped upwardly and onto the lower portion42to form the lower intermediate connection22.

Once the upper and lower intermediate connections20,22are locked in place the first and second frame portions26,28are engaged in a rigid manner relative to each other. In other words, the first and second frame portions26,28are not slideable longitudinally relative to each other. Nor are the first and second frame portions26,28slideable height-wise or vertically relative to each other. The first and second frame portions26,28are fixed in adjacent parallel planes relative to each other by the upper and lower intermediate connections20,22. The first and second frame portions26,28when fixed to each other by the upper and lower intermediate connections20,22are structurally one gate or one piece that can swing open and closed.

The upper right connection12is shown inFIGS.9,10B,10C,10D,11A,11B,11C,11D,12A,12B and12C. The upper right connection12includes a pin78, a pivot hook80, and a base82.

Pin78includes a threaded shaft or stem84, a head86, and a nut88. Nut88may be turned from the distal end of the shaft84to just short of the proximal end of the shaft84where the head86is located. Nut88may be turned off of shaft84. Shaft84is threaded from the proximal end to just short of the distal end. Head86is shaped in the form of a disk and includes an annular perimeter. Shaft84is threadingly engaged to nut36such that the head86can be positioned at incremental distances from nut36that is located at the outer end of the upper support member30of first frame portion26. Head86is disposed at a right angle to shaft84. Pin78includes an unthreaded smooth portion87immediately adjacent to the head86.

Pivot hook80is one-piece and integral. Pivot hook80includes a main body portion90and a hook portion92protruding from the main body portion90. Main body portion90has an axis94. Pivot hook80includes an endless sidewall96running about the main body portion90and hook portion92. Pivot hook80includes a front wall98. Each of the main body portion90and hook portion92has the front wall98which extends uninterrupted from the main body portion90to the hook portion92. The sidewall96undulates about the main body portion90and hook portion92. Sidewall96includes a circular portion running from reference point100to reference point102and this circular portion is designated as segment104. Sidewall96includes a straight portion running from reference point102to reference point106and this straight portion is designated as segment108. Sidewall96includes a circular portion running from reference point106to reference point110and this circular portion is designated as segment112. Sidewall96includes a circular portion running from reference point110to reference point114and this circular portion is designated as segment116. Sidewall96includes a circular portion running from reference point114to reference point118and this circular portion is designated as segment120. Sidewall96includes a straight portion running from reference point118to reference point122and this straight portion is designated as segment124. Sidewall96includes a circular portion running from reference point122to reference point126and this circular portion is designated as segment128. Sidewall96includes a generally straight portion running from reference point126to reference point100and this generally straight portion is designated as segment130. Sidewall96includes segments104,108,112,116,120124,128, and130that form the endless sidewall96.

Hook portion92includes an oblique sidewall section132. This oblique sidewall section132runs from reference point134to reference point136inFIG.12A. When pin78hits this oblique sidewall section132such as when the gate frame24is being dropped into the upper right connection12, the pivot hook80swings out of the way. Part of oblique sidewall section132is found in segment112and part of oblique sidewall section132is found in segment116. Pivot hook80includes a vertical axis and reference point134is found on this vertical axis. This vertical axis defines front and rear sides of the pivot hook80. If the pin shaft84of the gate frame24hits the front side of the pivot hook80, the pivot hook80swings. If the pin shaft84of the gate frame24hits the back side of the pivot hook80, the pivot hook80cannot swing. Gate apparatus10is configured such that the pin shaft84of the gate frame24hits the front side, and not the back side, of the pivot hook80.

Pivot hook80includes a pin receiver138formed between the main body portion90and hook portion92. Pin receiver138is formed by a portion of segment116, all of segment120, all of segment124, all of segment128, all of segment130, and a portion of segment104. Circular segment120of the pin receiver138works as a retainer against a swinging of the pivot hook80. That is, if the pin shaft84of the gate frame24is lifted up, the pivot hook80is urged to pivot neither one way nor the other way by the circular segment120. When the pin shaft84is a rest, the pin shaft84rests adjacent to segments120,124, and128.

Pivot hook80includes a free end140. When the pivot hook80is swung to an out-of-the-way position, the free end140of the hook portion92is positioned to an out-of-the-way position such that the pin shaft84may be lifted up in a vertically straight fashion with no tangential portion of the pin shaft84hitting the free end of the hook portion92.

The pivot hook80is receptacle shaped. In other words, the combination of the endless sidewall96and the front wall98would hold water if the pivot hook80is held in a horizontal position. In still other words, this combination of the endless sidewall96and front wall98forms an inner chamber142. Extending inwardly at a right angle from the front wall98and disposed in this inner chamber142is a stem142, a boss confronting wall144, a spring end confronting wall146, a spring side confronting wall148, and a stop tab149. A center of stem142defines axis94. Boss confronting wall144confronts boss190found on base82. Spring end confronting wall146abuts one end of coil spring150. Spring side confronting wall148confronts a side of coil spring150. Stop tab149swings between stop position189where the pivot hook80is closed and stop position187where the pivot hook80is open and permits pin78to be lifted vertically and out of socket168. Stem142engages pin152, which also engages base82.

Base82includes a foundation154that is oblong in shape. The foundation154includes an upper portion156having a pin hole158for receiving a pin that is engaged to a structure such as a wall or door jamb in a house. The foundation154includes a lower portion160. Upper and lower portions156,160have respective front walls164,166. Front wall164of upper portion156terminates at a lower straight edge165. Front wall166of lower portion160terminates at an upper circular edge167. Extending rearwardly from front wall164is a boss169for pin hole158. Extending rearwardly from front wall166is a boss171for pin hole162.

Base82includes a socket168formed immediately below the front wall164of the upper portion156. Socket168is formed or defined by a first sidewall170, a second sidewall172, a front wall174, and the lower straight edge165of front wall164of upper portion156that form in part a socket housing176. Socket housing176is further formed by a circular lower wall180that joins the first and second sidewalls170,172. The upper edge of front wall174of socket housing176includes a semi-circular cutout178that is a receiver for the smooth unthreaded pin shaft portion87of pin shaft84. Socket168is a receiver for the pin head86. The depth of the cutout178is about one-half of the diameter of the pin shaft84. The depth of the socket168is greater than one-half the diameter of the pin head86. As shown inFIG.10C, the cutout178and segments128,124, and120of the sidewall96capture the pin shaft84. Segment128and one-half of segment124are disposed adjacent to a portion of cutout178in the depth direction.

Socket housing176is a mount for a pivot hub182. Pivot hub182is integral and one-piece with the socket housing176and foundation154. Pivot hub182includes a circular wall184that extends from the three o'clock position to a position between ten o'clock and eleven o'clock and includes the four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine o'clock positions. Pivot hub182includes a front wall186. Front wall186extends from the three o'clock position187to a position189between ten o'clock and eleven o'clock and includes the four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine o'clock positions, except that front wall186includes a cutout188, for inserting the coil spring150during assembly, running from about the four o'clock position to the six o'clock position and includes the five o'clock position. Extending rearwardly from the front wall186is a boss190for receiving the stem142of the pivot hook80and for further receiving washer192and pin152. Washer192abuts a rear portion of the boss190.

Pivot hub182includes an opening194between the terminal ends of circular wall184. This opening194is formed circumferentially between 1) stop position189between ten o'clock and eleven o'clock and 2) the three o'clock stop position187and includes the twelve o'clock and one o'clock positions. The opening194extends radially from boss190. This opening194receives portions of the pivot hook80, including the rearwardly extending boss confronting wall144, the spring end confronting wall146, the spring side confronting wall148, and stop tab149.

Viewed from the rear of the pivot hub182, it can be seen that the pivot hub182includes a pair of coil spring retaining tabs196,198. Tab196extends inwardly radially from the circular wall184between the four o'clock and six o'clock positions, including the five o'clock position (relative to the front of the base82). Tab196extends inwardly radially from the circular wall184at about the three o'clock position (relative to the front of the base82).

Pivot hub182further includes a boss support200extending radially from circular wall184to boss190. Boss support200is a spring end confronting wall such that coil spring150is compressed between spring end confronting wall or boss support200of the base82and spring end confronting wall146of the pivot hook80.

Front wall174of the socket housing176includes an upper edge having cutout178and a lower U-shaped edge202. Pivot hub182is mounted on the socket housing176within the lower U-shaped edge202such that a circular portion204of the front wall174serves as a mount for the inner edge of a portion of the sidewall96, which portion includes a part of segment100and all of segment104.

A portion of the endless inner face of endless sidewall96confronts circular wall184of pivot hub182. A portion of front wall98confronts front wall186. A portion of the endless inner edge of the endless sidewall96confronts front wall174.

The width of the main body portion90is about equal to the width of the base82. When pivot hook80is in the closed position, the pivot hook80is contained within or disposed at the edges of the base82. Pivot hook80has a height less than the height of the base82.

Coil spring150is contained in a channel or tube formed by a combination of the pivot hook80and the pivot hub182. The channel is closed at both ends defined by the spring end confronting wall146of the pivot hook80and the spring end confronting wall200of the pivot hub182. Sides of the channel include the spring side confronting wall148of the pivot hook80and the front wall98of the pivot hook80. Sides of the channel further include the inner faces of the spring retaining tabs196and198. Another side of the channel further includes the inner face of circular wall184of pivot hub182. Another side of the channel includes the outer circular face of boss190of pivot hub182.

Coil spring150continually biases the pivot hook80to the closed position shown inFIG.12C. The pivot hook may pivot clockwise, as viewed from the front, as shown inFIG.12A, until stop tab149makes contact with the portion of the front wall186designated as stop position187where the coil spring150is compressed. After finger or hand pressure is released upon the pivot hook80, the pivot hook80returns automatically under the expansion of the coil spring150to a generally upright position, where stop tab149makes contact with closed stop position189, which is a radially extending edge of the front wall186. the portion of front wall186, and where at substantially the same time, the pin shaft84of pin78is fully received in pin receiver138. When the expansion is complete, the pivot hook80is at the position shown inFIGS.10C and12C.

The upper left connection14is shown inFIGS.1,2,3,4,5A,5B,6A,6B, and6C. Upper left connection14includes a base206, a U-shaped limiter208, and a pin210.

The base206includes a foundation212having an upper portion214and a lower portion216. Upper portion214includes a pin hole218. Lower portion216includes a pin hole220. The rear side of the foundation212abuts a vertical surface such as a wall or door jamb of a house and screws or other pin connectors engage pin holes218,220to fasten the base206to such a wall or door jamb or other vertical structure.

The base206further includes integral side extensions222extending laterally from the foundation212and in the same plane as the oblong shaped foundation212. There are two side extensions222, a first extension222extending from a left side of the foundation212and a second extension222extending from the right side of the foundation212. Each of the side extensions222forms a channel224with a block226.

Block226includes a vertical oriented pin receptor or socket228for a vertically oriented shaft portion230of pin210. Block226includes a semi-circular or half-cylindrical portion232extending from a front of the block226. Vertical oriented pin receptor228is formed by this half-cylindrical portion232, with the opening of the vertically oriented pin receptor228being formed at the top of the half-cylindrical portion232.

The channel224formed in block226, and formed partially by side extensions222, is a stepped or T-shaped channel224. That is, stepped channel224includes a pair of relatively shallow grooves234separated by a relatively deep middle groove236. Grooves234,236run vertically. Stepped channel224includes an open top and an open bottom. Stepped channel224includes an upper barb receptor238and a lower barb receptor240. Each of the upper and lower barb receptors238,240is formed by a triangular cutout in each of the shallow grooves234, with the depth of the cutout being greater than the innermost surface of the deep middle groove236such that the depth of the cutout is greater than the depth of the deep middle groove236. Each of the triangular cutouts or barb receptors238,240is defined by a horizontal edge or face239and an oblique edge or face240. Each of the barb receptors238,240is paired with another respective barb receptor238,240adjacent to it, formed in the other shallow groove234, and across from it, separated by the respective middle groove236. Each of the barb receptors238,240is paired with still another respective barb receptor238,240on the other side of the block226and in the other channel224. The upper barb receptors238are employed for a storage, nonoperating position of the limiter208. The lower barb receptors240are utilized for an operating position for the limiter208.

Block226includes side extensions242that extend outwardly from the half-cylinder projection232. Side extensions242are disposed opposite of side extensions222. Side extensions222,242form channels224.

A vertical axis of pin receptor228and half-cylinder232is disposed forwardly of the pair of channels224such that when limiter208is engaged by the base206the pin210and the gate frame24can swing at least ninety degrees to either side, depending upon how the gate apparatus10is set up. For such swinging, block226includes an upper face244that is flat and smooth when a proximal shaft end or horizontal unthreaded smooth shaft portion246rides on the upper face244.

Pin210includes the vertical shaft portion230that is received in pin receptor228, the proximal end or horizontal unthreaded smooth shaft portion246, and a horizontal threaded shaft portion248. Horizontal threaded shaft portion248engages a threaded nut36engaged to the outer end of horizontal support member30of second frame portion28. Horizontal shaft portions246,248are set at a right angle to vertical shaft portion230such that the shaft portions246,248are set transversely relative to vertical shaft portion230.

The U-shaped limiter208includes a ceiling or vertical limiter250, a pair of legs or swinging limiters252, and a stop wall254. Each of the legs252includes opposing stepped inner faces256and a pair of opposing barbs258.

Each of the stepped or T-shaped inner faces256includes a pair of relatively short straight spaced apart ridges260spaced apart by a relatively long middle straight ridge262. Each of the ridges260,262run vertically or parallel to the legs252. Each of the barbs258extends further inwardly than does the long middle straight ridge262that extends further inwardly than does the short straight spaced apart ridges260. Ridges260,262run between the barbs258and a lower stop edge264of stop wall254. The stepped or T-shaped inner faces256of the legs252provide rigidity to the legs252and minimize a snapping or breaking of the legs252.

Each of the barbs258is triangular in section and include an upper horizontal face266and an oblique face268. Each of the barbs258extend inwardly. Each of the oblique faces268extends upwardly and inwardly. The faces266,268form a knife like edge as a junction.

The stop wall254and ceiling portion250form a mount or support or base for the legs252. Stop wall254extends between the legs252. Ceiling portion250extends between the legs252. Stop wall254extends from the ceiling portion250to the lower edge264. Stop wall254is shaped in the form of a plate. Ceiling portion250extends forwardly of the stop wall254and further extends forwardly of the axis of pin receptor228such that when an attempt is made to remove pin210from pin receptor228the ceiling portion250frustrates such an effort when a pin shaft junction270or when proximal pin end246hits the front underside of the ceiling portion250. This is how the ceiling portion250works as a vertical limiter for the pin210. This limiting action occurs when barbs258are engaged in the operating lower position defined by barb receptors240. This limiting action does not occur when barbs258are engaged in the storage upper position defined by barb receptors238.

When the barbs258are in the upper barb receptors238, the limiter208is in a storage position. Limiter208is less likely to be lost by the end user. In this storage position the lower edge264of stop wall is spaced from the upper face244of block226. In this storage position, short and long ridges260,262are engaged respectively by shallow and deep grooves234and236. When limiter208is in this storage position, pin210can be freely inserted into and removed from pin receptor228. When limiter208is in this storage position, the stop wall254is sufficiently low so as to act as a guide or stop for vertical shaft portion230as an end user attempts to insert the vertical shaft portion in the pin receptor228.

When the barbs258are in the lower barb receptors240, the limiter208is in an operating position. That is, pin210cannot be freely removed from the base206and the gate frame24cannot be freely removed from the left connections14,16. In this operating position, pin210and gate frame24can be raised such that head86of pin78of the upper right connection12can be removed from socket168such that upper right connection12can be opened or disengaged and such that lower right connection18can be opened or disengaged. In this operating position, pin210can swing freely to one side or to the other side for ninety degrees depending upon how gate apparatus10has been set up. In this operating position, the lower edge254abuts the upper face244of block226.

On its rear side, limiter208includes a pair of vertical edges272that are coplanar with a rear face of foundation212of base206. On its rear side, limiter208further includes a pair of horizontal edges273that are coplanar with lower edge264of stop wall254. These horizontal edges273abut upper ends of side extensions222when the limiter208is in the operating position where the barbs258are engaged by the lower barb receptors240. Horizontal edges273and stop edge264abut their respective portions of base206when barbs258are engaged by the lower barb receptors240and further prevent a further downward movement by legs252and limiter208as a whole.

Legs252are resiliently expandable outwardly away from each other. Limiter208is integral and one-piece. Base206is integral and one-piece.

Legs252include distal end portions274disposed distally of barbs259. These distal end portions274extend beyond the lower barb receptors240and further extend beyond a lower horizontal face276of block226when barbs258are engaged in the lower barb receptors240so as to provide an end user with free distal ends274that the end user may resiliently draw apart to disengage the barbs from the lower barb receptors240and so as to slide the legs252upwardly relative to the base206to the upper barb receptors238. It is then problematic to slide the legs252further upwardly out of the upper barb receptors238because the width of the each of the legs252is equal to or about equal to the depth of each of the channels224. That is, side extensions222and242have end faces that are coplanar with each other and that are further coplanar with the outside faces of legs252when barbs258are in either of the upper or lower barb receptors238,240.

Distal end portions274of legs252are accessible when barbs258are in the lower barb receptors240. Distal end portions274are accessible when the limiter208is being raised from the lower bar receptors240to the upper barb receptors238since the barbs258are riding on the shallow grooves234. Distal end portions274suddenly become relatively inaccessible when the barbs258pop or snap into the upper barb receptors238so as to maximize the chance that the limiter208will stay on the base206and so as to maximize the chance that the limiter208will not be lost by the end user.

Limiter208can be slid easily from the upper barb receptor position to the lower barb receptor position because of the orientation of the respective oblique faces241,268of the upper barb receptors238and barbs258that automatically force an outward resilient expansion on the part of the legs252. Limiter298can be slid easily from the lower barb receptor position to the upper bar receptor position because of distal end portions274of the legs252are readily available to the end user to grasp and pull apart until the respective horizontal faces239,266of the lower barb receptor240and barbs258are disengaged laterally of each other.

Ceiling portion150forms an arch between legs252. Ceiling portion150includes a front edge that extends forwardly and undulates from one side or one leg252to the other side or the other leg252to generally follow the shape of the front side of block226that includes the half-cylinder projection232.

Lower left connection16includes a base278and a pin280. Base278includes an oblong shaped foundation282having an upper portion284and a lower portion286. Upper portion284includes a pin receiver288and lower portion286includes a pin receiver290. The rear side of the foundation282abuts a vertical surface such as a wall or door jamb of a house and screws or other pin connectors engage pin receivers288,290to fasten the base278to such a wall or door jamb or other vertical structure. Base278includes a block292extending forwardly from the foundation282. Block292and foundation282are integral and one-piece. Block292and foundation282of lower left connection16are shaped similarly to block226and foundation212of upper left connection14, except that block292does not have channels224and side extensions222and242. Block292includes a forwardly projecting vertically oriented half cylinder294that forms a socket or vertically oriented pin receptor296for reception of a vertically oriented pin shaft portion298. Block292includes an upper flat and smooth surface300that permits the pin280to pivot horizontally ninety degrees in either direction depending upon how the gate apparatus10is set up, i.e., depending upon which way the gate frame24is permitted to swing. The distance from the rear side of foundation282to the axis of pin receptor296in base278is identical to the distance from the rear side of foundation212of base206to the axis of pin receptor228of base206such that the vertical pin shaft portions298,230of respective pins280,210are coaxial when secured to the same vertical surface and a vertically aligned with each other. Pin shaft portion298swings freely with minimal wobble in pin receptor296, just like pin shaft portion230of pin210swings freely with minimal wobble in pin receptor228of base206, such that gate frame24swings freely with minimal wobble when disengaged from upper right connection12and lower right connection18. The length of vertical pin shaft portion298is the same length as vertical pin shaft portion230of pin210such that pin shaft portion298remains in pin receptor296when pin210hits the limiting ceiling portion250of limiter208when limiter208is in the lower barb position and such that pin shaft portion298is removable from pin receptor296when limiter208is in the upper barb position whereby gate frame24can be removable from the upper and lower left side connections14,16. Along with vertical straight pin shaft portion298, pin280includes a transition or pin shaft junction302, a proximal pin shaft portion or horizontally extending straight smooth pin shaft portion304, and a distal pin shaft portion or horizontally extending straight threaded pin shaft portion306. Threaded pin shaft portion306is engaged with a threaded nut36engaged to the outer end of lower support member32of second frame portion28. Smooth pin shaft portion304rides on the upper surface300of block292. Horizontal pin shaft portions304,306are set at a right angle to vertical pin shaft portion298such that horizontal pin shaft portions304,306are set transversely relative to vertical pin shaft portion298.

Lower right connection is shown inFIGS.1,2,3, and8A. Lower right connection18includes a base308and a pin310. Pin310includes a straight threaded shaft312, a head314shaped in the form of a disk, and a threaded nut316that is turnable to travel axially along the threaded shaft312from a location just short of the proximal end having the head314to the free distal end318. Shaft312is threaded from just short of the head314to distal end318. The portion of the pin shaft310that is smooth and unthreaded is shaft pin portion319that is immediately adjacent to the inner face of head314. Pin310is threadable into and out of a nut36that is engaged to the outer end of lower support member32of first frame portion26, and nut316sets or locks in pin310such that head314is at a custom, end user defined distance from the outer end of lower support member32of first frame portion26. Base308includes an oblong shaped backing or foundation320having an upper end portion322and a lower end portion324. Upper end portion322includes a pin receiver326and lower end portion324includes a pin receiver328. Pin receivers326,328receive pins such as screws for connecting base308to the vertical surface to which base82of upper right connection12is engaged and in a manner vertically aligned with base82. Backing320has a front wall330that is smooth and flat and is disposed underneath pin receiver326and above a socket housing332.

Socket housing332is integral and one piece with backing320. Socket housing332includes a pair of opposing sidewalls334and a front wall336disposed between the sidewalls334. Socket housing332further includes a lower circular wall338connecting the sidewalls334. Front wall336depends to the lower circular wall338. Front wall336includes an upper circular edge340that includes a semi-circular cutout342disposed in the middle of the upper circular edge340. Circular cutout342receives the smooth unthreaded pin shaft portion319of pin310. Front wall330of backing320includes a lower edge having a semi-circular tab344disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from semi-circular cutout342. Socket housing332further includes a circular floor346depending from the upper ends of socket housing sides334. Socket housing332includes a socket348. Socket348is formed by sides334, front wall336, the lower edge of front wall330including semi-circular tab344, the lower circular wall346, and the upper edge340and semi-circular cutout342. Socket348receives the head314of pin310. Pin head314is liftable out of socket348when pivot hook80is swung to an out-of-the-way position and head86of pin78is lifted out of socket168. Front wall330and semi-circular tab344act as a guide for the outer face of pin head314as the head314is brought into engagement with socket348. When pin310is engaged in socket348, the circular edge of head314can engage the lower circular floor346and the smooth pin shaft portion319can engage the semi-circular cutout342.

In operation, to set up the gate apparatus10, such as from the to-be-assembled state shown inFIG.3, the width of the passageway is measured such as with a tape measure or simply by taking the individual first and second gate frame portions26,28, not yet engaged, and holding them end to end to determine how much the inner ends of the gate frame portions26,28will be overlapped relative to each other. In the case discussed here, the innermost vertical support member350of first gate frame portion26is to be adjacent the second-to-innermost vertical support member352of the second gate frame portion28and the innermost vertical support member354of second gate frame portion28is to be adjacent the second-to-innermost vertical support member356of first gate frame portion26. In other words, vertical support members350,352are to be in the same lateral and vertical plane and vertical support members354,356are to be in the same lateral and vertical plane when gate apparatus10is operational. Then, after it is determined how much of first and second gate frame portions26,28will overlap and the end user laterally aligns support members350,352with each other by hand and vertical support members354,356with each other by hand, intermediate connectors20,22are engaged to the first and second gate frame portions26,28. This is done by inserting the inner portion42between the aligned pair350,352and the aligned pair354,356by pushing inner portion42of each of the intermediate connectors20,22into a friction fit with horizontal support members30,30of the first and second gate frame portions26,28, which horizontal support members are aligned so as to be in the same horizontal and lateral planes. In other words, the width between opposing end sidewalls64is slightly less than or equal to the width of the combination of the widths of the two horizontal support members30,30of first and second frame portions26,28. Further, the length between the deepest most sections of longitudinally opposing notches72are slightly less than or equal to the length between any two vertical support members34that are adjacent to each other, namely, the length between the surfaces of such vertical support members34that are closest to each other. The friction fit of the inner portion42is thus derived laterally from the lateral fit between the opposing end sidewalls64and longitudinally from the longitudinal fit between longitudinally opposed notches72. The inside height of the opposing end sidewalls64, determined from an upper face of network76, upon which the lower face of the horizontal support members30lie, is about equal to the side faces of the horizontal support members30,30. Then, after the inner portion42of each of the intermediate connectors20,22has been engaged to the first and second frame portions26,28, the outer portion40of each of the intermediate connectors20,22is snapped onto its respective inner portion42. In case of the upper intermediate connector the outer portion40is pressed down upon its respective inner portion42. In the case of the lower intermediate connector20, the outer portion40is pressed up against its respective inner portion42until the opposing tabs68snap into their respective opposing openings50. The outer face of tab68is inclined or ramped or oblique to facilitate the snap on action of tab68into a respective opening50. Opening50includes a reinforced perimeter and the tab retainer70engages such reinforced perimeter without extending beyond a plane defined by the outer surface of sidewall portion or step52. Reinforced perimeter of opening50may be defined as an integral bead or radius. When connector portions40,42are engaged, it can be seen fromFIG.14Cthat the height of steps52,54, as measured from the inside face of ceiling44to the free ends of steps52,54, is about the same as the height of outer faces of sidewall portions64,66of inner connector portion42. When the intermediate connectors20,22are engaged to and between the first and second frame portions26,28to form gate frame24, the first and second frame portions26,28act as a one-piece frame with minimal lateral, longitudinal, and height-wise movement relative to each other.

Then, to continue the set up operation, it is determined which way the gate frame24will swing. A swinging of gate frame24, after set up and without lifting the gate frame24, will be stopped by bases82,308. Such a stop of the swinging action will occur by the heads86,314of respective pins78,310hitting sides of bases82,308, namely, the sides of socket housings176,332of respective bases82,308. Thus, bases82,308are engaged to the same preferred vertical surface defining the passageway and bases206,278are engaged to the opposing vertical surface of the passageway. A swinging of gate frame24, after set up and with a lifting of gate frame24to the height shown inFIG.5Bwhere pin210hits the underside of ceiling250, will bring the pin shaft portion84into contact with segment116of pivot hook80, which contact will pivot the pivot hook80so as to capture the pin shaft portion84with the pin receiver138, which pivoting is stopped by a compression of spring150and does not permit the gate frame24to swing through.

Bases82,308,206,278can be engaged to their respective vertical surface locations one by one. For example, lower left connection278can be set up at a generally determined height and location. Then pin280is turned into its respective nut36to the end user defined distance at the outer end of lower horizontal support member32of second gate frame portion28. Then the other end of pin280can be engaged to base278. The strength of base278, just like the separate strength of each of the individual bases206,82,308, is more than sufficient to on its own hold the full weight of the gate frame24. Then pin210is threaded into nut36of the outer end30of upper horizontal support member30of second gate frame portion28so as to leave exposed the same amount of horizontal distance on each of the pins210,280, i.e., the end user defined distance that may change from end user to end user. From pin210and holding the gate frame24in a vertical plane, it can be determined with specificity the location to secure base206to the vertical surface. Then the other end of pin210is deposited into the now secured base206by lifting and lowering gate frame24such that pins280,210are deposited into their respective bases278,206at the same time. Then limiter208may be slid onto base206to the lower barb position. With the left hand swing side bases206,278now secured to one vertical surface, it can be determined with specificity where the other two latch side bases82,308on the opposing vertical surface are to be secured and then such two bases82,308are engaged to such vertical surface. Then each of the pins78,310is turned incrementally into or out of their respective nuts36until their respective heads86,314align longitudinally with their respective sockets168,348, whereupon the nuts88,316that may or may not be locking nuts, are turned until the nuts88,316engage the outer surfaces of the respective upper and lower nuts36of the respective upper and lower outer ends of the respective upper and lower support members30,32of the first frame portion26.

In operation, to open the gate frame24, the pivot hook80is swung to the out-of-the-way position shown inFIG.12A, and the gate frame24is lifted such that heads86,314clear their respective sockets168,348. Then the gate frame24, with pivot hook80swung out of the way, is swung away from pivot hook80and bases82,308so as to open the passageway. Gate frame24may be swung to a position parallel to the vertical surface to which bases206,278are engaged or to a position slightly beyond such parallel position such that gate frame24may be obliquely positioned to such vertical surface such that the heads86,314touch such vertical wall or one or more of the limiter208or bases206,278may be configured to act as stops against pins210,280before the heads86,314touch such vertical surface. For example, the legs252can have a sufficient longitudinal length to act as a stop. After the gate frame24has been swung away from the pivot hook80and the pivot hook80is released by the end user, the pivot hook80automatically returns to its closed position, as shown in phantom inFIG.12A, by an expansion of the coil spring150.

In operation, to close the gate frame24is lifted and then the gate frame24is swung to the pivot hook80without the end user himself or herself pivoting the pivot hook80, whereupon the head86of pin78hits segment116of the pivot hook80, whereupon the pivot hook80automatically swings, whereupon the threaded portion84is captured by the pin receiver138of the pivot hook80, whereupon the gate24may be released to permit the heads86,314of pins78,310to drop into their respective sockets168,348, and whereupon the pivot hook80automatically swings back to its closed position. If the gate frame24is not lifted and then the gate frame24is swung toward the bases82,308, the heads86,314hit the sides of the respective bases82,308to stop such swinging without an engagement of the heads86,314in their respective sockets168,348.

In operation, when the gate frame24is closed, the upright support members34and horizontal support members32minimize the passage of infants, toddlers, small children, and pets such as cats and dogs through, under, or over the gate frame24.

In operation, to remove the gate frame24from the bases82,206,278,308, the limiter208is moved to the upper barb position such that pin210is not inhibited by the underside of the ceiling250and such that pins210280can be lifted free of their respective bases206,278. Before, during, or after this step of sliding up the limiter208to the upper barb position, the pivot hook80can be pivoted so as to free pin78and so as to allow pins78and310to be disengaged from their respective bases82,308. Gate frame24once free of its respective bases82,206,278and308can be stored as one piece or as two separate pieces if connectors20,22are disengaged by squeezing in tabs68of intermediate sidewalls or steps66, which are spaced from the side faces of horizontal support members30,30, and then drawing portions40,42apart. The intermediate connections20,22are engagable to and disengageable from the first and second gate frame portions26,28without destroying the integrity of the first and second gate frame portions26,28and the intermediate connections20,22. Bases82,206,278,308may then be left engaged unobtrusively to the vertical surfaces to which they are secured or such bases may be removed from their respective vertical surfaces.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.