Patents A

(19) UnitedStates (12) Patent Application Publication Lan (54)

(76)

SAFETY GATE INCLUDING A PAIR OF RESTORING MECHANISMS THAT ACT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Inventor:

Red Lan, Taipei Hsien (TW)

Correspondence Address: HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. P.O. BOX8910 RESTON,VA 20195 (US) (21) Appl. No.:

111246,230

(22) Filed:

Oct. 11, 2005 Publication Classification

(51) Int. CI. EO6B 9/01

(2006.01)

(52) (57)

(10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0079555A1 Apr. 12, 2007 (43) Pub. Date: U.S. CI.................................................... 49/57; 49/386 ABSTRACT

A safety gate includes a gate frame, a gate member,and first and second restoring mechanismsfor mountingpivotally the gate memberon the gate frame such that the gate member can be swungin a first direction from a closed position 1o a first open position, and in a seconddirection fromthe closed position to a second open position. The first restoring mechanismoperates to accumulate a restoring force for restoring the gate memberfrom the first open position to the closed position whenthe gate memberis swungin the first direction fromthe closed position to the first openposition. The second restoring mechanismoperates to accumulate a restoring force for restoring the gate memberfrom the second open position to the closed position whenthe gate memberis swungin the second direction from the closed position to the second open position.

10 113

11

US 2007/0079555 A1

Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 1 of 6

116 114

13 122

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1 117/

112

11 16

121 115 116

115

111 116

Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 2 of 6

US 2007/0079555 A1

10 113

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FIG. 2

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Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 3 of 6

123

US 2007/0079555 A1

125 31 321

231 232 22

119

18

FIG. 3 111

Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 4 of 6

US 2007/0079555 A1

7

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5

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US 2007/0079555 A1

Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 5 of 6

61 63 232 233 -2

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222

22

FIG. 5

Patent Application Publication Apr. 12, 2007 Sheet 6 of 6

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US 2007/0079555A1

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US 2007/0079555 A1

Apr. 12, 2007

SAFETY GATE INCLUDING A PAIR OF RESTORING MECHANISMS THAT ACT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

[0010] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view to illustrate first and second restoring mechanismsof the preferred embodiment;

BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment to illustrate an assembledstate of the first and second restoring mechanisms;

[0001]

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a safety gate, more particularly to a safety gate including a pair of restoring mechanismsthat act in opposite directions. [0003]

2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A safety gate is mounted across two opposite surfaces, such as posts, walls, etc., for confining a child or a pet in a space. A conventional safety gate includes a gate memberthat can be opened in two opposite directions for added convenienceduring use. The conventional safety gate further includes a single spring for restoring the gate member to a closed position. However,regardless of whetherthe spring in the conventional safety gate is a compression spring or an extension spring, the spring can effectively accumulatea restoring force in only one openingdirection. By forcing the spring to act ineffectively in the opposite opening directions, the spring is easily damaged,thereby disabling the restoring functionality of the safety gate after a period of use. SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION [0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a safety gate including a pair of restoring mechanisms that act in opposite directions so as to overcomethe aforesaid drawbackassociated with the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an explodedperspective view to illustrate componentsof the first restoring mechanism; [0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the :first restoring mechanism,taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and [0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the secund restoring mechanism,taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the preferred embodimentof a safety gate 1 according to the present invention is shown to be adapted to be mounted upright across two opposite surfaces 10, such as posts, walls, etc. The safety gate 1 comprises a gate frame 11, a gate member 12, and first and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ for mountingpivotally the gate member12 on the gate frame 11 such that the gate member12 can be swungrelative to the gate frame11 about a pivot axis (A) in a first direction (F1) from a closed position (see FIG. 1) to a firsl open position (shownin solid lines in FIG. 2), and in a second direction (F2) from the closed position to a second open position (shownin phantomlines in FIG. 2).

[0016] The gate franae 11 of this embodimentincludes a horizontal bottomframepart 111, first and secondtop frame parts 112, 114 disposed above the bottom frame part 111, [01106] Accordingly, the safety gate of the present invenshorter than the bottom frame part 111, and horizontally tion comprises a gate frame, a gate member,and first and spaced apart from each other to define a gate opening 113 second restoring mechanismsfor mounting pivotally the gate memberon the gate frame such that the gate member therebetween,a set of connectingposts 115 that connect the first and secondtop frame parts 112, 114 to the bottomframe can be swungrelative to the gate frameabout a pivot axis in part 111, and four wall clamps 116 mountedrespectively on a first direction from a closed position to a first open the first and second top frame parts 112, 114 and on two position, and in a seconddirection from the closed position to a second open position. The first restoring mechanism lateral ends of the 15 bottom frame part 111. The wall clamps 116 are conventional in construction, and are operoperates to accumulatea restoring force for restoring the able to hold the gate frame 11 across the two opposite gate memberfrom the first open position to the closed surfaces 10 in a mannerwell knownin the art. The bottom position whenthe gate memberis swungin the first direction frame part 111 has a gate connecting section formedwith an from the closed position to the first open position. The insert hole 110. Thefirst top frame part 112 also has a gate secondrestoring mechanism operates to accumulatea restorconnecting section 117 formedwith an inserl hole 110’. Each ing tbrce for restoring the gate memberfrom the second open position to the closed position whenthe gate member of the insert holes 110, 110’, whichare aligned along the pivot axis (A), includes a circular part 118 and a positioning is swungin the seconddirection from the closed position to part 119 that extends radially from the circular part 118. The the second open position. positioning parts 119 of the insert holes 110, 110’ form an angle of about 90 degrees therebetween. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Other features and advantagesof the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentwith reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which: [11008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a safety gate according to the present invention; [01109] FIG. 2 is a top view to illustrate first and second open positions of a gate memberof the preferred embodiment;

[11017] The gate member12 has a pivot end 121 pivoted to the gate frame 11, and a latching end 122 opposite to the pivot end 121. The safety gate 1 further comprises a conventional latch 13 for latching releasably the latching end 122 of the gate member12 to the gate frame11 at the closed position in a mannerwell knownin the art. In this embodiment, the gate member12 includes a tubular post 123 at the pivot end 121. The tubular post 123 extends between the insert holes 1111, 110’, and includes a rectangular tube wall 125 that confines a post space 124. ~[lae post space 124 has opposite open ends 126. The tube wall 125 is formed with

US 2007/0079555 A1

Apr. 12, 2007 2

a pair of radial retainer holes 127, each of whichis disposed adjacent to a respective one of the open ends 126. [0018] Withfurther reference to FIGS.3, 4 and 5, the first and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ are shownto be identical in structure and to differ primarily in the assembly directions thereof. Thefirst restoring mechanism 14 operates to accumulatea restoring force for restoring the gate member 12 from the first open position to the closed position whenthe gate member12 is swungin the first direction (F1) from the closed position to the first open position. The second restoring mechanism14’ operates to accumulate a restoring force for restoring the gate member12 from the second open position to the closed position whenthe gate member12 is swungin the second direction (F2) from the closed position to the secondopen position. Eachof the first and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ is disposed in the tubular post 123 of the gate member12, and includes an anchor seat 3, a restoring spring 5, a control seat 4, and an actuator 2. [0019] The anchor seat 3 includes a base part 31 that is formedwith a retainer hole 311, and a spring mountingpart 32 that extends from the base part 31 and that is formedwith a spring engaging groove 321. The base part 31 has dimensions correspondingto those of the post space 124, and is fixed in the post space 124 by a retainer 30 that extends throughone of the retainer holes 127 in the tubular post 123 and the retainer hole 311 in the base part 31. [0020] The restoring spring 5 is a helical spring in this embodiment,and has first and second spring ends 51, 52. The first spring end 51 engagesthe spring engaging groove 321 in the spring mounting part 32 of the anchor seat 3, thereby anchoringthe first spring end 51 to the gate member 12.

[0023] Preferably, each of the first and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ further includes an end cap 6 mounted at a respective one of the open ends 126 of the post space 124. The end cap 6 includes a flange 61 seated on a respective distal edge of the tubular post 123, and a sleeve part 62 connectedto the flange 61 andfitted in the respective open end 126. The end cap 6 confines a space 63 that is formed through the flange 61 and the sleeve part 62 for extension of the base part 21 and the rotation control part 23 of the actuator 2 therein. [0024] To mount the first and second restoring mechanisms 14, 14’ on the gate member12, the anchor seats 3, the restoring springs 5, the control seats 4 and the end caps 6 are assembledin sequencein the tubular post 123. Thereafter, the actuators 2 are connectedto the insert holes 110, 110’, and are subsequentlyextended into the end caps 6. Assembly is completed when the gate connecting section 117 is secured to the first top framepart 112. [0025] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7, after assembly, whenthe gate member12 is disposed at the closed position, while the lateral sides 233 of the stops 232 of the actuators 2 of the restoring mechanisms14, 14’ abut against one end 434 of the control slot 433 in the respective control seat 4, the stops 232 form an angle of about 90 degrees therebetween, and the two restoring springs 5 are mounted in opposite directions. Hence, the first and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ operate to accumulaterestoring forces in opposite directions.

[0026] In particular, whenthe gate member12 is swungin the first direction (F1) from the closed position to the first open position, the anchor seats 3 of the first and second restoring mechanisms 14, 14’ rotate with the tubular post 123 of the gate member12 about the pivot axis (A) in the first [0021] In this embodiment,the control seat 4 includes a direction (FI). As shownin FIG. 6, whenthe anchor seat circular base wall 41, a spring mountingstud 42 that extends of the first restoring mechanism14 rotates in the first from one side of the base wall 41 and that is formedwith a direction (F1) such that the first spring ~md51 of the spring engaging groove 421, and a control tube 43 having a restoring spring 5 rotates therewith, becausethe stop 232 on tubular wall 432 that extends from the other side of the base the actuator 2 abuts against the end 434 of the control slot wall 41 and that surrounds the pivot axis (A). The second 433in the controlseat 4, the actuator2 arrest,,; rotation of the spring end 52 of the restoring spring 5 engagesthe spring control seat 4 relative to the gate frame11 about the pivot engaging groove 421 in the spring mountingstud 42 of the axis (A), and the first spring end 51 rotates relative to the control seat 4, thereby coupling the control seat 4 to the second spring end 52 of the restoring spring 5, thereby second spring end 52. The tubular wall 432 of the control enabling the restoring spring 5 of the first restoring mechatube 43 confines a tube space 431, and is formed with a nism 14 to accumulatethe restoring force fi~r restoring the circumferentially extending control slot 433 having opposite gate member12 from the first open position back to the slot ends 434, 435. closed position. In the meantime,as shownin FIG. 7, when the anchor seat 3 of the second restoring mechanism14’ [0022] Theactuator 2 is connected to the gate frame 11 at rotates in the first direction(F1) suchthat the: first spring end a respective one of the insert holes 110, 110’. In this 51 of the restoring spring 5 rotates therewith, due to the embodiment, the actuator 2 includes a base part 21, an insert angular displacementbetweenthe stops 232. of the first and part 22 that extends from one side of the base part 21 and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’, the actuator 2 of the that is inserted non-rotatably into the respective one of the second restoring mechanism14’ permits rotation of the insert holes 110, 110’, and a rotation control part 23 that control seat 4 of the secondrestoring mechanism 14’ with the extends from the other side of the base part 21 and into the tubular post 123 of the gate member12 in the first direction tube space 431 of the control tube 43 of the control seat 4. The insert part 22 has circular and radial sections 221, 222 (F1) such that relative rotation betweenthe first and second spring ends 51, 52 of the restoring spring 5 of the second that correspondto the circular and radial parts 118, 119 of restoring mechanism 14’ can be avoided. In other words, the the respective insert hole 110, 110’. Therotation control part second restoring mechanism 14’ does not accumulate a 23 includes a post section 231 and a stop 232 that is formed restoring force whenthe gate member12 is swungfrom the on the post section 231, that is disposedradially relative to the pivot axis (A), and that extends into the control slot 433 closed position to the first open position. in the control seat 4. The stop 232 has a circumferential [0027] On the other hand, when the gate member12 is widthshorter than a circumferentiallength of the control slot swungin the second direction (F2) from the closed position 433, and opposite lateral sides 233, 234.

US 2007/0079555 A1

Apr. 12, 2007

first openposition to the closedposition w]~ensaid gate to the secondopen position, the anchor seats 3 of the first memberis swungin the first direction from the closed and second restoring mechanisms14, 14’ rotate with the position to the first open position; tubular post 123 of the gate member12 about the pivot axis said second restoring mechanismoperating to accumulate (A) in the second direction (F2). As shownin FIG. 7, the anchor seat 3 of the second restoring mechanism14’ a restoring force for restoring said gate memberfrom rotates in the seconddirection (F2) such that the first spring the second open position to the closed position when said gate memberis swungin the seconddirection from end 51 of the restoring spring 5 rotates therewith, because the stop 232 on the actuator 2 abuts against the end 434 of the closed position to the secondopen position. 2. Thesafety gate as claimed in claim 1, whereineach of the control slot 433 in the control seat 4, the actuator 2 arrests rotation of the control seat 4 relative to the gate frame said first and second restoring mechanismsincludes: 11 about the pivot axis (A), andthe first spring end 51 rotates a restoring spring having a first spring end anchoredto relative to the secondspring end 52 of the restoring spring said gate member,and a second spring end; 5, thereby enabling the restoring spring 5 of the second restoring mechanism14’ to accumulatethe restoring force a control seat coupled to said second spring end of said for restoring the gate member12 from the second open restoring spring; and position back to the closed position. In the meantime,as an actuator connected to said gate frame; shownin FIG.6, whenthe anchorseat 3 of the first restoring mechanism 14 rotates in the seconddirection (F2) such that wherein,for said first restoring mechanism,,said actuator the first spring end 51 of the restoring spring 5 rotates is operablyassociated with said control seat to result in therewith, due to the angular displacementbetweenthe stops relative rotation betweensaid first and :second spring 232of the first a nd secondrestoring mechanisins 14, 14’, the ends of said restoring spring about the pivot axis when actuator 2 of the first restoring mechanism14 permits said gate memberis swungfrom the closed position to rotation of the control seat 4 of the first restoring mechanism the first open position, thereby enablingsaid restoring 14 with the tubular post 123 of the gate member12 in the spring to accumulatethe restoring force for restoring seconddirection (F2) such that relative rotation betweenthe said gate memberfrom the first open position back to first and secondspring ends 51, 52 of the restoring spring 5 the closed position; and of the first restoring mechanism 14 can be avoided. In other wherein, for said second restoring mechanism,said actuawords, the first restoring mechanism 14 does not accumulate tor is operablyassociatedwith said control seat to result a restoring force whenthe gate member12 is swung from in relative rotation betweensaid first and~secondspring the closed position to the secondopen position. ends of said restoring spring about the pivot axis when [0028] It has thus been shownthat the safety gate 1 of this said gate memberis swungfrom the closed position to invention includes the first restoring mechanism14 that the secondopen position, thereby enabling said restoraccumulates a restoring force only whenthe gate member12 ing spring to accumulatethe restoring f~rce for restoris swungfrom the closed position to the first open position, ing said gate memberfrom the second open position and the second restoring mechanism14’ that accumulates a back to the closed position. restoring force only whenthe gate member12 is swungfrom 3. Thesafety gate as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the closed position to the secondopen position. As compared for said first restoring mechanism,said actuator arrests to the prior art that uses only one spring, the restoring rotation of said control seat relative to :said gate franae mechanisms14, 14’ in this invention are not easily damaged about the pivot axis whensaid gate memberis swung to ensure the bi-directional restoring functionality of the fromthe closed position to the first openposition; and safety gate 1. [0029] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is understoodthat this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodimentbut is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent arrangements. I claim: 1. A safety gate comprising: a gate frame; a gate member;and first and second restoring mechanismsfor mountingpivotally said gate memberon said gate frame such that said gate membercan be swungrelative to said gate frame about a pivot axis in a first direction from a closed position to a first open position, and in a second direction from the closed position to a second open position; said first restoring mechanismoperating to accumulatea restoring force for restoring said gate memberfrom the

for said secondrestoring mechanism,said actuator arrests rotation of said control seat relative to said gate frame about the pivot axis whensaid gate memberis swung from the closed position to the secondopen position. 4. The safety gate as claimed in claim 3, wherein: for said first restoring mechanism,said actuator permits rotation of said control seat with said gate member about the pivot axis whensaid gate memberis swung from the closed position to the second open position; and for said second restoring mechanism,said actuator permits rotation of said control seat with said gate member about the pivot axis whensaid gate memberis swung fromthe closed position to the first openposition. 5. Thesafety gate as claimedin claim 4, wherein,for each of said first and secondrestoring mechanisms,said control seat includes a tubular wall formedwith a circumferentially extending control slot, and said actuator extends into said tubular wall of said control seat and is fotxned with a stop that is disposed radially relative to the pivot axis and that extends into said control slot, said stop having a circumfer-

US 2007/0079555 A1

ential width shorter than a circumferential length of said control slot, and abutting against oneend of said control slot to arrest rotation of said control seat relative to said gate frameabout the pivot axis. ~i. Thesafety gate as claimedin claim 5, whereinsaid gate frame includes a pair of gate connecting sections, said actuator of each of said first and second restoring mechanisms further having an insert part that is inserted nonrotatably into a respective one of said gate connecting sections of said gate frame. 7. Thesafety gate as claimedin claim 2, whereinsaid gate memberincludes a tubular post, and said restoring and said

Apr. 12, 2007

control seat of each of said first and secoud restoring mechanismsare disposed in said tubular post of said gate member. 8. Thesafety gate as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said first and secondrestoring mechanismsfurther includes an anchorseat fixed in said tubular post and havingsaid first spring end of said restoring spring anchoredthereto. 9. Thesafety gate as claimed in claim 1, fuNhercomprising a latch for latching releasably said gate memberto said gate frameat the closed position.

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United States Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0028947 (43) Pub. Date:

Waldman et al. (54)

SAFETY GATE

(75)

Inventors:

Publication Classification

Kenneth Waldman, Reading, PA (US); Jerome Drobinski, Reading, PA (US)

Correspondence Address: VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C. UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600 30 SOUTH 17TH STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 (US) (73)

Assignee: Simplicity, Inc., Reading, PA (US)

(21)

Appl. No.:

10/885,333

(22)

Filed:

Jul. 6, 2004 Related U.S. Application Data

(60)

Feb. 10, 2005

Provisional application No. 60/485,481, filed on Jul. 8, 2003.

27

E05C 7/00 (51) Int.CI.7....................................................... (52)U.S.CI................................................................ 160/215 ABSTRACT

(57)

A gate having a latching mechanismwhich requires two distinctly different unlatching movementswhich occur in distinctly different directions, but where both of these unlatching movementscan be performed with the use of only one hand. In addition, timer/alarm capabilities are providedto emit an alert signal in situations wherethe gate has been openedand has not been reclosed within a given time interval after the gate was opened. The gate has a self-closing spring assemblyarranged within a pivot assembly. All of the above capabilities are obtained through a greatly simplified design which is extremely rugged and provides highly reliable service.

31

34

36

33

17

32

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 1 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 2 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 3 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 4 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 5 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 6 of 14

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Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 7 of 14

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US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 9 of 14

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Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 10 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

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Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 11 of 14 US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 12 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

Patent Application Publication Feb. 10, 2005 Sheet 13 of 14

US 2005/0028947 A1

36

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Feb. 10, 2005

US 2005/0028947 A1

SAFETY GATE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Set. No. 60/485,481, filed Jul. 8, 2003 whichis incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

[0009] In addition, timer/alarm capabilities are providedto emit an alert signal in situations where the gate has been opened and has not been reclosed within a given time interval after the gate was opened. [0010] All of the above capabilities are obtained through a safety gate whosedesign is nevertheless greatly simplified as compared with present day devices anct which is extremely rugged and provides highly reliable service.

FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to safety gates and moreparticularly to a safety gates having opening mechanismswhichare very difficult for infants and young children to operate and yet relatively easy for older children and adults to operate. BACKGROUND [0003] There are a number of applications where it is desirable to provide a safety gate for the protection of infants, small children, animalsand the like. [0004] It is further conventional to provide such safety gates with the ability to be mountedwithin a doorwayand to provide expandabledevices for adjusting the width of the safety gate frame to both accommodate doorwaysof different widths and to provide a reliable compressionfit. [0005]It is also desirable to provide such gates to havethe capability of being positioned betweena banister post and a wall, for examplewhichis located at a top of a staircase, to prevent infants and small children, as well as small animals and infirm persons, from entering upon the staircase and thereby exposing themselvesto potential injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlING(S) [0011] FIG. 1 showsa safety gate in the closed position. [0012] FIG. 1A is an elevation of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 2 shows the gate of FIG. 1 in an opening position. [0014] FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of another embodimentof the safety gate shownin the closed position. [0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower hinge assembly. [0016] FIG. 4 is a simplified elevational view showingthe details of the latch mechanismof FIG. 1, for example. a portion of the [0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates latching mechanismin the closed and closing positions. [0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a timer/alarm which maybe employedin embodimentsof present invention. [0019] FIG. 6Ais an elevational view of a locking mechanism for the lower end of the safety gate according to the invention.

[0006] It is further desirable to provide a latching mechanism which is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for infants and youngchildren to operate, bul maybe operated by older children and adults with relative ease in viewof the fact that there are manyoccasions in whichthe safety gate must be opened at least temporarily for valid and nonthreatening purposes.

[0020] FIG. 6B is a view of a cooperating locking pin and recess looking in the direction of arrows 6B-6Bin FIG. 6A.

[0007] It is also desirable to provide such safety gates with self-closing capabilities and further to provide an alert condition in cases where the safety gate has not been properly closed and latched.

[0023] FIG. 8A is an elevational view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 8.

SUMMARY [0008] The safety gate of the present invention provides the above as well as other advantageousfeatures by wayof a latching mechanismwhich, although requiring two distinctly different operating movementswhich require movementin distinctly different directions, nevertheless enables both of these unlatching movementsto be performed with the use of only onehand whichgreatly facilitates the closing and especially the opening of the latching mechanism.The safety gate latching mechanism includes a moveablelatch in which, when latched, prevents its movementaway from a stationary memberand further prevents the gate from being moved toward an open position by means of a pair of sidearms which engage opposite sides of a cooperating, stationary latching assembly. However,whenthe latching lever is unlatched, the latching mechanism,whichis slidably mountedon the moveablegate, can be pulled back to release and thereby open the gate. Thegate is further provided with a self-closing capability.

[0021] FIGS. 7A-7Care perspective, plan and perspective views showinga hinge assembly for the present invention assembled and disassembled. [0022]

FIG.8 is a sectional view of a latching mechanism.

[0024] FIGS.8B-SDare perspective views of details of a latching mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) [0025] FIGS. 1, la and 2 show safety gate assembly 10 comprised of a stationary frame 12 having a gate 30 swingably mountedto the frame. [0026] Frame 12 is comprised of an elongated base member 14. A plurality of vertically aligned slats 15 have their lower ends secured to base member14 near the left and right ends thereof. A post 16 has a lower end secured to base member14 and is provided for supporting one of the hinge assemblies which pivotally mount swingable gate 30 to frame 12. A second post 17 has a lower end secured to base member14 and has the stationary latching assemblyportion mountedtherein, as will be set forth in detail below. [0027] Members14a and 14b are inserted into the open ends of base member14 and are each provided with tapped openings for receiving threaded members18 and 19. End

US 2005/0028947 A1

Feb. 10, 2005 2

caps 20 and 22 are mounted on the free ends of threaded members18 and 19 and preferably have friction surfaces which may be rubber or rubber-like. Threaded members18 and 19 are rotated to movethe end caps 20 and 22 either closer to base member14 or further awaytherefrom in order to secure the lower end of the stationary frame within and betweenthe sides of a door frame between two walls (FIG. 2) or between a banister post and a wall located, for example,at a base or top of a stair case. The positions of threaded membersare retained by tightening threaded members 18a and 19a against their respective members14a, 14b. [0028] Stationary frame 12 further includes two upper rails 21, 21. The left-hand slats 15 and post 16 have their upper ends secured to one upper rail 21. Similarly, the right-hand slats 15 and post 17 have their upper ends secured to the remainingupper rail 21. [0029] Left-hand threaded member21a is inserted into the left-hand end of the left-hand rail 21 and is providedwith a threaded opening which threadedly engages threaded member 23. Anend cap 25 is fitted to the free end of threaded member23. Similarly, right-hand member21a is inserted into the right-hand end of right-hand rail 21 and is provided with a threaded opening threadedly engaging threaded member 24 whosefree end is fitted with end cap 26. Byrotation of the threaded members23 and 24 in the appropriate direction, the end caps 25 and 26 are movedeither closer toward or further awayfrom their associated rail members 21, 21 to secure the upper end of the stationary framewithin the opposing sides of a door frame, for example. The tightening members21a, 21a operate in a mannersimilar to the tightening members18a, 19a described above. Thus, members20, 22, 25, and 26 adjust to accommodate entrance areas of different widthsso as to secure the frame12 thereto by meansof a press-fit. [0030] Hinge assemblies 27 and 28 swingably mount the gate 30 to frame 12. Moreparticularly, assembly27 swingably supports the left-hand end of gate upper rail 31 and assembly 28 swingably supports the left-hand end of the lower rail 32 of gate 30. Rails 31 and 32 are maintainedin spaced parallel fashion by the slats 33, which have their upper ends secured to upper rail 31 and their lower ends secured to lower rail 32. Eachof the assemblies 27 and 28 houses a suitable hinge assemblyas well as a spring member whichautomatically biases the gate 30 to the closed position from the open position in the event that the gate 30 is accidentally left in the openposition. [0031] Hinge assemblies 27, 28 are shownin greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7A-7C. The upper hinge assembly 27 is comprisedof a stationary portion 27a which is secured to post 16 by fastener 27a-1. Two(2) side walls 27a-2, 27a-3 of portion 27a lie on opposite sides of the rail. A cooperating hinge portion 27b is secured to the upper rail 31 of gate 30 by fastener 27b-1. The hinge halves 27a and 27b are pivotally coupledto one anotherby a vertically aligned pivot pin 27c. [0032] The lower hinge assembly 28 is comprised of a stationary portion 28a secured to member14 of the stationary frame 12 by fastener 28a-1. The upper half 28b of the lower hinge assemblyis secured to the lower rail 32 of gate 30 by fastener 28b-1. A vertically aligned pivot pin (not shown) couples assembly halves 28a and 28b together and

cooperates with the upper pivot assembly27 te, swing gate 30 about a commonvertical axis shared by the hinge assemblies 27 and 28. [0033] At least one of the hinge assemblies 27 and 28 has a pair of coil springs CS1 and CS2arranged in a housing portion 27a-4 of assembly27, for example. Oneend of each spring rests against a fixed, commoninterior wall 27a-5 integral with housing 27a-4. The hinge portion 27b comprises a housing 27b-1embracingcircular upper rail 31 and integral with a disk havinga cylindrical-shapedinterior wall 27b-2 projecting upwardly from disk 27b-2. A projection 27b-4 extends upwardlyfrom disk 27b-2 and engages opposite ends of the coil springs CS1,CS2in the gap region G. Cylindrical-shaped interior walls 27b-3 of housing half 27b and 27a-6 of housing half 27a cooperate with the outer wall 27a-4 of housing 27a and thereby serve to retain the coil springs in a curved configuration within a toroidal-shaped hollow space. Cylindrical wall 27a-3 telescopes into cylindrical wall 27a-6 to serve as a pivot assembly.Whenthe gate is movedto one side to be opened, one of the springs is compressedbetween projections 27a-5 and 27b-4. Whenthe gate is released, the compressedspring returns to its uncompressed state urging projection 27b-4 to movethe gate towardthe closed position. Either the upper or lower or both hinge assemblies maybe provided with this type of selfclosing spring assembly.As an alternative arrangement,one spring mayreplace the two springs CS1, CS2, ’wherein one of the projections is inserted betweentwo adjacent helical turns of the spring. [0034] A latching mechanismarranged for slidable movement along gate 30 is provided within housing 34 and encloses a pivotally mounted locking arm 215 having a hook-shapedprojection 35a at one end for cooperation with a fixed locking member37 provided within housing 36. Housing 36 is fixedly secured to post 17 and top rail 2. Housing36 is further providedwith a recess 38 for receiving a movable, spring biased projection 39 arranged within housing 34. The mannerin which the latching mechanism operates is as follows, makingreference to FIGS.2, 4-4B and 8-8D: [0035] FIGS. 4, 8 and 8a showthe latching mechanismin the latched position. Whenit is desired to unlatch the gate, the operating portion 35b of locking arm 35, wlhich extends upwardlythrough an opening 34a in housing 34, is pressed downwardly against spring SP1 as shown by arrow A, wherebythe locking arm 35 rotates counter-clockwise about pivot pin 35c, as shown by arrow B, to be free of fixed locking number35. While maintaining the operating lever portion 35b pressed downwardlyagainst the force of spring 40, the housing 34b of the assembly34 is preferably grasped by the hand pressing downlever 35b and is pulled to the left as shown by arrow C in FIGS. 4 and 8. The convex shaped sides of members41 and 42 (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8A, 8B and 8C) are providedwith a plurality of arcuate shalped gripping projections42a-1, 42b-1whichact to facilitate a firm grip in order to moreeasily pull housing 34 awayfrom housing 36. This causes the assembly34 to slide to the left, withdrawing locking lever 35, whichis now in the dotted position 35’ (FIG. 4), outwardly from the housing 36. The locking portion of lever 35 is nowin the dotted position 35a’ and is clear of the stationary locking arm37, enabling the locking lever 35’ to be freely movedout of the housing 36. The projection 39, which is fixedly secured to housing 34b, is

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Feb. 10, 2005 3

also movedto the left with the movementof housing 34 so as to be displaced from the recess 38 in housing 36. [0036] In addition, the tapered projections 41, 42, which are an integral part of housing34 and likewise movewith the housing 34, are movedto the left as shownby arrow C so that their free ends 41a, 42a, whenmovedto the dotted positions 41a’, 42a’, are clear of the sides 36a-1 and 36a-2 adjacent to recess 36a in housing36, enabling the gate 30 to be opened. It should be understood that gate 30 may be rotated in either direction about the hinge assemblies27 and 28, the direction in whichthe gate 30 is movedthus being capable of being dictated by the particular environmentin which the gate is used. The arrows E and F in FIG. 1 show the opposing directions in whichthe gate 30 maybe selectively moved. The spring assembly of FIGS. 7a-7c moves the gate towardthe closed position whenthe gate is released. [0037] Oncethe latching mechanismin housing 34 is clear of the cooperating latching mechanismin housing 36, the housing portion 34b and operating member35b may be released, causing the latching arm 35 to return to the solid-line position. An inverted, L-shaped stop memberS limits further movementof the latching arm 35 beyondthe solid-line position shownin FIG.4. In addition thereto, the members 35, 39, 41, and 42 are movedto the right, i.e. in the direction opposite that of arrow C, shownin FIGS.4 and 8, under the force of compressedspring SP2. [0038] Whenthe gate is in the open position and is released, the closing springs providedwithin at least one of the hinge assemblies 27 and/or 28 return the gate to the closed position. [0039] In movingtoward the closed position, the tapered side of one of the projections 41 and 42 slideably engagesan adjacent, vertically aligned vertex 36a-3 (or 36a-4) of the recessed 36a. Thetapered guide surfaces of projections 41 and 42 cooperate with the cooperating surfaces 38a-1, 38a-2 and 39a-1, 39a-2 to assure proper orientation of the housings 34, 36 to assure that they are aligned and at the correct height. This sliding engagement,as the gate is swungalong a curved path G shownin FIG. 4b, causes the projection 41 and hence housing 34, to be urged in the direction of arrow H, thereby movingthe locking lever 35 and projection 39 awayfrom the cooperating stationary latching assembly 36. FIG. 4b showsthe projection 41’ in dotted fashion after it has been movedin the direction of arrow H so that its tip 41a’ is clear of the projection 36a allowingthe gate to swing open, as shownin FIG. 2. [0040] To close and latch the gate, it is movedto bring one of the tapered projections into engagementwith projection 36a. Initially, tapered portion 41b engages edge 36a-3 of projection 36a, causing the projection 41 to be movedin the direction of arrowH as the gate movesto the left in FIG.4B, until the projection 41b rests on the surface of recess 36a. Eventually, projection 41’ passes the left edge 36a-4 of surface 36a, at whichtime both projections 41 and 42 snap into the solid-line position shownin FIGS.4 and 8 under the force of spring SP2. Projection 39 enters into recess 38 while the tapered cam surface 35c of latching arm 35 slideably engagesthe top surface 37a of stationary latching member37 causing the latching arm 35 to movetoward the dotted-line position 35’, shownin FIG. 4. [0041] As soon as the tip 35a of the latching arm 35 is clear of the top surface 37b of stationary latching member

37, latching arm 35 swings downwardlyunder the force of biasing spring SP1 into the locking position she, wnin FIG. 4, whichis the solid-line position of latching arm35. [0042] It should be understood that the projection 42 functions in substantially the samemannerwhenits tapered surface 42b engages the left-hand vertex of surface 36a shown in FIG. 4b. [0043] FIG. 5 showsa timing device 45 housed within the stationary latching assemblyhousing 36 (See FIG. 8) and comprisedof a timing circuit 46 whichoperates an alarm 47. A battery compartment, indicated at 36B of FIGS. 8B and 8C, houses an energy source which powers the timing circuit/alarm. A normally-openswitch 48 is c,3upled to a reset input of the timing circuit. Thetiming circuit operates such that whennormally-openswitch 48 remains closed, the closed switch 48 repeatedly resets the timing circuit preventing it from timing out. Alternatively, the switch maybe a normally-closed switch. The closing of switch 48 maybe accomplished in the present invention by projection 39 which, wheninserted into recess 38, presses against a pin 49 normally biased so as to be displaced from the normallyopen switch 48. Whenprojection 39 enters into recess 38, it presses against pin 49 which closes the normally-open switch 48, preventing the timing circuit 46 from timing out and hence preventing the alarm 47 from operating. Whenthe projection 39 is withdrawnfromrecess 38, the ti:ming circuit 46 is activated. A predeterminedtime interval after activation, timingcircuit 411times out, causingalarm4’7 to operate. Alarm 47 may be an audible alarm, a visual alarm, or a combination audio/visual alarm. The audible alarm mayfor examplebe a buzzer and the visual alarm maybe a blinking light of a suitable color (red, for example).Thetiming circuit is adjustable to accommodatea desired time delay. One suitable time delay is a seven secondtime delay whereby,if the gate is not returned to the closed and latched position within seven seconds from the time that it is opened, the alarm will operate. Obviously other delay periods may be selected dependentuponthe particular application. [0044] In addition thereto, the timing circuit may be activated in any other suitable manner. For example, the housing 34 maybe provided with a permanent magnet that is positioned in close proximity to the operating switch 48 whenthe gate is closed, switch 48 mayhave a magnetically attractive memberdrawn to the permanentmagnet whenthe gate is in the closed position and released from the magnet field of the permanent magnet when the gate is opened, thereby enabling the timing device to time out. Obviously, any other form of activating mechanismmaybe employed. As another example, the normally-open switch 48 maybe a light sensor which is covered by the moveable latching assembly 34 when the gate is in the closed position to prevent ambientlight from reaching the light sensor thereby preventing the timing circuit 46 from timing out. Whenthe gate is open, ambient light is free to reach the sensor initiating a timing interval of the timing circuit which,when the timing circuit times out, causes the alarmto be initiated. [01~45] The normally-open switch 48 may be an LEDand sensor which senses light from the LEDreflected from a cooperating reflective surface of the moveable latching assemblywhenthe gate is in the closed position to thereby prevent the timing circuit from timing out. Whenthe gate is open, no light is reflected from the LEDto the light sensor

US 2005/0028947 A1

enablingthe timing circuit to time out and operate the alarm after a predetermineddelay interval. [0046] The timing circuit 46, alarm 47 and, in the case of a light sensor or LED/lightsensor, are poweredby a suitable energy source in compartment36Bof the stationary latching mechanismhousing 36. Alternatively, the timing circuit/ alarm maybe housed in the gate, if desired although it is preferable to mountthe timing circuit/alarm on the stationary frame. [0047] In addition to latching the upper end of gate 31 to the upper end of frame12, the latching mechanism is further provided with an elongated rod 51 arranged within hollow post 17 and pivotally mountedthereto by a pin 52. Theupper end of rod 51 is provided with a projection 53 engaged by projection 39 whenthe gate is in the locked position. A spring 54 normally biases rod 51 toward rotation in the counter-clockwisedirection about pivot pin 52, as shownby arrowJ. Whenprojection 39 enters into recess 38, projection 39 engages projection 53 on rod 51 urging the rod 51 to rotate clockwiseabout pin 52 and against the force of spring 54, as shown by arrow K. The lower end of rod 51 is provided with a projection 55 which enters into a U-shaped recess provided at the free end 32a of the lower rail 32 of gate 30 thereby locking the gate 30 at both the upper and lower ends to the stationary frame 12. [0048] Whereas FIG. 1 shows gate 30 as comprised of vertically aligned spaced members33 secured to upper and lower rails 31 and 32, FIG. 2a showsan alternative embodiment in which the inner-most members33 of the gate are removedand replaced with a rugged meshsheet 60 secured along its entire perimeter to a frame comprised of the vertical sides 33, 33’ and the top and bottomrails 31 and 32. 1. A safety gate comprising: a stationary frame having adjustment means, to selectively close an openingby abutting a structure defining the opening, and an openingdefined within the stationary frame; a gate movably mounted within said stationary frame opening; a latching mechanismcomprising a first housing having a movablelatching memberextending through an opening in said first housing, said first housingbeing movably mounted on said gate, said latching member selectively engaging a fixed latching memberprovided in a second housing arranged along said frame opening whensaid gate is in a closed position; and an operating lever projecting from said housing for moving the movable latching memberaway from said fixed member when the operating lever is pressed in a first direction; a portion of said first housing being movablebetweena latched and an unlatched position and having a projecting portion; said fixed latching memberbeing adjacent to a recess in said second housing; wherein said projecting portion is positioned in said recess and said movablelatching memberengages said fixed latching memberwhen the gate is closed and latched and said projecting portion is withdrawnfrom

Feb. :10, 2005

said recess whenthe gate is in the closed position and the movable latching memberis displaced from the fixed latching member,enabling the movalOlehousing portion to moveto the unlatched position. 2. Thesafety gate of claim i whereinthe movablehousing portion has a gripping surface adjacent to the operating lever to enable both the gripping surface and operating lever to be operated substantially simultaneously by only one of an operator’s hands. 3. The safety gate of claim 1 wherein said movable latching memberhas a projection for selective locking engagement with said fixed latching member which is comprisedof a stationary projection. 4. The safety gate of claim 3 wherein said movable latching memberhas a cam surface slidably engaging the fixed latching memberto movea latching edge of the first latching memberin a direction away from a cooperating surface of the fixed latching memberas the first latching membermovesinto said recess. 5. Thesafety gate of claim 1 further comprisinga locking pin moveablebetween an unlocked and locked position; said locking pin being mountednear one end of a connecting rod arranged in said frame which moves the locking pin to the locked position extending into a locking recess provided near a lower end ,3f said gate when an upper end of said rod is engaged by an actuating memberof said latching mechanismhousing which actuating memberis mountedon said gate. 6. The safety gate of claim 5 wherein said frame further comprisesa hollow post, said connecting rod being arranged within said hollow post and pivotally mountedto said post at a location along the post. 7. Thesafety gate of claim 5 whereinsaid connecting rod is normally biased to urge the locking pin toward the unlockedposition. 8. The safety gate of claim 7 wherein said movable latching memberis normally urged in a direction toward the latched position by bias means. 9. The safety gate of claim 8 wherein said movable latching memberis provided with a cam surface which slideably engages said second latching memberwhen the first latching memberis movedtoward said second latching memberto movea latching surface of the first latching memberawayfrom the second latching member., said movement away from the second latching memberbeing terminated whensaid camsurface clears said sece, nd latching memberwherein the latching surface of the first latching memberis movedtoward said latching position by said bias means. 10. A safety gate comprising: a gate; a stationary frame arranged to selectively close off an access opening positioned between two (2) adjacent areas, said openingbeingdefined by at least a floor and two (2) spaced side surfaces; said frame being secured betweensaid sides, by holding memberson opposite sides of said frame; said frame having an openingfor receiving s~tid gate, one side of said gate being moveablymountedto one side of said frame opening;

US 2005/0028947 A1

a latching mechanismarranged along another side of said gate opposite said one side and having a first and second movably mounted membersmovable between a latched and unlatched position and being normally urged in a first direction outwardlyand awayfrom said gate by bias means; a fixed latching memberfixed on said frame; said first and second movable membersbeing spaced apart and each having a cam surface for slideably engagingone of a pair of opposingvertices of said fixed memberwhensaid gate is swungtoward a position in alignment with said fixed member,one of said cam surfaces slidably engaging an associated vertex and being movedtoward the unlatched position until said one camsurface engagingsaid associated vertex is free of said associated vertex whereuponthe first and second movablemembersare urged to the latching position whereby said first and second movablemembers lie on opposite sides of said fixed member,said fixed memberbeing positioned betweensaid first and second movable members when the gate is in the closed position. 11. The safety gate of claim 10 wherein said gate maybe opened when said first and second movable membersare movedto the unlatched position. 12. The safety gate of claim 10 wherein said first and second membersare coupled so as to movein unison. 13. A safety gate, comprising: a gate; a frame having a gate receiving opening defined by first and second opposing sides; one side of said gate being pivotally mountedto said first opposing side; another side of said gate having a latch assembly for latching said another side of said gate to said frame; a timing device for emitting an alarm a given time after being activated; said timing device being disabled whenthe gate is closed and the latch assemblyis latched and being enabled to time out whensaid latch assembly is in the unlatched position. 14. The safety gate of claim 13 comprising a memberon said frame for engaginga switch formingpart of said timing device to disable said timing device when engaged by a memberarranged on said gate. 15. Thesafety gate of claim 13 whereinsaid alarm is one of an audible and visual alarm. 16. The safety gate of claim 13 wherein the alarm is a flashing alarm. 17. The safety gate of claim 1 further comprising: a timing device for emitting an alarm a given time after being activated; said timing device being disabled whenthe gate is closed in the latching mechanism is latched and being enabled to time out whensaid latching mechanismis unlatched.

Feb. 10,2005

18. A safety gate comprising: a gate; a stationary frame arranged to selectively close off an access opening positioned between two (2) adjacent areas, said openingbeing definedby at least a floor and two (2) spaced side surfaces; said frame being secured betweensaid side surfaces by adjustable holding memberson opposite sides of said flame; said frame having a gate opening for receiving said gate, one side of said gate opening having hinge assemblies for moveablymountingone side of said gate to said frame; a latching mechanismarranged along anc,ther side of said gate opposite said one side for selectively engaging a fixed latching memberarranged along said frame whensaid gate is in a closed position; at least one of said hinge assemblies incorporating a biasing assembly for normally urging said gate towardthe closed position. 19. The safety gate of claim 18 whereinsaid one of said hinge assemblies comprises first and second housing halves pivotally coupled to one another and respectiwdy mounted to said one side of said openingand said one side of said gale; said housing halves cooperating to form a hollow enclosed space for housing said biasing assembly; said one hinge assemblyenabling said gate to selectively swing about pivot of said hinge assembly in either a clockwiseor counter clockwise direction from a closed position; said biasing assemblyurging said gate towardsaid closed position regardless of movement of said gate in either direction awayfrom the closed position. 20. The safety gate of claim 19 wherein said hollow enclosed space is toroidal-shaped; said biasing assemblycomprisingfirst and second helical springs mounted in said toroidal-shaped enclosed space; one end of said first and second springs engaging an integral projection in one of said housing halves; remaining ends of said first and second springs engaging an integral projection in another one of said housing halves, whereby one of said springs is compressed when said gate is moved in a given one of said clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, said compressed spring urging said gate toward the closed portion whenthe gate is released. 21. The safety gate of claim 19 wherein one of said housing halves is cup-shaped and a remaining one of said housing halves is disc-shaped; both of said housing halves having centrally located cylindrical projections being telescoped into one another to provide a pivotal coupling therebetween, said housing halves whencoupled together, forming a toroidal-shapedhollowregion for retaining said biasing assembly comprising a helical spring in a circular configuration;

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Feb. 10, 2005 6

an integral projection in one of said cup-shaped and disk-shaped membersrespectively engaging the free ends of said spring and an integral projection in a remaining one of said cup-shaped and disk-shaped membersprojecting into an intermediate turn of said spring. 22. The safety gate of claim 19 wherein one of said housing halves is cup-shaped and a remaining one of said housing halves is disc-shaped; both of said housing halves having centrally located cylindrical projections being telescoped into one another to provide a pivotal coupling there between, said housing halves whencoupled together, forming a toroidal-shapedhollowregion for retaining said biasing assembly comprising a pair of helical springs in a circular configuration; an integral projection in one of said cup-shaped and disk-shaped membersrespectively engaging first ends of said springs and an integral projection in a remaining one of said cup-shaped and disk-shaped members engaging second ends of said springs. 23. A gate assembly comprising: a stalionary frameto selectively close off a framereceiving openingdefined by a structure and defining a gate

receiving opening that is smaller than said frame receiving opening; a gate mountedin said gate receiving opening; and a latching mechanismcomprising: i) a housing, at least a part of whichis movablealong said gate; ii) a movable latching memberpivotally mounted in said housing for selective engagementwith a fixed latching memberarranged on said stationary frame; and iii) an operating lever projecting from said housingfor movingthe movablelatching memberaway from the fixed memberwhenthe operating lever is pressed in a first direction; wherein said movable latching memberextends into a recess in said fixed latching memberand engagessaid fixed latching memberwhen the gate is closed and latched and is withdrawn from said recess and displaced from the fixed latching memberwhen the movable portion of said housingis in an unlatchedposition.

IIIIII IIIIIIII III IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIIII IIII IIII IIII US006715182B2

(12) United States Patent

(lO) Patent No.: US 6,715,182 B2 (45) Dateof Patent: Apr. 6, 2004

Cheng

(54)

SELF-CLOSING

(76)

Inventor:

(*) Notice:

SAFETY GATE HINGE

Shu-ChenCheng, 3 FI., No. 100, Wen-LinN. Rd., Taipei (TW) Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21)

Appl. No.: 10/188,978

(22)

Filed:

(65)

Jul. 5, 2002

Primary Examiner---Anthony Knight Assistant Examiner---Christopher Boswell (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Rabin & Berdo, EC.

Prior Publication Data

(51) (52)

(58)

(57)

Foreign Application Priority Data

Jul. 11, 2001 (TW) ......................................

90211643U

Int. CI.7 .............................

E05F 1/08; E04H17/00 U.S.CI............................... 16/280; 16/50; 16/86.1; 16/303; 16/72; 16/DIG. 10; 256/65.01 Field of Search.......................... 16/50,86.1, 86.2, 16/280, 284, 303, 308, 72, DIG. 10; 256/65.01, 26, 67, 73

(56)

References Cited U.S.

PATENT DOCUMENTS

309,039A* 12/1884 Foster.........................

16/316

ABSTRACT

A self-closing safety gate hinge comprises a bracket, a bottom seat, a top seat and a hinge pin. The bracket is attached to a top of a gate post. Thebottom,,;eat is attached to one side of the bracket and an inclined top surface is camberedon the bottom seat. A through hole is defined vertically through the bottom seat. The top seat has an inclined bottom surface corresponding to the inclined top surface and is attachedto oneside of a gate a! top. A stepped throughhole is defined vertically through the top seat. The hinge pin is mountedthrough a spring and the through holes and is held in place by a C-clip. 8 Claims, 9 DrawingSheets

3O

/41

42

16/318 16/312 16/284 16/50 16/317 16,/284 16/303 16/342 16/72

* cited by examiner

us 2003/0009945A1Jan. 16, 2003 (30)

612,471 A * 10/1898 Wood .......................... 3,398,487 A * 8/1968 Matyas ........................ 4,030,161 A * 6/1977 Loikitz ........................ 4,215,449 A * 8/1980 Loikitz .......................... 4,697,306 A * 10/1987 Rhodes ........................ 4,978,014 A * 12/1990 Humitz et al .................. 5,222,260 A * 6/1993 Piper ........................... 5,715,576 A * 2/1998 Liu............................. 6,477,736B1* 11/2002Abernathy .....................

322

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FIG. 1

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33

31 21

20

FIG. 2

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’

FIG. 3

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32

US 6,71.5,182 B2

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30

35

FIG. 4

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41 30 ~3 32 11 /40

////

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FIG. 5

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B2

U.S. Patent

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B2

41 40

/ !

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FIG. 6

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30

33~,

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11

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31 , 33 32

21 20

FIG. 7

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FI6.8

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FIG. 9 PRIOR ART

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US 6,715,182 B2 1

2

FIG.5 is an enlargedoperational front plan view in partial SELF-CLOSING SAFETY GATE HINGE section of the self-closing safety gate hinge :in FIG. 1 when the gate is closed. BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION FIG. 6 is an enlarged operational top plan view of the 5 self-closing safety gate hinge in FIG. 1 whenthe gate is 1. Field of the Invention closed. Thepresent invention relates to a safety gate hinge, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged operational front p]tan view of the moreparticularly to a self-closing safety gate hinge. self-closing safety gate hinge in FIG. 1 whenthe gate is 2. Description of Related Art opening. Generally, manyparents install a safety gate at the top or 10 FIG. 8 is an enlarged operational top plan view of the bottom of stairs and in doorwaysto prevent their children self-closing safety gate hinge in FIG. 1 w]henthe gate is from falling downthe stairs or out of doors. Safety gates are opening. especially important for the safety of toddlers and crawling FIG. 9 is a front plan view of a conventional safety gate infants. in accordancewith the prior art. With reference to FIG. 9, a conventional safety gate (60) is very easy to open, and children mayinadvertently push DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED the safely gate open whenthey are playing with potentially EMBODIMENT dangerous and disastrous results. Moreover, whenpeople With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a self-closing safety gate openthe safety gate, they often forget to close it. If the safety hinge in accordance with the present invention comprises a gate does not have a self-closing capability, an infant that 2o bracket (11), a bottomseat (20), a top seat (30), a hinge crawls or walks to the safety gate may be in danger of (33) and a spring (34). Theself-closing safety gate hinge falling. Theconventional safety gate is not safe enough. connected to a gate post (10) and to a gate body (40). To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention gate post (10) and the gate body (40) have a top, a bottom, provides an improvedsafety gate hinge to mitigate and/or two sides, a front and a back. obviate the aforementioned problems. 25 The bracket (11) has a side facing the gate body(40) SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION a side facing the gate post (10) and is attached to the top the gate post (10). The bottomseat (20) has an inclined The main objective of the invention is to provide an surface (21) and is attached to the side of the bracket (11) improvedsafety gate that can provide children a substan3o facing the gate body(40). Theinclined top surface (21) tially safer living environment. a center and is camberedfrom the top to bottomand the front Oneembodimentof the self-closing safety gate hinge in to the back. A vertical throughhole (23) is .defined through accordancewith the invention comprisesa bracket, a bottom the central of the bottomseat (20). seat, a top seat and a hinge pin. Thebracket is mountedat The top seat (30) is mountedon the top of the gate body the top of a gate post andit has a side facing the safety gate. 35 (40) at the first side and has an inclined bottomsurface (31) Thebottomseat is attached to the side of the bracket facing to contact the inclined top surface (21) on the bottom seat the safety gate. Thetop surface of the bottomseat is inclined, (20). Theinclined bottom surface (31) has a center and and the inclined top surface is camberedfrom front to back. concaveto correspondpartially to the camberof the inclined A vertical throughhole is defined througha central position top surface (21) of the bottomseat (20). Theinclined bottom of the bottom seat. The top seat is mountedon the bottom seal and an inclined bottom surface corresponds to the 4o surface (31) partially contacts with the inclined top surface (21) on the bottomseat (20). A vertical stepped through inclined top surface on the bottom seat. The top seat is (32) is defined through the top seat (30) through the center attached to one side of a gate body. A stepped vertical of the inclined bottom surface (31). Shoulders (322) through hole is defined in a central position of the top seat formedat each step in the vertical stepped throughhole (32) to correspondto the vertical throughhole in the bottomseat. in the top seat (30). The spring (34) has a top end and A spring is mountedin the vertical through hole in the top 45 bottom end and is mountedin the vertical :stepped through seat. A hinge pin is mountedin the aligned vertical through hole (32) such that the bottomend of the spring (34) presses holes through the spring and extends out of the vertical against the lowest shoulder. Thehinge pin (33) comprises through hole in the bottomseat. A C-clip is mountedaround shaft (332) with an enlarged head (334) formedon one the hinge pin and holds the hinge pin in the vertical holes. The hinge pin connects the top and bottom seat together. 50 of the shaft (332) and an annular groove (336) formed around the other end. Theshaft (332) of the hinge pin (33) Other objects, advantagesand novel features of the invenpasses throughthe spring (34), the stepped throughhole (32) tion will becomemore apparent from the following detailed in the top seat (30) and the throughhole (2.3) in the bottom description whentaken in conjunction with the accompaseat (21). Thediameter of the shaft (332) is smaller than nying drawings. 55 inner diameter of the stepped through hole (32) or the through hole (23), such that a gap is defined betweenthe BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS shaft (332) and the through holes (23, 32). This will allow FIG. 1 is an operational front plan view of a safety gate that the top seat (30) or the bottomseat (2~D)can slopingly with a self-closing safety gate hinge in accordancewith the moverelative to the hinge pin (33). The head (334) of present invention. 60 hinge pin (33) presses against the top end of the spring (34). FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the self-closing The bottom end of the shaft (332) with the annular groove safety gate hinge in FIG. 1. (336) extends out of the through hole (23) in the bottom (20). A C-clip (35) is mountedin the annular groove (336) FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the around the hinge pin (33). self-closing safety gate hinge in FIG. 1. A lock device (41) is mountedon the top of the gate body FIG. 4 is an enlarged front plan view in partial section of 65 (40) at the secondside and a treadle device (42) is installed another embodiment of the self-closing safety gate hinge in below the bottom of the gate body(40) at the second side. accordance with the present invention.

US6,715,182 B2 3

4 2. The self-closing safety gate hinge as claimed in claim

The gate body(40) is locked by the lock device (41) and 1, not be opened. whereinthe hinge pin is mountedthrough the spring, the With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, whenthe user wants to vertical stepped though hole in the top seat and the openthe gate, the user must stampthe treadle device (42) vertical though hole in the bottom seat; and lift the gate body (40) to unlock the lock device (41). Becausea force, about five kilograms, is needed for stampthe hinge pin has a shaft with a first end and a secondend, andan enlargedheadformedon the first end of the shaft ing the treadle device (42) or to lifting the gate body(40), to abut the top end of the spring, the secondend of the a child has not an ability of lifting the gate body(40) so that shaft extending through the spring. a protecting effect is provided. 10 3. The self-closing safety gate hinge as claimed in claim Whenthe user lifts the gate body(40), the top seat (30) 2, whereinthe second end of the shaft extends through the will rise to a higher position along the camberof the top bottom seat, and an annular groove is formed around the surface on the bottom seat (20) because of a gap defined second end of the shaft; and betweenthe shaft (332) and the through holes (23, 32). a C-clip is mountedin the annular groove around the inclined surfaces (21, 31) will separate partially from each hinge pin to hold the hinge pin in the vertical through other so that the lock device (41) will be unlockedand the holes. gate body(40) can be opened. After the user passes through 4. The self-closing safety gate hinge as claimed in claim the gate, the gravity is acting on the gate body(40) and the 2, wherein the inclined top surface of the bottom seat is gate body(40) forces the top seat (30) to press against inclined top surface (21) of the bottom seat (20). 2o camberedfrom a front to a back and a top to a bottom; and camberedand concave inclined surfaces (21, 31) force the the inclined bottomsurface of the top seat is concaveand gate body (40) back to a closed position. Consequently, partially correspondsto the inclined top surface of the self-closing safety effect is achieved. bottomseat so that the inclined bottomsurface partially contacts with the inclined top surface on the bottom Accordingly,the safety gate with the self-closing safety seat. gate hinge in accordancewith the present invention can keep 25 5. Theself-closing safety gate hinge as c]laimedin claim the gate in a normallylockedcondition. This can prevent the 1, wherein the inclined top surface of the bottom seat is children from pushing the safety gate open inadvertently camberedfrom a front to a back and a top to a bottom; and whenthey are playing with potentially dangerousand disastrous results. Moreover,whenpeople opens the safety gate the inclined bottomsurface of the top seal is concaveand and forgets to close it, the safety gate always closes and 3o partially correspondsto the inclined top surface of the locks by itself. Aninfant that will not crawl or walkthrough bottomseat so that the inclined bottom~,;urface partially the safety gate andthe infant is kept in a safer environment. contacts with the inclined top surface on the bottom seat. Althoughnumerouscharacteristics and advantages of the 6. A self-closing safety gate hinge for a safety gate, the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and func- 35 safety gate having a gate bodywith two sides, and two gates posts, each gate post correspondingto a re:~pective side of tion of the invention, it will be obviousto those skilled in the the gate body, the self-closing safety gate hinge comprising: art that various modifications maybe madewithout departing from what is intended to be limited solely by the a bracket with a side that is adaptedto face the gate body appended claims. and being adapted to be attached to a top of one of the 40 Whatis claimed is: gate posts; 1. A self-closing safety gate hinge for a safety gate, the a bottom seat mounted on the side of the bracket and safety gate having a gate body with two sides and a havingan inclined top surface, the inclined top surface respective gate post with a top and a bottom corresponding having a center, and a vertical through hole extending to each side of the gate body, the self-closing safety gate through the bottom seat and being fom~edat the center 45 hinge comprising: of the inclined top surface; a bracket with a side adapted to face the gate bodyand a hinge pin with a shaft having a first end and a second being adapted to be attached to a top of one of the gate end, and an enlarged headformedon the first end of the posts; shaft; a bottom seat mounted on the side of the bracket and 50 a top seat pivotally attached to the bottomseat with the havingan inclined top surface, the inclined top surface hinge pin and being adapted to be mountedon a top of having a center, and a vertical throughhole defined in the gate body, the top seat having an inclined bottom the bottom seat through the center of the inclined top surface partially corresponding to the inclined top surface; surface of the bottomseat, the inclined bottomsurface having a center, and a vertical stepped through hole a top seat pivotally attached to the bottom seat with a 55 extending through the top seat and being formedat the hinge pin and being adapted to be mountedon a top of center of the inclined bottom surface, wherein shoulthe gate body, the top seat having an inclined bottom ders are formedin the vertical stepped through hole; surface partially corresponding to the inclined top and surface of the bottomseat, the inclined bottomsurface having a center, and a vertical stepped though hole 60 a spring mounted around the hinge pin, the hinge pin defined in the top seat throughthe center of the inclined extendingin the vertical steppedthroughhole in the top bottom surface, wherein shoulders are formed in the seat andthe vertical throughhole in the bottomseat, the vertical stepped through hole; and spring having a bottom end disposed against one of the shoulders and a top end abutting against the enlarged a spring mountedaround the hinge pin in the vertical head of the hinge pin. stepped through hole, the spring having a bottom end 65 7. A self-closing safety gate hinge for a safety gate, against one of the shoulders and a top end abutting comprising: against the hinge pin.

US 6,715,182 B2 5 a bracket adapted to be attached to a top of a gate post; the inclined bottom surface, the vertical stepped through hole having shoulders formedtherein; and a bottom seat connected to the bracket and having an a spring mountedaroundthe hinge pin and being disposed inclined top surface, the inclined top surface having a in the vertical stepped through hole, wi~h a bottom of center, and a vertical through hole extending through the spring abutting against one of the shoulders and a the bottom seat and being formedat the center; top end of the spring abutting against the enlargedhead a hinge pin having a shaft, and an enlarged head formed of the hinge pin, the shaft of the hinge pin extending on an end of the shaft; throughthe vertical stepped throughhole in the top seat a top seat pivotally attached to the bottomseat using the and the vertical throughhole in the botl!om seat. hinge pin and being adapted to be mountedon a top of 10 8. A self-closing safety gate hinge for a safety gate as a gate body, the top seat having an inclined bottom recited in claim 7, wherein the shaft of the hinge pin is surface arranged over the inclined top surface of the slidably and axially movablethrough the w~rtical stepped bottom seat, the inclined bottom surface having a throughhole in the top seat. center, and a vertical stepped through hole extending through the top seat and being formedat the center of

III IIIIIIIII III IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIII IIII IIII US006308462B1 (15) UnitedStates Patent

(lO) Patent No.:

Andersen

(45) Date of Patent:

(54)

CHILD SAFETY BARRIER

(76)

Inventor: Finn Andersen, Niels Bohrsvej 14, DK-8670 Lasby (DK)

(*) Notice:

(21)

5,117,585* 5,396,732* 5,442,881* 5,924,242*

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

Oct. 30, 2001

6/1992 Andrisin .................................... 49/55 3/1995 Andersen .................................. 49/55 8/1995 Asbach et al .......................... 49/465 7/1999 Macari et al ........................ 49/57 X

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner--Jerry Redman (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm--DykemaGossett PLLC

Appl. No.: 09/658,936

(22) Filed:

US6,308,462

Sep. 11, 2000

(57)

ABSTRACT

Related U.S. Application Data (63) (30)

Continuation of applicationNo.09/171,653,filed as application No. PCT/DK97/00190 on Apr. 24, 1997. Foreign Application Priority Data

Apr.24,1996 (DK) ................................................... 0494/96 7 (51) Int.CI......................................................... E06B3/68 CI.................................................... 49/57; 49/465 (52) U.S. of Search .................................... (58) Field 49/50, 57, 55, 49/463, 465; 160/217, 225 (56)

References Cited U.S.

A child safety barrier for positioning across an opening includes a frame and a gate whichis hinged to the frameand can be swungfrom a closed position where the gate lies in the plane of the frameto an open position out of the plane, the gate including an upper rod having a closing mechanism for lockingthe gate in a closed position or unlockingthe gate to allow it to be opened. The closing mechanismincludes a pivotable handle and a spring-loaded locking button which cooperates with the handle to retain it in a position wherein it locks the gate in a closed position.

PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,611,431 * 9/1986 Lauro.......................................

48

76

10

8 Claims, 2 DrawingSheets:

49/55

54

16

6 12

34 4 36

U.S. Patent

Oct. 30, 2001

Sheet 1 of 2

US 6,308,462

B1

FIG. 3

~ o~o~o

--~

FIG. 1 32

/..-’~ a////

46 ~. 4

38 4

FIG. 4 12a

U.S. Patent

Oct. 30, 2001

Sheet2 of 2

US 6,308,462 B1

100

48

78 68 ~. 102 68

FIG. 5

104 62

64

FIG. 11

70 ..--~’ o 74

64

~i:~~ 68

50a

FIG. 5a

58

~. 8480

FIG. 8

US 6,308,462 B1 1

2

CHILD SAFETY BARRIER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLI CATI ON This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/171,6535 filed Mar. 19, 1999, now abandonedwhich was a national phase of PCT/DK97/00190, filed Apr. 24, 1997. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION

a0

Thepresent invention relates to a safety child barrier of the type which includes a gate mountedin a frame, the barrier being fastenable in an opening using clamping devices which can be clamped against the sides of the 15 opening. Child safety gates are used as temporarybarriers across doorways, stairways, windows, and similar openings to prevent small children and animals from passing therethrough. 20 There are knownchild safety barriers which include a frame with a central gate and there are also knownbarriers wherethe gate is located at one side thereof. The purpose of this invention is to provide gates of enhancedreliability. The barrier has a special hinge con- 2s struction which prevents buckling at the hinge, and the barrier has also a special closing mechanism having an extra protection against unintendedopening. Finally, the barrier includes an indicator device to indicate the clampingin the opening. ~o BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodimentof the invention shall be explained further belowwith reference to the enclosed drawings. 35 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child safety barrier constructed in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention, the barrier including a frame and a gate hinged thereto, FIG. 2 is a view of one end of the base memberof the 4o frame and showing a closing mechanism for clamping against a side of an opening in which the barrier is positioned, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking hinge between the upper end of the gate and vertical post of the frame, 45 FIG. 4 is a view of a hinge betweenthe lower end of the gate and the base memberof the frame, FIGS.5, 5a, 6 and 7 depict the closing mechanismat the free end of the upper rod of the gate, FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 depict embodiments of a blocking s0 device located at the free end of the upper rod of the gate, FIG. 10 shows a pressure indicator unit in the upper rod of the frame, and FIG. 12 showsa cross section of a free end of a threaded ss bar of the closing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The child safety barrier includes a frame having a base 6o member2 and an upright post member4, a short upper rod member6 extending to one side at the upper end of the post member. Vertical rods 8 extend between the upper rod memberand the base member.On the other side of the post a gate 10 is hinged. 65 For fastening of the barrier in the openingthere is in each cornerof the plane of the barrier, i.e., in both endsof the base

member2 and the free end of the upper member6 a threaded rod 12 with a friction block. The threadedro&scan be pulled in and out and fixed by meansof a counter nut 14 so that their length can be adjusted to the size of the actual opening. The gate includes a closing mechanism48 which also has a correspondingthreaded bar with a friction b]lock whichcan be pulled in and out and fixed with a counter nut, and which by meansof the closing mechanismcan be clamped against the opening. At the top of the gate 10 is hinged to the post 4 by means of a specially designed hinge 16. As shown in FIG. 3, a substantially tubeshapedupper hinge part 18 of plastic with a hole 20 for a pivot pin 22 is mountedover the upper rod 54 of the gate. At this location the hingepart is solid. Onthe lowerpart of the hingepart there is a slot 24. Theother hinge part 26 is attached to the post 4, on to whichan angle 28 is welded. Thehinge part has a pocket, by meansof whichthis can be slipped in over the perpendicularly projecting flap of the angle on the post. Onthe upper part of the hinge part there is a fin 30 projecting upwards,whichfits loosely up into the slot 24 on the other hinge part. There is also a through-going hole 32 for the pivot pin 22. The hole is carried through the angle so that the hinge part is fixed by meansof the pivot pin 22. Onthe lowerside o1[ the hinge part the hole is continuedin a tube section and at the back there is a contact surface facing the post or moreprecisely the angle. Furthermore,there is a reinforcing rib. Thepivot pin 22 is attachedby tight fitting or by screwingit into the upper part 18 of the hinge, and in the closed position of the gate the pivot is still hiddenin the hinge, i.e., the pivot doesnot project beneath the hinge. As shownin FIG. 4, at its bottomthe gate is hingedto the base memberby meansof a pivot pin 34 situated through a hole in the bottom rod 36 of the gate further downthrough a hole in the top side of the base member2 of the frame. The end of the pivot pin 34 is bent to the side so that it functions as a stop for pulling up the gate. Thepivot pin is inserted by manipulatingit throughthe hole in the bottomrod of the gate and further downinto the bottomrod of the frame. The pivot pin 34 can be weldedto the gate by the head. To open the barrier the gate is lifted by meansof which the upper part of the hinge16 is lifted clear of the fin 30 on the lower part 26. Whenthe gate is swungopen the upper part 18 will ride on the fin 30. Thevertical lift of the gate is as mentioned limited by the pivot pin 34 in the bottom hinging of the gate. In the closed position of the gate the hinge is fixed against sidewaysdeflection as the fin 30 here is situated in the slot 24 on the under side of the upperpart 18 of the hinge. Furthermore, the forces appearing in the upper memberof the gate will be transmitted directly to the vertical post 4, as the rear edgeof the upper hingepart is at lhe top shaped as an planar contact plane 40 for contact against the pillar whereas the edge at the slot region is shaped as rounded sliding surfaces 42 situated within the contact plane. In the open position the contact plane 40 is lifted above the pillar 4 and by swingingup the gate, the sliding surface 42 will slide uponthe pillar. ~Mtogether,the upper part of the barrier will in closed position stand as a nearly rigid through-going connection including the upper rod the gate, the upper part of the pillar andthe upperrod of the frame. In closed position the front corner at the bottom of the gate is secured against deflection by meansof an U-shaped element 44 gripping around the top side of the base member 2. Bylifting the gate for its opening,the element44 clears the base member. The element 44 is positioned on the

US 6,308,462 B1 3

4

Dueto the yielding of the opening wherethe barrier is rounding where the lower rod of the gate curves into the placed, e.g., yielding banisters, it can be difficult to decide front rod 46, by means of which the wedge-shaped space next to the base memberis blocked so that children cannot howhard the gate has to be clamped. For this purpose the get their toes or fingers caught in the gate. upper rod of the frame is shaped as an indicator unit. As As seen in FIGS.5-7, the gate includes a closing mecha- 5 shownin FIG. 10, a spring 87 is positioned in rod 6 for nism 48, which also has a threaded bar 50 with a friction affecting a pipe section 88 in whichthe threadedbar 12 with block 50a. The threaded bar is situated in a through-going the friction block 12a is situated. Onthe pipe there are two hole in a sliding element52 and extends with its end into the indication marks 90,92, the first showing the sufficient upper rod 54. In the element 52 a nut 56 is cast so that the clampingof the frame itself, the second showingsufficient threaded bar can be screwedin and out to fit the actual size 10 clamping of the closing mechanismof the gate. of an opening. At the front the element 52 has a sideways projecting cross wall 58, to whichin each side a recess with In order to improvethe securing of the rubber or plastic a camface 60 is contiguous. A handle 62 (see FIG. 5a) coating (covering) 94 of the friction blockon I:he supporting includes two parallel sidewalls 64, whichon the rear section plate 96, this can be equippedwith one or several holes 98, is connected with a curved member66 fitting the upper rod 15 mainlythree evenly distributed over the plate, and wherethe 54 of the gate. At the front the sidewalls have a side plate coating penetrates into the holes, such as by protrusions 94a, with a projection 70 cooperating with the camface60 in the cf. FIG. 12. Thecoating is thus effectively secured against recess on the element 52. Whenthe handle62 is closed, i.e., stripping off by sidewaysforces on the gate. This applies to in horizontal position, the threaded bar and thereby the friction block are in their projecting locked position. When a loosely fixed coating as well as a vulcanizedcoating. openingthe gate, the handle is turned, thus causing the pins 2o Whatis claimed is: 70 in cooperation with the camfaceto pull back the threaded 1. A child safety barrier which is positionable in an bar with the friction block out of contact with the openingin opening betweentwo supports, said barrier comprising: whichthe barrier is placed. Thegate can then be lifted and openedas described previously. Whenclosing the gate, the a frame which includes a lower horizontally-extending handle is pushed downwards,thus causing the front edge of 25 base memberand a vertical pillar attached thereto, said the sides 64 to press against the cross wall 58 of the element frame defining an imaginary plane, by means of which this is pushed forward to clamp the an openable gate which is connected to said frame and is friction block against the opening. On the edge of the pivotable relative thereto betweenan open and a closed element there is a projection 72 cooperating with a slot 74 position, said gate including an upper rod having a in the side plates. In a closed position the projections are 30 closing mechanism, and positionedin the slot. Bylifting the handleto openthe gate, the projections 72 will counteract this. Onlywith an extra said closing mechanismcomprising a 1handle pivotal firm grip on the handleit will be possible to swingit upwards about an axis betweena locked position for locking the as the sidewalls thereby are forced from each other and slide gate in a closed position in the imaginaryplane and an on top of the projections. Onthe other hand, the projections 35 unlocked position for opening the gate out of the will cooperate in causing the handle to shut with a "snap imaginary plane, said handle including a sidewall haveffect" and to remainin the closed position. ing a throughhole, and a spring-loaded blocking button As an additional securing feature preventing opening of for securing the handle in locked position whichcan be the gate, the handle is blocked by meansof a spring-loaded pressed out of said through hole to release the handle blocking knob76 located in an element in the shape of flat 4o for openingthe gate. plastic block 78 (see FIGS.8 and 9). This block is firmly 2. Achildsafety barrier accordingto clain~t 1, whereinthe fixed betweena projecting end of the upper rod 54 of the closing mechanismcomprises a main body in the shape of gate and a parallel fiat iron 80 weldedto the front rod 46, a fiat block secured to the gate, said blocking button being which is a pipe, and the neighbour rod 82 of the gate. The in the main body. rear edge of the block is undercut and grips around the rod ,~5 arranged 3. A child safety barrier according to claim 2, whereinthe 82. At the front the block is fixed by meansof a pin 84 which blocking button is one piece with the main body. projects downwardly into the pipe 46. The axis of rotation of 4. A child safety barrier accordingto claim 2, whereinthe the handle is embeddedin a cross hole 86 in the block. The blocking button is a loose knobimbeddedin a recess in the blocking knob76 is designed as an entity with the plastic main body. block and placed directly against the side plates 68 or 5o 5. A child safety barrier according to claim 1, whereinthe designed as shownin FIG. 11 as a spring-loaded 100 loose spring load is a separate spring. knob 102 embeddedin a recess 104 in the plastic block 78, 6. A child safety barrier accordingto claim5, whereinthe andwhichgrips into a hole in the side plate 68 of the handle. spring is a coil spring. Thehandle is thus blocked in the closed position. In order 7. A child safety barrier accordingto claim 1, whereinthe to open the gate two independent movements are thus 55 through hole is arranged in an extended side: memberof the necessary, i.e., pushing in the blocking knob76 as well as handle. lifting the handle. Beyondthis, the entire gate has to be 8. A child safety barrier accordingto claim 1, whereinthe lifted. The gate is hereby effectively secured against uninblockingbutton has a flange for cooperatingwith the interior tendedopening, and at the sametime it is still easy to open wall of the side of the handle for retaining the button in for an adult person. Besides being an integrated part of the 6o position. plastic block, the blocking knobcan of course also be shaped as a separate spring-loaded knob embeddedin the plastic piece.