Movable or removable closures – Distortable; e.g. – flexible strand-type barricade
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-02-27
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Distortable; e.g., flexible strand-type barricade
C160S330000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192627
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of gates and mechanical barriers which prevent passage through an opening. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of gates and mechanical barriers which are opened and closed by electric motors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A chain gate generally stretches across a driveway, road or passageway in order to block the travel of unwanted persons or vehicular traffic onto that driveway, road or passageway. The gate is usually attached to one post on either side of the driveway or road and stretched across and hooked, and/or locked to a post on the other side of the driveway or road. In the past the chain has been stretched across the driveway manually. A person who wanted to drive their vehicle through the chain gate or a gate-like barrier would have to get out of their vehicle, unhook the chain from the fence post or gate and then drive through the gate posts or opening. To close the chain gate or gate-like barrier, the person would again have to get out of their vehicle and hook the chain back up to the post. During inclimate weather this procedure can be very demanding as a person wishing to travel through the chain gate or gate-like barrier will be exposed to the bad weather conditions both in opening and closing the gate.
An early gate of this form is presented by J. S. Fitch et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 1,643,297. The gate structure 10 as disclosed by this patent is fixedly connected to the gate post 11. This gate structure is lowered and raised manually by pulling the cable 35 which releases and engages the arm 22 with the hook 24. When the gate structure is lowered it rests on the ground between the posts so that a vehicle driving through the gate will drive over the chain.
Another gate locking device of this type is presented by Reinfeld in U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,724. The gate 4 is connected between the stationary fence post 26 and the movable fence post 24. The movable fence post 24 is locked to another stationary fence post 2 by a locking device 1. The locking device has an arm 9 which has a flexible member 10 which connects over the top of the movable fence post 24 to lock the gate in the closed position. When the gate is opened, the flexible member 10 is manually unhooked from the top of the movable fence post 24, lifted out of the ring 28 and the gate structure is then carried to the opposite side of the road or driveway thus clearing the gate from the road or driveway. When the gate is to be closed, the gate structure has to be manually carried across the road or driveway, the bottom of the fence post 27 has to be slipped into the ring 28 at the bottom, the flexible member 10 is slipped over the top of the fence post 24 and the locking device 1 is then secured in the locked position.
A solar-powered electrically controlled gate is presented by Dumbeck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,268. The chain 10 is fixedly connected to the post 11 and is coupled to the pivoted lever 14 which is connected to the opposite post 12. The chain 10 is raised and lowered by the two pivoted levers 14,15 and the drive motor 16. The motor has a worm drive train 17 and a pivoting gear 18. The lever 15 is moved downward to relax the chain 10 and open the gate and the lever 15 is moved upward to tighten the chain 10 and close the gate. The operation of this gate is controlled by manual operation of the corresponding switch 42,43.
What is needed is a barrier system which can be mechanically opened and closed by a user with a remote control device so that the user will not have to get out of their vehicle at any time to open or close the gate and can also open or close the gate from a long distance away, thus giving a homeowner great protection or control, where the driveway may be a great distance from their home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The mechanical barrier of the present invention has an electrically controlled mechanism. The barrier (e.g. chain gate) can be lowered or raised from a remote location using an accompanying remote control device. The motor and mechanics used to raise and lower the chain are modular for easy repair and replacement, and enclosed in a protective covering in order to protect them from damage or tampering. The motor can be operated by alternating current or direct current to provide the user with flexibility and allow the gate to be operated either by direct wire to an electrical source or by one or more batteries or recharging solar cells, and used in remote places where there is no access to electrical power.
In one embodiment, a motor turns a gear that turns another gear which is attached to and which drives a lead screw. As the lead screw turns it moves a nut up and down the lead screw. Attached to the nut is a roller around which a barrier (such as a chain) is captured and moves; depending upon the direction the lead screw is turning the nut chases up or down the screw thus releasing out or reeling in a length of chain or other such flexible tethers such as various designs of chain, rope, wire, etc. As this flexible tether moves in or our of the post, the flexible barrier likewise lowers to the extent of laying on the ground for passage or tightens to an upright position (i.e., raises) to prevent passage. Another embodiment has the motor connected “in-line” to a set of planetary or other gears connected directly to the lead screw shaft providing a “direct in-line” drive line power source. This approach reduces the need for additional mounting plates and parts and makes for a more efficient and a more simply designed product. Specifically, the “In-line” embodiment has the motor output shaft extended or connected directly to the gear box shaft. In this configuration, the motor output shaft functions as both the input and output shafts of the planetary gear box. The motor output shaft is both centered and concentrical to the motor and gear box, as opposed to the output shaft of the motor being offset from and separate from a parallel input/output shaft of the gear box.
In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a barrier system comprising: a) a barrier linking a first stationary object to a second stationary object; b) means for raising and lowering said barrier, said means coupled to said barrier and comprising i) a lead screw, ii) a motor operably linked to said lead screw such that said lead screw turns when said motor operates, and iii) a mechanism chain traveling roller assembly configured such that it moves up and down said lead screw when said lead screw turns, said mechanism chain traveling roller assembly comprising an internal roller that engages said barrier.
The present invention also contemplates a barrier system comprising: a) a barrier linking a first stationary object to a second stationary object, b) a mechanism for raising and lowering said barrier, said mechanism enclosed within said first stationary object and coupled to said barrier, said mechanism comprising; i) a lead screw, ii) a motor operably linked to said lead screw such that said lead screw turns when said motor operates, and iii) a traveling roller assembly configured such that it moves up and down said lead screw when said lead screw turns, said traveling roller assembly comprising an internal roller that engages said barrier.
The present invention also contemplates a barrier system comprising: a) a barrier linking a first stationary object to a second stationary object, b) a barrier raising and lowering mechanism, said mechanism enclosed within said first stationary object and coupled to said barrier, said mechanism comprising; i) a lead screw, ii) a motor operably linked to said lead screw such that said lead screw turns when said motor operates, iii) a traveling roller assembly configured such that it moves up and down said lead screw when said lead screw turns, said traveling roller assembly comprising an internal roller that engages said barrier, and iv) a guide configured such that said roller assembly is prevented from turning when said lead screw turns, said guide slidably engaging said traveling roller as
Dawson Arthur B.
Gompertz Michael A.
Silbermann Klaus
IJOT Development Inc.
Medlen & Carroll LLP
Redman Jerry
LandOfFree
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