GB2203486A

GB2203486A - Gate-operating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2203486A
Application number: GB8707886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan John Small
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-02
Filing date: 1987-04-02
Publication date: 1988-10-19
Also published as: GB8707886D0

Abstract

Apparatus (3) for operating a gate (1), for example of the type provided on a drive to a private house, has a power source (14), from which power is supplied to actuating means (11, 12) for operating the gate (1) through power limiting means (15) and control valve means (16), the arrangement being such that for operation of the gate (1) the control valve means (16) is operative to supply power to the actuating means (11, 12) for a limited period sufficient for normal opening or closing of the gate (1). The apparatus is preferably pneumatic, with a source (14) of compressed air supplying the actuating means in the form of a piston and cylinder assembly (11, 12) through a pressure regulator (15). The control valve means (16) preferably comprises a pair of solenoid-operated valves (17, 18) which may be operated remotely, by a radio signal. <IMAGE>

Description

GATE-OPERATING APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for operating a gate, in particular the type of gate provided on a drive to a private house or similar premises, and which can be operated by remote control.

In known apparatus an electric motor is usually used to operate such a gate, but has the disadvantage that if the gate is obstructed the motor applies increased force to it, which can be dangerous. A further disadvantage is that the gate can be difficult to operate manually unless it is disconnected from the drive mechanism.

According to my invention, apparatus for operating a gate has a power source, from which power is supplied to actuating means for operating the gate through power limiting means and control valve means, the arrangement being such that for operation of the gate the control valve means is operative to supply power to the actuating means for a limited period sufficient for normal opening or closing of the gate.

My apparatus limits the power supplied to the actuating means, and therefore the force which can be applied to the gate, and the time for which it is applied, thus overcoming the first disadvantage of the known apparatus.

Conveniently, the apparatus is also arranged such that the force applied to the gate by the actuating means when the control valve means is inoperative is very low. This means that the gate is relatively easily to operate manually, thus overcoming the second disadvantage of the known apparatus.

Preferably, the apparatus also includes means for locking the gate in its open and closed positions. The locking means may also be operated by the control valve means. The control valve means may comprise a pair of solenoid-operated valves, which can easily be operated remotely, by a radio signal, as well as from a control box located on the apparatus or in the premises.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus is pneumatic, with a source of compressed air supplying a piston and cylinder assembly which operates the gate through a pressure regulator. Two single-acting cylinders or one double-acting cylinder may be provided, with the piston or pistons acting on the gate post. This has the advantage that the apparatus can be concealed underground. The cylinders may be supplied through flow regulators and/or pressure-operated cut-off switches.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the single Figure of the accompanying drawings, which shows an isometric view of apparatus for operating a gate.

The gate 1 is mounted on a gate post 2, and is of the type provided on a drive to a private house (not shown), and the apparatus 3 is arranged for operation for operation from a control box (not shown) in the house or by remote control.

The apparatus 3 is encased in a housing 4 which is buried in the ground, and acts on the post 2, the lower portion of which is received in the housing 4 with the end mounted in a thrust bearing 5. The post 2 is also journalled on spaced bearings 6, 7 mounted on brackets 8, 9 in the housing .4. A lever 10 is rigidly fixed to the post 2 between the bearings 6, 7, and actuating means act on the lever 10 to rotate the post 2 to operate the gate 1. The actuating means comprise a pair of single-acting pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies 11, 12, of which the pistons are pivotally attached to respective ends of the lever 10, and the cylinders are mounted on a bracket 13 in the housing 4. The assemblies 11, 12 are operated by compressed air from a cylinder 14 mounted in the housing 4, supplied through a pressure regulator 15 and control valve means 16.The valve means 16 comprises a pair of double-acting solenoid-operated valves 17, 18 for the respective cylinders 11, 12, operative to connect the cylinder to the air supply or exhaust it to atmosphere. A flow regulator 19 and a pressure-operated cut-off switch 20 are provided between each valve and its respective cylinder. The valves operate from a 12V electrical supply, and may be operated from the control box or remotely by a radio signal. This apparatus also includes locking means (not shown) for locking the gate 1 in its open and closed positions. The locking means are operated in conjunction with valves 17, 18 or independently from the control box.

In the position shown in the drawing the gate 1 is locked closed and both valves 17, 18 are de-energised so that both cylinders 11, 12 are exhausted. To open the gate the solenoid of the valve 17 is energised from the control box or by a radio signal, which operates the locking means to release the gate 1 and supplies air to the cylinder 11, which acts on the lever 10 to open the gate 1. The flow regulator 19 is operative to control the speed of the gate. The solenoid is de-energised after a predetermined time to exhaust the cylinder 11 and operate the locking means to lock the gate 1 open. To close the gate the valve 18 and cylinder 12 operate similarly. The air pressure needed to operate the gate 1 is relatively low, as precision bearings are provided.If the gate 1 is obstructed, the pressure regulator 15 ensures that the air pressure supplied to the cylinder, and thus the force applied to the gate, is limited. Further, when the gate is obstructed the pressure in the cylinder will rise, and operate the switch 20 to shut off the air supply. If the obstruction is not removed the cylinder will be exhausted after the predetermined time, and thereafter the gate 1 can easily be operated manually, as only a very low force is applied to the gate 1 by the apparatus in the inoperative position.

The apparatus 3 provides a safe and effective way of operating the gate 1, and at the same time ensures that the gate can be operated manually if necessary.

The compressed air cylinder 14 can easily be replaced or recharged when necessary.

In a modification (not shown) the assemblies 11, 12 could be replaced by one double-acting assembly, and the bearings 5 and 6 could be combined. In a further modification (not shown), the electrical supply comprises a 12V battery located in the housing 4, with the control box also located in the housing. This provides a self-contained apparatus which is convenient for agricultural use.

Claims

1. Apparatus for operating a gate, having a power source, from which power is supplied to actuating means for operating the gate through power limiting means and control valve means, the arrangement being such that for operation of the gate the control valve means is operative to supply power to the actuating means for a limited period sufficient for normal opening or closing of the gate.

2. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the force applied to the gate by the actuating means when the control valve means is inoperative is very low.

3. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the control valve means comprises a pair of solenoid-operated valves.

4. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the power source is a supply of compressed air supplying a piston and cylinder actuating assembly for operating the gate, through a pressure regulator.

5. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which air is supplied to the actuating assembly through flow regulating means and/or pressure-operated cut-off switches.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows REVISED CLAIMS CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for operating a gate, having a power source, from which power is supplied to actuating means for operating the gate through power limiting means and control valve means, the arrangement being such that for operation of the gate the control valve means is operative to supply power to the actuating means for a limited period sufficient for normal opening or closing of the gate.

2. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim l, in which the force applied to the gate by the actuating means when the control valve means is inoperative is very low.

3. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including means for locking the gate in at least one or its open and closed positions.

4. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which the locking means is operated by the control valve means.

5. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control valve means is operable remotely.

6. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control valve means is operable from a control box in the apparatus.

7. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 and Claim 6, in which the locking means is also operable from the control box.

REVISED CLAIMS

8. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control valve means comprises a pair of solenoid-operated valves.

9. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the power source is a supply of compressed air supplying a piston and cylinder actuating assembly for operating the gate, through a pressure regulator.

10. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, in which air is supplied to the actuating assembly through flow regulating means and/or pressure-operated cut-off switches.

11. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the actuating assembly comprises a pair of single-acting cylinders, of which the pistons act on a gate post.

12. Gate-operating apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the actuating assembly comprises a double-acting cylinder, of which the piston acts on gate post.

13. Apparatus for operating a gate substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.