Automatic gate opener

• US 4,520,592 A
• Filed: 09/02/1983
• Issued: 06/04/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Falis E. Holloway
• Original Assignee: Falis E. Holloway
• Inventors: Holloway, Falis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/529,039
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 49/358, 49/396, 49/264, 49/25
• US Class Current: 49/358
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/624 using friction wheels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/244 by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/47 Springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/652 Belts
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/654 Cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/66 Deflectors; Guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/13 by motors, magnets, springs or weights
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates

Abstract

A gate opener (14) is disclosed for attachment to a pre-existing gate (10) mounted for pivotal motion to a post (12). The gate opener includes a controller (30) for activation by an operator from a remote location, such as a vehicle, to transmit a signal of predetermined frequency to a receiver (32) mounted by the gate. The receiver (32) activates a relay to initiate operation of an electric motor (34) to open or close the gate. The rotating motion of the motor shaft is transferred through a set of pulleys (37, 39), a belt (43), gears (48, 54) and a chain (58) to a wheel (38) in contact with the ground. A gate opener (100) forms a second embodiment of the invention. The gate opener (100) is supported by a parallel arm hinge assembly (104) so that substantially the entire weight of the gate opener (100) is supported on the ground (40) through the ground wheel (132) to provide traction to the ground wheel. An open limiter switch (136) and a closed limiter switch (138) cooperate with adjustable contacts (140, 142) to deactivate the motor upon movement of the gate (10) into the opened or closed positions to permit the motor (116) and ground wheel (132) to continue rotation until the gate is either opened or closed.

Claims

1. A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

a mounting bracket mounted on the gate for limited vertical motion;

motor means mounted on the mounting bracket for rotating a shaft;

conductor means for providing power to said motor means to rotate the shaft;

wheel means rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket and in contact with a stationary surface;

transmission means interconnecting the motor shaft and said wheel means for transmitting rotation of the shaft to said wheel means;

a receiver for activating said motor means in response to reception of an electromagnetic signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate; and

a portable controller for transmission of the electromagnetic signal at the predetermined frequency from a position remote from the gate, the frequency being proprietary to resist unauthorized operation of the gate, the controller permitting operation of the gate between the open and closed positions from within a vehicle proximate the gate, the mounting bracket, motor means, wheel means and transmission means having their weight supported at least in part through the wheel means on the stationary surface so that the weight of the mounting bracket, motor means, wheel means and transmission means assists in providing traction to the wheel means on the stationary surface sufficient to permit the gate to be pivoted about the vertical axis with the mounting bracket, motor means, wheel means and transmission means moving vertically sufficient to move over obstructions and to follow the grade of the stationary surface.

2. The gate opener of claim 1 wherein said transmission means includes first and second gears having teeth thereon interconnected for joint rotation by a chain to transmit rotation from the shaft of said motor means to said wheel means.

3. A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

a frame mounted to the gate adjacent the ground and extending generally outward from the gate;

an electric motor mounted to said frame and having a generally horizontally disposed shaft;

a conductor extending from a power source to said electric motor for rotating the shaft;

a first pulley mounted for rotation on the shaft of said electric motor;

a second pulley rotatably mounted to said frame;

a belt extending about said first and second pulleys;

a tension pulley for tensioning said belt about said first and second pulleys for joint rotation thereof;

a first gear having a plurality of teeth formed about the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said second pulley;

at least one drive wheel mounted on said frame through an axle for rotation, said drive wheel being in contact with the ground along a portion of its outer periphery;

at least one balance wheel mounted on said gate on the side of the gate opposite said drive wheel to counterbalance forces exerted on the gate by the drive wheel;

a second gear having a plurality of teeth formed about the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said drive wheel;

a chain interconnecting said first and second gears for joint rotation thereof;

a receiver mounted adjacent the gate for receiving a proprietary electromagnetic signal at a predetermined frequency and activating said motor upon receiving the signal to rotate a predetermined number of revolutions to operate the gate between open and closed positions; and

a portable controller for transmission of the proprietary electromagnetic signal at the predetermined frequency from a position remote from the gate, the proprietary signal resisting unauthorized operation of the gate, the controller permitting operation of the gate between open and closed positions from within a vehicle proximate the gate.

4. The gate opener of claim 3 wherein said axle is adjustable relative to the ground to provide sufficient frictional contact between said wheel and the ground so that rotation of said wheel and axle pivot the gate to the opened or closed position.

5. The gate opener of claim 3 wherein said first gear is mounted vertically about said second gear to minimize the projection of the first and second gears and chain from the gate.

6. The gate opener of claim 3 wherein said second pulley is mounted vertically above said first pulley to minimize the projection of said first and second pulleys and belt from the gate.

7. The gate opener of claim 3 further comprising lever means mounted to said frame for moving said tension pulley to detension said belt to permit manual opening and closing of the gate.

8. A gate opener for attachment to a pre-existing gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

an electric motor having a rotatable shaft;

a frame for pivotal attachment to the gate to support said electric motor therefrom with the shaft lying horizontal and extending along the length of the gate;

a first pulley mounted for rotation with the shaft of said electric motor;

a second pulley mounted for rotation on said frame vertically above said first pulley;

a belt constrained about both said first and second pulleys;

a tension pulley for tensioning said belt to cause joint rotation of said first and second pulleys;

a first gear having teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said second pulley;

a drive wheel mounted on said frame through an axle for rotation, said axle being vertically adjustable on the gate to permit the drive wheel to contact the ground with sufficient force so that rotation of the drive wheel pivots the gate;

at least one balance wheel mounted on said gate on the side of the gate opposite said drive wheel to counterbalance forces exerted on the gate by the drive wheel;

a second gear having teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said drive wheel;

a chain interconnecting said first and second gears for joint rotation thereof;

a receiver mounted adjacent said electric motor for receiving a proprietary electromagnetic signal at a predetermined frequency for activating a relay in a circuit connecting said electric motor to a power source to activate said electric motor for rotating the shaft to operate the gate between open and closed positions; and

a portable controller for transmission of the proprietary electromagnetic signal at the predetermined frequency from a position remote from the gate, the proprietary signal resisting unauthorized operation of the gate, the controller permitting operation of the gate between open and closed positions from within a vehicle proximate the gate.

9. The gate opener of claim 8 wherein said axle is directly below said electric motor.

10. The gate opener of claim 8 further comprising a tension lever for moving said tension pulley to detension said belt to permit manual opening and closing of the gate.

11. A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a parallel arm hinge assembly pivotally mounted to said mounting bracket and to the gate permitting pivotal motion of the mounting bracket relative to the gate and ground;

motor means mounted on said mounting bracket for rotating a shaft;

ground wheel means rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket and in contact with the ground;

transmission means interconnecting the motor shaft and said ground wheel means for transmitting rotation of the motor shaft to said ground wheel means, the weight of the mounting bracket, motor means, transmission means and ground wheel means generally being supported on the ground through the ground wheel means to provide traction for the ground wheel means, the parallel arm hinge assembly permitting movement of the gate opener relative to the gate so that the ground wheel means can maintain traction on the ground;

controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency; and

receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate.

12. The gate opener of claim 11 wherein said gate opener further comprises an open limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate into the opened position and a closed limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate into the closed position, the open limiter switch acting to stop the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the opened position, said closed limiter switch acting to stop the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position.

13. The gate opener of claim 11 wherein said parallel arm hinge assembly includes four arms, each pivotally connected at one end to said gate and at the opposite end to said mounting bracket, said arms being maintained in a parallel relationship.

14. The gate opener of claim 11 wherein said transmission means includes a first pulley mounted on said motor shaft, a drive shaft mounted on said mounting bracket for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, a second pulley mounted for rotation with said drive shaft and in alignment with said first pulley and a drive wheel mounted for rotation on said drive shaft having gear teeth about the outer periphery thereof, said ground wheel having gear teeth about the outer periphery thereof meshed with the gear teeth on said drive wheel and a belt constrained about said first and second pulleys for joint rotation thereof.

15. A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

motor means mounted on the gate for rotating a shaft;

ground wheel means rotatably mounted on the gate and in contact with a stationary surface;

transmission means interconnecting the motor shaft and said ground wheel means for transmitting rotation of the shaft to said ground wheel means;

controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency;

receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate; and

an open limiter switch means for sensing movement of the gate into the opened position for deactivating said motor means when the gate is moved into the opened position by the gate opener and closed limiter switch means for sensing movement of the gate into the closed position for deactivating the motor means when the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position, the use of the open and closed limiter switches permitting control of the gate opener independent of slippage between the ground wheel means and the stationary surface to allow a gate opener using a ground wheel means to be used in environments where slippage can occur.

16. A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a parallel arm hinge assembly pivotally mounting said mounting bracket to the gate, said parallel arm hinge assembly including at least two parallel arms each pivotally connected to the gate at one end and the mounting bracket at the opposite end for pivotal motion about generally horizontal axes;

motor means mounted on said mounting bracket for rotating a motor shaft;

a first pulley secure along said motor shaft for rotation with said motor shaft;

a drive shaft rotatably mounted on said mounting bracket for rotation about a generally horizontal axis;

a second pulley secured along said drive shaft for rotation with said drive shaft and aligned with said first pulley for placement of a belt about said first and second pulleys for joint rotation thereof;

a drive wheel mounted on said drive shaft for rotation therewith having gear teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof;

a ground wheel mounted for rotation on said mounting bracket, the parallel arm hinge assembly causing the ground wheel to contact the ground with substantially the entire weight of the gate opener being supported by the ground through the ground wheel, said ground wheel having gear teeth formed thereon meshed with the gear teeth on said drive wheel so that rotation of the motor shaft rotates the ground wheel;

controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency;

receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate;

an open limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate to the opened position for deactivating the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position; and

a closed limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate to the closed position for deactivating the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position.