Adjustable gate structure

• US 5,716,041 A
• Filed: 02/13/1997
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael F. Groves
• Original Assignee: Michael F. Groves
• Inventors: Groves, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/799,349
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 256/73, 256/24, 256/DIG. 2, 49/55
• US Class Current: 256/73
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 11/02 Gates; Doors

Abstract

An adjustable gate is suitable for use with a fence and includes a pair of spaced apart vertical members, upper and lower first slip members, which are attached to the vertical member, upper and lower second slip members, which extend between the upper and lower first slip members, respectively, and which are slip-fit thereon and slidable relative thereto, allowing the gate width to be slidably adjustable to a predetermined distanced such that the gate substantially fills an opening in a fence. Upper and lower fixed-length members are mounted on the assembled upper and lower slip members for fixing the gate to a selected width. The upper and lower first slip members may be pivotally attached to the vertical members and a truss provided, which mass extends between the upper portion of one vertical member and the lower portion of the other vertical member to maintain the gate in a predetermined parallelographic orientation.

Claims

1. An adjustable gate for use in a fence, wherein the fence has an opening therein, wherein the opening has a gate-support post on either side thereof, comprising:

a pair of spaced apart vertical members, one of which is swingingly attached to one of said gate-support posts;

upper and lower first slip members attached to each vertical member, wherein said upper first slip members is located adjacent the top of said vertical member and said lower first slip member is located adjacent the bottom of said vertical member;

upper and lower second slip members extending between said upper and lower first slip members, respectively, wherein said second slip members have a slip-fit, conformal cross-section such that said second slip member slidably fits on said first slip member, the assembled first and second slip members being adjustable to fix the width of the gate by slidably adjusting said first and second slip members relative to one another to a predetermined distance such that the gate substantially fills the fence opening; and

upper and lower fixed-length members mounted on said assembled upper and lower slip members, respectively, and attached thereto for fixing the gate to a selected width.

2. The adjustable gate of claim 1 wherein said first slip members are pivotally attached to said vertical members, and which further includes a truss extending between an upper region of one vertical member and a lower region of the other vertical member for maintaining the gate in a predetermined parallelographic orientation.

3. The adjustable gate of claim 1 wherein said first slip members are fixedly attached to said vertical members at a predetermined angle.

4. The adjustable gate of claim 1 wherein said second slip members are received within said first slip members.

5. The adjustable gate of claim 1 wherein said fixed length members are secured to said assembled upper and lower slip members by threaded fasteners.

6. The adjustable gate of claim 1 wherein said other vertical member includes a latch mechanism for latching the gate in a closed condition.

7. An adjustable gate for use in a fence, wherein the fence has an opening therein, wherein the opening has a gate-support post on either side thereof, comprising:

a pair of spaced apart vertical members, one of which is swingingly attached to one of said gate-support posts, and which includes upper and lower first slip member attachment points and upper and lower fixed-length member receivers thereon;

upper and lower fast slip members pivotally attached to each vertical member at said upper and lower first slip member attachment points, respectively, wherein said upper first slip member is located adjacent the top of said vertical member and said lower first slip member is located adjacent the bottom of said vertical member;

upper and lower second slip members extending between said upper and lower first slip members, respectively, wherein said second slip members have a slip-fit, conformal cross-section such that said second slip member slidably fits on said first slip member, the assembled first and second slip members being adjustable to fix the width of the gate by slidably adjusting said first and second slip members relative to one another to a predetermined distance such that the gate substantially fills the fence opening;

a truss extending between an upper first slip member attachment point on one vertical member and a lower first slip member attachment point on the other vertical member for maintaining the gate in a predetermined parallelographic orientation; and

upper and lower fixed-length members mounted in said fixed-length member receiver and on said assembled upper and lower slip members, respectively, and attached thereto for fixing the gate to a selected width.

8. The adjustable gate of claim 7 wherein said second slip members are received within said first slip members.

9. The adjustable gate of claim 7 wherein said fixed length members are secured to said assembled upper and lower slip members by threaded fasteners.

10. The adjustable gate of claim 7 wherein said other vertical member includes a latch mechanism for latching the gate in a closed condition.

11. An adjustable gate for use in a fence, wherein the fence has an opening therein, wherein the opening has a gate-support post on either side thereof, comprising:

a gate frame, including;

a pair of spaced apart vertical members, one of which is swingingly attached to one of said gate-support posts;

upper and lower first slip members attached to each vertical member, wherein said upper first slip member is located adjacent the top of said vertical member and said lower first slip member is located adjacent the bottom of said vertical member;

upper and lower second slip members extending between said upper and lower first slip members, respectively, wherein said second slip members have a slip-fit, conformal cross-section such that said second slip member slidably fits within said fast slip member, the assembled first and second slip members being adjustable to rye the width of the gate by slidably adjusting said first and second slip members relative to one another to a predetermined distance such that the gate substantially fills the fence opening; and

upper and lower fixed-length members mounted on said assembled upper and lower slip members, respectively, and attached thereto for fixing the gate to a selected width; and

a gate web attached to said gate frame.

12. The adjustable gate of claim 11 wherein said first slip members are pivotally attached to said vertical members, and which further includes a truss extending between an upper region of one vertical member and a lower region of the other vertical member for maintaining the gate in a predetermined parallelographic orientation.

13. The adjustable gate of claim 11 wherein said first slip members are fixedly attached to said vertical members at a predetermined angle.

14. The adjustable gate of claim 11 wherein said fixed length members are secured to said assembled upper and lower slip members by threaded fasteners.

15. The adjustable gate of claim 11 wherein said other vertical member includes a latch mechanism for latching the gate in a closed condition.

16. The adjustable gate of claim 11 wherein said gate web is attached to said upper and lower fixed-length members.

17. The adjustable gate of claim 11 which further includes a web frame for attaching said gate web thereto, wherein said web frame is attached to said gate frame.