U.S. patent application number 10/688374 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for adjustable gate bracket system and method.
Invention is credited to Boroviak, Richard.
Application Number | 20040129848 10/688374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32477050 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040129848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boroviak, Richard |
July 8, 2004 |
Adjustable gate bracket system and method
Abstract
A bracket system for forming gate assemblies. Four separate
brace members are provided, and two of the brace members are
rigidly attached to hinge assemblies. The brace members are adapted
to be attached to different size support members to form the
corners of a gate box functioning as the structural portion of the
gate assembly. The hinge assemblies are adapted to be rigidly
attached to a fence post to allow the gate assembly to pivot
relative to the fence post. Gate assemblies of arbitrary height and
width and using varying size of support members can be formed using
the bracket system of the present invention.
Inventors: |
Boroviak, Richard;
(Oakville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREER, BURNS & CRAIN
300 S WACKER DR
25TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
32477050 |
Appl. No.: |
10/688374 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/247 ;
248/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 11/04 20130101;
E06B 3/9649 20130101; E05Y 2900/40 20130101; E05D 5/06 20130101;
E06B 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/247 ;
248/235 |
International
Class: |
E04G 003/08; A47G
029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2002 |
CA |
2,414,416 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A bracket system for operatively connecting upper and lower
horizontal support members and distal and proximal vertical support
members to form a gate assembly adapted to be connected to a
structural member, the bracket system comprising: a first distal
brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and an
adjustably positioned section defining a first support surface and
a second support surface, where the first support surface extends
substantially perpendicularly to the second support surface, the
first support surface is adapted to be connected to the distal
vertical support member, and the second support surface is adapted
to be connected to the distal vertical support member; and a second
distal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and an
adjustably positioned section defining a third support surface and
a fourth support surface, where the third support surface extends
substantially perpendicularly to the fourth support surface, the
third support surface is adapted to be connected to the distal
vertical support member; and a first brace assembly comprising a
first proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section
and an adjustably positioned section defining a fifth support
surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the sixth support
surface, the fifth support surface is adapted to be connected to
the upper horizontal support member, the sixth support surface is
adapted to be connected to the proximal vertical support member,
and the first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the
structural member; and a second brace assembly comprising a second
proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and
an adjustably positioned section defining a seventh support surface
and an eighth support surface and a second hinge assembly rigidly
connected to the second proximal brace member, where the seventh
support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the eighth
support surface, the seventh support surface is adapted to be
connected to the lower horizontal member, the eighth support
surface is adapted to be connected to the proximal vertical support
member, and the second hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to
the structural member; whereby the first distal brace member, the
second distal brace member, the first proximal brace member, and
the second proximal brace member are movable relative to each
other; and spatial relationships among the first distal brace
member, the second distal brace member, the first proximal brace
member, and the second proximal brace member are fixed only when
the gate assembly is formed.
2. A bracket system as recited in claim 1, in which: the first
hinge assembly is rigidly connected to the adjustably positioned
section of the first proximal brace member adjacent to the fifth
support surface; and the second hinge assembly is rigidly connected
to the adjustably positioned section of the second proximal brace
member adjacent to the seventh support surface.
3. A bracket system as recited in claim 1, in which the first hinge
assembly defines a first hinge axis, the second hinge assembly
defines a second hinge axis, and the first and second hinge axes
are aligned when the gate assembly is formed.
4. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 1, in which: the first
and second distal brace members each comprise a horizontal portion
and a vertical portion, where the horizontal portion of the first
distal brace member defines the first support surface; the vertical
portion of the first distal brace member defines the second support
surface; the horizontal portion of the second distal brace member
defines the third support surface; and the vertical portion of the
second distal brace member defines the fourth support surface.
5. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 1, in which: the first
and second proximal brace members each comprise a horizontal
portion and a vertical portion, where the horizontal portion of the
first proximal brace member defines the fifth support surface; the
vertical portion of the first proximal brace member defines the
sixth support surface; the horizontal portion of the second
proximal brace member defines the seventh support surface; and the
vertical portion of the second proximal brace member defines the
eighth support surface.
6. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 4, in which the first and
second distal brace members each further comprise a brace portion
arranged between the horizontal and vertical portions.
7. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 5, in which the first and
second proximal brace members each further comprise a brace portion
arranged between the horizontal and vertical portions.
8. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 1, in which a plurality
of fastening holes are formed in the brace members to facilitate
connection of the brace members to the support members.
9. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 1, in which the first and
second distal brace members comprise a fixedly positioned section
and an adjustably positioned section connectedly slidable relative
to one another along a horizontal axis.
10. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 1, in which the first
and second proximal brace members comprise a fixedly positioned
section and an adjustably positioned section connectedly slidable
relative to one another along a horizontal axis.
11. A method of forming a gate assembly to be connected to a
structural member, the method comprising the steps of providing a
first distal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section
and an adjustably positioned section defining a first support
surface and a second support surface, where the first support
surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the second support
surface; providing a second distal brace member comprising a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a third support surface and a fourth support surface,
where the third support surface extends substantially
perpendicularly to the fourth support surface; providing a first
brace assembly comprising a first proximal brace member comprising
a fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a fifth support surface and a sixth support surface, where
the fifth support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to
the sixth support surface; providing a first hinge assembly adapted
to be connected to the structural member; rigidly connecting the
first hinge assembly to the adjustably positioned section of the
first proximal brace member; providing a second brace assembly
comprising a second proximal brace member comprising a fixedly
positioned section and an adjustably positioned section defining a
seventh support surface and an eighth support surface, where the
seventh support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to
the eighth support surface; providing a second hinge assembly
adapted to be connected to the structural member; rigidly
connecting the second hinge assembly to the adjustably positioned
section of the second proximal brace member; slidably positioning
the adjustably positioned section relative to the fixedly
positioned section of the first and second distal brace members and
of the first and second proximal brace members; and rigidly
connecting horizontal and vertical support members to said first
and second distal brace members and to said first and second brace
assemblies.
12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of
forming a plurality of fastening holes in the brace members to
facilitate connection of the brace members to the support
members.
13. A bracket system for reinforcing a gate assembly, the bracket
system comprising: a first distal brace member having a fixedly
positioned section and an adjustably positioned section comprising
a first horizontal support portion defining a first support
surface, a first vertical support portion defining a second support
surface, and a first brace portion arranged between the first
horizontal support portion and the first vertical support portion,
where the first support surface extends substantially
perpendicularly to the second support surface, the first support
surface lies in an upper horizontal support plane, and the second
support surface lies in a distal vertical support plane; and a
second distal brace member having a fixedly positioned section and
an adjustably positioned section comprising a second horizontal
support portion defining a third support surface, a second vertical
support portion defining a fourth support surface, and a second
brace portion arranged between the second horizontal support
portion and the second vertical support portion, where the third
support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the fourth
support surface, the third support surface lies in a lower
horizontal support plane, and the fourth support surface lies in
the distal vertical support plane; and a first brace assembly
comprising a first proximal brace member having a fixedly
positioned section and an adjustably positioned section comprising
a third horizontal support portion defining a fifth support
surface, a third vertical support portion defining a sixth support
surface, and a third brace portion arranged between the third
horizontal support portion and the third vertical support portion,
and a first hinge assembly rigidly connected to the third
horizontal support portion of the first proximal brace member,
where the fifth support surface extends substantially
perpendicularly to the sixth support surface, the fifth support
surface lies in the upper horizontal support plane, the sixth
support surface lies in a proximal vertical support plane, and the
first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the structural
member; and a second brace assembly comprising a second proximal
brace member having a fixedly positioned section and an adjustably
positioned section comprising a fourth horizontal support portion
defining a seventh support surface, a fourth vertical support
portion defining an eighth support surface, and a fourth brace
portion arranged between the fourth vertical support portion, and a
second hinge assembly rigidly connected to the fourth horizontal
support portion of the second proximal brace member, where the
seventh support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to
the eighth support surface, the seventh support surface lies in the
lower horizontal support plane, the eighth support surface lies in
the vertical support plane, and the second hinge assembly is
adapted to be connected to the structural member; whereby the first
distal brace member, the second distal brace member, the first
proximal brace member, and the second proximal brace member are
movable relative to each other; and spatial relationships among the
first distal brace member, the second distal brace member, the
first proximal brace member, and the second proximal brace member
are fixed only when the gate assembly is formed.
14. A bracket system as recited in claim 13, in which the first
hinge assembly defines a first hinge axis, the second hinge
assembly defines a second hinge axis, and, when the first and
second hinge assemblies are connected to the structural member, the
first and second hinge axes are aligned.
15. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 13, in which a plurality
of fastening holes are formed in the brace members to facilitate
connection of the brace members to the support members.
16. A bracket system for operatively connecting upper and lower
support members and distal and proximal support members to form a
gate assembly adapted to be connected to a structural member, the
bracket system comprising: a first distal brace member comprising a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a first support surface and a second support surface; and
a second distal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned
section and an adjustably positioned section defining a third
support surface and a fourth support surface; and a first brace
assembly comprising a first proximal brace member comprising a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a fifth support surface and a sixth support surface and a
first hinge assembly rigidly connected to the first proximal brace
member, where the first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected
to the structural member; and a second brace assembly comprising a
second proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned
section and an adjustably positioned section defining a seventh
support surface and an eighth support surface and a second hinge
assembly rigidly connected to the second proximal brace member,
where the second hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the
structural member; whereby the first distal brace member, the
second distal brace member, the first proximal brace member, and
the second proximal brace member are movable relative to each
other; and spatial relationships among the first distal brace
member, the second distal brace member, the first proximal brace
member, and the second proximal brace member are fixed only when
the gate assembly is formed.
17. A bracket assembly as recited in claim 16, in which a plurality
of fastening holes are formed in the brace members to facilitate
formation of the gate assembly.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to hardware for use in the
construction of gates and, more specifically, to gate hardware
adapted to brace the vertical and horizontal support members of a
wooden gate and rotatably connect these members to a fixed
structural member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gates are often used to allow selective access through a
wall or fence.
[0003] Conventionally, gates are constructed as follows. Two
vertical support members and two horizontal support members are
fastened together in a rectangular shape to form what will be
referred to herein as a gate box. Fence boards or the like are
fastened to the support members, and one of the vertical support
members is rotatably attached by two or more hinge assemblies to a
structural member such as a wall or post.
[0004] Using conventional gate building techniques, fasteners such
as nails or screws are driven through one support member into
another support member to form the corners of the gate box. Over
time, the force of gravity and wood shrinkage will cause these
fasteners to loosen, allowing the gate box to sag out of its
desired rectangular shape.
[0005] Accordingly, metal L-brackets, wooden brace members,
triangular pieces of plywood, and the like are often fastened to
the adjacent ends of the support members to strengthen the inside
corners of the gate box. In other situations, a wire is placed in
tension between the upper proximal and lower distal corners of the
gate box to support the lower distal corner of the gate box and
thereby reduce sagging of the gate. Such bracing techniques are
somewhat effective but also commonly employ fasteners that are
susceptible to failure and can be relatively time consuming to
implement.
[0006] Another problem with conventional gate building techniques
is that fasteners such as nails or screws are similarly used to
attach the hinge assemblies to the vertical support member adjacent
to the structural member. The loads are transferred to the gate
through the screws placed in tension. As the wood shrinks and the
gate is opened and closed, the fasteners under tension tend to
loosen and may eventually fail.
[0007] As the hinge fasteners loosen, the entire gate assembly may
sag relative to the hinge assemblies and thus the structural
member, even if the gate box maintains its rectangular shape. The
use of braces at the corners of the gate box will worsen sagging at
the hinges because the materials and hardware used for bracing
increase the weight of the gate; this increased weight increases
the forces of gravity on the fasteners used to attach the hinge
assemblies to the proximal vertical support member.
[0008] The Applicant is aware of a product sold in Canada as early
as approximately 1993 under the tradename "Artistic Steel Gate
Frames". The Artistic Steel Gate Frame product comprises distal and
proximal brace members, with hinges being attached to the proximal
brace member. A gate assembly constructed using the Artistic
product would use upper and lower horizontal wooden support
members, but would not use vertical support members. Instead, the
distal and proximal brace members would form the structure of the
vertical sides of the gate. Accordingly, the brace members of the
Artistic product were sold in a plurality of sizes, with each size
corresponding to a given distance between the upper and lower
horizontal support members.
[0009] One problem with the Artistic product is that this system
requires the manufacturer to produce and keep in inventory, and the
retailer to stock, multiple sizes of brace members. Furthermore, it
has been noted that for packaging, transporting and merchandising
that the above product is not well suited.
[0010] In addition, the end user is limited to one of these
multiple sizes of brace members; one could not create a gate
assembly having a custom distance between the upper and lower
horizontal support members.
[0011] From the foregoing, it should be clear that one object of
the present invention is to create bracket systems and methods that
are strong, that are easy and inexpensive to use, and which allow
significantly flexibility in the final design of the gate
assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a bracket system for forming gate
assemblies. Four separate brace members are provided, and two of
the brace members are rigidly attached to hinge assemblies. The
brace members are adapted to be attached to different size support
members to form the corners of a gate box functioning as the
structural portion of the gate assembly. The hinge assemblies are
adapted to be rigidly attached to a fence post to allow the gate
assembly to pivot relative to the fence post. Gate assemblies of
arbitrary height and width and using varying size of support
members can be formed using the bracket system of the present
invention. Furthermore, the design of the brace members makes
packaging, transporting and merchandising well suited to the
industry requirements.
[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a bracket system for operatively connecting upper and lower
horizontal support members and distal and proximal vertical support
members to form a gate assembly adapted to be connected to a
structural member, the bracket system comprising a first distal
brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and an
adjustably positioned section defining a first support surface and
a second support surface, where the first support surface extends
substantially perpendicularly to the second support surface, the
first support surface is adapted to be connected to the distal
vertical support member, and the second support surface is adapted
to be connected to the distal vertical support member; and a second
distal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and an
adjustably positioned section defining a third support surface and
a fourth support surface, where the third support surface extends
substantially perpendicularly to the fourth support surface, the
third support surface is adapted to be connected to the distal
vertical support member; and a first brace assembly comprising a
first proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section
and an adjustably positioned section defining a fifth support
surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the sixth support
surface, the fifth support surface is adapted to be connected to
the upper horizontal support member, the sixth support surface is
adapted to be connected to the proximal vertical support member,
and the first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the
structural member; and a second brace assembly comprising a second
proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and
an adjustably positioned section defining a seventh support surface
and an eighth support surface and a second hinge assembly rigidly
connected to the second proximal brace member, where the seventh
support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the eighth
support surface, the seventh support surface is adapted to be
connected to the lower horizontal member, the eighth support
surface is adapted to be connected to the proximal vertical support
member, and the second hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to
the structural member; whereby the first distal brace member, the
second distal brace member, the first proximal brace member, and
the second proximal brace member are movable relative to each
other; and spatial relationships among the first distal brace
member, the second distal brace member, the first proximal brace
member, and the second proximal brace member are fixed only when
the gate assembly is formed.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
method of forming a gate assembly to be connected to a structural
member, the method comprising the steps of providing a first distal
brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and an
adjustably positioned section defining a first support surface and
a second support surface, where the first support surface extends
substantially perpendicularly to the second support surface;
providing a second distal brace member comprising a fixedly
positioned section and an adjustably positioned section defining a
third support surface and a fourth support surface, where the third
support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the fourth
support surface; providing a first brace assembly comprising a
first proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section
and an adjustably positioned section defining a fifth support
surface and a sixth support surface, where the fifth support
surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the sixth support
surface; providing a first hinge assembly adapted to be connected
to the structural member; rigidly connecting the first hinge
assembly to the adjustably positioned section of the first proximal
brace member, providing a second brace assembly comprising a second
proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned section and
an adjustably positioned section defining a seventh support surface
and an eighth support surface, where the seventh support surface
extends substantially perpendicularly to the eighth support
surface; providing a second hinge assembly adapted to be connected
to the structural member; rigidly connecting the second hinge
assembly to the adjustably positioned section of the second
proximal brace member; slidably positioning the adjustably
positioned section relative to the fixedly positioned section of
the first and second distal brace members and of the first and
second proximal brace members; and rigidly connecting horizontal
and vertical support members to said first and second distal brace
members and to said first and second brace assemblies.
[0015] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a bracket system for reinforcing a gate assembly, the
bracket system comprising a first distal brace member having a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
comprising a first horizontal support portion defining a first
support surface, a first vertical support portion defining a second
support surface, and a first brace portion arranged between the
first horizontal support portion and the first vertical support
portion, where the first support surface extends substantially
perpendicularly to the second support surface, the first support
surface lies in an upper horizontal support plane, and the second
support surface lies in a distal vertical support plane; and a
second distal brace member having a fixedly positioned section and
an adjustably positioned section comprising a second horizontal
support portion defining a third support surface, a second vertical
support portion defining a fourth support surface, and a second
brace portion arranged between the second horizontal support
portion and the second vertical support portion, where the third
support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to the fourth
support surface, the third support surface lies in a lower
horizontal support plane, and the fourth support surface lies in
the distal vertical support plane; and a first brace assembly
comprising a first proximal brace member having a fixedly
positioned section and an adjustably positioned section comprising
a third horizontal support portion defining a fifth support
surface, a third vertical support portion defining a sixth support
surface, and a third brace portion arranged between the third
horizontal support portion and the third vertical support portion,
and a first hinge assembly rigidly connected to the third
horizontal support portion of the first proximal brace member,
where the fifth support surface extends substantially
perpendicularly to the sixth support surface, the fifth support
surface lies in the upper horizontal support plane, the sixth
support surface lies in a proximal vertical support plane, and the
first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the structural
member; and a second brace assembly comprising a second proximal
brace member having a fixedly positioned section and an adjustably
positioned section comprising a fourth horizontal support portion
defining a seventh support surface, a fourth vertical support
portion defining an eighth support surface, and a fourth brace
portion arranged between the fourth vertical support portion, and a
second hinge assembly rigidly connected to the fourth horizontal
support portion of the second proximal brace member, where the
seventh support surface extends substantially perpendicularly to
the eighth support surface, the seventh support surface lies in the
lower horizontal support plane, the eighth support surface lies in
the vertical support plane, and the second hinge assembly is
adapted to be connected to the structural member; whereby the first
distal brace member, the second distal brace member, the first
proximal brace member, and the second proximal brace member are
movable relative to each other; and spatial relationships among the
first distal brace member, the second distal brace member, the
first proximal brace member, and the second proximal brace member
are fixed only when the gate assembly is formed.
[0016] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a bracket system for operatively connecting upper and lower
support members and distal and proximal support members to form a
gate assembly adapted to be connected to a structural member, the
bracket system comprising a first distal brace member comprising a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a first support surface and a second support surface; and
a second distal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned
section and an adjustably positioned section defining a third
support surface and a fourth support surface; and a first brace
assembly comprising a first proximal brace member comprising a
fixedly positioned section and an adjustably positioned section
defining a fifth support surface and a sixth support surface and a
first hinge assembly rigidly connected to the first proximal brace
member, where the first hinge assembly is adapted to be connected
to the structural member; and a second brace assembly comprising a
second proximal brace member comprising a fixedly positioned
section and an adjustably positioned section defining a seventh
support surface and an eighth support surface and a second hinge
assembly rigidly connected to the second proximal brace member,
where the second hinge assembly is adapted to be connected to the
structural member; whereby the first distal brace member, the
second distal brace member, the first proximal brace member, and
the second proximal brace member are movable relative to each
other; and spatial relationships among the first distal brace
member, the second distal brace member, the first proximal brace
member, and the second proximal brace member are fixed only when
the gate assembly is formed.
[0017] The foregoing and other features of the present invention
are more fully described with reference to the following drawings
annexed hereto. Other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the description
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gate frame system of the
present invention comprising distal brace members and proximal
brace assemblies;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded, front elevation view of a gate
assembly incorporating the gate frame system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away, front elevation view of the
gate assembly of FIG. 2 attached to a fence post;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the distal brace member
depicted in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the proximal brace
member depicted in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fixedly positioned
section of the braces of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adjustably positioned
section of the proximal brace assemblies depicted in FIG. 1;
and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the adjustably positioned
section of the distal brace members depicted in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring initially to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a gate
bracket system 20 constructed in accordance with, and embodying,
the principles of the present invention. Referring for a moment to
FIGS. 2 and 3, the gate bracket system 20 is adapted to form a gate
box 22 to be used as part of a gate assembly 24; the gate assembly
24 is in turn to be connected to a structural member such as a
fence post 26 of a larger structure such as a fence 28.
[0027] The exemplary gate assembly 24 comprises in addition to the
bracket system 20 distal and proximal vertical support members 30
and 32, upper and lower horizontal support members 34 and 36, and a
plurality of fence members 40. The exemplary support members 30-36
are conventional wooden two-by-fours, but other materials and sizes
may be used as the support members 30-36. The present invention
will accommodate any type of lumber or timber as opposed to needing
dressed and planed lumber milled to precise dimensions thereby
providing for great flexibility in its use. The exemplary fence
members 40 are also conventionally made out of wood, but other
materials and various sizes of any type of material may be used to
form the fence members 40.
[0028] The support members 30-36 and fence members 40 do not form a
part of the present invention. A description of the construction
and operation of these members 30-40 is not necessary to describe
how to make and use the present invention and is included herein
simply to illustrate the environment in which the present invention
operates.
[0029] The fence post 26 is conventionally a wooden four-by-four,
but other materials and sizes may be used to form the structural
member to which the gate assembly 24 is rotatably attached. For
example, rather than a fence post 26, the structural member may be
a wall of a structure. The fence post 26 and fence 28 also are or
may be conventional and are not part of the present invention. As
with the support and fence members 30-40 introduced above, a
description of the construction and operation of the post 26 and
fence 28 is not necessary to describe how to make and use the
present invention. The fence post 26 and fence 28 are described
herein simply to illustrate the environment in which the present
invention operates.
[0030] The gate bracket system 20 of the present invention
comprises first and second distal brace members 50 and 52 and first
and second brace assemblies 54 and 56. The first brace assembly 54
in turn comprises a first proximal brace member 60 and a first
hinge assembly 62, which the second brace assembly comprises a
second proximal brace member 64 and a second hinge assembly 66.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the exemplary brace members
50, 52, 50 and 64 each comprise a horizontal portion 70, a vertical
portion 72, and a brace portion 74. The brace members in turn are
comprised of two main sections. The first section of the brace
members will be defined generally as the fixedly positioned section
71. The second section of the brace members is defined generally as
the adjustably positioned section of the distal (see FIG. 8) 140
member and as the adjustably positioned section of the proximal
(see FIG. 7) 130 member or resulting assembly, the only difference
residing in the presence of the hinge assembly on the proximal
brace member for forming the brace assembly.
[0032] Adaptedly positioned along the length of horizontal portion
70 of section 71 and reciprocally along the length of the
adjustably positioned sections 140 and 130, elongated openings 75,
131, 141 are provided. As illustrated, further opening 132, 142 are
provided for matingly securing said sections 140 and 130 with
section 71 thereby forming a distal brace member 50, 52 and a brace
assembly 54, 56.
[0033] Once fixedly positioned section 71 and the adjustably
positioned sections 140 and 130 are respectively put together, the
resulting members 50, 52 and assemblies 54, 56 will be adapted to
be slidably adjusted along a horizontal axis for use with different
size support members. A stopping member 77 is provided in order to
ensure that sections 140 and 130 do not over reach the length of
horizontal portion 70 and possibly create some instability.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an outer end 72a of the vertical
portions 72 is rigidly connected to an attachment region 70a of the
horizontal portions 70. The exemplary brace portion 74 is
preferably rigidly connected at an angle between bracing regions
70b and 72b of the horizontal and vertical portions 70 and 72,
respectively.
[0035] The choice of materials and shapes of the materials are not
essential to any particular implementation of the present
invention. The primary requirements of the brace members 50, 52, 60
and 64 are that these members each define a horizontal support
surface 80 and a vertical support surface 82 such that these
surfaces rigidly extend from each other at a right angle. In the
exemplary system 20, the horizontal support surfaces 80 are
adaptedly positioned on the horizontal portions 70 and the vertical
support surfaces 82 are formed on the vertical portions 72.
[0036] A plurality of fastener holes 90 are formed in the brace
members 50, 52, 50 and 64; the fastener holes 90 are adapted to
allow fasteners 92 to attach, in a conventional manner, the brace
members 50, 52, 50, and 64 to the support members 30-36. The
fasteners 92 are preferably self-tapping screws but can be nails,
bolts, or the like. The fasteners 92 are not part of the gate
bracket system 20 of the present invention per se but, as will be
described in further detail below, are used to adjustably combine
the bracket system 20 with the support members 30-36 to form the
gate assembly 24.
[0037] The exact number and location of the fastener holes 90 is
not critical to any given implementation of the present invention.
In a broadest form of the bracket system 20, the fastener holes 90
can be formed anywhere along the horizontal portions 70 and
vertical portions 72. The only requirement for the number and
spacing of these holes is that the fasteners 92 extend through
these holes 90 and into the support members to rigidly secure the
brace members to the support members. It will be understood that
the positioning of these holes along the horizontal portions 70
will be such to allow for slidable and adaptable positioning in
light of the size of the support members used.
[0038] Given the foregoing general understanding of the present
invention, the distal bracket members 50 and 52 and the proximal
bracket assemblies 54 and 56 of the present invention will now be
described in further detail.
[0039] The attachment and bracing regions 70a and 70b of the
horizontal portions 70 of the exemplary bracket members 50, 52, 60
and 64 are formed located generally as follows.
[0040] The horizontal portions 70 have an outer end 70c and an
inner end 70d. Once the adjustably positioned sections 140 and 130
are slidably put in place relative to fixedly positioned section 71
in light of the size of the support members 30-36 used the length
of the spacing regions 70e is thereby determined such that the
vertical support members 30 and 32 fit snugly between the vertical
portions 72 and the other ends 70d. In the case of the proximal
bracket assemblies 54 and 56, the length of the spacing regions 70e
allows the vertical support members 30 and 32 to fit snugly between
the vertical portions 72 of the third and fourth bracket members 60
and 64 and the first and second hinge assemblies 62 and 66,
respectively. When, as is typical, two-by-four dimensional lumber
is used to form the vertical support members, the length of the
spacing regions 70e will be approximately 31/2"", or slightly
greater to allow for variations in the true dimensions of the
lumber.
[0041] The exemplary horizontal and vertical portions 70 and 72 as
well as adjustably positioned sections 140 and 130 are made of flat
pieces of rigid metal, but other relatively rigid materials and
shapes that function in a similar manner may be used. For ease of
manufacturing, the exemplary horizontal and vertical portions 70
and 72 are identical in length. As for sections 140 and 130 they
will by default be longer than horizontal portions 70.
[0042] The brace portion 74 is typically round or flat metal stock,
but other shapes and materials may be used. For example, the brace
portion 74 may be a triangular web of flat material that extends
between the horizontal and vertical portions 70 and 72. In this
case, the entire brace member may be cast of metal or injection
molded from plastic.
[0043] From the foregoing, it should be clear that the exemplary
brace members 50, 52, 60 and 64 are identical, which is preferred
for manufacturing purposes. However, these brace members 50, 52, 60
and 64 need not be identical to practice the present invention in
its broadest form.
[0044] The first and second hinge assemblies 54 and 56 are or may
be conventional and will be described herein only to the extent
necessary for a complete understanding of the present
invention.
[0045] As is conventional, the hinge assemblies 54 and 56 each
comprise a gate plate 120 and a post plate 122. These plates define
hinge projections 124 that receive a hinge pin (not shown). The
hinge pin allows the gate and post plates 120 and 122 to rotate
relative to each other about a hinge axes C and D defined by the
hinge assemblies 54 and 56.
[0046] The outer ends 70d of the adjustably portioned sections 130
of the first and second brace members 60 and 64 are rigidly
connected to the gate plates 120.
[0047] An array of fastener holes 90 is formed in the post plate
122 to allow this plate to be rigidly attached to the fence post
26. Preferably four fastener holes 90 are formed in the post plate
122. The drawing depicts fastener holes 90 in the gate plate 120;
these holes 90 in the plate 120 need not be used, but will be
present if off-the-shelf hinge assemblies 62 and 66 are used.
[0048] The process of combining the bracket system 20 with the
support members 30-36 to form the gate box 22 will now be described
with reference to FIG. 2.
[0049] Initially, as is conventional, the support members 30-36 are
cut to the desired lengths. The length of vertical support members
30 and 32 generally correspond to the height of the gate assembly
24, while the length of the horizontal support members 34 and 36
closely correspond to the width of the gate assembly 24.
[0050] Moreover, the present invention provides for the possibility
of using different size support members, not only in its length,
i.e. two by six instead of two by four inches for instance, whereby
the adjustably positioned sections 130 and 140 are slidably
positioned to securely accept different sizes. In practice, the
support members 30-36 must be at least twice as long as the lengths
of the sections 130 and 140 and vertical portions 72 to prevent
overlapping of the adjacent brace members.
[0051] The first and second distal brace members 50 and 52 and
first and second brace assemblies 54 and 56 are arranged such that:
(a) horizontal and vertical support surfaces 80a and 82a of the
first distal brace member 50 define first and second support
surfaces of the bracket system 20; (b) horizontal and vertical
support surfaces 80b and 82b of the second distal brace member 50
define third and fourth support surfaces of the bracket system 20;
(c) horizontal and vertical support surfaces 80c and 82c of the
first proximal brace member 60 define fifth and sixth support
surfaces of the bracket system 20; and (d) horizontal and vertical
support surfaces 80d and 82d of the second proximal brace member 64
define seventh and eighth support surfaces of the bracket system
20.
[0052] Once the adjustably positioned sections 130 and 140 are
slidably positioned to receive the size of the support members in
use the fasteners 92 are inserted through the fastener holes 90 of
the brace members 50, 52, 60 and 64 and into the support members
30-36 to form the gate box 22. In particular, fasteners 92 are
driven through the holes 90 and into the support members 30-36 such
that: (a) the upper horizontal support member 34 is drawn tight
against the first and fifth support surfaces defined by the first
distal brace member 50 and first proximal brace member 60; (b) the
lower horizontal support member 36 is drawn tight against the third
and seventh support surfaces defined by the second distal brace
member 52 and second proximal brace member 64; (c) the distal
vertical support member 30 is drawn tight against the second and
fourth support surfaces defined by the first and second distal
brace members 50 and 52; and (d) the proximal vertical support
member 32 is drawn tight against the sixth and eighth support
surfaces defined by the first and second proximal brace members 60
and 64.
[0053] The exact order of the attachments described in the
preceding paragraph is not critical to the present invention in its
broadest form.
[0054] The present invention results in a gate box 22 without any
exposed parts of the members 50 and 52 or of the assemblies 54 and
56 showing on the exterior of the said box 22 except for the hinge
projections 124. This not only results in increased appeal of the
finished product but also in better and extended performance.
[0055] With the gate box 22 formed as described above, the hinge
axes C and D will be substantially aligned. The gate box 22 so
formed may thus then be attached to the fence post 26 by fasteners
92 extending through the fastener holes 90 in the post plate 122
and into the post 26. When the post plates 122 are rigidly
connected to the post 26, the gate box 22 pivots relative to the
fence post 26 about the hinge axes C and D.
[0056] Given the foregoing, it should be clear that the present
invention may be embodied in forms other than those depicted and
described herein. The scope of the present invention should thus be
determined by the claims appended hereto and not the preceding
detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
* * * * *