ZA201005694B - A security device for a gate and a method of securing a sliding gate - Google Patents

Description

- _ 2 _ - EN lt 2010/7 05694 : .._ _ DE "10 THIS INVENTION relates to a security device for a gate and a method of securing a sliding gate.

The invention relates to protection of a sliding gate including at least two wheels on which it runs on a rail between an open position and a closed position with respect to a gate opening. The applicant is aware that with certain such sliding gates, when closed, forced entry may be gained by lifting the gate from its rail. Some such sliding gates are actuated to open and close by means of an actuation system including an electric motor, a pinion gear driven by the motor, and a horizontal rack gear mounted to the gate and driven by the pinion gear. When the motor is stationary, the actuation system also serves as a lock which locks the gate in position. The applicant is further aware that with some such gates, lifting the gate from its rail may cause the pinion gear to disengage from the rack gear, thereby unlocking the gate and allowing it to be manually slid open.

In some gate installations, a stop formation is provided for preventing lifting of a gate. However, such a stop formation may sometimes be compromised by brute force.

The present invention aims to at least ameliorate the above-mentioned problems associated with certain sliding gates.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security device for a sliding gate which includes at least two wheels on which it runs on a rail between an open position and a closed position with respect to a gate opening, the security device including: mounting means for mounting it in an operative configuration to a stationary object at the oo sliding gate; .

sensing means configured for operatively sensing a predetermined displacement of the ® gate indicative of a possible attempt to lift a wheel of the gate from the rail when the gate is in the closed position; and connecting means for connecting the sensing means to alarm means for triggering the alarm means in the event of sensing the predetermined displacement.

The sensing means may include: a switch having an open status and a closed status; and actuation means for the switch, the actuation means being configured operatively to cooperate with a part on the gate when the gate is in the closed position to change the status of the switch upon the predetermined displacement.

The predetermined displacement may be an upward displacement. -

The security device may include the alarm means. The alarm means may include an audio annunciator.

In the case of the security device including the switch and the alarm means, it may include a housing within which the switch and the alarm means are housed.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing a sliding gate including at least two wheels on which it runs on a rail between an open position and a closed position with respect to a gate opening, the method including, by means of an alarm system, monitoring the gate for a predetermined displacement indicative of a possible attempt to lift a wheel of the gate from the rail.

The alarm system may include: a security device mounted to a stationary object at the sliding gate; and sensing means configured for operatively sensing the predetermined displacement. :

The sensing means of the alarm system may include: a switch having an open status and a closed status; and actuation means for the switch, the actuation means being configured operatively to cooperate with a part on the gate when the gate is in the closed position to change the status of the switch upon the predetermined displacement.

® In the method, the predetermined displacement may be an upward displacement.

In the method, the sensing means may be provided on the same side of the access opening as a drive motor of the gate. | Co

Where the method includes the use of a security device, the security device may be one in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. . : :

In the method, the monitoring may be performed by a security company in a control room remote from the gate.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description below of an example embodiment of a security device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and an example implementation of a method of securing a sliding gate, in accordance with the second ) aspect of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic © drawings. Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 shows a face-on elevation of an arrangement including a part of a fence installation, including a sliding gate (shown in a closed position), and a security device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, mounted on the fence installation;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3A shows the detail Ill A of Figure 2;

Figure 3B shows a detail similar to that of Figure 3A, but with the gate in a partially open position;

Figure 4 shows the detail IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a 3D view of an arrangement roughly corresponding to that shown in

Figure 4; and

Figure 6 shows a circuit diagram of an alarm system including an electronic circuit of the security device of Figure 1. :

In the drawings, an embodiment of a security device, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

-5- i 204907056904

Referring initially particularly to Figures‘l and 2, the security device 10 is mounted in an operative ® configuration with respect to a fence installation 12 of which the following parts are. shown, albeit some only partly:

A fixed fence section 14.1 including an end post 16;

A fixed fence section 14.2;

A gate post 18 aligned with and spaced apart from the end post 16 on an inside of the fence installation 12;

A sliding gate 20 running on two wheels 22.1 and 22.2 thereof on a rail 24 and including a : rack gear 26 extending along the length of a bottom frame member thereof; and

An electric drive unit 28 including a remote controlled electric motor, control circuitry, and a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear 26.

For the purpose of this example, the fence installation 12 is provided on a boundary of a residential property.

The gate 20 is shown in a closed position thereof, in which it closes off an access opening 30 in the fence installation 12. It is displaceable, to the left in Figures 1 and 2, into an open position, in which it clears the access opening 30. The electric drive unit 28 and the rack gear 26 serve as actuation means for displacing the gate 20 between its open and closed positions.

When the motor of the drive unit 28 is not running, the actuation means serve as a lock, preventing manual sliding of the gate 20. : The abovementioned components of the fence installation 12 are conventional and so is the operation of the gate.

Referring now particularly to Figures 3A, 4, and 5, the security device 10 is mounted to the post 18 near a top of the post. The security device 10 includes:

An angle iron mounting bracket 32 welded to the post 18;

A housing 20, made of injection moulded plastic; and :

An electrical circuit 34, as shown in Figure 6, housed within the housing 20.

The security device 10 includes also sensing means in the form of an off-the-shelf switch unit 36 for sensing a predetermined upward displacement of the gate 20 at the position of the switch unit 36. The switch unit 36 includes a normally open switch 38 and actuation means for the switch 38,

: _6- tL 2010/ 05694 the actuation means comprising a rod 40 depending from the switch 38 and a wheel 42 mounted ® to a bottom end of the rod 40 to be freely rotatable about an axis transverse to the plane of the gate 20. The switch unit 36 includes biasing means in the form of a spring biasing the rod 40 and wheel 42 towards a bottom position, say about 5mm below the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. ;

A part in the form of a plate 44 has been welded to an inside of a top frame member of the gate 20 to project laterally in the position shown. . :

In the closed position of the gate 20, the plate 44 is received within a slot 46 cut into the bracket 32. In this position of the plate 44, the wheel 42 rests on top of the plate 44 under bias of the spring of the switch unit 36. The switch 38 is open.

Upon opening of the gate 20 (see Figure 3B), the plate 44 leaves the wheel 42, allowing the rod 40 and wheel 42 to be displaced into their downward position under gravity and the bias of the spring of the switch unit 36. The switch 38 remains open.

Upon closing of the gate 20, the leading end 48 of the plate 44 contacts and urges the rod 40 and wheel 42 upwardly into the position shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the switch 38 is open.

In Figure 6, an alarm system used in the method of the second aspect of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 50. The alarm system 50 includes a control unit 52, which is conventional and which is mounted inside a house on the residential property. The alarm system SO includes also various other components which are conventional and not shown, including various intruder detection sensors, a siren, and an RF transmitter for transmitting RF } trigger signals. The alarm system 50 is monitored by a control room of a security company at a remote location. Upon triggering of the alarm system 50, both the siren is sounded and an RF trigger signal is transmitted to the control room for a suitable response. Insofar as the above features, operation, and monitoring of an alarm system are conventional, it does not require any further description herein. :

The electronic circuit 34 is also a part of the alarm system 50. It is particularly a trigger means of the alarm system 50. The circuit 34 includes:

Alarm means in the form of an audio annunciator or siren 54;

The normally open switch 38; and

_7- Fa A 7 2 2010/ 05604

Connecting means in the form of a connector pair 56 connected to respective contacts of ® the switch 38 and, via wiring, to the control unit 52.

The circuit 34 is powered by an external DC power supply 58.

Upon closing of the switch 38, the siren 54 is activated to sound.

With reference now to the drawings generally, assume that a person lifts the gate 20 at the post 18, when the gate 20 is in the closed position, in an attempt to lift the wheel 22.1 shown in Figure : 1 from the rail 24 thereby to disengage the rack gear 26 from the pinion gear of the drive unit 28.

The plate 44 urges the wheel 42 and rod 40 upwardly. Upon a predetermined upward displacement of the plate 44 on the gate 20 indicative of the possibility of such an attempt, say 5mm, the switch 38 is closed, causing the siren 54 to sound and the control unit 52 to cause the

RF transmitter to transmit a trigger signal. :

The alarm system 50 thus monitors the gate 20 for a possible attempt to lift the wheel 22.1 of the gate from the rail 24 when the gate 20 is in the closed position. Monitoring of the gate 20 by means of the alarm system 50 is an example of the method of the second aspect of the invention.

Due to the particular configuration of the mounting bracket 32, it shields the security device 10 from tampering from the outside of the fence installation 12.

The applicant believes that the security device for and method of securing a sliding gate of the invention provides a practical means for enhancing the security of a sliding gate.

Claims (1)

1. 8- E12010/ 056094 Ce = oo ING ® | | | cL

   1. A security device for a sliding gate which includes at least two wheels on which it runs on a rail between an open position and a closed position with respect to a gate opening, the security device including: - mounting means for mounting it in an operative configuration to a stationary object at the sliding gate; oo sensing means configured for operatively sensing a predetermined displacement of the gate indicative of a possible attempt to lift a wheel of the gate from the rail when the gate isin the closed position; and connecting means for connecting the sensing means to alarm means for triggering the alarm means in the event of sensing the predetermined displacement.

   2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the sensing means includes: a switch having an open status and a closed status; and actuation means for the switch, the actuation means being configured operatively to cooperate with a part on the gate when the gate is in the closed position to change the status of the switch upon the predetermined displacement.

   3. A security device as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which the predetermined : displacement is an upward displacement.

   4. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which includes the alarm means.

   a

   5. A security device as claimed in claim 2 and in claim 4, which includes a housing within which . the switch and the alarm means are housed.

   6. A security device as claimed in claim 4 or in claim 5, in which the alarm means includes an audio annunciator.

   7. A method of securing a sliding gate including at least two wheels on which it runs on a rail between an open position and a closed position with respect to a gate opening, the method including, by means of an alarm system, monitoring the gate for a predetermined displacement indicative of a possible attempt to lift a wheel of the gate from the rail.

   aw

   5. £22010/ 056094

   ® 8.. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which the alarm system includes: : a security device mounted to a stationary object at the sliding gate; and sensing means configured for operatively sensing the predetermined displacement. c

   : 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the sensing means includes: - a switch having an open status and a closed status; and actuation means for the switch, the actuation means being configured operatively to cooperate with a part on the gate when the gate is in the closed position to change the status of the switch upon the predetermined displacement. oo

   10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or in claim 9, in which the predetermined displacement is an upward displacement.

   11. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, in which the sensing means is provided on the same side of the access opening as a drive motor of the gate.

   12. A method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, in which the security device is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.

   13. A method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, in which the monitoring is performed by a security company in a control room remote from the gate.

   14. A security device as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the drawings.

   15. A method of securing a sliding gate as claimed in claim 7, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the drawings. DATED THIS 10™ DAY OF AUGUST 2010 1 wi & ADAMS APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEYS