GROUND

The invention relates to a vertical lifting wing support assembly which allows for sloping ground and to a method of installation. The invention is directed particularly but not solely towards a gate hinge for gates or gate leafs which have to rise when being rotatably opened or closed.

This specification is to be cognated with New Zealand 584395 as filed on 1 April 2010, New Zealand 585827 as filed on 1 June 2010 and New Zealand 587274 as filed on 9 August 2010. Background of Invention

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

As herein before defined a 'wing' is used as a general term to signify any planar structure having edges such as a base edge and planar faces being vertically mounted such as a gate or gate leaf or door or window or panel that can move or rotate about one vertical edge to be opened or closed as required- Gates are a common method of accessing areas and also in providing security. In general gates rely on the ground or support surface being either level or sloping away from a base of the gate. Problems arise whenever the support surface rises or contours upwards beyond the gate at least on one side of the gate thereof. Sometimes the rise is just the ground level changing in slope or perhaps it is an obstacle that can not easily be moved. Solving this sort of problem can be time consuming if attempting to level the ground or by removing the obstacle which may not be practically possible. In these type of rising ground situations either the gate is not bothered with or you have to try something else. Others solutions can be expensive, or difficult to install and tedious to maintain. Solutions such as by using jokey wheels rely on parts like springs that can easily fail causing on going maintenance problems. Often these solutions are limited to minor rises and can not handle significant slope differences. Also any gate or door or wing assemblies, can be very heavy putting direct loading on the gate hinge so that such assembles can also fail.

Safety and security become problematic if any gate fails meaning that in some situations the need to have a more dependable gate is imperative.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide gate hinge assembly and method of installation that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

In a first aspect the invention resides in a gate hinge assembly adapted to allow a gate having ends to be vertically mounted to a gate support mounted in a support surface, there being top, bottom and side ends for the gate assembly and gate, whereby gate hinge assembly is adapted to allow the gate to be able to be lifted or moved vertically during horizontal rotational movement about the support, the gate hinge assembly comprising:

- a part adapted to be movably connected to a gate and to a support, pivoting means and sliding means,

whereby the part is pivotally connected to the gate by a first pivot means located at a top end thereof the gate and part, and having rotation means to allow rotation of the part about the support to open and close the gate,

- the sliding means slidably connects a lower end of the part to a lower end of the gate, to allow rotation of the lower end of the gate with respect to the lower end of the part, about the first pivot means such that a lower end of the gate is spaced from a corresponding lower end of the part,

- wherein the gate and gate hinge assembly are horizontally rotated about the support while at the same time, the gate is vertically raised about the gate hinge assembly hi response to changing contour of the support surface. Preferably the first and second parts are oriented in the same orientation with their upper ends and lower ends matching and the first part overlaps at least a portion of the second part wherein the first and second parts are elongate in overall shape. Preferably the first part can be provided as a separate part to the gate whereby the first part includes a vertical leg and horizontal legs at the top and bottom, in a square U shape, to allow connection to the gate and the second part is L shaped having a vertical leg and horizontal leg at the bottom. Preferably, the sliding means is formed by a slot being provided in the second part and a protruding means being provided in the first part whereby the protruding means is slidably captured within the slot of the second part.

Alternatively the sliding means is formed by a slot being provided on the first part and a protruding means being provided in the second part whereby the protruding means is slidably captured within the slot of the first part.

Preferably, there is a third part adapted to be fixable to the other end of the gate to movably support the other end of the gate when it is being rotated wherein the movable support is a wheel.

Preferably the second part has a horizontal leg pivoted to a vertical leg by a second pivot means and a third pivot means is provided with and by the sliding means wherein the rotation or pivoting includes the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotation points which when assembling the gate hinge assembly to a gate, combine to form a first pivot means at the top corner (ie 111/119), a second pivot means at the bottom (at 120), a third pivot means (112/121) to the left of the second pivot means, and a sliding means (122/121).

Preferably the slot is formed as a curved or non curved, shaped slot wherein the space between the first part or gate and the second part or part is shaped as a triangle with the point of the triangle coinciding with the first pivot means at the top of the gate hinge assembly.. Preferably the gate hinge assembly includes a support arm assembly rotatably joined to the support and the gate. Preferably the gate hinge assembly includes motive power means operatively connected to the support arm assembly to open and close the gate.

Preferably the support arm assembly includes a support arm rotatably connected at one end to another support, and also rotatably connected at the other end to the sliding means of the horizontal leg of the part or second part and to the bottom of the gate or first part wherein the sliding means is includes a block adapted to slide the bottom of the gate to be spaced from the part or second part.

In a second aspect the invention resides in a method of installing a gate hinge assembly, the gate hinge assembly adapted to allow a gate having ends to be vertically mounted to a gate support mounted in a support surface, there being top, bottom and side ends for the gate assembly and gate, whereby gate hinge assembly is adapted to allow the gate to be able to be lifted or moved vertically during horizontal rotational movement about the support, the gate hinge assembly comprising:

- a part adapted to be movably connected to a gate and to a support, pivoting means and sliding means,

whereby the part is pivotally connected to the gate by a first pivot means located at a top end thereof the gate and part, and having rotati on means to allow rotation of the part about the support to open and close the gate,

- the sliding means slidably connects a lower end of the part to a lower end of the gate, to allow rotation of the lower end of the gate with respect to the lower end of the part, about the first pivot means such that a lower end of the gate is spaced from a corresponding lower end of the part,

- wherein the gate and gate hinge assembly are horizontally rotated about the support while at the same time, the gate is vertically raised about the gate hinge assembly in response to changing contour of the support surface, wherein the method of the installation includes: - position one gate on a support surface like for example the ground,

- position first part 20 over one side edge of the gate,

- apply suitable fasteners through apertures 32 and into the gate edge,

- position second part 21 over the first part 20 whereby apertures 35 allow protruding means there through,

- fix one end of the second part to the first part on the gate such that the second part can rotate thereabout and one other, protruding means can slidably move about the slot,

- position and affix third part to the other end of the gate with the wheel being on the outside edge of the gate and extending below the gate,

- lift and position gate to the support by slotting the support fixing means 38 of second part 21 over each adjacent support,

- gate is now able to be rotated about the support 4 with the wheel 41 moving on the support surface whereby the lower protruding means 31 of the first part slidably moves within the slot 36 of the second part to allow the first part 20 to pivot about the first pivot at the top.

Brief Description

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

First embodiment

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the gate hinge assembly in use.

Figure 2 is a front view of a first part of the gate hinge assembly in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of a second part of the gate hinge assembly.

Figure 4 is a front view of a third part of the gate hinge assembly.

Figure 5 is a side view of the first part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the left hand side of figure 2.

Figure 6 is a side view of the second part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the left hand side of figure 3 Figure 7 is a side view of the third part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the left hand side of figure 4

Figure 8 is an end view of the first part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the top of figure 2

Figure 9 is an end view of the second part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the top of figure 3

Figure 10 is an end view of the third part of the gate hinge assembly - taken from the top of figure 4

Figure 11 is a rear view of the first part of the gate hinge assembly

Figure 12 is a rear view of the second part of the gate hinge assembly

Figure 13 is a rear view of the third part of the gate hinge assembly Figure 14 is a front view of the gate hinge assembly in a closed configuration.

Figure 15 is a front view of the gate hinge assembly in a partially open configuration.

Second Embodiment

Figure 16 is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of the invention in a closed position.

Figure 17 is a front view in an open position.

Figure 18 is a schematic front view showing the first and second parts as stick like figures. Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of the slot and sliding of the protruding member. Third Embodiment

Figure 20 is a schematic front view of the first part 101.

Figure 21 is a schematic front view of the second part 102.

Figure 22 is a front view of a third embodiment of the gate hinge assembly i a closed position.

Figure 23 is a similar view to figure 20 but with the gate hinge assembly in an open position Figure 24 is a partial top plan view of an upper portion of the gate hinge assembly.

Figure 25 is a partial top plan view of a lower portion of the gate hinge assembly.

Figure 26 is partial perspective view of a lower portion of the gate hinge assembly. Figure 27 is a perspective view of the gate hinge assembly in a closed position without a wheel

Figure 28 is a perspective view similar to figure 27 but with the gate opened. Fourth Embodiment

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a support arm assembly for the gate hinge assembly without a wheel.

Figure 30 is another perspective view of the support arm assembly of figure 27.

Figure 31 is a perspective view of the support arm assembly with the rest of the gate hinge assembly.

Description of Drawings

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a vertical lifting wing support assembly or gate hinge assembly and method of installation. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figures are shown as if in use, with the gate hinge assembly being fitted to one gate or one leaf of a gate assembly, on say a right hand side facing a gate assembly. For convenience terms like 'upper' or 'top' and 'lower' or 'bottom' are relative terms in reference to the gate hinge assembly's position of use vertically with an edge on a support surface, in a gate assembly with or without the gate itself. First embodiment - figures 1-15

As shown in figures 1-15 in a first embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed in this example whereby the wing is a gate 1 which is defined as including just the gate itself without a gate hinge assembly 2 in the form of a pin-sleeve arrangement or a hinge. A leaf can be defined as one gate or one side of a two gated opening having edge supported on opposite ends by rotating means, to meet in the middle though in this example we only are considering but are not limited to one gate rotatably supported by the gate hinge assembly 2. The gate hinge assembly 2 and gate are movably or rotatably supported by a fixed support 3 which can be in the form of a post concreted into a support surface or ground 5. In this example as shown in figure 1 the gate 1 can include a planar type member comprising a frame fitted with cladding affixed thereon or just a panel. In use the planar member forms a vertical plane 6 with respect to ground 5 which can be said to be a horizontal plane 7. The gate hinge assembly 2 movably supports the gate 1 and allows the gate 1 to be moved or rotated in the horizontal plane 7 in use either to close or open the gate 1. The post 4 is provided with means 10 to movably support the rotating means 2.

In this example movable support means 10 is in the form of an L-shaped pin or gudgeon pin having a threaded end portion horizontally fitted into the post 4 at two positions, leaving a protruding vertical upstanding portion at each position, to mate with the rotating means 2. To fit a gate or gate leaf 1, each gate 1 is lifted above each vertical upstanding portion of the L shaped pin and slid down into place over both movable support means 10. The gate hinge assembly 2 operatively includes a first part 20 and a second part 21. In some options the assembly 2 can also include a third part 23. First part 20, second part 21 and third part 22 are elongate plate-like members having a length or height parallel to the vertical plane when in use. Each plate like member has a top end 23, a lower end 24, sides 25, a front face 26 and rear face 27.

As shown i the figures over-all the shape of first part 20 is slender and elongate with extension portions extending in the same plane as the faces. First part 20 has extension portions at the top and bottom whereas second part 21 only has an extension at the bottom. First part 20 is constructed and adapted to be attached to one edge of the gate 1 opposite or adjacent the fence post 4. First part 20 also has first protruding means 30 located close to the top end and a second protruding means 31 located at the opposite end or the lower end. Both protruding means protrude from the face 26 of the first part 20. Below first protruding means 30 there are apertures 32 to allow fasteners (not shown) therein to affix the first part 20 to one edge of the gate. There are also apertures below the second protruding means 31 to affix or connect the first part 20 to one edge of a gate 1. As shown there are two apertures at the top below pivot means 30 and two apertures at the bottom. First protruding means 30 comprises a fixed threaded stud outwardly protruding from front face 26 of the first part 20 and second protruding means 31 comprises another fixed threaded stud also extending outwards from the face of the first part 20. Overall first part 20 is elongate with protruding side portions 33 on one side and the other side being straight. Second part 21 is adapted to be in use attached by one edge 25 to the fence post 4. At the top end of the second part 21 there is at least one aperture 35 positioned directly opposite the first part protruding means 30. Second part 21 is also provided with a slot 36 sized and positioned when in use or assembled, directly opposite the first part second protruding means 31) to allow the second protruding means 31 to slide or travel there in and be captured in a controlled and sliding type manner. At the lower end of second part there is a protruding portion 37 and at the one edge 25 there are post fixing means 38. Post fixing means are in the form of rings or sleeves that slidably allow the up right portion of the L-shaped pin to fit therein a female type inter-fitting. In use when opening or closing a gate, the first part 20 and second part 21 as assembled, overlap somewhat as seen in figures 14 and 15, to allow relative rotational movement between and with respect to each other, about a pivot means at the top formed by first protruding means 30 and aperture 35 and pivot means at the bottom such that a lower end of the first part is spaced from the second part. The spacing between the first part 20 and second part 21 varies vertically, from no spacing at the top to a maximum spacing at the bottom. Therefore the spacing can be thought of as being triangular.

Also during opening and closing the gate, at the bottom or lower portion of gate hinge assembly of first part 20 and second part 21, there is also rotational movement which is greater than the relative rotational movement at the top, as the first part 20 is rotating about the pivot means at the top is at a fixed position whereas due to ground contours a lower part of the first part 20 moves away from the second part 21 whereby as the gate is opened or closed with rising ground the protruding means 31 of the first part slidably moves through the slot 36 of the second part 21. While the first part 20 at the bottom is sliding and possibly rotating with respect to the slot 36 of the second part 21.

As shown in the drawings the slot 36 can be curved or straight and be dimensioned as required whereby in this example the first part protruding portion 31 starts at one end of slot 36 ie the in use lower end when the gate is closed whereby in use to open the gate, the protruding means 31 will travel through or along the slot 36 to an opposite end of the slot 36 which is shown as curving upwards to match the lift required to allow the gate to clear the rising ground or obstacle and to be as open as required. The same movement with the slot 31 occurs when the gate is opened as for closing the gate but in opposite direction in the slot 36.

Third part 22 is adapted in use to be fitted to the opposite end to the gate than the first part 20. Third part 22 is also elongate in extent having slots 40 at either end to allow fixing to the gate 1. Also third part 22 is provided with rolling means 41 in the form of a wheel to allow the gate to move along the ground 2.

To assemble and fix the gate hinge assembly 2 and also all other gate hinge assemblies mentioned in this specification, to the gate and post 4 the following steps can be used:

- position one gate 1 on a support surface like the ground 5,

- position first part 20 over one side edge of the gate 1 ,

- apply suitable fasteners through apertures 32 of the first part 20 and into the gate edge,

- position second part 21 over the first part 20 whereby apertures 35 allow protruding means 30 there through,

- fix one end of the second part 21 to the first part 20 on the gate 1 such that the second part 21 can rotate thereabout and one other, protruding means 31 can slidably move about the slot 36,

- position and affix third part 22 to the other end of the gate 1 with the wheel being on the outside edge of the gate and extending below the gate,

- lift and position gate to the post by slotting the post fixing means 38 of second part 21 over each adjacent fence post upright,

- gate 1 now able to be rotated about the fence post 4 with the wheel 41 moving on the ground 5 whereby the lower protruding means 31 of the first part 20 slidably moves within the slot 36 of the second part 21 to allow the first part 20 to pivot about the first pivot at the top.

These steps can be varied to suit whereby for example the third part 22 may first be put on the gate or even after the gate is fitted to the post 4. Also the second part 21 may be fitted to - l i the post before fitting the first part to the gate. Also the installation may be carried with the gate being positioned vertically as against being laid out horizontally on the ground in the first step. Also the steps can be varied depending on which part has the slot and which part has the protruding means.

One option for this embodiment is to not have a first part and instead just provide the means to provide rotation at the top, and sliding at the bottom with rotation at the bottom with respect to the sliding and for the second part itself when rotating. The gate itself can be the first part.

Second embodiment - figures 16-19

Figures 16-19 show a second embodiment 50 of the invention whereby the same action of the one part ie a first part 51 on a gate rotates about a top pivot 53 and slides about the bottom, with respect to the other part (a second part 54) remaining vertically with the post but able to be rotated with respect to the post to open or close a gate. A third part (not shown) as shown in the first embodiment of figures 1-15 includes a wheel or roller can also still be used with this embodiment. However in this second embodiment, the pin of the first part in the slot of the second part sliding arrangement is replaced by or swapped, whereby there is a slot 55 in the first part 51 and the pin is now in the second part in the form of a curved protruding member 56.

As shown when in use when a gate is to be opened or closed, the second part 54 remains essentially vertical or parallel with the post with the protruding member 56 as part of or attached, protruding. The first part 51 moves or rotates about the top pivot 53 whereby the slot 55 is slidably captured by the protruding member 56, to slidably pass over or about member 56, thus allowing the gate to move vertically upwards as require and downwards also as required when opening or closing a gate.

Also shown is that the first part 51 includes tabs like members 57 and 58 which are connected or attached to an elongate member 59 and 60. These tab like members like the elongate members can be over any shape and cross section, to allow connection by any fixing means to the panel (which also can be a frame or panel or both) of the gate. First part 51 is shaped having the elongate member 59 as a vertical leg member with the tabs 57/58 as two protruding horizontal arms 57 & 58 at the top and bottom. This is almost a square U shape. Second part 54 is more L shaped overall with the elongate member 60 being a vertical leg and the protruding means 56 being an almost horizontal member but being curved.

Slot 55 is shown in close perspective in figure 19 whereby the slot 55 is formed by a bridge like member 62 with mountings 63 at each end, to form the slot 55 underneath for the protruding member 56 slidably move there through.

Like all the other embodiments (before and after this embodiment) there is pivoting at the top, with a sliding and pivoting happening at the bottom whereby the gate hinge assembly is being opened or close (ie horizontal movement about gudgeons). The sliding and pivoting movement allows first part 51 to slide upwards in response to the ground contours while allowing some vertical rotation of an almost horizontal leg with respect to the vertical leg of the second part 52 and also some rotation about the sliding connection.

In use when opening or closing a gate, the first part 51 and second part 54 as assembled, overlap somewhat or be spaced as seen in figure 16, to allow relative rotational movement between and with respect to each other, about a pivot means at the top formed by first protruding means 56 and aperture 55 and pivot means at the bottom such when opening the gate that a lower end of the first part 51 is spaced from the second part 54. The spacing as seen in figure 17 between the first part 51 and second part 54 varies vertically, from no spacing at the top to a maximum spacing at the bottom. Therefore the spacing can be thought of as being triangular in shape.

Like the first embodiment the first part 51 can be provided by the gate itself with means to pivot at the top and sliding with some pivoting as required at the bottom.

Third Embodiment - figures 20-28

As shown in figures 20-28 there is a third embodiment of the invention. As before this embodiment uses the same principle of two parts 101 and 102 of a hinge 100 for a gate whereby when a gate is to be opened one part rotates and slides with respect to the other part when being forced to rise due to rising ground.

The first part 101 can be in use affixed to a gate to be opened or closed. In this example first part 101 includes a frame in the shape of a square U shape having elongate members whereby in use there is a vertical leg member 105 with two horizontally oriented leg members (an upper 106 and lower leg 107) being parallel to each other and right angles to the vertical member. Each of these members 105-107 can be formed from square cross sectional bars joined by welding. Each leg can have means (not shown) to enable fixing to a gate. Second part 102 is L shaped with a vertical leg and horizontal leg at the bottom.

In this example each leg of the first and second parts 101 & 102, has aperture(s) 108 to allow fasteners to be inserted there through and adjustment to a gate. One of the legs ie the upper leg 106 has an extension portion 109 that extends beyond the vertical leg 105 as shown in figures 20 & 21. First part 101 has an upper or first pivot or rotation or removable fastening point or first rotation point 111 at the extension portion 109 and a second rotation point 112 is located at the intersection of the lower leg 107 and lower end of the vertical leg 105.

The second part 102 is approximately an L shape having a vertical leg member 115 and horizontal leg member 116. Second part 102 is adapted to be fixed to a vertical support (not shown) such as for example a post set in concrete into the ground. Vertical leg member 115 can be formed from an angle shaped cross sectional members and oriented to fit at least one corner of the post. Vertical leg 115 also includes gudgeon receiving means 118 in the form of vertically oriented tubular sleeves. Second part 102 also has a pivot or rotation point or a third rotation point 119 located at one end or the upper end at the point intersecting one leg with the vertical leg 115. Second part 102 also has another rotation point ie fourth rotation point 120 located at the opposite end of the vertical leg 115. Second part horizontal leg 116 is formed from a separate leg as an elongate member being slotted along its length to create slot 122 and being connected by fourth rotation point 120 to the vertical leg 115. Horizontal leg 116 can rotate vertically as required by the sliding of the bolt of the first part in the slot, combined with the opening closing of the gate. Additionally second part 102 has a fifth rotational point 121 which is a movable and sliding rotational point. Operationally, first part 101 inter-fits with second part 102 as shown in figures 22-24 whereby at the upper end, first part first rotation point 111 is removably connected to third part rotation point 119 and correspondingly at the lo wer end of both parts 101 & 102, second rotation point 112 inter-fits with fifth rotation point 121 which are slidably located in the slot 122. The rotational point 121 rotationally connects second part leg 116 to allow leg 116 to rotate as required when the first part 101 pivots about 111 & 119 and is moving upwards about the slot 116 and horizontally rotationally about the gudgeons. Also during the horizontal rotation the lower part of the first part 101 slidably moves with respect to the second part 102.

In general terms the rotation or pivoting includes the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotation points which when assembling the gate hinge assembly to a gate, combine to form a first pivot means at the top corner (ie 111/119), a second pivot means at the bottom (at 120), a third pivot means (112/121) to the left of the second pivot means, and a sliding means (122/121). This generally applies for all embodiments described in this specification except the first embodiment which does not have the second pivot means 120.

To allow the pivoting or rotation about rotation points 111 and 119 at the top of the gate hinge assembly and combined sliding and-rotation at the bottom of the gate hinge assembly, the top of the first part and second parts are adjustably interconnected by a threaded bolt 125 (see figure 24) with washer 126 underneath a nut 127 on an outside face 127a of leg 106. Another washer 128 is located on the same bolt 125 but between leg 106 vertical leg 102. At the bottom to allow for sliding movement, about second rotation point 112 and fifth rotation point 121 there is a bolt 130, nut 131, and washer(s) 132 on an outside 132a of leg 116 but there is a seat 135 fixed to the lower leg 107 of first part 101. Seat 135 can be shaped as a slotted planar recess to allow a rear side 132b of leg 116 to slidably move there against and through.

At the lower rotation point 120 there is nut 137 and washer(s) 138 and threaded bolt 139 on the outside of horizontal leg 116 and between the horizontal leg 116 and vertical leg 115 there is a spacer sleeve 140 and washers 141 to allow the rotation movement of horizontal leg 116 beyond the outer face of the seat 125. The interfitting of the first and second parts 101 and 102 as seen in figure 22, means that the vertical legs 105 and 115 are not quite parallel (see figure 22) but are pivoted from the top to produce a gap or angle 143 whereby when the first part 101 moves with respect to second part 102 there is also pivoting of both first and second parts about the post and gudgeons. Gap 143 of figure 22 widens to form a space or gap or angle 143a of figure 23. The space or gap can be thought of being triangular in shape with the narrow end at the top and wide end at the bottom of the triangle. When first part 101 moves or rotates with respect to the second part 102, there is pivoting about 111 and 119 at the top while at the bottom the nut, washer bolt and seat with first part 101 slidably move and or rotate through the slot 122 while the gate is horizontally rotating about the gudgeons 118 with some minor vertical rotation about pivot point 120. The same movement rotation and sliding happens in reverse when closing the gate.

At the bottom of the gate hinge assembly, pivot 120 must allow some vertical rotation of the leg 116 (with respect to the vertical leg 115) while also at the bottom rotation or sliding points 112/121 there is sliding while there is pivoting at the top of the gate hinge assembly.

The pivoting at the top can be termed a first pivot means while at the bottom there are two rotational points ie at bolt 125 in slot 122 which can be termed a second pivot means and a third pivot means 120 as mentioned in the previous embodiments. Though not shown in some embodiments, a wheel or wheels can be located on the gate or gate leaf on the opposite end of the gate to that of the first and second parts of the gate hinge assembly as shown in the figures 1-30.

Assembly of the gate hinge assembly can include the following steps of:

-fix first part to second part

-then fix to gate post by slipping gudgeon receiving means on to each gudgeon or fix first part to gate leaf,

-fix second part to first part,

-fix to gate post.

Like the other embodiments the first part 101 can be provided by the gate itself with means to pivot at the top and sliding with some pivoting as required at the bottom. Fourth embodiment - see figures 29 -31

As shown in this embodiment there can include a support arm assembly 150 which is adapted to be powered, to be combined with the rest of the gate hinge assembly as disclosed in this specification. The sliding and rotation parts of the gate hinge assembly are the same in principle as for the other embodiments of this invention but the bolt 131 in a slot 122 is replaced by a sliding block 151 in the slot 122 in the horizontal leg 116. Most of the drawing number references as used in the third embodiment are also used in this embodiment where appropriate.

The first part can a square U shape and the second part can be L shaped. Or the first part can simply be provided by the gate itself again like before as long as the first part provides pivot means and sliding means to interfit properly with the second part. Figure 31 also shows how the gate assembly does not need a first part but minimally just the means to pivot top and bottom and means to allow sliding with respect to the second part.

Support arm assembly 150 includes an extension means 152 rotationally connected to the block 151 and to the support post (not shown). Extension means 152 is in the form of a telescoping arm with ends, having pivoting or rotation means 153 and 154 at each end. Rotation means 153 operatively connects the block 151 to the horizontal arm 116 of the second part of the hinge assembly. Rotation means 154 is operatively connected to the support post by a support mounting means 155. Horizontal arm 116 is now in the form of a channel cross section having a channel base 156 with channel walls 157 forming a channel recess 158 in a f ont. The slot 122 is located in the channel base and the channel base is oriented vertically when in use. Block 151 slidably interfits in the slot and channel base as shown in the figures. Additionally the block 151 has a portion that slidably sits on top of the channel walls. The channel recess 158 is shown facing the support arm assembly 150 and support post (not shown) but can be oriented on the other side of the second part 115 if necessary. Support mounting means 154 comprises a plate-like member with slotted apertures 159 to allow both fixing and adjustment. The rear of the channel and block allows pivotal connection (ie 112/121) to the bolt 130 of the horizontal leg 107 of the first part 105 so that movement of the first part as per the other embodiments of the invention can be rotated and moved upwards according to the contour of the ground when opening and closing the gate.

A method for the fourth embodiment which can just include the first pivot means, (second) part and sliding means can include the following method of-

-install first pivot point into the top corner of gate, -install second pivot point into the bottom corner of gate,

-install second part on support post,

-install gate with first pivot point on the gate or first part to connect with the third pivot point of the (second) part, at the top and at the bottom install the second pivot point of the first part or gate with the fifth pivot point and the sliding means, of the second part and -install support arm assembly.

This can be varied by for example fitting the second part before fitting the pivot points onto the first part or gate. Or the second part can be fitted to the first part or gate and then put this combination onto the post. Alternatively the order of first and second pivot points can be changed as well.

Advantages

a) Copes with sloping ground

b) Straight forward installation

c) Minimal moving parts

d) Simple manufacture

e) Robust construction

f) Easy to maintain

g) Long life Variations

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Though the present invention is discussed in terms of gates the principle disclosed in this specification can equally be applied to any opening panel or wing which is required to rise or be lifted when being rotated, pushed or pulled. Upwardly sloping ground is mentioned as one example of use but others are possible such as needing to rise or move up to miss any obstacle. The invention can be used for each gate or gate leaf of say a double leafed gate. It is also envisaged that the gate or leaf can be powered and/or automatically controlled for movement as required.

The first, second and third parts are shown with various protruding portions and in the form of plates but this can varied or altered to comprise frame-like members or having box or channel cross section in any suitable material. Also each of the parts can be fabricated as one piece items or made up components joined or connected together.

The various fastenings can be varied as well to say welding the nuts to the studs or bolting the components together. Fixing the three parts 20-22, 51, 54, 101, 102 to the gate or door and or to the post, can also be varied by bolting or screwing or coach bolting etc as required. Gudgeons are only shown as one example of rotatably affixing the gate assembly to a post.

The slot 36 in some of the embodiments is shown as being curved in shape though other shapes are possible. The length and width of the slot can be varied and other components can be added to facilitate the sliding movement. The position of the pin 31 can also be varied. The moving means 41 can include a jokey wheel or have biasing means to allow some vertical movement with respect to the gate itself. The post fixing means 38 and L- shaped pin 10 can be varied to include any other suitable means to allow rotational movement of the gate or gate leaf on a post such as by hinges like for example a T-hinge.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting.

The first second and third parts are shown as being elongate in overall shaped but can also be provided in different shapes. Though three parts are shown conceivably the first and second parts can designed to be strong enough to support the gate leaf with or without the third part 22 ie wheel 41. The moving means 41 in this example is a wheel though other moving means are also possible such rollers or more than one wheel or roller in several positions or anything that allows the bottom of a gate leaf to be forced upwards and or downwards which can include sliding or rolling.

It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a "kit of Parts", that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.

As shown the sliding and protruding members can be swapped around with respect to the first and second parts. The pivot 53 can also be simply a bolted or pinned joint or it can include a tab like member 61 (see figure 16-19) which fixedly extends from the second part and is pinned or bolt or even screwed to the first part whereby pivotally rotating movement can still occur as required.

The slot can be as wide and long as required to match any sized protruding member or to still allow with relative controlled movement. For example the slot in figures 16-18 is small enough to control the sliding movement of the protruding member whereas in figures 1-15 the protruding member is minimal and the slot very large in comparison.

The pivot means is located at the top corner plus there is pivot means at the bottom for the second part (ie for the vertical leg and horizontal leg) plus there is pivot means at the bottom associated with the sliding means. Also the support means is also pivoted at each end of the support arm. In general terms the rotation or pivoting includes the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotation points which when assembling the gate hinge assembly to a gate, combine to form a first pivot means at the top corner (ie 111/119), a second pivot means at the bottom (at 120), a third pivot means (112/121) to the left of the second pivot means, and a sliding means (122/121). This generally applies for all embodiments described in this specification except the first embodiment which does not have the second pivot means 120.

The sliding action can be changed from a sliding bolt and washer to a sliding block made in a variety of materials such as plastics with the profile or cross section also not being limited to what is shown as long as the pivoting occurs at the top and at least sliding of one part with respect to the other part of the gate hinge assembly in response to any change of contour of the ground or support surface, when opening or closing the gate. The first part can be formed as the gate itself without the need for a separate first part as long as it has a pivot means at the top and bottom corners with means that is able to slide with the second part.

The gate hinge assembly can be provided as a formed gate, ready to simply install on site or off-site or the gate hinge assembly can be provided as a kit of parts. The kit of parts can include in one form: -the part (ie the second part), -pivot means and sliding means. Or in another form the kit can include: a first part, pivot means and sliding means and second part.

Each of the embodiments can include methods of installation and assembly as described in the first embodiment and third embodiments.