DESCRIPTION "Motorised supporting upright for sliding gates"

[0001] The present invention relates to a motorised supporting upright for sliding gates. [0002] Automatisms for moving sliding gates are already- known and widely used. Such automatisms, however, are generally quite complex and expensive and thus, for their installation and maintenance, they require the presence of skilled technicians and several working hours. [0003] Moreover, they are often cumbersome as they need their own support and/or adaptation structures to be installed in the proximity of the gate they are to be applied to. [0004] Moreover, each gate is usually associated to its own motor apparatus, so that even within the same manufacturing company, there exists a wide range of different automatisms, with obvious disadvantages for production costs, stock management, sale and servicing. [0005] In a previous patent application no. PCT/IT2005/00437 by the same Applicant, a motor apparatus for moving sliding gates is disclosed, comprising, in a single pre-assembled box body to be fixed to the top of one of the fixed posts of the gate, means for guiding and supporting the moving portion of the gate and a motor- reduction unit suitable for moving said moving portion of

the gate. The box body is shaped so as to allow the sliding of the moving portion of the gate therein. [0006] Even though such device solves in a satisfactory manner the problems mentioned above, it cannot be applied to gates having a non-rectilinear top profile, for example arched, since the moving portion would not be able to slide into the box body fixed to the top of the fixed post . [0007] Moreover, for safety reasons, for example in the case of especially long or heavy gates, in front of one of the gate posts a further fixed post is usually provided, usually called upright, having the main function of supporting and guiding the moving portion of the gate. In fact, the latter slides between two columns so as to avoid any risks of tilting, also in the case of accidental shock.

[0008] In brief, these types of gates in any case require the presence of a special motor-reduction apparatus mounted on the ground so as to engage in a rack fixed to the moving portion of the gate, usually in lower position. Besides such motor-reduction apparatus, these gates require either a support plate fixed to the top of one of the fixed posts of the gate, or a support upright facing and cooperating with, said fixed post. [0009] Therefore, in any case, the types of gates discussed

above suffer from the disadvantages mentioned above, in particular as regards the manufacturing costs and the installation difficulty and times.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to obviate such disadvantages, also in the case of gates having a non-rectilinear top profile and/or a length and thus a weight, especially high.

[0011] Such objects are achieved with a motorised upright for sliding gates according to claim 1. [0012] The features and advantages of the motorised upright according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred embodiment, made by way of an indicative non-limiting example with reference to the annexed figures, wherein: [0013] - figure 1 shows an exploded view of a motorised upright according to the invention, in a first embodiment thereof ;

[0014] - figure 2 shows a perspective view of the upright of figure 1 mounted and applied to a gate; [0015] - figure 3 shows an exploded view of a motorised upright according to the invention, in a second embodiment thereof; and

[0016] - figure 4 shows a perspective view of the upright of figure 3 mounted and applied to a gate. [0017] In said drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes the

moving portion of a sliding gate (figure 2) . The gate further comprises at least one fixed vertical post 11 extending from the ground. [0018] A rack 12 is fixed to said moving portion 10 of the gate, for example close to the bottom side.

[0019] According to the invention, the sliding gate is further associated to an upright 14 comprising a box body 16 having the shape of a pillar so as to define a pair of columns with the fixed vertical post 11 between which the moving portion 10 of the gate slides.

[0020] In other words, upright 14 exhibits a height substantially equal to that of the fixed post 11, and therefore to that of the gate, and is intended for being placed in front thereof. The upright thus arranged relative to the fixed post allows preventing the moving portion of the gate from tilting, for example due to an impact with a vehicle.

[0021] In the box body 16 of upright 14 there is assembled a motor-reduction unit 18 suitable for moving the moving portion 10 of the gate. More in detail, on the shaft of said motor-reduction unit, protruding from the box body 16, there is keyed a pinion 19 suitable for engaging in the teeth of rack 12. [0022] The motor-reduction unit 18 is commanded and controlled by an electronic control unit - not shown -

seated in the box body 16.

[0023] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said electronic control unit is suitable for receiving control pulses from a radio control. [0024] Upright 13 is further provided with at least one light signalling device 20 and with a presence detector device 22, for example a photocell, both connected to the electronic control unit . [0025] Advantageously, said electronic control unit is seated into a waterproof casing 24 fixed to the top of the box body 16. Said casing 24 can for example exhibit at least one transparent or semi-transparent portion suitable for transmitting the light of the light signalling device. [0026] Advantageously, the electrical motor-reduction unit 18 is selected so as to work at low voltage, for example 12 Volts . The electronic control unit receives the power supply from the mains voltage at 220 Volts and transforms it into direct voltage, stabilising it, suitable for operating the motor.

[0027] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, guiding means further extend from the top of the box body 16 for the sliding of the moving portion 10 of the gate. [0028] More in detail, said guiding means comprise at least one vertical axis roller 26. Said roller 26 is free to

rotate about a pin fixed to the box body 16, for example by an L-shaped bracket 27.

[0029] In accordance with an embodiment, the vertical post 11 is also provided with at least one guiding roller, and the moving portion 10 of the gate slides guided between roller 26 of upright 14 and the roller of the vertical post . Such embodiment is especially advantageous if the moving portion of the gate exhibits a non-rectilinear profile, for example arched. In fact, the guiding means do not close at the top and therefore, do not hinder the sliding of the moving portion 10 of the gate. [0030] In accordance with another embodiment, wherein for example the moving portion 10 of the gate exhibits a rectilinear top profile, as shown in figures 2 and 4, said guiding means comprise at least one pair of vertical axis rollers 26 suitable for allowing the sliding of the moving portion of the gate thereinbetween. In this case, the vertical post 11 has no support function for the moving portion 10 of the gate, said function being entirely carried out by upright 14.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the moving portion 10 of the gate rests on the ground through wheels 30, so upright 14 has the main function of motorisation and guide of the gate, but not of support of the moving portion 10 of the gate.

[0032] Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the upright according to the invention, usable if the moving portion 110 of the gate is projecting. In this case, upright 114 also carries out the function of supporting said moving portion 110. The latter is provided with a horizontal longitudinal member 112.

[0033] Upright 114 is therefore provided with at least one pair of support rollers 116 on which said longitudinal member 112 slidingly rests. [0034] Advantageously, upright 114 is provided with four support rollers 116 that support the longitudinal member 112 at the top and at the bottom. Said support rollers 116 are carried by a plate 118 fixed to the box body 16 of upright 114. [0035] In both embodiments described, advantageously, moreover, upright 14, 114 comprises a selector device 40 actuable by a user for allowing the motor-reduction unit rotation in both directions for a manual movement of the gate. [0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the box body 16 exhibits a telescopic structure for a height adjustment thereof.

[0037] For example, said body 16 comprises a base 16' suitable for being at least partly laid underground and a top portion 16" suitable for being inserted into said

δ

base with possibility of height adjustment, for example thanks to the presence of vertical slots 42. [0038] In the practice, therefore, with a single upright device that normally carries out only a function of safety element for preventing the tilting of the gate, or at most of guide for the sliding of the moving portion, the gate automation and motorisation are provided besides said functions. In fact, the upright includes the motor- reduction unit 18 and all the electrical-electronic devices required for a proper and safe operation of the gate, in particular the light signalling device, which at present must be mounted separately on the fixed post 11, and the presence detector device, also supplied separately so far. [0039] All of these devices essential for the gate operation are now integrated in a single box body, already pre-assembled, pre-wired and ready to be connected to the electrical line and therefore immediately used. [0040] It should be noted that the integration of all the devices intended for the gate automation in a single box body is made possible by the pillar structure of the upright, both for the inside space provided thereby (and which is given by outer dimensions that would in any case be required for performing the function of safety anti-

tilting device) , and because it allows mounting the light signalling device at such a height as to always be perfectly visible. [0041] Advantageously, besides the height adjustment of the upright, the two-portion structure of the box body allows the quick and easy separation of the top portion containing all the devices from the bottom portion, for example for reusing the upright if the gate is moved to another place or for maintenance purposes . [0042] It is clear that the upright proposed herein allows the motorisation of a sliding gate in very short times and in a very simple manner, since it is supplied already pre-assembled and pre-wired. For example, the intervention of specialised personnel is not required. In fact, when the gate is realised, it is sufficient to provide a seat for laying the upright base underground. Then, it is sufficient to insert the top portion of the upright into the base at the appropriate height, determined by the position of the gate rack, and connect the electrical plug that powers the electronic control unit to the mains . The gate is ready to be used in an automated manner.

[0043] The costs for automatic the gate are reduced thanks to the fact that a single device concurrently carries out the guide, support and motorisation function, thanks to

the very short installation times and thanks to the possibility of standardising the devices making up the upright .

[0044] The upright can be further applied to existing gates, to make them motor-driven, and is especially advantageous in the case of projecting gates and with a non- rectilinear top profile.