Self-closing gates and support posts are well known but suffer from several important disadvantages. Firstly, they require both a hanging post and a closing post to be positioned accurately prior to the hanging of a gate using separate hinges fixed both to the hanging post and the gate. In addition, some form of latch or stop must be fixed to the closing post so as to locate the gate in the closed position. Such gates need to be actively opened and closed. It is known to provide an external or separate opening and/or closing device such as a spring or electric motor that can be fixed to the gate structure in order independently and automatically to operate the gate. A second disadvantage of such gates is that when in use, there can be a number of exposed moving parts.

These create hazards such as shear-actions and crush-points which can cause injuries, especially to children. Thirdly, the hanging and closing posts may move out of position due to the weight of the gate or vandalism, thereby causing the assembled structure to malfunction. Finally, it is essential for correct operation that the hanging and closing posts are correctly positioned relative to each other and their surroundings. Therefore when installing a gate the two posts must separately be connected to the ground, often by digging a hole and concreting around their bases, with the posts in the correct position. The gate is subsequently hung on the hanging post, but cannot be so hung until the fixing has hardened, which means the process is time consuming.

An object of, the invention is to provide a self-closing gate which is substantially free from shear-actions, crush-points and exposed working parts making it safer for the user. A second object is to provide a self-closing gate which incorporates an integral closing device. A third preferred object is to provided a combined self-closing gate and closing post, to prevent the hanging and closing posts from moving independently and causing malfunction.

Therefore according to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a self-closing gate assembly comprising: an elongate hanging post having a longitudinally-extending axis; a sleeve mounted c-axially with and rotatably around the hanging post ; a gate-forming barrier connected to the sleeve and extending at least partially radially of the axis; closure means

interposed between the hanging post and the sleeve and co-acting therewith to urge the sleeve to a predetermined rotational position relative to the hanging post when displaced therefrom; and rate control means adapted to control rotational velocity of the sleeve relative to the hanging post.

The gate assemblies according to the present invention are particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use across a passage way or other opening through which people pass. For such arrangements the hanging post may be disposed substantially vertical with upper and lower ends, and with the sleeve positioned at or adjacent the upper end thereof. The sleeve then may advantageously be closed at its upper end and be positioned over the upper end of the hanging post. This conceals the working parts such as the closure means and the rate control means, as well as the upper end of the hanging post. In this way, they are protected from damage or weathering and risk of injury therefrom is eliminated.

In order to permit access to the working mechanism inside the sleeve the sleeve may be closed by a removable cap, possibly held in place by security fixings.

Whilst by suitable design the hanging post and sleeve could have a variety of different shapes, it is highly preferred that the hanging post is cylindrical in external profile and that the sleeve is tubular, and of slightly larger diameter. The outer diameter of the hanging post should be smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve, with a suitable clearance to permit the device to function.

It is preferred that the range of rotational movement of the sleeve about the hanging post may be limited. Therefore the present invention may be further provided with abutments adapted to limit the range of rotation of the sleeve about the hanging post. These abutments may be provided on the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the hanging post, in such a way that movement of the sleeve within the permitted range is possible, but at the pre-set limits, at least one pair of abutments come into contact with each other to prevent further rotation.

For ease of construction and other reasons, the closure means and the rate control means may be integrated as parts of a single rotational control

means. This rotational control means may comprise a first part connectable to the hanging post, a second relatively-rotatable part connectable to the sleeve, and damping means adapted to regulate the relative rotation of the first and second parts. The first part of the rotational control means may be connected to one end of the hanging post, and the second part may be attached to the sleeve adjacent one end. A radially-extending bearing plate may be used to interconnect the second part and the sleeve.

To ensure smooth rotation of the sleeve about the hanging post, a bearing or bearings may be provided between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the hanging post. In particular, if the sleeve is operatively connected to the hanging post at the upper end it is preferable to provide a bearing at the lower end to keep the parts in the correct axial alignment when, for example, a turning moment is applied by a downward or upward force on the barrier.

The barrier of the gate assembly according to this embodiment of the present invention does not require a closing post as it will independently locate at the closed position, under the influence of the closure means. However, in many applications a closure post may still be desirable. Therefore the gate assembly may be further provided with a closing post adjacent the outer end of the barrier when the sleeve is at the single predetermined position relative to the hanging post (the closed position). To prevent relative movement of the closing and hanging post, the closing post may be connected to the hanging post.

Preferably the closing post is connected to the hanging post by an inter- connecting bar or bars, which, in use, are buried beneath the surface above which the self-closing gate is positioned. In this way they do not obstruct the gateway.

If the closing post is connected to the hanging post, independent relative movement of the two is prevented. This will prevent misalignment and consequent malfunction. In addition a gate assembly having an integral closing post can be located in a suitable position by burying the lower ends of the closing and hanging posts as well as any interconnecting parts beneath the surface of the ground.

The closing post may be provided with a stop against which the barrier abuts, or alternatively the barrier may have a stop which abuts on the closing post. These may serve to limit the range of rotational movement, and may be used to lock the gate. Alternatively selective locking means could be provided between the hanging post and the sleeve.

The closure means, rate control means and the rotation-limiting abutments, as well as any other components such as opening devices, stops and locks are very preferably located internally of the sleeve, thereby preventing injury or tampering. Accordingly, this invention provides a gate assembly free from shear actions, crush points and exposed working parts.

The gate and posts are preferably made of metal or plastics however some component parts may be made from wood. The rate control means and the closure means preferably use one or a combination of springs, and hydraulic or pneumatic damping mechanisms.

As mentioned above a further object of the present invention is to provided a combined self-closing gate and closing post, to prevent the hanging and closing posts from moving independently and causing malfunction.

Therefore according to the present invention there is also provided a self- closing gate assembly comprising: an elongate hanging post; a closing post; connecting means linking the hanging post and the closing post; a gate-forming barrier connected to the hanging post and extending radially therefrom, which gate-forming barrier is movable relative to a closed position whereat it extends between the hanging and the closing posts; and closure means adapted to urge the gate-forming barrier to the closed position when it has been displaced therefrom.

It is highly preferred that the assembly is further provided with rate control means adapted to control the velocity of the gate forming barrier relative to the hanging post.

The closing post is preferably connected by means of connecting means which prevent relative movement between the hanging post and the closing post.

The connecting means may comprise a rigid connecting bar, or bars, extending between the hanging and closing posts below the gate-forming barrier. To prevent these from obstructing the gateway is intended that in use the lower

ends of the hanging and closing posts and the connecting means are buried beneath the surface above which the self-closing gate is positioned.

This further embodiment of self-closing gate assembly may have a gate structure similar to that described in relation to the first embodiment. The elongate hanging post may have a longitudinally-extending axis, and a sleeve may be mounted c-axially with and rotatably around the hanging post, the gate- forming barrier being connected to the sleeve. As discussed above the closure means and/or rate control means may be interposed between the hanging post and the sleeve. Other feature of the sleeve and hanging post mentioned above, such as rotational stops and abutments, may be equally applicable this second embodiment.

The invention and further preferred features thereof can be seen from the accompanying drawings. By way of example only one preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of gate assembly structure with the barrier in a closed position; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1, but with the barrier in an open position; Figure 3 is a partially cut away perspective view of the hanging post and sleeve showing the internal working parts; Figure 4 is a vertical section through the hanging post and sleeve showing the internal working parts; and, Figure 5 shows two possible embodiments of latch stop, one attached to the closing post, and another attached to the barrier.

Figure 1 shows a self-closing gate assembly generally indicated 10 comprising a hanging post 12, a sleeve 14 rotatably mounted on the hanging post 12 and a closing post 16 connected to the lower end of the hanging post 12 by connecting bars 18. A barrier generally indicated 20 formed from a three sided perimeter bar 22 connected to and extending horizontally from the sleeve 14, and vertical grille bars 24 connected between the opposed sides of the perimeter bar 22. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the outer edge 26 of

the barrier 20 is adjacent the closing post when in a closed position. The barrier may be swung by someone passing through the gate assembly to an open position (best seen in Figure 2). Such movement of the barrier causes the sleeve 14 to rotate about the hanging post 12 against the force of the closure means. When the barrier is released the closure means within the sleeve (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) urges the barrier to return to the closed position.

The cut-away view in Figure 3 and the vertical section in Figure 4 show the internal workings of the sleeve 14, hanging post 12 and interconnecting mechanisms. The hanging post 12 is generally tubular as is the sleeve 14. A damper 30 is located inside the upper end of the hanging post 12. The damper 30 has a first part 32 connected to the hanging post 12 and a second part 34 connected to the upper end of the sleeve 14. The first and second parts are rotatably inter-connected through a damping mechanism 36 which controls their relative positions and rate of rotation.

The upper end of the second part 34 has a horizontal bearing plate 38, to which dowels 40 are fixed. These locate in holes in flanges 42 fixed to the inner surface of the sleeve 14 thereby allowing vertical positioning of the sleeve, but locking it horizontally. The bottom face of the bearing plate provides a horizontal bearing surface for location of a ball bearing race 44.

Abutments in the form of outer stops 46 are selectively fixed to the inner surface of the sleeve, and these abut inner stops 48 located on the hanging post 12. The range of rotational movement of the gate is set by the positioning of the stops. A bearing 50 is located at the bottom of the sleeve 14 to provide lateral support, it also restrains the sleeve vertically by means of a stop screw 52 positioned directly above on the hanging post 12.

The sleeve is tubular, and the upper end is closed by a cap 54 which attaches over the open end. Fixing screws 56 are used to hold the cap in place.

Access for construction and maintenance of the working parts is provided by removal of the cap 54.

Although not required, there may be a latch stop provided on the closing post or the outer edge of its barrier. Figure 5 shows two possible embodiments of latch stop; in one, the outer edge 26 of the barrier 20 could abut on the stop 30 when in the closed position. In the other, the stop 32 is attached to the outer

edge 26 of the barrier and abuts on the closing post 16 when in the closed position.

The invention may be incorporated in gates and posts of any size, and the sleeve may accommodate a variety of gate controls, locks, timers and counters.

Energy from the opening cycle may be converted to charge batteries to power controls. Alternatively, an external power supply can be connected.