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Title:
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH BARRIER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/180447
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An adjustable length barrier (12) and a locking arrangement (32) for a telescopic arrangement. The barrier comprises: spaced substantially parallel cross members (20); spaced connecting members (22, 24). Each cross member has a telescopic part (28) selectively movable into or out of a home part (14) to adjust the barrier length. The spaced connecting members extend substantially perpendicular to and interconnect the cross members. One connecting member interconnects the home part cross members adjacent an end of the home part cross members, thereof through which the respective telescopic parts are selectively movable, the one spaced connecting member and/or the home part cross members being profiled to define an open ended channel (36) therebetween. A locking member (38) is slidably locatable in each open ended channel, and has a locking formation (44) which is accessible when the locking member is located in the open ended channel. The locking formation permits engagement with the telescopic part to lock the telescopic part.

Inventors:
ALLEN ROBERT EDWARD (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2019/050811
Publication Date:
September 26, 2019
Filing Date:
March 21, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
F KLUCZNIK & SON LTD (GB)
International Classes:
E06B11/02; E06B9/06; F16B7/14
Foreign References:
FR2751025A11998-01-16
US20150101250A12015-04-16
CN107178546A2017-09-19
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HIGGIN, Paul et al. (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . An adjustable length barrier, the barrier comprising:

a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross members, with each cross member having a telescopic part selectively movable into or out of a home part to adjust the barrier length;

a plurality of spaced connecting members which extend substantially perpendicular to the cross members and interconnect the cross members, a one of the connecting members interconnecting the home part cross members adjacent an end of the home part cross members, thereof through which the respective telescopic parts are selectively movable, the one spaced connecting member and/or the home part cross members being profiled so as to define an open ended channel therebetween;

a locking member being slidably beatable in each open ended channel, the locking member having a locking formation adjacent an end thereof which is accessible when the locking member is located in the open ended channel, which locking formation permits engagement with the telescopic part to lock the telescopic part in a required position relative to the home part.

2. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a one of the connecting members interconnects the telescopic part cross members.

3. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the open ended channels extend substantially parallel to the cross members.

4. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein some of the open ended channels extend immediately below the cross members in use.

5. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein some of the open ended channels extend immediately above the cross members in use.

6. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is configured so as to be slidable into the open ended channel from one end only thereof.

7. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member has an enlarged head at an opposite end to the locking formation, which enlarged head is too large to pass through the open ended channel.

8. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking formation on the locking members comprises a threaded hole.

9. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a threaded fastening means is provided, which is in the form of a bolt or screw.

10. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is configured such that once a threaded fastening means is engaged therein, the locking member cannot be withdrawn from the channel.

1 1 . An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein sleeve members are provided which include a sleeve part beatable within ends of the respective cross member home parts with a telescopic part of the cross member slidably extendible through the sleeve parts.

12. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the sleeve members also include a flange engageable against the outside end of the cross member home parts.

13. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sleeve members also comprise a collar part which extends from the flange away from the sleeve part.

14. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 13, wherein an opening is provided through the collar part alignable with the locking formation, through which collar part opening a threaded fastening means is extendible to engage with the telescopic part.

15. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the collar part opening is of smaller diameter than the threaded fastener means such that a sleeve member positively engages therewith.

16. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the opening includes a ring of material engageable with the threaded fastening means.

17. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sleeve member is configured such that the ring of material locates immediately adjacent a locking member located in a respective open ended channel.

18. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 17, wherein the sleeve material is made of a resilient material.

19. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 18, wherein the sleeve material is made of a plastics material.

20. An adjustable length barrier as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 19, wherein the sleeve material is made of HDPE or nylon.

21 . A locking arrangement for a telescopic arrangement, the locking arrangement including a locking member slidably selectively beatable in a passage adjacent the telescopic arrangement, the locking member having a locking formation adjacent an end thereof which is accessible when the locking member is located in the passage, which locking formation permits engagement with a telescopic part of the telescopic arrangement to lock the telescopic part in a required relative position.

Description:
Adjustable Length Barrier

This invention concerns adjustable length barriers, and also locking arrangements, particularly for telescopic arrangements.

In farms and other agricultural locations and elsewhere, it is often required to provide a barrier which may be in the form of an openable gate. Such a barrier may be provided for a particular size opening or space, which may not be a standard length. Accordingly, it may be necessary to produce a bespoke length barrier. Alternatively, a barrier whose length can be selectively adjusted may be used.

Prior adjustable length barriers such as farm gates have not always been satisfactory for a number of reasons. Some prior arrangements have used a trapped nut to permit locking at a required length adjustment. Such an arrangement can though be relatively difficult to manufacture. For instance, it is generally not desirable to thread a galvanised product. Difficulties or inefficiencies can be encountered in correctly locating the trapped nut and/or a locator for the trapped nut, and/or in drilling into tubes or other members used in the barrier.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable length barrier, the barrier comprising a plurality of spaced substantially parallel cross members, with each cross member having a telescopic part selectively movable into or out of a home part to adjust the barrier length, a plurality of spaced connecting members which extend substantially perpendicular to the cross members and interconnect the cross members, a one of the connecting members interconnecting the home part cross members adjacent an end of the home part cross members, thereof through which the respective telescopic parts are selectively movable, the one spaced connecting member and/or the home part cross members being profiled so as to define an open ended channel therebetween, a locking member being slidably beatable in each open ended channel, the locking member having a locking formation adjacent an end thereof which is accessible when the locking member is located in the open ended channel, which locking formation permits engagement with the telescopic part to lock the telescopic part in a required position relative to the home part.

A one of the connecting members may interconnect the telescopic part cross members.

The open ended channels may extend substantially parallel to the cross members. Some of the open ended channels may extend immediately below the cross members in use, and some of the open ended channels may extend immediately above the cross members in use.

The locking member may be configured so as to be slidable into the open ended channel from one end only thereof.

The locking member may have an enlarged head at an opposite end to the locking formation, which enlarged head is too large to pass through the open ended channel.

The locking formation on the locking members may comprise a threaded hole. A threaded fastening means may be provided, which may be in the form of a bolt or screw. The locking member may be configured such that once a threaded fastening means is engaged therein, the locking member cannot be withdrawn from the channel.

Sleeve members may be provided which include a sleeve part beatable within ends of the respective cross member home parts with a telescopic part of the cross member slidably extendible through the sleeve parts. The sleeve members may also include a flange engageable against the outside end of the cross member home parts.

The sleeve members may also comprise a collar part which extends from the flange away from the sleeve part. An opening may be provided through the collar part alignable with the locking formation, through which collar part opening a threaded fastening means is extendible to engage with the telescopic part, and the collar part opening may be of smaller diameter than the threaded fastener means such that a sleeve member positively engages therewith. The opening may include a ring of material engageable with the threaded fastening means.

The sleeve member may be configured such that the ring of material locates immediately adjacent a locking member located in a respective open ended channel.

The sleeve material may be made of a resilient material, and may be made of a plastics material and may be made of HDPE or nylon.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking arrangement for a telescopic arrangement, the locking arrangement including a locking member slidably selectively beatable in a passage adjacent the telescopic arrangement, the locking member having a locking formation adjacent an end thereof which is accessible when the locking member is located in the passage, which locking formation permits engagement with a telescopic part of the telescopic arrangement to lock the telescopic part in a required relative position.

The locking arrangement may be according to any of the preceding paragraphs. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first barrier arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 of a second barrier arrangement;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view of part of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 but not in section;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of part of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a lower part of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a lower part of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a component of the barrier arrangement of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 8 illustrating hidden detail.

Fig. 1 and other drawings show a first barrier arrangement in the form of an adjustable length gate 12 suitable for use in a farm or many other applications. The gate 12 includes a main home part 14 with a telescopic part 16 extending from the home part 14 at a required relative position to provide a required total length for the gate 12.

The home part 14 includes a square section tubular steel hanging stile 18 mountable for instance to two or more hinges (not shown) in a conventional manner. Five spaced circular section tubular steel horizontal rails 20 are provided extending perpendicularly from the hanging stile 18. Two circular section steel tubular braces 22, 24 extend between the horizontal rails 20. A first end brace 22 is provided adjacent the ends of the horizontal rails 20 away from the hanging stile 18. An intermediate brace 24 is provided between the end brace 22 and the hanging stile 18.

The telescopic part 16 includes a square section steel tubular closing stile 26 from which extend five equispaced circular section steel horizontal rails 28, with the telescopic part horizontal rails 28 being of smaller diameter than the home part horizontal rails 20 so as to be telescopically movable therein. Conventional latches 30 are provided on the closing stile 26. A locking arrangement 32 is provided between the home part 14 and each telescopic part horizontal rail 28, as will be hereinafter described.

Fig. 2 shows a similar second barrier arrangement 34 to the first barrier arrangement, except this is in the form of a fixed barrier arrangement rather than a gate 12, and can be used as a yard panel or similar.

Each locking arrangement 32 includes a passage 36 between the respective home part horizontal rail 20 and the end brace 22. The passage 36 is as provided by a cut out in the end brace 22 as the passage 36 is located immediately beneath the respective home part horizontal rail 20 for the top four rails 20, and immediately above the lowermost horizontal rail 20, illustrated in Fig. 6. A respective locking member 38 as shown for example in Fig. 4, is slidably located in each passage 36, and can be slid therein in a direction away from the hanging stile 18. The locking member 38 is in the form of a profiled strip 40 with an enlarged head 42 which is too large to pass through the passage 36, such that the locking member 38 can locate in the passage 36 with the enlarged head 42 just extending thereoutof towards the hanging stile 18, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

At the opposite end of the locking member 38 to the enlarged head 42, a threaded hole 44 is provided. The locking member 38 may be in the form of a steel insert which may be plated. A grub screw 46 is threadingly extendible through the threaded hole 44 as shown in Fig. 4, and can engage with a respective telescopic part horizontal rail 28, to lock same in position relative to the respective home part horizontal rail 20.

A sleeve member 48 may be provided but which has been omitted from Figs. 4 and 5. A sleeve member may be provided on just the top and lowermost home part horizontal rails 20. The sleeve member 48 is made of a resilient material and may be made of plastics material such as FIDPE, nylon or another polymer. The sleeve member 48 has a sleeve part 50 which locates within an end of the respective home part horizontal rail 20, and the respective telescopic part horizontal rail 28 can slidingly extend therethrough. The sleeve part 50 provides for secure location of the telescopic part horizontal rail 28 within the home part horizontal rail 20, aids sliding therebetween, accommodates manufacturing tolerances of the components, and also substantially prevents any rattling therebetween.

The sleeve member 48 also includes a flange 52 which is of a size to engage against the end of the home part horizontal rail 20. A collar part 54 extends from the flange and again can slidingly accept the telescopic part horizontal rail 28 extending therethrough. A hole 56 is provided through the collar part 54 with a surrounding ring 58 of material. The hole 56 is alignable with the threaded hole 44 in the locking member 38. The hole 56 in the collar part 54 is a little smaller such that the grub screw 46 will positively engage therewith. The hole 56 in the collar part 54 being of a resilient material will positively engage with the grub screw 46 and prevent any inadvertent loosening due to vibration etc. which otherwise could take place.

In use, the sleeve members 48 will be located in the home part horizontal rails 20 as required. The locking members 38 are then located in the respective passages 36. The grub screws 46 will be inserted a short way into the locking members 38, thereby retaining the locking members 38 in the respective passages 36.

The telescopic part 16 is then inserted into the home part 14 with the respective telescopic horizontal rails 28 entering the home part horizontal rails 20 to a required distance to provide a gate 12 of a required length. Once the telescopic part 16 is in a required position, the grub screws 46 can be tightened onto the telescopic horizontal rails 28 to lock same into position.

There is thus described an adjustable length barrier arrangement, in this instance in the form of a gate, and a locking arrangement usable in such a barrier arrangement. This arrangement provides for a number of advantageous features relative to prior arrangements. Providing the cut outs in the braces is a straightforward manufacturing operation thereby not providing any significant complexity or additional cost or time. It is not necessary for any additional parts to be welded onto the frame for instance to hold a trapped nut. No additional drilling for the gate is required. The plastics material sleeve members centres and limits free play in the bottom and top rails, and also provides an anti- vibration thread lock for the grub screws of these rails. Whilst described above in relation to barrier arrangements in the form of a gate or yard panel, it is to be realised that arrangements according to the invention could be used in a wide range of telescopic or other configurations, and different shapes or types of barriers and the like.

With this arrangement the gate or other barrier can readily be configured to a required length with low cost components, and can also be readily adjusted if ever required.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, different materials may be used. The locking member may take a different form, and may have a different formation to prevent fully extending through the passages. A fastening means other than the grub screw could be used, and this could be a bolt or otherwise. The sleeve members may take a different form and may not always be required, or could be provided more than just on the top and bottom rails.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.