The present invention relates to a gate system, gate mechanism, foldable gate leaf, method for assembling foldable gate leaf and method for retrobuilding gate leaf.

Conventional swing gates usually comprise one or two leaves suspended on hinges mounted on posts. The leaves of a swing gate are usually of a substantial length. While opening a swing gate, its leaves must be turned on the hinges to the open position, i.e., the position, which allows one to smoothly move to the other side of the gate. Usually, the open position is that in which the leaves of the gate are positioned at an angle of over 90 degrees relative to the gate opening.

One disadvantage of swing gates is their large working area. The working area depends on the length of the leaves and is situated in front of the gate. For safety reasons the working area should not be obstructed by any objects and, therefore, cannot be used for purposes other than operating the gate. Hence use of swing gates on small parcels of land may be difficult, if not impossible.

Another case where use of a conventional swing gate brings problems is an inclination of the terrain within the working area of a gate. Where the terrain inclines toward the opening direction of a leaf, use of a swing gate is practically impossible. On the other hand, where the terrain declines toward the opening direction of a leaf, when the leaf is open, its end is positioned at a significant height above the terrain. The change of the distance between the end of a leaf and the terrain surface during the opening and closing of a swing gate causes many inconveniences to the user.

Another problem related to swing gates is the settling of the gate leaves on hinges. The settling consists in the free end of a leaf dropping under its own weight as a result of leverage. In extreme cases, the free end of a leaf rubs against the surface of the terrain causing significant difficulties to the user.

Other commonly used gates are sliding gates. A sliding gate comprises a rigid leaf placed inside a sliding mechanism. Such a gate characterizes in that it requires a substantial working area at the extension of a leaf in order to accommodate it while in the open position. Hence, ensuring a sufficient working space in a densely developed area may be a problem.

Furthermore, a sliding gate requires use of a counterweight, causing the formation of substantial forces within the gate structure, as a result of which sliding gates are prone to failures . The above-mentioned problems do not occur with foldable gates. A foldable gate comprises at least one foldable leaf comprising at least two leaf segments connected by means of hinges. When a foldable gate is closed, the segments are unfolded and situated parallel to each other, forming a flat surface of a leaf of the gate. During opening, the leaf of the gate folds in such a way that its particular segments turn on hinges, approach each other and simultaneously move to the open position. In the open position the leaf segments are parallel to each other and usually perpendicularly directed to the gate opening. There are generally two problems related to the use of foldable gates. For safety reasons, during closing or opening none of the components of the gate should extend beyond the outline of the gate in the closed state. In the case of gates used as entry gates, which should be the gates opening into a parcel, none of components of the gate should extend outside the parcel.

Another problem relates to the automation of foldable gates. If an actuator is attached only to one segment of a gate leaf, the control over the other segments is limited. If an actuator is attached to the first segment of the leaf viewed from the hinging side of the gate, the other segments move freely. However, if an actuator is attached to the last segment of the leaf, there is no control over the movement of the segments between the actuator and such the segment.

In order to ensure control over the folding and unfolding the segments of a foldable gate, a guide rail is used over which or inside which move wheels or sliders attached to the segments of the leaf. The drawback of this solution is that a rail used at the top of a gate narrows down the gate opening height, whereas a rail used at the bottom tends to clog or block rendering proper gate operation difficult or impossible.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above- mentioned problems.

The present invention provides a gate system comprising a supporting structure and a foldable gate leaf comprising at least two segments, wherein the first segment is adapted to be tiltingly mounted at one of its end to the supporting structure, whereas the second segment of the leaf is tiltingly mounted at one of its end to the other end of the first segment of the leaf. The gate system is characterized in that it comprises further a fastening element adapted to be mounted to the supporting structure, and a gear comprising the first member of the gear adapted to be rotatably connected to the first segment in a proximity of the second segment of the leaf, the second member of the gear is unmovably attached to the second segment of the leaf of the gate in a proximity to the first segment. The second member of the gear is adapted to receive the rotary movement from the first member of the gear and to synchronically rotate the second segment of the leaf during the rotation of the first segment, where the total gear ratio from the first member of the gear to the second member of the gear is in the range from 1:1 to 3:1. The gate system comprises further at least one orientation determine means, wherein at least one orientation determining means is movably attached at one of its end to a fastening element, and is movably attached at its other end to the first member of the gear in order to synchronically rotate the first member of the gear during the movement of the leaf of the gate.

Preferably, the gate system comprises further the first linking element and/or the second linking element and/or the base element, wherein the first liking element is rotatably connected to the first member of the gear and is attached to the first segment of the leaf of the gate in a proximity to the second segment, the second linking element is unmovably connected to the second member of the gear and is attached to the second segment of the leaf in a proximity to the first segment, the base element is rotatably attached to the fastening element and is attached to the first segment opposite to the second segment. Preferably, the gate system comprises further at least one intermediate element situated between the first or second linking element or the base element and the appropriate segment of the leaf of the gate respectively. Preferably, the first segment of the leaf in proximity to the supporting structure is rotatably attached to the fastening element .

Preferably, the total gear ratio of the gear is in the range from 1.25:1 to 2.75:1, preferably from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, more preferably from 1:75:1 to 2.25:1, and the most preferably is about 2:1.

Preferably, the first fixing point of the determining means to the fastening element and the second fixing point of the determining means to the first member of the gear are located on the same side of the first segment of the leaf of the gate .

Preferably, in the closed position of the leaf of the gate an angle between the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first segment of the leaf and the first fixing point of the determining means to the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first member of the gear and the second fixing point of the determining means is in the range from 0 to 20 degrees, preferably from 0 to 20 degrees, and the most preferably is about 0 degrees. Preferably, the first fixing point of the determining means to the fastening element and the second fixing point of the determining means to the first member of the gear are situated on the opposite sides of the first segment of the leaf of the gate. Preferably, in the closed position of the leaf of the gate, an angle between the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first segment of the leaf of the gate and the first fixing point of the determining means to the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first member of the gear and the second fixing point of the determining means is in the range from 70 to 110 degrees, preferably from 80 to 100 degrees, and the most preferably is about 90 degrees.

Preferably, the gear is a strand-type gear.

Preferably, the gear comprises an element tensioning the strand of the gear or an adjusting element of the gear.

Preferably, the gear is a toothed gear.

Preferably, the gear is a single-stage gear.

Preferably, the gear is a variable transmission gear.

Preferably, the first and second members of the gear are elliptical toothed wheels.

Preferably, the gear is a multi-stage gear and comprises at least one intermediate toothed wheel.

Preferably, the determining means is a rigid strand. Preferably, the determining means is a flexible strand. The present invention relates further to a gate mechanism for controlled movement of a foldable leaf of a gate comprising at least two tiltingly connected segments, characterized in that it comprises a fixing element for fixing the gate mechanism to the supporting structure, a gear comprising the first member adapted be rotatably connected to the first segment of the foldable leaf of the gate in a proximity to the second segment, the second member of the gear adapted to be unmovably connected to the second segment of the foldable leaf of the gate in a proximity to the first segment, capable of receiving the rotary movement of the first member of the gear and of synchronous rotation of the second linking element during the rotation of the first member of the gear. The total gear ratio from the first member of the gear to the second member of the gear is in the range from 1:1 to 3:1. The gate mechanism comprises further at least one orientation determining means, where at least one orientation determining means is movably attached at one end to the fastening element, and at the other end rotatably attached to the first member of the gear for synchronous rotation, after assembly of the mechanism on the foldable gate leaf, the first member of the gear during the movement of the leaf of the gate.

Preferably, the gate mechanism comprises further the first linking element for linking the mechanism to the first segment of the foldable leaf of the gate in a proximity to the second segment, being rotatably connected to the first member of the gear and/or the second linking element for linking the mechanism to the second segment of the foldable leaf of the gate in a proximity to the first segment, and unmovably connected to the second member of the gear.

Preferably, the gate mechanism comprises further a base element rotatably attached to the fastening element for connecting the mechanism to the first segment of the foldable leaf of the gate.

Preferably, the gate mechanism comprises further at least one intermediate element attached to the first linking element, the second linking element or the base element for connecting to the appropriate segment of the leaf of the gate. Preferably, the total gear ratio of the gear of the mechanism is in the range from 1.25:1 to 2.75:1, preferably from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, more preferably from 1.75:1 to 2.25:1, and the most preferably is about 2:0.

Preferably, when the mechanism is assembled, the first fixing point of the determining member to the fastening element and the second fixing point of the determining member to the first member of the gear are located on the same side of the first segment of the leaf of the gate.

Preferably, when the mechanism is in the closed position, an angle between the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first segment of the leaf of the gate and the first fixing point of the determining member to the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first member of the gear and the second fixing point of the determining means is in the range from 0 to 20 degrees, preferably fromO to 10 degrees, and the most preferably is about 0 degrees.

Preferably, when the mechanism is assembled, the first fixing point of the determining means to the fastening element and the second fixing point of the determining means to the first member of the gear are located on the opposite sides of the first segment of the leaf of the gate.

Preferably, when the mechanism is in the closed position, an angle between the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first segment of the leaf of the gate and the first fixing point of the determining means to the surface comprising the rotation axis of the first member of the gear and the second fixing point of the determining means is the range from 70 to 110 degrees, preferably from 80 to 100 degrees, and the most preferably is about 90 degrees.

Preferably, the gear is a strand-type gear. Preferably, the gear comprises an element tensioning the strand of the gear or an adjusting element of the gear.

Preferably, the gear is a toothed gear.

Preferably, the gear is a single-stage gear.

Preferably, the gear is a variable transmission gear. Preferably, the first and second members of the gear comprise elliptical toothed wheels.

Preferably, the first and second members of the gear comprise elliptical toothed wheels.

Preferably, the gear is a multi-stage gear and comprises at least one intermediate toothed wheel.

Preferably, the determining means is a rigid strand.

Preferably, the determining means is a flexible strand.

The present invention relates also to a foldable gate leaf comprising at least two tiltingly connected segments, characterized in that the leaf comprises the gate mechanism, as described above.

The present invention relates also to a method for assembling a foldable gate leaf characterized in that it comprises the gate system or the mechanism, as described above. The present invention also relates to a method of modernization of a gate leaf, characterized in that the gate system or the mechanism, as described above is used.

The present invention solves then the problems of the technical solutions from the state of the art and allows to put together a foldable gate, wherein the foldable leaf folds and unfolds synchronously in such a way that during the movement of the leaf its end follows the line marked by the leaf in the closed position and achieves the appropriate configuration when the gate is in its open state.

The object of the invention is illustrated in the following embodiments presented in the following drawings, wherein fig. 1 is the front and top view of an embodiment of the gate system comprising a toothed gear, fig. 2 is a front and top view of another embodiment of the gate system comprising a transverse strand and a toothed gear, fig. 3 is a front and top view of another embodiment of the gate system comprising a transverse strand, fig. 4 is a front and top view of an embodiment of the gate system comprising a chain gear, fig. 5 is a front and top view of an embodiment of the gate system comprising two cables, fig. 6 is a front and top view of an embodiment of the gate mechanism comprising a toothed gear, fig. 7 is a front and top view of an embodiment of the gate system comprising a transverse strand, fig. 8 is another embodiment of the gate mechanism, fig. 9 is yet another embodiment of the gate mechanism, fig. 10 is an outline of the working area of a conventional two-leaf swing gate and a foldable two-leaf gate comprising two segments per leaf.

Figs. 6 to 9 show embodiments of the gate mechanism according to the present invention. The mechanism is mounted at the bottom or at the top of a foldable leaf of a foldable gate, the leaf comprising of two segments. The gate mechanism comprises a fastening element 1 which is fixed to the supporting structure 18 of the gate. The supporting structure 18 is any structure, on which the gate is suspended, such as a post, wall, masonry wall, etc. The supporting structure 18 can be made of any material, such as metals or alloys thereof, concrete, bricks, hollow bricks, etc . As shown in fig, 6 to 9, the gate mechanism comprises the first linking element 16 and the intermediate element 27 attached thereto. As shown in figs. 1 to 5, the intermediate element 27 of the linking element 16 is used for connecting the mechanism to the first segment 2 in a proximity to the second segment 3 of the leaf if the gate.

The gate mechanism comprises the second linking element 17 and the intermediate element 28 attached thereto. As shown in figs. 1 to 5, the intermediate element 28 of the linking element 17 is used for connecting the mechanism to the second segment 3 in a proximity to the first segment 2 of the leaf of the gate.

As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the first and second linking elements 16, 17 and the corresponding intermediate elements 27, 28, comprise individual flat bars. The length and width of the linking elements 16, 17 and their intermediate elements is selected depending on the structure of the gate segments 2, 3 of the gate to which they are attached. When the gate mechanism according to the present invention is attached to the segments 2, 3, the linking elements 16, 17 and the linking elements 27, 28 preferably do not extend beyond the front and back edge of these leaf segments, as viewed at the leaf from the front. A person skilled in the art it would be obvious that the first and second linking elements 16, 17 and the corresponding intermediate elements 27, 28 may have an appropriate shape allowing to mount them to the leaf segment, for example an angle bar, u-bar, etc., oriented in such a way as to allow to mount them to the bottom or top site of the foldable leaf of the gate. As shown in figs. 5 to 9, the gate mechanism comprises a base mechanism 15. The base mechanism 15 is movably attached to the fastening element 1 in such a way that it rotates on it around the rotation axis 4. The rotatable connection of the fastening element 1 to the base element 15 is performed by known means, such as, for example sliding connections on a pin, bearing connections, etc. Preferably, the rotation axis 4 is located at the end of the base element. The rotation axis 4 of the base element 15, when the gate mechanism is mounted on the gate leaf, follows the rotation axis of the first segment of the leaf on hinge means 25 attached to the supporting structure 18. As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the gate mechanism according to the present invention comprises an intermediate element 26 attached to the base element 15. As shown in figs. 1 to 5, the intermediate element 28 of the base element 15 is used for connecting it to the first segment 2 of the leaf of the gate. The base element 15 and the intermediate element 28 have the same structure as the first or second linking element 16, 17 and the intermediate elements 27, 28 of the gate mechanism. When attached to the bottom of the first segment, the base element 15 may additionally support the leaf, whereas in the case when the gate mechanism is attached at the top, the base element may constitute an additional suspending element of the leaf.

The gate mechanism comprises a gear comprising the first member 5 of the gear and the second 9 member of the gear. The first member 5 of the gear is movably attached to the first linking element 2 in such a way that they can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis 10 of the first member 10 of the gear. The rotatable connection of the first linking element 2 to the first member 5 of the gear is performed is the same way as in the case of the base element 15, as described above. The second member 9 of the gear is unmovably connected to the second linking element 17 at point 19. The connection at point 19 is realized by means of a screw connection or any other connection providing a stable and unmovable connection.

In one of embodiments of the gate mechanism according to the present invention, the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28 are not provided. In such a case, the gate mechanism is attached directly to the gate by means of the first linking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element 15.

In another embodiment of the gate mechanism according to the present invention, the first linking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element are also not provided. In such a case, the gear members 5 and 9 are attached directly to the segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf in the manner, as described above. The first member 5 of the gear and the second member 9 of the gear form a gear which transmits the movement (torque) from the first member 5 of the gear to the second member 9 of the gear, or inversely. The total gear ratio, i.e., the direct or indirect transmission from the first member of the gear 5 to the second member of the gear 9 is in the range from 1:1 to 3:1. Preferably, the total gear ratio is in the range from 1.25:1 to 2.75:1, preferably from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, more preferably from 1.75:1 to 2.25:1. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in figs. 1 to 9, the total gear ratio is about 2:1.

The gate mechanism according to the present invention comprises at least one orientation determining means 7. In the embodiments shown in figs. 6 to 9, the mechanism comprises one determining means in the form of a rigid strand 7. One end of the strand 7 is movably attached to the fastening element 1 at the first fixing point 8 in such a way that the strand 7 may tiltingly rotate around the axis running through this fixing point 8, when the mechanism is attached to the leaf as shown in figs. 1 and 4, wherein said axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the first segment 2 of the gate leaf, or to the rotation axis 4 of the base element 15, as shown in figs. 1 and 5. The first fixing point 8 of the strand 7 is situated at a certain distance from the rotation axis 4. The other end of the strand 7 is movably attached to the first member 5 of the gear at the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7 in such a way as to enable the strand 7 to tiltingly rotate around the axis running through this fixing point 6. The second fixing point 6 of the strand 7 is located between the centre of rotation 10 of the first member of the gear and its outer edge. Preferably, the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7 is located beyond the half of the distance toward the edge of the first member 5 of the gear. The most preferably the second fixing point 6 of the strand is located in a proximity to the edge of the first member 5 of the gear, as shown in figs. 5 to 9. The rotatable attachment of the rigid strand 7 both at the first fixing point 8 and the second fixing point is performed in a similar way as in the case of the base element, as described above.

The rigid strand 7 rests at the first fixing point 8 and, during the movement of the first segment 2 of the leaf, it exerts a force on the first member 5 of the gear, forcing it to rotate. The principle of operation of the gate mechanism is described in more details below.

In the embodiment shown in figs. 6 and 9, the first fixing point 8 of the strand 7 to the fastening element 1 and the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7 to the first member 5 of the gear are located on the same side. As a consequence, when the gate mechanism is mounted on the leaf, the strand 7 is located on the same side of the first segment 2 of the foldable gate leaf. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a parallel strand, when the gate mechanism is in the closed position, an angle between surface I comprising the rotation axis 4 of the first segment 2 of the gate leaf or between the rotation axis 4 of the base element, if present, and the first fixing point 8 of the strand 7, and surface II comprising the rotation axis 10 of the first member 5 of the gear and the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7, is in the range from 0 to 20 degrees, preferably from 0 to 10 degrees. As shown in figs. 6 and 9, in the most preferable embodiment surfaces I and II are substantially parallel to each other.

In the embodiment of the gate mechanism as shown in figs. 7 and 8, the first fixing point 8 of the strand 7 to the fixing element 1 and the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7 to the first member 5 of the gear are located on opposite sides. As a consequence, when the gate mechanism is mounted in the leaf, the strand 7 crosses the first segment 2 of the gate leaf. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a transverse strand, when the gate mechanism is in the closed position an angle between surface I comprising the rotation axis 4 of the first segment 2 of the gate leaf or between the rotation axis 4 of the base element, if present, and the first fixing point 8 of the strand 7, and surface II comprising the rotation axis 10 of the first member 5 of the gear and the second fixing point 6 of the strand 7, is in the range from 70 to 110 degrees, preferably from 80 to 100 degrees. As shown in figs 7 and 8, in the most preferable embodiment surfaces I and II are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which at least one orientation determining means comprises two flexible strands 7. As shown in fig. 5, one of the flexible strands is attached as specified in the above description related to the rigid strand. The second flexible strand 7 is attached in the same way as the first flexible strand 7, however, it is offset parallel to the first flexible strand. As shown in fig. 5, flexible strands are attached in such a way that the first fixing point 8 of the first and second flexible strand 7 and the rotation axis 4 are located in the same plane I, whereas the second fixing point 8 of the first and a second flexible strand 7 and the rotation axis of the first member 5 of the gear are located in another plane II. An angle between plane I and plane II is in the range from 0 to 20 degrees, preferably from 0 to 10 degrees. As shown in fig. 5, in the most preferred embodiment, the planes I and II are substantially parallel to each other.

As shown in fig. 5, flexible strands comprise cables. Nevertheless, a flexible strand may be, for example, a chain, belt, etc.

As shown in figs. 6 and 9, in the preferred embodiment the strand 7 comprises an adjusting mechanism 22. The adjusting mechanism 22 of the strand 7 is useful during mounting, adjusting and use of the gate mechanism according to the present invention.

In the embodiments of the gate mechanism according to the present invention, as shown in figs. 9, in the gate mechanism with a parallel rigid strand 7, i.e., the strand 7 on one side, the gear is a chain gear, wherein the torque is transmitted from the first toothed wheel (first member 5 of the gear) directly to the second toothed wheel (the second member 9 of the gear) by means of a chain. It is obvious that the torque may also be transmitted from the second toothed wheel to the first toothed wheel. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the gear comprises a tensioning wheel 12 for tensioning the chain or an adjusting toothed wheel 13 for adjusting the toothed gear. Other strand gears may be used instead of the chain gear, like belt gear, rope gear, etc. A person skilled in the art will know which structures and geometries of components of strand gears, such as for example wheel geometries, strand types, etc. to use in the mechanism, and which tensioning elements 12 and adjusting elements 13 are suitable for said gears, hence this issue is not discussed herein in details. Another gear that may be used in the gate mechanism according to the present invention is a toothed gear. A toothed gear may be a single-stage toothed gear, as shown in figs. 7 and 9 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention comprising a transverse strand 17, or a multi-stage gear, i.e., a two-stage gear, as shown in fig. 5 illustrating another embodiment of the present invention comprising a parallel strand 17, wherein one intermediate toothed wheel 14 us used. It is obvious that adjusting elements for adjusting the gears may be used. As shown in figs. 5 to 8, members 5, 9, 14 of the gear may comprise full-toothed wheels. The gear members 5, 9, 14 may also comprise gap-toothed wheels. For example, the gear members 5, 9 may comprise toothed wheels of circle segment being in the range from 1/4 to 3/4, as shown in figs. 6, 7 and 8, respectively. The gate mechanism according to the present invention may comprise a variable transmission toothed-gear, wherein toothed members have shapes other than circular ones, for example they may be elliptical, square, heart-shaped, complex-shaped, etc.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in figs. 6 to 8, the toothed gear comprises at least one adjusting-determining mechanism 31. The adjusting-determining mechanism 31 allows to adjust the gear during mounting and use of the toothed gear. Furthermore, the adjusting- determining mechanism allows to block the gear member when segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf are in the final position, i.e., in the open or closed position.

A person skilled in the art is aware which structures and shapes of toothed-gear components to use, i.e., they will know what number of toothed wheels to use in the mechanism, including their shapes and the shapes of their teeth, etc., as well as the appropriate adjusting elements, hence this issue is not discussed here in details.

Preferably, the gear comprises other auxiliary components. In the embodiments of the gate mechanism according to the present invention, as shown in figs. 5 to 9, the gear comprises a stopping mechanism 21 located within the second member 9 of the gear, configured in such a way as to prevent the second member 9 of the gear to rotate beyond a predefined final position. Hence the stopping mechanism 21 of the gear prevents the movement of the second segment 3 of the gate leaf to a forbidden or undesirable position.

As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the components of the gear are contained in a case 20. The purpose of the case 20 is to protect the gear components against adverse conditions, for example dirt, weather conditions, such as rain or snow, etc. Furthermore, the case 20 protects the gate user from potential injuries caused, for example, by the moving components of the gear, such as members 5, 9, 14 of the gear, the strand of the gear 11, tensioning elements 12, adjusting elements 13 and the stopping mechanism 21. Preferably, when mounted, the gate mechanism comprises means for preventing movement of the gate leaf to wrong positions. As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the gate mechanism according to the present invention comprises a restricting mechanism 23 mounted on the fastening element 1, comprising a stopper and an arm of the restricting mechanism 23. In the final position or in another words in the final position, the arm rests on the stopper, preventing in such a way the first segment from rotating beyond the final position defined by the restricting mechanism 23, when the gate mechanism is mounted. The same restricting mechanism may be used at the first linking element 16 or the second linking element 17 in order to prevent their movement to forbidden positions.

As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the gate mechanism comprises a different protection method against the movement of the linking elements 16, 17 to forbidden positions. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in figs. 6 to 9, the first linking element 16 and the second linking element 17 have corresponding slanting sections facing the longitudinal axis of the linking elements 16, 17. Such the structure of the linking elements 16, 17 causes that in the final position (the position in which, when the gate mechanism is mounted, the segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf are unfolded, i.e., when the gate is closed) they are in the same line. As shown in figs. 6 to 9, the linking elements 16, 17 may move relative to each other by turning in one possible direction only, i.e., in the direction in which, when the mechanism is mounted, the segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf unfold .

The present invention relates to a foldable leaf of a foldable gate comprising at least two segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf and the gate mechanism, as described above. As shown in figs. 1 to 5, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the leaf of the foldable gate comprises the first segment 2 and the second segment 3. The segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf are connected by means of hinge means 24 comprising at least one hinge element. The hinge means comprise at least one hinge commonly used in the field of gates. The connected segments may turn around the axis of the hinges.

As shown in figs. 1 to 5 illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate element 27 of the first linking element 16 of the gate mechanism is attached at the bottom of the first segment 2 of the leaf in a proximity to the second segment 3 of the gate leaf in a proximity to segment 3. The intermediate element 27 of the second linking element 17 of the mechanism is attached at the bottom of the second segment 3 of the gate leaf in a proximity to the first segment 2 of the leaf. The intermediate element 26 of the base element 15 is attached at the bottom of the first segment 2 of the gate opposite to the first linking element 16. The intermediate elements 26, 27, 28 are detachably connected to segments 2, 3 of the leaf, for example by means of screws or pins, or permanently, for example by means of a weld. Preferably, the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28, are connected to the segments 2, 3 by means of a weld. As shown in figs. 1 to 5, the first linking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element 15 are attached to the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28, respectively. The first linking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element are connected the same way as the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28. Preferably, the first linking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element 15 are connected to respective intermediate elements by means of a screw connection.

The gate mechanism may not necessarily comprise the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28. In such a case, the first linking element 16 of the gate mechanism is connected at the bottom of the first segment 2 of the leaf in a proximity to the second segment 3. The second linking element 17 of the mechanism is connected at the bottom of the second segment 3 of the gate leaf in a proximity to the first segment of the leaf. The base element 15, if present, is attached at the bottom of the first segment 2 of the gate opposite to the first linking element 16.

The gate mechanism can also be mounted in the same way but at the top of the foldable gate leaf. The first segment 2 of the leaf comprises hinge means 25 for attaching the gate leaf to the supporting structure 18. The hinge means 25 are placed on the first segment 2 opposite to the hinge means connecting the second segment 3 of the leaf. The hinge means for connecting to the supporting structure 18 comprise at least one hinge commonly used in the field of gates. The intermediate elements 26, 27, 28 are connected to segments 2, 3 of the gate in the positions, as described above. At this stage the gate leaf with the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28 attached thereto may be subject to processing, for example galvanization, painting, etc. Subsequently, the base element 15, the first linking element 16 and the second linking element 17 are attached to the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28, respectively.

The gate leaf according to the present invention, as described above, is suspended by means of hinge means 25 on the supporting structure 18, such as a post, wall, masonry wall, etc. The fastening element 1 of the gate mechanism according to the present invention is attached to the supporting structure 1. As a consequence, a foldable single- leaf gate is provided. For a person skilled in the art, it is obvious that suspending another identical leaf on the second supporting structure 18 situated opposite to the first supporting structure 18 results in a foldable two-leaf gate being provided, as shown in figs. 1 to 5. A person skilled in the art is obvious what changes are required with respect to the foldable gate leaf and the gate mechanism according to the present invention in order to provide a left or right leaves of the foldable gate.

The gate system comprises features of the gate mechanism according to the present invention of at least one foldable leaf according to the invention and a method of its suspension, as described above. The gate system needs not necessarily comprise the intermediate elements 26, 27, 28 and the first liking element 16, the second linking element 17 and the base element 15. In such a case, the first member 5 of the gear is movably attached directly at the bottom of the first segment 2 of the leaf in a proximity to the second segment 3 of the foldable gate leaf, in the same way, as described above for the gate mechanism. The second member 9 of the gear is movably attached directly at the bottom of the second segment 3 of the leaf in a proximity to the first segment 2 of the foldable gate leaf, in the same way, as described above for the gate mechanism. The base element 15, if present, is movably attached directly at the bottom of the first segment 2 at its end located opposite relative to the first member 5 of the gear, in the same way, as described above for the gate mechanism. The first and second members 5,9 are located in the gear in the same way, as described above for the gate mechanism according to the present invention. The other features, preferable and required for the gate system are the same, as described above for the gate mechanism, the foldable gate leaf and the foldable gate leaf according to the present invention.

The following is a description of the principle of operation of the gate mechanism according to the invention. The principle of operation is described for a mechanism in which the transmission from the first member 5 to the second member 9 of the gear is about 2:1. The gate mechanism is mounted on a foldable gate leaf, as described above for the foldable gate leaf according to the present invention. The leaf is in turn suspended on a supporting structure 18, as described above. When the gate is in the closed position, the first and second segments 2, 3 of the leaf are collinear, i.e., the angle between them is substantially 180 degrees, whereby a partition is provided as in a conventional gate and as shown in fig. 10. When force is exerted on the first segment 2 of the leaf, for example by means of an actuator as used in automatic gates or otherwise, this segment 2 of the leaf rotates on hinges around the rotation axis 4. The opposite end of the segment 2 with the firs member 5 of the gear moves along an arch together with the end of the second segment 3 of the leaf attached thereto. Simultaneously, the strand 7 exerts the force on the first member 5 of the gear and causes it to move around the rotation axis 10. The first member 5 of the gear transmits the torque to the second member 9 of the gear. In an embodiment comprising a strand 17 on one side, i.e., with a parallel strand, as shown in figs. 1, 4, 5, the first and second members 5, 9 of the gear turn in the same direction and opposite to the direction of rotation of the first segment 2 around the rotation axis 4. In an embodiment comprising a crossing strand 17, i.e., a transverse strand, as shown in figs. 2 and 3, the first member 5 of the gear turns opposite to the direction of rotation of the first segment 2 around the rotation axis 4, while the second member 9 of the gear turns in the same direction as the first segment 2, i.e., around the rotation axis 4.

The second member 9 of the gear transmits the torque to the second segment 3 of the leaf and rotates it around the rotation axis 19. As the transmission from the first member 5 to the second member 9 of the gear is about 2:1, the other segment 3 turns twice as fast as the first segment 2 of the gate leaf. Superposition of the movement of the end of the second segment 2 and its rotation movement causes the free end of the second segment 3 to follow the linear motion toward the rotation axis 4 of the first segment 2 located within the fastening element 1 at the supporting structure 18, as shown in fig. 10 in the form of particular stages of movement of the leaf marked as 30. The leaf folds synchronically until it reaches the open position of the gate. During the folding of the leaf the free end of the second segment 2 of the leaf does not move in any direction beyond the line marked by the leaf in its closed position. In the open position, as shown in fig. 10, segments 2, 3 of the leaf are folded and are substantially parallel to each other, and, together, are substantially perpendicular to the starting position of the (unfolded) leaf. During closing of the foldable leaf the first segment 2 is subjected to an opposite force causing movement of the segments 2, 3, the members 5, 9 of the gear along the same path but in the opposite direction. As a consequence, the leaf folds synchronously until the closed position of the gate is reached. During unfolding of the leaf the free end of the second segment 2 of the leaf does not extend in any direction beyond the line marked by the leaf in the closed state in which the segments 2, 3 of the leaf are oriented, as described above. The force causing the closing or opening may also be applied to the second segment 3, for example manually by the gate user. In such a case, the force is transmitted from the second segment 3 by the second member 9 of the gear to the first member 5 of the gear and further to the strand 7. The principle of operation in this case is the same, as described above. The strand 7 plays then the role of a determining means controlling the proper closing and opening of the foldable leaf of the foldable gate.

In the case of other gear transmissions, the leaf of the gate in the open state reaches the open positions in which the segments 2, 3 of the leaf are folded, as described above, however, they are positioned together at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the starting position of the unfolded leaf. For example, preferably the folded leaf of the gate is positioned at an angle of about 100 degrees. This is achieved by decreasing the transmission rate from the first member 5 of the gear to the second member 9 of the gear to, for example, 1.75:1. Hence, together with a decrease of the transmission ratio from the first member 5 of the gear to the second member 9 of the gear the opening angle of the folded leaf increases. Sometimes the folded leaf is required not to reach the angle of about 90 degrees in order to reach the opening angle of the folded leaf of, for example, 80 degrees. The gear ratio of 2.25:1 corresponds with the opening angle of the folded leaf. Hence, together with an increase of the transmission rate from the first member 5 of the gear to the second member 9 of the gear decreases the opening angle of the folded leaf of the gate.

The principle of operation of the gate system according to the invention is exactly the same, as described above.

The outline 29 shown in fig. 10 illustrates the working area of a conventional two-leaf gate. As shown in fig. 10, the working area of a foldable gate is significantly smaller than that of a swing gate.

The gate system, as described above, is used substantially with new gates assembled from scratch. The gate system may also be assembled during retrobuilding an existing gate. The method for retrobuilding an existing gate to the gate system according to the present invention is described below.

The gate mechanism according to the invention may be manufactured and sold independently. Such mechanism may be used as a semi-finished product for the manufacture of new gates, usually in the form of a foldable leaf of a foldable gate with a gate mechanism to be mounted on a supporting structure 18, for example on a gate post.

Hence, the present invention relates also to a foldable leaf of a foldable gate comprising two connected segments, i.e., the first segment 2 and the second segment 3. Depending on the requirements, the leaf may further comprise more than two segments, for example three, four or five segments. The segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf are tiltingly connected to each other by means of at least one hinge means, as described above for the gate system. The foldable leaf of the foldable gate according to the present invention comprises a mechanism, as described above, and connected to the gate leaf in the way, as described above. The foldable leaf of the foldable gate according to the present invention is used to assembly a foldable gate comprising at least one leaf. It is obvious that a foldable gate may comprise two foldable leaves according to the invention. The method of mounting of a foldable leaf of the gate according to the invention involves providing a foldable leaf as the foldable leaf according to the invention or a component of the gate system according to the invention, as described above. The foldable gate leaf is being suspended on a supporting structure 18, such as a post, wall, masonry wall, etc., by means of at least one hinge means 25, as described above. In the preferred embodiments shown in figs. 1 to 5, the linking element 1 is rotatably connected to the first segment 2 of the leaf by means of the base element 15 and the intermediate element 26. The fixing point of this linking element 1 to the supporting structure 18 results from the structure of the gate mechanism mounted on the leaf of the gate. In the embodiment in which the linking element 1 is not connected to the gate leaf, i.e., the gate system does not comprise the base element 15 or the intermediate element 26, such linking element 1 is attached to the supporting structure 18 in such a way that the first fixing point 8 of the strand 7 is located at a certain distance from the rotation axis 4. The method of mounting of the foldable leaf of the gate according to the invention may also involve adjusting the gate. Adjusting may consist in, for example, adjusting the strand 7 by means of the adjusting element 22. Furthermore, adjusting may involve setting the components of the gear, for example, the tensioning element 12 of the strand 11 of the gear, the adjusting element 13 of the gear and the stopping mechanism 21. Furthermore, adjusting the gate may also relate to adjusting the driving mechanisms of the gate and the protection and adjusting systems, if present, such as the control system, stoppers and movement restrictors, drives, actuators etc. The gate is adjusted until the proper folding of its leaf is ensured depending on the required position of the folded leaf of the gate in its open state. Adjustment the gate allows to change the opening angle of the folded leaf of the gate in such a way that the leaf segments 2, 3 are parallel to each other, while the folded leaf is positioned at the right angle relative to the starting position of the unfolded leaf, for example at the angle of 100 degrees, 90 degrees.

The present invention also relates to a method for retrobuilding a gate leaf. Retrobuilding is performed on an existing leaf of a foldable gate. To this end, a gate mechanism according to the present invention is mounted, as described above, where the gate mechanism can be mounted on a leaf with or without removing it from the hinge means. Furthermore, the gate mechanism according to the present invention can be mounted at the top or at the bottom of the gate leaf. Retrobuilding may involve mounting additional components on a gate, such as driving systems, adjusting systems and safety systems, where a previously removed and retrobuilded leaf is suspended again on the supporting structure 18 and adjusted, as described above.

The method of retrobuilding a swing or sliding gate starts with removal of its leaf. Subsequently, the leaf is transformed into a leaf comprising at least two segments 2, 3 of a foldable gate. Said transformation involves for example cutting a swing or slide leaf, removal redundant components such as guide rails, counterweights, etc, mounting at least one hinge means 24, tiltingly connecting the segments 2, 3 of the gate leaf. Moreover, if necessary, at least one hinge means 25 is mounted to suspend the leaf on the supporting structure 18. As the result of the retrobuilding a foldable leaf of a foldable gate is provided. Subsequently such leaf is provided with the gate mechanism, as described above, and is suspended on the supporting structure 18, as described above. If necessary, the gate is provided with auxiliary systems and adjusted, as specified above. As the result of the above-mentioned retrobuilding, the gate system according to the present invention is provided.

The present invention is described by preferred embodiments. It is understood that their variants and modifications are obvious to a person skilled in the art, and that such variants and modifications are considered to be covered by the scope of the invention referred to in the claims included herein .