US 12,644,332 B2Granted

Gate apparatus and method

AssigneeCrusader Fence Company LLC

InventorsMartin Nathanael Boek, Peter Kennedy, Michael Post, Brayton Statham

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Abstract

A gate assembly for physical and aesthetic integration into any wall or fencing solution, and an associated method of assembling the same. The gate assembly includes a gate pivotably attached to a transom via a hinge. The gate includes side members and spacing tabs that create a channel system within the gate. The channel system is configured to receive a plurality of infill panels of various sizes and designs that aesthetically match the wall or fencing solution into which the gate assembly is being integrated. The gate further includes a cap attached to the top of the gate that traps the infill panels within the gate. When the gate is in a closed position, the cap is blocked by the transom, and no mechanical fasteners are accessible from either side of the gate assembly.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of infill panels;
a gate defining a channel system adapted to receive the plurality of infill panels, the gate comprising:
a pair of members spaced apart and extending parallel to each other, each member including opposing first and second surfaces and a third surface extending between the opposing first and second surfaces, the respective first surfaces of the pair of members being coplanar and the respective second surfaces of the pair of members being coplanar;
and
a plurality of spacing tabs including first and second spacing tabs extending along the third surface of each of the pair of members, the first spacing tabs extending flush with the respective first surfaces of the pair of members and the second spacing tabs extending entirely offset from the respective first and second surfaces of the pair of members such that the respective first and second spacing tabs are spaced apart along the respective third surfaces a distance substantially equal to a maximum depth of each of the plurality of infill panels;
wherein the channel system is adapted to receive the plurality of infill panels between the pair of members;
and
wherein, when the plurality of infill panels are received within the channel system between the pair of members, each infill panel contacts another infill panel within the channel system and extends between and contacts:
the third surface of each respective member of the pair of members;
and
the first and second spacing tabs extending along the third surface of each respective member of the pair of members;
and
a cap adapted to be attached to the gate such that, when the plurality of infill panels are received within the channel system between the pair of members:
the cap extends transversely to the direction of extension of the pair of members and traps the plurality infill panels within the channel system such that the plurality of infill panels cannot be removed from the gate;
the cap engages respective first ends of the pair of members in the direction of extension of the pair of members;
and
at least a portion of the cap is located outside of the channel system.

14 more elements

A method, comprising:

inserting first and second infill panels into a channel system defined by a gate, the gate comprising:
a pair of members spaced apart and extending parallel to each other, each member including opposing first and second surfaces and a third surface extending between the opposing first and second surfaces, the respective first surfaces of the pair of members being coplanar and the respective second surfaces of the pair of members being coplanar;
and
a plurality of spacing tabs including first and second spacing tabs extending along the third surface of each of the pair of members, the first spacing tabs extending flush with the respective first surfaces of the pair of members and the second spacing tabs extending entirely offset from the respective first and second surfaces of the pair of members such that the respective first and second spacing tabs are spaced apart along the respective third surfaces a distance substantially equal to a maximum depth of each of the plurality of infill panels;
wherein, after the first and second infill panels are inserted into the channel system defined by the gate, the first and second infill panels are in contact with each other and each extends between and contacts:
the third surface of each respective member of the pair of members;
and
the first and second spacing tabs extending along the third surface of each respective member of the pair of members;
and
attaching a cap to the gate such that:
the cap extends transversely to the direction of extension of the pair of members and traps the first and second infill panels within the channel system such that the first and second infill panels cannot be removed from the gate;
the cap engages respective first ends of the pair of members in the direction of extension of the pair of members;
and
at least a portion of the cap is located outside of the channel system.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/327,547Filed 1 Jun 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 2 Jun 2022
Published: US 2023/0392436 A17 Dec 2023
Granted: 2 Jun 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

E06B 3/72
Door leaves: consisting of frame and panels , e.g. of raised panel type
E06B 3/726
With separate hollow frames, e.g. foam-filled: of metal
E06B 3/88
Door leaves: edge-protecting devices for door leaves
E05B 65/1046
For panic or emergency doors: panic bars