Automatic gate

An automatic gate arrangement for blocking a path, the gate arrangement comprising:

• a hollow and tubular lower post part defining an upright post axis and fixed to one side of the path;
• an upper end wall transverse to the post axis;
• lower fasteners releasably securing the upper end wall to the lower post part to upwardly close same;
• a support fixed to the upper end wall and extending upward along the post axis therefrom;
• a shaft pivoted in the support about the post axis;
• a reversible drive motor fixed on and underneath the upper end wall in the lower post part and having a rotary output extending through the upper end wall;
• transmission means between the rotary output and the shaft for converting rotation of the output into oscillation about the post axis of the shaft;
• a gate projecting laterally from the post axis;
• connecting means securing the gate to the shaft for joint rotation about the post axis unless the gate and shaft are relatively rotated about the post axis with a force exceeding a predetermined maximum force;
• control means connected to the motor and including a proximity sensor upstream along the path from the post parts for operating the motor and oscillating the gate when a person is detected by the sensor;
• a hollow and tubular middle post part above the lower post part, centered on the post axis in axial alignment with the lower post part, and carried on the gate for pivoting therewith about the post axis;
• a hollow and tubular upper post part above the middle post part and centered on the post axis in axial alignment with the lower and middle parts;
• rigid strut fixed to the lower post part and support;
• and
• lower fasteners securing the upper post part to the strut for relatively fixing the upper and lower post parts together.