Automatic gate opener

A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

• a frame mounted to the gate adjacent the ground and extending generally outward from the gate;
• an electric motor mounted to said frame and having a generally horizontally disposed shaft;
• a conductor extending from a power source to said electric motor for rotating the shaft;
• a first pulley mounted for rotation on the shaft of said electric motor;
• a second pulley rotatably mounted to said frame;
• a belt extending about said first and second pulleys;
• a tension pulley for tensioning said belt about said first and second pulleys for joint rotation thereof;
• a first gear having a plurality of teeth formed about the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said second pulley;
• at least one drive wheel mounted on said frame through an axle for rotation, said drive wheel being in contact with the ground along a portion of its outer periphery;
• at least one balance wheel mounted on said gate on the side of the gate opposite said drive wheel to counterbalance forces exerted on the gate by the drive wheel;
• a second gear having a plurality of teeth formed about the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said drive wheel;
• a chain interconnecting said first and second gears for joint rotation thereof;
• a receiver mounted adjacent the gate for receiving a proprietary electromagnetic signal at a predetermined frequency and activating said motor upon receiving the signal to rotate a predetermined number of revolutions to operate the gate between open and closed positions;
• and
• a portable controller for transmission of the proprietary electromagnetic signal at the predetermined frequency from a position remote from the gate, the proprietary signal resisting unauthorized operation of the gate, the controller permitting operation of the gate between open and closed positions from within a vehicle proximate the gate.

A gate opener for attachment to a pre-existing gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

• an electric motor having a rotatable shaft;
• a frame for pivotal attachment to the gate to support said electric motor therefrom with the shaft lying horizontal and extending along the length of the gate;
• a first pulley mounted for rotation with the shaft of said electric motor;
• a second pulley mounted for rotation on said frame vertically above said first pulley;
• a belt constrained about both said first and second pulleys;
• a tension pulley for tensioning said belt to cause joint rotation of said first and second pulleys;
• a first gear having teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said second pulley;
• a drive wheel mounted on said frame through an axle for rotation, said axle being vertically adjustable on the gate to permit the drive wheel to contact the ground with sufficient force so that rotation of the drive wheel pivots the gate;
• at least one balance wheel mounted on said gate on the side of the gate opposite said drive wheel to counterbalance forces exerted on the gate by the drive wheel;
• a second gear having teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof mounted for rotation with said drive wheel;
• a chain interconnecting said first and second gears for joint rotation thereof;
• a receiver mounted adjacent said electric motor for receiving a proprietary electromagnetic signal at a predetermined frequency for activating a relay in a circuit connecting said electric motor to a power source to activate said electric motor for rotating the shaft to operate the gate between open and closed positions;
• and
• a portable controller for transmission of the proprietary electromagnetic signal at the predetermined frequency from a position remote from the gate, the proprietary signal resisting unauthorized operation of the gate, the controller permitting operation of the gate between open and closed positions from within a vehicle proximate the gate.

A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

• a mounting bracket;
• a parallel arm hinge assembly pivotally mounted to said mounting bracket and to the gate permitting pivotal motion of the mounting bracket relative to the gate and ground;
• motor means mounted on said mounting bracket for rotating a shaft;
• ground wheel means rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket and in contact with the ground;
• transmission means interconnecting the motor shaft and said ground wheel means for transmitting rotation of the motor shaft to said ground wheel means, the weight of the mounting bracket, motor means, transmission means and ground wheel means generally being supported on the ground through the ground wheel means to provide traction for the ground wheel means, the parallel arm hinge assembly permitting movement of the gate opener relative to the gate so that the ground wheel means can maintain traction on the ground;
• controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency;
• and
• receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate.

A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

• motor means mounted on the gate for rotating a shaft;
• ground wheel means rotatably mounted on the gate and in contact with a stationary surface;
• transmission means interconnecting the motor shaft and said ground wheel means for transmitting rotation of the shaft to said ground wheel means;
• controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency;
• receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate;
• and
• an open limiter switch means for sensing movement of the gate into the opened position for deactivating said motor means when the gate is moved into the opened position by the gate opener and closed limiter switch means for sensing movement of the gate into the closed position for deactivating the motor means when the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position, the use of the open and closed limiter switches permitting control of the gate opener independent of slippage between the ground wheel means and the stationary surface to allow a gate opener using a ground wheel means to be used in environments where slippage can occur.

A gate opener for use on a gate mounted to a structure for pivotal motion about a generally vertical axis, comprising:

• a mounting bracket;
• a parallel arm hinge assembly pivotally mounting said mounting bracket to the gate, said parallel arm hinge assembly including at least two parallel arms each pivotally connected to the gate at one end and the mounting bracket at the opposite end for pivotal motion about generally horizontal axes;
• motor means mounted on said mounting bracket for rotating a motor shaft;
• a first pulley secure along said motor shaft for rotation with said motor shaft;
• a drive shaft rotatably mounted on said mounting bracket for rotation about a generally horizontal axis;
• a second pulley secured along said drive shaft for rotation with said drive shaft and aligned with said first pulley for placement of a belt about said first and second pulleys for joint rotation thereof;
• a drive wheel mounted on said drive shaft for rotation therewith having gear teeth formed on the outer periphery thereof;
• a ground wheel mounted for rotation on said mounting bracket, the parallel arm hinge assembly causing the ground wheel to contact the ground with substantially the entire weight of the gate opener being supported by the ground through the ground wheel, said ground wheel having gear teeth formed thereon meshed with the gear teeth on said drive wheel so that rotation of the motor shaft rotates the ground wheel;
• controller means for transmission of a signal at a predetermined frequency;
• receiver means for activating said motor means in response to reception of the signal of predetermined frequency to selectively open and close the gate;
• an open limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate to the opened position for deactivating the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position;
• and
• a closed limiter switch for sensing movement of the gate to the closed position for deactivating the motor means as the gate opener moves the gate into the closed position.