Modular automatic gate opener
AssigneeBomar Corporation
InventorRobert W. Lybecker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular gate opening apparatus comprising a mounting frame which can be used to buttress a deteriorated fence post or secured to a new fence post. A vertical portion of the frame comprises a plurality of apertures in axial alignment allowing a wide variety of fastening means to be used to secure the frame in a number of configurations. A gate-receiving bracket is hingedly secured to the frame and is adapted to accomodate a wide variety of gate sizes. Actuator means are provided to move the gate receiving bracket, and the gate carried thereon, between an open and a closed position.
Claims11
An automatic gate opening apparatus, comprising:
- a frame assembly comprising a vertical portion, said vertical portion of said frame assembly comprising a shaft having a generally square cross-section and a plurality of axially aligned apertures in opposing faces of said shaft, a horizontal portion, and a gate-receiving means hingedly secured to said vertical portion, said vertical and horizontal portions being attached in a predetermined fixed relationship, said horizontal portion comprising first and second mounting means;
- a linkage assembly hinged secured on one end to said first mounted means and hingedly secured on the other end to said gate-receiving means;
- actuator means hingedly secured on one end to said second mounted means said actuator comprising an extendible shaft having one end received in said actuator and having the other end attached to said linkage assembly;
- control means connected to said actuator means for operating said actuator;
- and
- sensor means for signaling said control means to activate said actuator means, thereby causing said sahft of said actuator means to move said gate-receiving bracket between said open and said closed position.
A method of mounting an automatic gate opening apparatus to a fence and gate comprising the steps of:
- securing a vertical portion of a frame assembly to said fence wherein said frame assembly comprises (1) first mounting means and (2) second mounting means, (3) said vertical portion and (4) a horizontal portion;
- said vertical portion, said first mounting means and said second mounting means being fixedly attached to said horizontal portion at a predetermined distance from each other;
- pivotally mounting a first portion of actuator means to said first mounting means of said frame assembly and pivotally mounting a second portion of said actuator means to a linkage assembly;
- and
- pivotally affixing a first portion of said linkage assembly to said second mounting means of said frame assembly and pivotally affixing a second portion of said linkage assembly to said gate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.