Patent US3877174A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3877174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gravity operated electromagnetically controlled gate
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-03-18
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetically controlled, gravity operated gate of simple construction and of reliable performance includes a housing enclosing the principal functional components of the gate assembly. Extending through a wall of the housing is a drive shaft on which is mounted a gate element, the latter including a counterbalanced channel affixed to be rotated by the drive shaft, the channel having affixed thereto a gate arm. Located within the housing is a motor and clutch assembly connected to drive the gear means to which the drive shaft is affixed. Also cooperating with the drive shaft is a follower arm which cooperates with an electromagnet positioned within the housing to maintain the gate arm in a generally horizontal position. Also located within the housing is a switch engageable by the follower arm to maintain the electromagnet energized while the gate is in the horizontal position. A control circuit is provided which in an energized state activates the motor and clutch assembly for moving the gate arm from a vertical to a horizontal position, the switch means being energized by the follower to de-energize the motor, to maintain the electromagnet energized for maintaining the gate arm in the horizontal position. Movement of the gate from the horizontal to the vertical position is achieved by de-energizing the circuit control means so that the gate arm is moved to the vertical position by gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R Mcdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:28
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F13/00; E01F13/04; E01F13/06; B; B61; B61L; B61L29/00; B61L29/08; B61L29/18; B61L29/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An electromechanically controlled, gravity operated gate assembly comprising: an enclosed housing containing an electromechanical assembly for effecting movement of a gate arm positioned externally of said housing, gear means contained within said housing and connected to a drive shaft which extends through said housing, a gate element mounted on the extending portion of said drive shaft, said gate element including a counterbalanced channel member affixed for movement with said drive shaft and a gate arm secured to said channel member, a motor and clutch assembly supported within said housing and connected to drive said gear means, a follower arm mounted within said housing for rotation with said shaft, electromagnetic means supported within said housing and cooperating with said follower arm to maintain said gate in a generally horizontal position, switch means supported within said housing and engageable by said follower arm to maintain said electromagnet energized while said gate arm is in said horizontal position, circuit control means operative in an energized state to activate said motor and clutch assembly for moving the gate arm from a vertical position to a horizontal position, said switch means being energized in response to contact by said follower arm to de-energize said motor and clutch assembly and to maintain said electromagnetic means energized to maintain said gate arm in said horizontal position, and said circuit control means in the de-energized state being operative to de-energize said switch means whereby said gate arm is moved to the vertical position by gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
An electromechanically controlled, gravity operated gate assembly comprising: an enclosed housing containing an electromechanical assembly for effecting movement of a gate arm positioned externally of said housing, gear means contained within said housing and connected to a drive shaft which extends through said housing, a gate element mounted on the extending portion of said drive shaft, said gate element including a counterbalanced channel member affixed for movement with said drive shaft and a gate arm secured to said channel member, a motor and clutch assembly supported within said housing and connected to drive said gear means, a follower arm mounted within said housing for rotation with said shaft, electromagnetic means supported within said housing and cooperating with said follower arm to maintain said gate in a generally horizontal position, switch means supported within said housing and engageable by said follower arm to maintain said electromagnet energized while said gate arm is in said horizontal position, circuit control means operative in an energized state to activate said motor and clutch assembly for moving the gate arm from a vertical position to a horizontal position, said switch means being energized in response to contact by said follower arm to de-energize said motor and clutch assembly and to maintain said electromagnetic means energized to maintain said gate arm in said horizontal position, and said circuit control means in the de-energized state being operative to de-energize said switch means whereby said gate arm is moved to the vertical position by gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means is mounted such that said motor and clutch assembly is de-energized as said follower arm contacts said switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a shock assembly is mounted within said housing to contact said follower as said gate arm is raised to the vertical position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gate arm is offset about 10* with respect to said channel member such that with the gate arm in the horizontal position the channel member is offset in the direction of pivotal movement of said gate element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel member is positioned at an angle above the vertical with the gate arm in the vertical position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a resilient shock member is mounted outside of said housing for contact by said gate arm as the latter approaches the horizontal position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shock member urges said gate arm from the horizontal position towards said vertical position in response to de-energization of said electromagnet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including friction brake means mounted within saiD housing and cooperating with said follower arm to slow movement of said gate arm as the latter approaches the vertical position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein a resilient shock member is mounted outside of said housing for contact by said gate arm as the latter approaches the horizontal position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gate assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said shock member urges said gate arm from the horizontal position towards said vertical position in response to de-energization of said electromagnet means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |