Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In a slide gate mechanism, wherein a gate is controllably moved transversely across a pathway by a drive mechanism comprising at least one drive wheel adapted to frictionally engage a portion of said gate to systematically block or unblock the pathway, the improvement comprising at least one brake member disposed on said portion of said gate which said drive mechanism is adapted to engage, said at least one brake member including a slanted drive mechanism engaging face adapted to engage said at least one drive wheel of said drive mechanism so as to gradually brake said gate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a slide gate mechanism, wherein a gate is controllably moved transversely across a pathway by a drive mechanism comprising at least one drive wheel adapted to frictionally engage a portion of said gate to systematically block or unblock the pathway, the improvement comprising at least one brake member disposed on said portion of said gate which said drive mechanism is adapted to engage, said at least one brake member including a slanted drive mechanism engaging face adapted to engage said at least one drive wheel of said drive mechanism so as to gradually brake said gate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said portion of said gate comprises a drive rail secured along said gate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one drive wheel is spring-biased toward said drive rail to ensure adequate frictional engagement with said drive rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pair of brake members are disposed on opposite ends of said portion of said gate, each brake member being respectively operative to brake said gate as it is moved in opposed directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one limit switch is disposed on said drive mechanism which is operative to deactivate said drive mechanism; at least one switch-engaging member is disposed on said gate to trip said at least one limit switch; and said at least one brake member is further positioned on said portion of said gate beyond the point where said gate will stop after said switch-engaging member deactivates said drive mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one switch-engaging member is disposed on said portion of said gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slanted drive mechanism engaging face forms an angle relative to the base of the brake member in the range of 30°-45°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
236 words
A slide gate mechanism comprising: a gate adapted to be moved across a pathway and including a drive rail secured therealong; a drive mechanism including a pair of opposed drive wheels adapted to frictionally engage said drive rail and controllably move said gate across said pathway, said pair of opposed drive wheels being spring-biased toward said drive rail so as to ensure adequate frictional engagement with said rail; a first limit switch positioned on said drive mechanism which is adapted to deactivate operation of said drive mechanism in a first direction; a second limit switch positioned on said drive mechanism which is adapted to deactivate operation of said drive mechanism in an opposed second direction; a pair of switch-engaging members secured proximate opposite ends of said gate and each being operative to engage a respective one of said first and second limit switches; and a pair of brake members secured proximate opposite ends of said drive rail of said gate at a position beyond the point where said gate will stop after said switch-engaging member on the respective end deactivates said drive mechanism, each said brake member having a slanted drive mechanism engaging face such that in situations where movement of said gate does not stop prior to said corresponding brake member, said brake member operates to gradually brake said gate as at least one of said drive wheels engages said slanted drive mechanism engaging face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
236 words
A slide gate mechanism comprising: a gate adapted to be moved across a pathway and including a drive rail secured therealong; a drive mechanism including a pair of opposed drive wheels adapted to frictionally engage said drive rail and controllably move said gate across said pathway, said pair of opposed drive wheels being spring-biased toward said drive rail so as to ensure adequate frictional engagement with said rail; a first limit switch positioned on said drive mechanism which is adapted to deactivate operation of said drive mechanism in a first direction; a second limit switch positioned on said drive mechanism which is adapted to deactivate operation of said drive mechanism in an opposed second direction; a pair of switch-engaging members secured proximate opposite ends of said gate and each being operative to engage a respective one of said first and second limit switches; and a pair of brake members secured proximate opposite ends of said drive rail of said gate at a position beyond the point where said gate will stop after said switch-engaging member on the respective end deactivates said drive mechanism, each said brake member having a slanted drive mechanism engaging face such that in situations where movement of said gate does not stop prior to said corresponding brake member, said brake member operates to gradually brake said gate as at least one of said drive wheels engages said slanted drive mechanism engaging face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the slanted drive mechanism engaging face on each brake member forms an angle relative to the base of the brake member in the range of 30°-45°.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of controlling the movement of a gate member, comprising the steps of: providing a movable gate; providing a drive mechanism for laterally translating said gate across a location to be blocked; providing a switch engaging member on said gate adapted to deactivate the operation of said drive mechanism by tripping a limit switch on said drive mechanism; and positioning a brake member on said gate at a position beyond the point where said gate will stop after said switch engaging member deactivates said drive mechanism, said brake member having a slanted drive mechanism engaging face such that in situations where said gate does not stop prior to said brake member, said brake member gradually brakes said gate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of controlling the movement of a gate member, comprising the steps of: providing a movable gate; providing a drive mechanism for laterally translating said gate across a location to be blocked; providing a switch engaging member on said gate adapted to deactivate the operation of said drive mechanism by tripping a limit switch on said drive mechanism; and positioning a brake member on said gate at a position beyond the point where said gate will stop after said switch engaging member deactivates said drive mechanism, said brake member having a slanted drive mechanism engaging face such that in situations where said gate does not stop prior to said brake member, said brake member gradually brakes said gate.