Vertical lift gate operation device

Abstract

The invention is a mechanism excluding unnecessary stress in its parts by transferring forces to levers, links and moving frame in respective symmetry planes as far as possible. The invention comprises a base frame, guiding rods, compression springs, upper Y-stoppers, lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers, an interconnecting frame, links, levers, windhooks, containing lower "in-motion" Y-stoppers, emergency brake teeth, emergency brake motion delimiter, windlock contact surface, windhooks rotation axles, manipulation cable attachment means, a X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel. The device comprises built-in redundancies for emergency braking. Emergency braking mechanics comprises parts that cannot move or deform past a point where exponential rise of inner forces, leading to damage and / or destruction of mechanism, starts. Using different lower Y-stoppers when "in motion" and when "closed and windlocked", allows for minimum possible reaction forces when under design loads and sparing use of materials in general and high-strength materials for certain parts.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to vertical lift gate operation devices, in particular to vertical lift gate girder operation devices.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Flexible hangar gates are vertically liftable fabric hangar gates for such applications as large aircraft or ship hangars. The predecessor of flexible hangar gates is steel sliding door systems which had many weak points such as bottom guide heavy door, extreme maintenance requirements.

[0003] Flexible hangar gates usually comprise a gate frame with side rails for guiding the gate, a gate main girder or a bottom beam for acting as main support and operational element of the gate and flexible fabric, for example comprising mostly PVC, as a gate cover.

[0004] The main girder is driven alongside guiding rails using electric winches as the usual dimensions of such hangar doors do not permit manual operation of the gate. Such gate has no easily damageable parts which could impede closing or opening of the gate.

[0005] The gates are operated by a winch and cable system for lifting and lowering the main girder and thus the gate. The electric lifting motor or motors for operating the winch is usually located at the top of the gate.

[0006] The gate is usually configured for use in windy conditions, providing weather-sealing on the inside and the outside faces. The guiding rails provide sufficient strength to transfer the wind load and are combined with load arrestors and wind locks.

[0007] Load arrestors are usually attached to the bottom part of door for preventing the gate from falling in case of motor or lifting strap or rope failure. Wind locks will prevent the door rising from its closed position even in very windy conditions.

[0008] A Chinese patent application publication No.: CN1 02787777 (A) discloses a falling protector for an industrial door. The falling protector for the industrial door comprises pull rods, a connecting rod, pull rod springs, a slide block, clamping jaws and the like, wherein the connecting rod is penetrated by the pull rods, the heads of the pull rods are fixed, and the tails of the pull rods are connected with the slide block through screws; baffles include an upper baffle, a middle baffle and a lower baffle, and the upper baffle is penetrated by the connecting rod; the pull rod springs are arranged below the upper baffle, sleeved on the pull rods and penetrated in the middle baffle, and the tail ends of the pull rod springs support against the transverse plane of the slide block; a cavity is arranged in the middle part of the slide block, and the lower end of the slide block is of an L-shaped supporting leg structure; the upper clamping jaw is arranged in the cavity of the slide block and mounted through an upper jaw shaft, a spring hole is arranged in the upper end of the upper clamping jaw, and a spring is arranged in the spring hole; the middle part of the lower clamping jaw is mounted at a cover plate through a lower jaw fixed shaft, and a lower jaw shaft is arranged at the root of the lower clamping jaw and limited in the cavity of the slide block; the lower baffle is arranged below the lower clamping jaw; and the cover plate comprises an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate that are taken as the fixed foundation of the device, and shaft holes are correspondingly distributed in the two cover plates. Main disadvantage of such device is short in safety means for load arresting and wind locking a hangar door.

[0009] The present invention is dedicated to overcoming the above shortcomings and for producing further advantages over prior art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A vertical lift gate operation device according to the invention is a mechanism excluding unnecessary stress in its parts by transferring force to levers, links and moving frame in its local symmetry plane as far as possible.

[0011] The device comprises multiple built-in redundancies for emergency braking. Emergency braking mechanics comprises parts so designed and arranged, that they cannot move or deform past a point where exponential rise of inner forces, leading to damage and / or destruction of mechanism, starts.

[0012] According to the invention the vertical gate operation device is a mechanism comprising a base frame, guiding rods, compression springs, upper Y-stoppers, interconnecting frame, links, levers, windhooks, windhooks rotation axles, manipulation cable attachment means, a lower guiding wheel.

[0013] Each windhook comprises an emergency brake tooth and starter tooth shaped as metal cutting tools. They are always sharp and unpainted. Each windhook further comprise wheels which are well clear from a guiding rail when gate is closed and windlocked and only meet guiding rail of gate structure when gate is being opened, kept open or being closed - at that time, wheels act as lower Y-stoppers stoppers for gate girder (GG). Operation of both windhooks is synchronised by the fact that they are driven through the same interconnecting frame. Each windhook further comprise a nose, where a windhook contact surface and motion delimiter are combined.

[0014] The springs of the device provide pressure for windlock action and for emergency brake plus contingency factor and allow full opening of windhooks and emergency brake when gate is being opened and closed.

[0015] When the gate is being opened, being closed or kept open, gate manipulation cables are at operational tension. The tension in the manipulation cables is greater than force that the springs can develop, thus windhooks are rotated "upwards", until wheels of the windhooks touch the guiding rail and check this rotation, as in Fig. 5. The wheels are pressed to the guiding rail and act as a pair of lower Y-stoppers for the gate girder (GG).

[0016] When tension in the operation cables is lost, the springs, no longer compressed by tension of the operation cables, via system of mechanical links, start to rotate the windhooks "downwards". Downward freefall movement of gate girder (GG) and "downward" rotation of windhooks start at the same time, as in Fig. 6. When the starter tooth of each windhook touch side of the guiding rail, as in Fig. 7, downward movement of the gate together with moment from the springs initiates the starter tooth cutting in the rail. Thus cut-in, starter tooth adds its own moment of forces, that act on windhook in the same direction as that of springs and inertia of mowing parts. Combined moment from springs, inertia of moving parts, cut-in starter tooth and downward movement of frame rotate the windhooks to a position where the brake tooth touches rail, as in Fig. 8, and starts to cut in the side of the rail. When the brake tooth of each windhook cuts in the rail side under forces and moments, the windhooks rotate "downward" until nose of each windhook touches the rail side and checks its rotation and brake tooth position relative to rail side at designed braking position, as in Fig. 9.

[0017] Sum total of moments of forces from springs, braking force of brake tooth and "push-out" force of brake tooth keeps brake tooth cut-in while downward movement of gate girder (GG) is completely stopped by braking force. When downwards movement is fully stopped, sum of moments from springs, brake forces and "push-out" forces keep brake tooth cut in. Weight of frame, tent, etc., is still fully supported on brake tooth, i.e., system is stopped and stabilized in safe condition. In closed and windlocked condition, the windhooks prevent gate girder (GG) from lifting due to wind induced membrane tension of gate cloth.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Features of the invention believed to be novel and inventive are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes exemplary embodiments, given in non-restrictive examples, of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows the vertical gate operation device according to the invention installation example in a gate stationary structure. X, Y, and Z directions, as used in this claim, are indicated. Fig. 2 shows front view of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in windlocked position for keeping the gate closed and holding wind loads. Stationary structures, i.e., guiding rail, stoppers, etc., are not shown. Fig. 3 shows front view of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in an open position when lifting, holding lifted or lowering of gate girder (GG) is made. Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention. Windhooks are in windlocked position for keeping the gate closed and holding wind loads, when gate is fully closed and locked against wind loads. Stationary structures, i.e., guiding rail, stationary stoppers, etc., are not shown. Fig. 5 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in an open position when the gate girder (GG) is being lifted or lowered for opening, closing or keeping open the gate closure. The manipulation cable is at operational tension. The "in motion" lower Y-stoppers, executed as guiding wheels on the windhooks are pressed to rail - this contact checks rotation of the windhooks. The starter tooth and brake tooth of each windhook are well clear from rail. Fig. 6 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in a transient position when the operational tension of manipulation cable is lost and mechanism starts to act in emergency braking mode, as the gate girder (GG) starts to develop downward freefall motion. During this period of time, guiding wheels no longer are in contact with rail sides, and neither starter nor brake teeth are yet in contact with rail sides. Fig. 7 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in a position when the operational tension of manipulation cable is lost, the gate girder (GG) develops downward freefall motion. Moment of forces, delivered by springs, did rotate windhooks to a position when starter tooth touches the rail. Fig. 8 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are in a position when the operational tension of manipulation cable is lost, the gate girder (GG) develops downward freefall motion, starter tooth is already cutting the rail side, brake tooth touches the rail. Some braking action has already started at this moment. Fig. 9 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are at position when the operational tension of manipulation cable is lost, the gate girder (GG) is still falling, the brake tooth is cutting the rail side in designed braking position. Each windhook nose touches the rail and checks rotation of the windhook past designed emergency braking position. Maximum braking force develops, and freefall motion of gate girder (GG) is eventually stopped. Fig. 10 shows windhooks of the vertical gate operation device according to the invention - the windhooks are at position when gate girder (GG) is at its lowest point of travel, i.e., gate is fully closed and windlocked. The rail, windlock stoppers, stationary Z-stopper, stationary counterparts for lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers, installed on the stationary structure of the gate frame, are also shown. Fig. 11 shows transfer of forces trough levers, links and interconnecting frame in local symmetry plane and out of plane.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described herein below with reference to the drawings. Each figure contains the same numbering for the same or equivalent element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] It should be understood that numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a complete and comprehensible description of the invention embodiment. However, the person skilled in art will understand that the embodiment examples do not limit the application of the invention which can be implemented without these specific instructions. Well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail for the embodiment to avoid misleading. Furthermore, this description should not be considered to be constraining the invention to given embodiment examples but only as one of possible implementations of the invention.

[0021] Terms used in the specification and claims: Manipulation cables - cables connecting driving winch with vertical gate closure operation devices for lifting and lowering the gate girder (GG). With manipulation cables intact, the weight of gate girder (GG) and whatever parts of closure, that are collected on top of it at any moment, is either a) supported on manipulation cables, when gate is being opened, being closed, or kept open, or b) in closed and windlocked position, with manipulation cables loose, rests on Z-stopper when gate is fully closed and windlocked. Being closed - the gate girder (GG) is being lowered and manipulation cables are moving and in tension, the gates are partially or fully closed. Being opened - the gate girder (GG) is being lifted and manipulation cables are moving and in tension, the gates are partially or fully closed Kept open - the gate girder (GG) is suspended without movement and manipulation cables are not moving and in tension, the gates are partially or fully closed Closed and windlocked - the gate girder (GG) is resting on Z-stopper, the gates are fully closed and locked against wind loads. Operational tension of manipulation cables - tension of cables as connected between drive winch and vertical gate closure operation devices at ends of a gate girder (GG) when the gate girder (GG), while supported on manipulation cables, is lifted, lowered, or kept at any height, other than in fully closed position, i.e. in normal operation conditions. Downward freefall motion - motion of gate closure, including gate girder (GG) at emergency condition when the manipulation cables lose operational tension. The front of the base plate is the side of the base plate facing an interconnecting frame and a guide rail. Respective - one element is related to another element or comprises other element or interacts with other element. X (or Y, or Z)- stopper - a part, element, or similar, whose function is to prevent or limit motion / hold force in X (or Y, or Z) direction, without affecting motions and / or forces in any other directions. Windlocking means - means for keeping the gate closed and holding wind loads, when gate is fully closed and locked against wind loads. Load arresting means (emergency braking) - secondary safety device to arrest (catch, stop) falling gate closure if the operational tension of the manipulation cable is compromised while the gate girder is being lifted, being lowered or being suspended. Normal operation means - means for opening, lowering, keeping open.

[0022] The invention is a vertical lift gate girder (GG) operation device comprising gate opening, keeping open and closing means, keeping closed and windlocked means and emergency braking means.

[0023] According to the invention the vertical gate operation device (EB) is a mechanism comprising a base frame (1), guiding rods (2', 2"), compression springs (3', 3"), upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22"), interconnecting frame (4), links (5', 5"), levers (6', 6"), windhooks (7', 7"), windhooks' rotation axles (8', 8"), manipulation cable attachment means (9), X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32). The vertical gate operation device (EB) further comprises a Stationary Z-stopper (1.33) and a windlock stoppers (1.34', 1.34") both being part of the device according to the invention but separated from the base plate (1). The windlock stoppers(1.34', 1.34") and stationary Z-stopper (1.33) can be attached to the guiding rail (Rail) or a separate foundation (1.35) being separate from the guiding rail (Rail) and being aligned with the guiding rail (Rail) in X, Y and Z directions.

[0024] The stationary Z-stopper (1.33), is installed on stationary gate structure, either connected to a guide rail (Rail) or separately from guide rail (Rail) on its own support (1.35), to meet X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) for delimiting downward motion of gate girder (GG) at the lowest point of travel, i.e., when the gate is fully closed. The Stationary Z-stopper (1.33) is positioned above floor level (FL).

[0025] The base frame (1) further comprises upper support means (1.2', 1.2"), and lower support means (1.3', 1.3") for accommodating between them the compression springs (3', 3"), the guiding rods (2', 2"), the interconnecting frame (4), the links (5', 5") and the levers (6', 6").

[0026] Each lower support means (1.3', 1.3") comprises a lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper (1.32', 1.32"). Each lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper (1.32', 1.32") is a surface of the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3") for contact with counterparts on gate stationary structure when gate is fully closed. Each lower support means (1.3', 1.3") are attached to the base plate (1.1) at a distance from one another forming a gap (1.31) between them along the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1).

[0027] The upper support means (1.2', 1.2"), the lower support means (1.3', 1.3") the compression springs (3', 3"), the guiding rods (2', 2"), the links (5', 5") the levers (6', 6"), the windhooks (7', 7") and the windhooks' rotation axles (8', 8") are each distributed as pairs of the same element, symmetrically along and on both sides of the center axis (CA) of the base plate which coincides with center axis of the base frame (1).

[0028] The center axis (CA) of the base frame (1) coincides with motion direction of a gate girder (GG) and is parallel to a rail of a gate support structure when the vertical gate operation device (EB) is mounted on the gate girder (GG) for operation.

[0029] The upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and the lower support means (1.3', 1.3") are rigidly attached to the base plate (1.1) by such means as bolts, bolts and nuts, rivets, welding or alike. The base plate (1.1) may comprise through holes (1.11) for securing the vertical gate operation device (EB) to the gate girder (GG) using bolts and nuts or similar securing means. In other instance the base plate (1.1) may be secured to the gate girder (GG) by welding, riveting or any other means, providing rigid attachment of the base plate (1.1) to the gate girder (GG). Further, the base plate (1.1) may comprise a through cut-out (1.12) for access to and for accommodating part of the manipulation cable attachment means (9) so that when the cable attachment means are secured to the interconnecting frame (4) using means having ends protruding from the interconnecting frame (4) plane and into base plate (1.1) plane, such as a head of a nut or head of bolt or similar fastening means, the interconnecting frame (4) could move with respect to base plate (1.1) without the cable attachment means (9) interacting with the base plate (1.1). The manipulation cable attachment means (9) is attached to the interconnecting frame (4) at preferably center line dividing the interconnecting frame (4) into two symmetrical halves, where the center line of the interconnecting frame (4) is parallel to the center axis (CA) of the base frame (1). Further, the base plate (1.1) may comprise further cut-outs (1.13', 1.13") for accommodating at least part of compression springs (3', 3") disposed in the symmetrical halves of the interconnecting frame (4). Accommodating at least part of the compression springs (3', 3") may be necessary when radius of the compression springs (3', 3") is greater than distance between the center axis of the springs (3', 3") and the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1).

[0030] Preferably the base plate (1.1) and the interconnecting frame (4) comprises each other facing flat and parallel one to other surfaces for unobstructed parallel motion of the interconnecting frame (4) along the base plate (1.1) at a distance one from another.

[0031] Each upper support means (1.2', 1.2") are attached to the base plate (1.1) at a distance one from another forming a gap (1.21) between them along the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1). Each upper support means (1.2', 1.2") at the face facing a perpendicular plane (not shown) to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) comprises an upper Y-stopper (1.22', 1.22"). The upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") are positioned rigidly on each upper support means (1.2', 1.2") so that a gap between the upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") would accommodate a guide rail (Rail) of a structure for supporting the gate comprising a gate girder (GG) when the vertical gate operation devices (EB) are attached to ends of the gate girder (GG). The gap between the upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") is such that the upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") slide on the respective sides of the rail but without impeding vertical motion of the gate along the guide rail (Rail).

[0032] The vertical gate operation device (EB) further comprises a X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) which is positioned between the lower support means (1.3', 1.3") in front of the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1) front. The X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) is mounted on a shaft for rotation where ends of the shaft are secured in the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3"). The X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) rolls along surface of the rail where the surface of the rail that is facing the base plate (1.1).

[0033] The vertical gate operation device (EB) further comprises "in motion" lower Y-stoppers / guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3") for guiding the gate girder (GG) bottom along the guide rail (Rail) when gate is being opened, kept open or being closed. The upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22"), the "in motion" Y-stoppers, executed as guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3") and the X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) form a U-shaped guiding path inside which path the guide rail (Rail) is being accommodated when the gate girder (GG) is positioned for operation. The lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers (1.32', 1.32") are positioned to meet their stationary counterpart(s) (1.33', 1.33") on gate stationary structure just before gate girder (GG) X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) rests on stationary Z-stopper (1.33) in "gate closed" position. The stationary counterparts are elements on the stationary part of the gate.

[0034] The interconnecting frame (4) comprises main body (4.1) positioned in front of the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1) at a distance from the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1) forming a gap. The back face (4.11) of the main body (4.1) is positioned parallel to the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1) and preferably the back face (4.11) of the main body (4.1) is without any protrusions for unimpeded parallel relative motion of the back face (4.11) of the interconnecting frame (4) with respect to the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1). The main body (4.1) is positioned parallel and along the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) so that the main body (4.1) is disposed symmetrically along both sides of the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) forming first and second symmetrical parts (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1). Each symmetrical part (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1) comprise a part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) having first end (4.211', 4.211 ") adjacent to the respective upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and configured for abutting the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") as means for delimiting upwards motion path of the interconnecting frame (4).

[0035] Each part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) further comprises a second end (4.212', 4.212") adjacent to the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3"). The second ends (4.212', 4.212") are rigidly connected forming a uniform body (4.1).

[0036] Each part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) further comprises a holder (4.213', 4.213") for the respective guiding rod (2', 2"). The holders (4.213', 4.213") accommodate the guiding rods (2', 2"). The guiding rods (2', 2") serve to keep part (4) parallel to base plate (1) and allow it to move only in a Z-direction and prevent the rotation of part (4) in any direction. The guiding rods (2', 2") pass through at least two parts of the respective holder (4.213', 4.213"). The holders are preferably U shaped and ends of the U shape, separated vertically at maximum practical distance. Each end of the U shape comprises a through hole forming a path for the respective guiding rods (2', 2") to travel in parallel the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) where the back of the U shape of each holder (4.213', 4.213") is attached to the main body (4.1) of the interconnecting frame.

[0037] Each symmetrical part (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1) further comprises a part (4.22', 4.22") protruding from the respective part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent and parallel to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and protruding into direction away from the plane perpendicular to the center axis (AC) of the base plate (1.1). Each protruding part (4.22', 4.22") comprises the compression spring (3', 3") first support dish (4.221', 4.221") which is preferably parallel to a surface of the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and faces such surface of the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") where said surface of the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") is facing the lower support means (1.3', 1.3") and said surface of the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") comprises the compression spring (3', 3") second support dish (4.222', 4.222").

[0038] The compression springs (3', 3") are respectively positioned between said first support dish (4.221', 4.221") and said second support dish (4.222', 4.222") where the compression springs (3', 3") are axially parallel one to another. When positioned the compression springs (3', 3") are respectively disposed parallel to each part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1).

[0039] Each protruding part (4.22', 4.22") further comprises a point (4.223', 4.223") for connecting a link (5', 5"). The connecting point (4.223', 4.223") may be disposed at any point on the protruding part (4.22', 4.22") below the compression springs (3', 3"). Each link (5', 5") at first end (5.1', 5.1") is connected to the respective point (4.223', 4.223") of the respective protruding part (4.22', 4.22") for motion parallelly to the main body (4.1) of the interconnecting frame (4). Each link (5', 5") at second end (5.2', 5.2") is connected to respective first end (6.1', 6.1") of the respective lever (6', 6") for motion parallel to the respective link (5', 5"). Each lever (6', 6") at its second end (6.2', 6.2") is connected to respective windhook (7', 7") via a respective rotation axle (8', 8") interlocking said levers (6', 6") with respective axles (8', 8") using such means as parallel keys (not shown) for motion of the respective windhook (7', 7"). The rotation axles (8', 8") are supported by the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3"). The rotation axles (8', 8") are preferably disposed inside the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3").

[0040] First end of each rotation axle (8', 8") is rigidly connected to the second end (6.2', 6.2") of the respective lever (6', 6") for rotation of the respective windhook (7', 7") and second end of the respective rotation axle (8', 8") is rigidly connected to the windhook (7', 7"). The rotation axles (8', 8") are disposed preferably at a right angle to the respective levers (6', 6") at first end and with respect to the respective windhook (7', 7") at the second end.

[0041] Each of two windhooks (7', 7") has the same shape and parts are arranged on respective rotation axle (8', 8") as mirror images. The windhook (7', 7") comprises a first end (7.1', 7.1") and a second end (7.2',7.2") arranged as opposite ends with respect to the axis of the rotation axle (8', 8"). The first end (7.1', 7.1") comprises the lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") which is rotationally secured on an axle which is attached to the first end (7.1', 7.1‴) of the windhook (7', 7"). The lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") axle is disposed parallel to the rotation axle (8', 8"). The lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") has a circumferential surface for rotational interaction with side surface of the rail of a structure for supporting the gate girder (GG). The circumferential surface of the lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") protrudes from perimeter of the body of the windhooks (7', 7") so that when the lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") touches the guide rail (Rail) of a structure for supporting the gate girder (GG) the second end (7.2', 7.2") of the windhook (7', 7") does not touch said guide rail (Rail).

[0042] The lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") of each windhook (7', 7") is disposed at opposite sides of said guide rail (Rail) for touching the surface of the opposite sides of the guide rail (Rail) when emergency brake function of the vertical gate operation device is not in use.

[0043] Each windhook (7', 7") further comprises a starter tooth (7.4', 7.4"), a brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") and a nose (7.6', 7.6"), combining windlock contact surface (7.7', 7.7") and hook motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8"). The hook motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8") is a tip of the nose (7.6', 7.6"). The starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are shaped as metal cutting tools having a sharp cutting edge for cutting into another material, such as metal. The starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are made of harder material than that of the guide rail (Rail). For example, the rail is made of aluminum and the starter tooth (7.4',7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are made of steel. The starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are protruding from the windhook (7', 7") perimeter towards and through side of the guide rail (Rail) when in use and are formed so that while the lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") is touching side of the guide rail (Rail) when the gate is in operation, as well as in closed and windlocked position, both the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are at a distance from the guide rail (Rail) surface. The windhook (7', 7") nose (7.6', 7.6"), combining windlock contact surface (7.7', 7.7") and windhook motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8") is protruding toward side of the guide rail (Rail) when the gate is in emergency braking mode and touches the side of the guide rail only after the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") did cut into the side of the guide rail (Rail) and stops the rotation of windhook (7', 7") at designed braking position, preventing overloads and malfunctions of emergency brake.

[0044] The upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") are integrated in the vertical gate operation device (EB as far up the base plate (1.1) as possible. They always remain in close contact with the guide rail (Rail).

[0045] The lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers (1.32', 1.32") are integrated in the vertical gate operation device (EB), as far down, as possible. The lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers (1.32', 1.32") only meet their stationary counterparts (1.33', 1.33") just before X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) rests on stationary Z-stopper (1.33), i.e., just before the gate girder (GG) is in "closed" position, maintaining stable orientation of the gate girder (GG) at all times. The said Z-stopper is installed on stationary part of the gate. The said stationary counterparts (1.33', 1.33") can be opposite side surfaces of the stationary Z-stopper (1.33).

[0046] When gate girder (GG) is lowered so that the X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) rests on stationary Z-stopper (1.33), the downward motion of gate girder (GG) is stopped. When the manipulation cable (MC) is further released, the lower "in motion" Y-stoppers, executed as guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3") are retracted from the surface of the rail (Rail), and windhook contact surfaces (7.7', 7.7") on windhook nose (7.6', 7.6") meet their stationary counterparts and lock the gate for wind loads. The windhooks (7', 7"), when engaged in "windlock" mode, serve to prevent gate girder (GG) from lifting due to wind - induced membrane tension loads. In the closed position of the gate closure the windhooks (7', 7") are hooked onto windlock stoppers (1.34', 1.34")) which are rigid elements attached to the gate stationary structure for hooking up the windhooks contact surfaces (7.7', 7.7") of the windhook noses (7.6', 7.6"). The windhooks (7', 7") are kept hooked by downward force of the compression springs (3', 3") being transferred to the windhooks (7', 7") as a moment of forces around the axles (8', 8") rotating the windhooks (7', 7") to the closed and windlocked position.

[0047] The lower "in motion" Y-stoppers, executed as a guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3"), one per windhook (7', 7") installed on respective windhooks (7', 7"), are well clear from the guide rail (Rail) when the door is closed and windlocked, and only meet the guide rail (Rail) when weight of gate girder (GG) and weight of other parts of gate closure, resting on main girder, is supported on manipulation cables, i.e., door is being opened, kept open, or being closed.

[0048] The windhooks (7', 7") are forced to open via pulling motion induced to the interconnecting frame (4) and transferred to the windhooks (7', 7") from the interconnecting frame (4) to the windhooks (7', 7") via links (5', 5") and levers (6', 6"), i.e. the lower "in motion" Y-stoppers, executed as a guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3") are brought into contact with sides of the rail, while the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4"), the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") and the windhook noses (7.6', 7.6"), combining the hook motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8") and windhook contact surface (7.7', 7.7") are moved away from the side surfaces of the guide rail (Rail).

[0049] Compression springs (3', 3") are so selected, as to provide enough pressure for emergency brake plus contingency factor, and to be soft enough to allow full opening of windhooks (7', 7") and emergency brake, when door is being opened, kept open or being closed by manipulation cable (MC). The links (5, 5") are designed to transfer necessary forces and movements with minimum friction, minimum parts and in most efficient ways.

[0050] When the gates are being opened, kept open, or being closed, the manipulation cable (MC) acting on the manipulation cable attachment point (9) lifts the interconnecting frame (4) with respect to the base plate (1.1) and parallel to the base plate (1.1). The compression springs (3', 3") are compressed during this process. Transfer of motion and forces to levers (5', 5"), links (5', 5") and interconnecting frame (4) is arranged as depicted in Fig. 1.

[0051] The vertical gate operation device (EB) has multiple built-in redundancies for emergency braking and is designed in such a way that parts cannot move or deform past a point where exponential rise of inner forces, leading to damage and / or destruction of mechanism, starts.

[0052] The emergency braking method will be explained hereafter.

[0053] When a vertical gate is operated, i.e., being opened, kept open or being closed, the gate girder (GG) is lifted or lowered using a winch which keeps weight of gate supported on manipulation cable (MC) thus keeping the windhooks (7', 7") open and allowing the ends of the girder each having the installed gate operation device (EB) according to the invention for interfacing with the guide rail (Rail) for guiding the ends of the girder along the guide rails (Rail). Tension in the manipulation cable (MC) is greater than resistive force that the compression springs (3', 3") can develop thus the compression springs (3', 3") are compressed and stay that way while the gate is being opened, kept open or being closed.

[0054] If the tension of the manipulation cable (MC) is lost or becomes less than the force generated by the compression springs (3', 3") the compression springs (3', 3") push the interconnecting frame (4) downwards and via the links (5', 5") and the levers (6', 6") rotate the windhooks (7', 7") so that the "in motion" Y-stoppers, executed as a guiding wheels (7.3', 7.3") are retracted from sides of the guide rail (Rail) and the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the braking teeth (7.5', 7.5") of both windhooks (7', 7") are forwarded towards the sides of the guide rail (Rail) to cut into the sides of the guide rail up until the windhook motion delimiters (7.8', 7.8") of the windhook nose (7.6', 7.6") touch sides of the guide rail (Rail). This applies to only one end of the gate girder (GG) if only one manipulation cable loses operational tension, or both ends of the girder if both manipulation cables lose operational tension.

[0055] When the manipulation cable or cables lose the operational tension, the gate girder (GG) develops downward freefall motion - the gate operation device (EB) at both ends of the girder slides along respective guide rails (Rail). Springs, no longer compressed by tension of manipulation cable, start to move the interfacing frame (4) down relative to base plate (1). Combined moment from compression springs (3', 3"), inertia of moving interfacing frame (4), links (5', 5") and levers (6', 6") move the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") of each windhook (7', 7") to touch and cut in the side of the guide rail (Rail). Downward movement of gate girder (GG), moment from starter tooth cutting and "push-out" forces, inertia of moving interfacing frame (4), links (5', 5") and levers (6', 6") rotate each windhook (7', 7") to a position where the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") of each windhook (7', 7") touches the guide rail (Rail). The brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") of each windhook (7', 7"), forced towards rail by moments and forces from springs, starter tooth, inertia of moving interfacing frame (4), links (5', 5") and levers (6', 6") starts to cut in the rail. Tip (7.8', 7.8") of the windhook (7', 7") nose (7.6', 7.6") touches the guide rail (Rail), thus rotation of the windhook (7', 7") is checked at designed braking position. Sum total of moments from compression springs (3', 3"), braking and "push-out" forces of each braking tooth (7.5', 7.5") keeps each brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") fully cut-in while downward movement of gate girder (GG) is completely stopped by braking force. When downwards movement of gate girder (GG) is fully stopped, sum of moments from the compression springs (3', 3"), braking and "push-out" forces keep each brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") fully cut-in, the weight of the gate girder (GG), gate canopy, etc., is still fully supported on each brake tooth (7.5', 7.5"), i.e., gate girder (GG) and whatever parts of gate closure resting on top of it, is stopped and stabilized in safe condition.

[0056] When manipulation cables are made functional again, and tensioned, each braking tooth (7.5', 7.5") and each starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") are disengaged from the guide rail (Rail) sides by pulling the interconnecting frame (4) upwards.

[0057] The starter tooth (7.4, 7.4) on emergency brake adds a layer of redundancy: its own braking action is small, but moment, created by this braking force, significantly increases moment of forces that push the braking tooth (7.5', 7.5") towards and in to rail, thus main braking action is: a) initiated in less time, and b) less dependent on force, developed by springs, i.e., braking action is more reliably started in case springs are degraded.

[0058] Functions of gate girder (GG) "in motion" lower Y-stopper and "closed and windlocked lower Y-stopper" are separated and delegated to different parts of mechanism; thus, following advantages are gained: a) As "in motion" loads on Y-stopper are order of magnitude lower than "design wind" loads on Y-stopper in "windlocked" position, said "in motion" Y-stoppers can be made small and cheap. b) Because "in motion" and "windlocked" Y-stoppers are now independent, "in motion" lower Y-stoppers can be located whenever convenient, while "closed and windlocked" lower Y-stoppers can be placed at the very bottom of mechanism, thus: b1) vertical separation of lower and upper "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers can be maximised, therefore: b2) forces, transferred trough them - minimized, b3) both upper and lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers themselves, their supports on mechanism, and their counterparts on building structure can be made smaller and cheaper c) Large "windlocked" Y-loads at lower Y-stoppers are transferred to stationary gate frame not through guiding rail, but through dedicated local reinforcement structure, gaining further advantages: c1) as a guiding rail does not carry large point loads, it can be smaller in scantlings, and made of less strong material, i.e., lighter and cheaper c2) local reinforcement for lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper load transfer to building structure can be c2-1) large in dimensions relative to rail c2-2) made of strong material, stronger than that of rail and stronger than other parts of gate support structure if necessary. Because local reinforcement is only a small part of total structure, total cost increase due to better materials is minimal, i.e., many times less than cost reductions, mentioned in a), b1), b2), b3) and c1).

[0059] Although numerous characteristics and advantages together with structural details and features have been listed in the present description of the invention, the description is provided as an example fulfilment of the invention. Without departing from the principles of the invention, there may be changes in the details, especially in the form, size and layout, in accordance with the most widely understood meanings of the concepts and definitions used in claims.

Claims

1. A vertical gate operation device comprising windlock means, load arresting means and normal operation means characterised in that vertical gate operation device (EB) comprises a base frame (1), guiding rods (2', 2"), compression springs (3', 3"), upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22"), interconnecting frame (4), links (5', 5"), levers (6', 6"), windhooks (7', 7"), windhooks rotation axles (8', 8"), manipulation cable attachment means (9), a X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32), lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers (1.32', 1.32"), where each windhook (7', 7") comprises a lower "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3"), a starter tooth (7.4', 7.4"), a brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") and a hook nose (7.6', 7.6"), comprising windlock contact surface (7.7', 7.7") and motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8"), the vertical gate operation device (EB) further comprises a stationary Z-stopper (1.33) comprising stationary counterparts (1.33', 1.33") of the "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper (1.32', 1.32"), the vertical gate operation device (EB) further comprises windlock stoppers (1.34', 1.34"), where the stationary Z-stopper (1.33) and the windlock stoppers (1.34', 1.34") both are part of the device according to the invention but separated from the base plate (1).

2. A vertical gate operation device according to claim 1, where the base frame (1) comprises upper support means (1.2', 1.2"), and lower support means (1.3', 1.3"), where the compression springs (3', 3"), the guiding rods (2', 2"), the interconnecting frame (4), the links (5', 5") and the levers (6', 6") are accommodated between the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and the lower support means (1.3', 1.3"), where each upper support means (1.2', 1.2") comprises an upper Y-stopper (1.22', 1.22") and each upper support means (1.2', 1.2") are attached to a base plate (1.1) of the base frame (1) at a distance one from another forming a gap (1.21) between them along a center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1), where each lower support means (1.3', 1.3") are attached to the base plate (1.1) at a distance from one another forming a gap (1.31) between them along the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1), and each lower support means (1.3', 1.3") comprises a lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper (1.32', 1.32"), where each windhook (7', 7") comprises a first end (7.1', 7.1 ") and a second end (7.2',7.2") disposed as opposite ends with respect to the axis of the windhooks rotation axle (8', 8"), the first end (7.1', 7.1") comprises an "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as aguiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") which is rotationally secured on an axle which is attached to the first end (7.1', 7.1‴) of the windhook (7', 7"), where the circumferential surface of the "in motion" Y-stopper, executed as guiding wheel (7.3', 7.3") protrudes from perimeter of the body of the windhooks (7', 7"), each windhook (7', 7") further comprises a starter tooth (7.4', 7.4"), a brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") and a nose (7.6', 7.6"), combining motion delimiter (7.8', 7.8") and windlock contact surface (7.7', 7.7"), where the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") of each windhook (7', 7") are protruding from perimeter of respective windhook (7', 7") towards to a respective opposite windhook (7', 7"), and the windhook (7', 7") nose (7.6', 7.6") of each windhook (7', 7") is protruding from a respective windhook (7', 7") towards opposite respective windhook (7', 7"), where the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") and the nose (7.6', 7.6") of each windhook (7', 7") are protruding towards a plane of center axis (CA) where the plane is at right angle to the base plate (1.1), where the interconnecting frame (4) comprises main body (4.1) positioned in front of front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1) at a distance from the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1) forming a gap, the main body further comprises a back face (4.11) which is positioned parallel to the front surface (1.14) of the base plate (1.1), the main body (4.1) is positioned parallel and along the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) so that the main body (4.1) is disposed symmetrically along both sides of the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) forming first and second symmetrical parts (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1), where each symmetrical part (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1) comprise a part (4.21 ', 4.21 ") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) having first end (4.211', 4.211") adjacent to the respective upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and configured for abutting the upper support means (1.2', 1.2") as means for delimiting upwards motion path of the interconnecting frame (4), each part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) further comprises a second end (4.212', 4.212") adjacent to the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3") the second ends (4.212', 4.212") are rigidly connected forming a uniform body (4.1), each part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) further comprises a holder (4.213', 4.213") for the respective guiding rod (2', 2"), the holders (4.213', 4.213") accommodates the guiding rods (2', 2") for a longitudinal travel along the holders (4.213', 4.213") as well as are guides for the guiding rods (2', 2"), the guiding rods (2', 2") pass through at least two parts of the respective holder (4.213', 4.213"), where each symmetrical part (4.2', 4.2") of the main body (4.1) further comprises a part (4.22', 4.22") protruding from the part (4.21', 4.21") adjacent and parallel to the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and protruding into direction away from the plane perpendicular to the center axis (AC) of the base plate (1.1), where each compression spring (3', 3") is supported between respective protruding part (4.22', 4.22") and respective upper support means (1.2', 1.2") and are axially parallel one to another, where each protruding part (4.22', 4.22") further comprises a point (4.223', 4.223") for connecting a link (5', 5"), the connecting point (4.223', 4.223") is disposed at any point on the protruding part (4.22', 4.22") below the compression springs (3', 3"), each link (5', 5") at first end (5.1', 5.1") is connected to the respective point (4.223', 4.223") of the respective protruding part (4.22', 4.22") each link (5', 5") at second end (5.2', 5.2") is connected to respective first end (6.1', 6.1") of the respective lever (6', 6"), each lever (6', 6") at its second end (6.2', 6.2") is connected to respective windhook (7', 7") via a respective rotation axle (8', 8") interlocking said levers (6', 6") with respective axles (8', 8"), the rotation axles (8', 8") are supported by the respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3"), first end of each rotation axle (8', 8") is rigidly connected to the second end (6.2', 6.2") of the respective lever (6', 6") and second end of the respective rotation axle (8', 8") is rigidly connected to the windhook (7', 7").

3. A vertical gate operation device according to claim 1 or 2, where each lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stopper (1.32', 1.32") is a surface of respective lower support means (1.3', 1.3").

4. A vertical gate operation device according to any one of the previous claims, where the base plate (1.1) comprises a through cut-out (1.12) for accommodating part of the manipulation cable attachment means (9).

5. A vertical gate operation device according to any one of the previous claims, where the base plate (1.1) comprises further cut-outs (1.13', 1.13") for accommodating at least part of compression springs (3', 3").

6. A vertical gate operation device according to any one of the previous claims, where the upper Y-stoppers (1.22', 1.22") are integrated in the vertical gate operation device (EB) as far up the base plate (1.1) as possible, and the lower "closed and windlocked" Y-stoppers (1.32', 1.32") are integrated in the vertical gate operation device (EB), as far down, as possible.

7. A vertical gate operation device according to any one of the previous claims, where the X-stopper / Z-stopper, executed as a guiding wheel (1.32) is positioned between the lower support means (1.3', 1.3"), in front of the center axis (CA) of the base plate (1.1) and in front of the base plate (1.1) front.

8. A vertical gate operation device according to any one of the previous claims, where the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are shaped as metal cutting tools having a sharp cutting edge for cutting into another material, where the starter tooth (7.4', 7.4") and the brake tooth (7.5', 7.5") are made of harder material than that of a guide rail (Rail).

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