SLIDING GATE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTORIZED LEAF

Abstract

SLIDING GATE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTORIZED LEAF The invention relates to a gate (1) comprising at least: - front and rear posts (10, 20) joined at a distance from each other to define a passageway (PC) between them; - a leaf (40) mounted to slide along said posts (10, 20) between at least one opening position of said passageway (PC), in which its front end is located near said rear post (20), and a closing position of said passageway (PC), in which its front end cooperates with said front post (10); - motorized means (50) for moving said leaf (40) between said opening position and said closing position. According to the invention, the motorized means (50) are housed inside a hollow upright (400) of the leaf (40), located at its front or rear end, and comprise a projecting support wheel (51). of said amount (400). Abbreviated figure: [Fig.2B]

Description

Title of the invention: SLIDING GATE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTORIZED LEAF 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of sliding gates.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to such a gate equipped with a motorized leaf. 2. Prior art

[0003] Gates are classically used to allow or prevent, depending on whether they are open or closed, access to an enclosed area such as a fenced field.

[0004] Current gates are essentially divided into two groups, namely swing gates and sliding gates.

[0005] Swing gates generally comprise one or two leaves, arranged between two posts defining a passageway. This or these leaves are mounted to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the posts to which they are attached between an open position of the passageway and a closed position of the passageway.

[0006] According to a different approach, sliding gates generally comprise a sliding leaf mounted along two posts defining a passageway, between an opening position of the passageway and a closing position of the passageway.

[0007] Sliding gates can be divided into two subgroups: self-supporting gates and sliding gates on rails. The choice of installing one type of sliding gate rather than the other is generally made based on the available space for retraction, the number of passages per day, ground level constraints, and the risk of contamination of the rolling elements by sand or similar substances.

[0008] A self-supporting gate comprises a front post and a rear post defining a passageway. It includes a gate leaf with a hollow lower beam along the underside of which a longitudinal opening is provided. Two plates carrying guide rollers for vertical axes of rotation and guide rollers for horizontal axes of rotation rest on the ground, one approximately at the level of the rear post and the other upstream of it. These guide rollers are housed inside the lower beam of the gate leaf. The lower beam extends upstream of the barred portion of the gate leaf, that is, the portion comprising the bars. Its rear end is connected to the rear end of the upper beam of the door leaf by means of an oblique reinforcing beam. The door leaf is thus mounted in a cantilevered position.

[0009] A sliding gate on a rail comprises a front post and a rear post defining a passageway. It also comprises a guide rail that extends along the passageway and forward of the rear post for a distance substantially equal to the length of the passageway. A gate leaf rests on guide wheels (called load-bearing wheels) that cooperate with the guide rail. It can thus be slid along the posts between an open position of the passageway and a closed position of the passageway.

[0010] Nowadays, motorized sliding gates are increasingly common and offer numerous advantages. Such motorization allows, for example, the opening and closing of the gate remotely via a wired or wireless control device. The person with the remote control can thus open the gate without having to leave their vehicle, for instance. This translates into improved comfort and safety for the individual.

[0011] Motorized sliding gates on rails generally include a motorized unit, installed on the ground, carrying a toothed wheel that cooperates with a rack mounted on the gate leaf. By actuating the motorized unit, the gate leaf is thus moved between the open and closed positions, and vice versa.

[0012] However, this technique is not entirely satisfactory. For example, due to their arrangement, the motorized unit and the rack are more susceptible to damage, even unintentional. More specifically, an external object can become lodged in the rack and disrupt, or even prevent, the movement of the door leaf. Furthermore, the combination of the motorized unit, rack, and door leaf presents ongoing assembly and adjustment difficulties.

[0013] There is therefore a need to provide a gate motorization technique which is in particular durable, compact and can be implemented on different types of sliding gates. 3. Summary of the proposed technique

[0014] The proposed technique relates to a portal comprising at least: - a front post and at least one rear post intended to be joined at a distance from each other to define a passageway between them; - a guide rail extending along the traffic passage at least from one of the posts to the other; - a sliding gate mounted along posts between at least one opening position of the passageway, in which its front end is located near at least one rear post, and a closing position of the passageway, in which its front end cooperates with the front post, - motorized means of moving the leaf between said at least one opening position and the closing position, and vice versa.

[0015] According to the proposed technique, the motorized means are housed inside a hollow post of the leaf, located at its front or rear end, and include a carrier wheel protruding from the post so as to be in contact with the guide rail.

[0016] By relocating them to the interior space of the gate leaf's upright (front or rear), the motorized means are concealed and thus better protected from potential impacts and / or hazards that may be caused by surrounding elements (vehicles, bicycles, inclement weather, etc.). This also results in a reduction of the gate's overall size.

[0017] The proposed technique also eliminates the need for a rack and pinion system. It therefore simplifies the structure of the motorized components. This results in quick and easy installation of the gate, as well as simple maintenance.

[0018] According to a particular feature of the proposed technique, the leaf carries at least one photovoltaic module for supplying electrical energy to the motorized means.

[0019] The implementation of at least one such photovoltaic module allows the gate to minimize its consumption of electrical energy from an external source, or even to guarantee its electrical autonomy. This therefore contributes to environmental protection.

[0020] According to a particular implementation of this feature, the leaf has an upper surface, extending along a substantially horizontal plane, on which said at least one photovoltaic module is arranged.

[0021] Contrary to what a person skilled in the art might expect, such an arrangement optimizes the efficiency of the photovoltaic module(s) and thus reduces reliance on external electrical power. Indeed, this arrangement ensures that the photovoltaic module(s) are functional when the sun is at its zenith, regardless of the gate's orientation. Furthermore, this arrangement eliminates the need for photovoltaic modules positioned on the gate's lateral faces, which are more susceptible to damage, such as impacts, due to their location.

[0022] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the hollow stile of the door leaf further houses at least one electrical energy storage unit, the electrical energy storage unit being connected to the motorized means and to a first connector for recharging the electrical energy storage unit. Furthermore, the front post, or the rear post, includes a second connector The second connector is connected to a power source for recharging the electrical energy storage unit of the gate leaf. The first connector is further configured to cooperate with the second connector when the gate leaf is in the closed or open position, respectively.

[0023] Such an arrangement ensures automatic recharging of the electrical energy storage unit when the gate leaf is stationary (in the open or closed position depending on the gate design). This notably contributes to guaranteeing the gate's longevity by ensuring continuous operation of its electrical components.

[0024] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the leaf jamb includes on one of its walls a removable cover for inserting the motorized means inside the jamb.

[0025] Such a removable cover makes it possible, in particular, to simplify the assembly of the leaf components, and therefore, by extension, that of the gate. This translates, in particular, into a reduction in the physical strain on the operator dedicated to this operation.

[0026] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the gate further includes means for locking the leaf to the front post in the closed position, and a first part of the locking means is housed inside the leaf post.

[0027] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the gate further includes means for detecting an obstacle through the passageway, and a first part of the detection means is housed inside the gate post.

[0028] Such obstacle detection systems make it possible, in particular, to prevent or interrupt the movement of the gate leaf in the closed position if an obstacle (person or object) is likely to be struck by the leaf during its movement. This results in improved safety for the gate and its surroundings. Consequently, it also improves the gate's durability.

[0029] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the gate further includes a handling handle, and the motorized means can be disengaged so as to allow manual movement of the leaf.

[0030] Such an arrangement allows the user to open the gate from both inside and outside the property in the event of a power outage, for example. This provides a degree of continued, albeit degraded, operation of the gate.

[0031] According to another particular feature of the proposed technique, the leaf jamb has a height of at least 1.25 m. 4. List of Figures

[0032] The proposed technique, as well as the various advantages it presents, will be more easily understood in the light of the following description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, and of the attached drawings among which: - [Fig.1A], [Fig.1B] and [Fig.1C]: figures IA to IC illustrate, according to different views, a sliding gate, in the closed position, comprising a motorized leaf conforming to a first embodiment of the proposed technique; - [Fig.lA]: [Fig.lA] is a perspective view of the sliding gate; - [Fig.1B]: [Fig.1B] is a front view of the sliding gate; and - [Fig.lC]: [Fig.lC] is a top view of the sliding gate; - [Fig. 2A] and [Fig. 2B]: Figures 2A and 2B illustrate, according to perspective views, assembled and exploded respectively, of the front upright of the motorized leaf of figures lA to IC; - [Fig. 3]: [Fig. 3] illustrates, in perspective view, a front post of the sliding gate shown in figures IA to IC; and - [Fig.4]: [Fig.4] illustrates, from a top view, a sliding gate including a motorized leaf conforming to a second embodiment of the proposed technique. 5. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] For the sake of clarity, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals in the different figures. These same elements are designated by the same reference numerals in the different figures, to which the symbol "'" is added incrementally between each embodiment.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms orientation and positioning are subsequently used with arbitrarily specific reference to an installed position of the sliding gate, when the gate is fixed, directly or indirectly, to the ground and extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the ground, so as to be positioned substantially vertically. In other words, the "front" and "rear" of the gate are defined according to the direction of movement of its leaf. Thus, the leaf moves towards the front of the gate when it is brought to its closed position, while it moves towards the rear of the gate when it is brought to its open position.

[0035] 5.1 General Principle

[0036] As mentioned above, sliding gates on guide rails are known, comprising a motorized unit, installed on the ground, carrying a toothed wheel that cooperates with a rack mounted on the gate leaf. This arrangement allows the gate leaf to be moved between the open and closed positions of the passageway, and vice versa.

[0037] Seeking to improve the durability of the motorization of such sliding gates, the inventors of the proposed technique identified, at the cost of a non- Obviously, a technique that exploits the very structure of the door leaf to support all the motorized means.

[0038] The general principle of the proposed technique consists of arranging the motorized means inside a hollow post, located at the front end of the leaf, while allowing the carrier wheel to protrude from the post so as to be in contact with the guide rail.

[0039] 5.2 Description of an illustrative embodiment

[0040] A first embodiment of the proposed technique is subsequently illustrated, treated as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, in support of figures IA to 3.

[0041] More specifically, Figures IA to IC illustrate, from different views, a complete sliding gate on a rail in the closed position. Figures 2A and 2B are assembled and exploded views, respectively, showing the front jamb of the gate leaf in isolation. Finally, [Fig. 3] is a view showing the front post of the sliding gate in isolation.

[0042] In this embodiment, the gate 1 comprises a front post 10 and two rear posts 20. The front post 10 is intended to be joined at a distance from the rear posts 20 to define a traffic passage PC.

[0043] The gate 1 conventionally comprises a guide rail 30 extending along the passageway PC at least from one to the other of the front and rear posts 10, 20. Preferably, the guide rail 30 has a length corresponding to twice the length of the passageway PC, so that

[0044] The front and rear posts 10, 20 and the guide rail 30 are attached to a concrete threshold (not shown) poured for this purpose in the ground approximately from one post to the other.

[0045] The gate comprises a leaf 40. This leaf 40 is mounted to slide between the two rear posts 20 (located on either side of the leaf) and opposite the front post 10, 20. The guide rail 30 and the leaf 40 are therefore placed in a plane (not shown) located between the rear posts 20 and passing through the front post 10. This leaf 40 is mounted to slide between at least one opening position of said passageway PC, in which its front end is located near the rear posts 20, and a closing position of the passageway PC, in which its front end cooperates with the front post 10, as illustrated in Figures IA to IC.

[0046] The door leaf 40 comprises a hollow frame. This hollow frame comprises a front stile 400, a rear stile 410, a lower beam 420, and an upper beam 430 connected together to form the frame, which in this embodiment has an essentially rectangular shape. A panel is arranged within the frame so as to define a solid door leaf.

[0047] The gate 1 also includes guide means (not referenced) carried by the rear posts 20. These guide means include, in this example, a plurality of rotating rollers which contribute to the translational guidance of the upper beam 430 along the sliding axis of the leaf 40, as well as to the translational blocking along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis orthogonal to the sliding axis of the leaf.

[0048] The gate 1 further includes motorized means 50 for moving the leaf 40 between the open position and the closed position, and vice versa.

[0049] According to the proposed technique, the motorized means 50 for moving the leaf 40 are housed inside the upright 400 before this same leaf 40, that is to say arranged in the hollow space of the upright 400.

[0050] The motorized means 50 comprise an electric motor 52 configured to drive in rotation a carrier wheel 51 around an axis of rotation essentially horizontal and orthogonal to the sliding axis of the leaf 40.

[0051] The support wheel 51 partially protrudes from the upright 400, as illustrated in [Fig.1A] in particular, in order to cooperate with the guide rail 30 and ensure the movement of the leaf 40 along its sliding axis.

[0052] In the illustrated example, the leaf 40 is also supported by an auxiliary, non-motorized support wheel, located elsewhere than at the front of the lower beam, also cooperating with the guide rail 30 to ensure efficient sliding of the leaf 40. Obviously, depending on the length of the leaf in particular, several auxiliary support wheels may be necessary, or on the contrary none.

[0053] In this embodiment, the front post 400 of the leaf 40 houses various other devices and / or mechanisms, detailed below, contributing to the operation of the gate 1, which is particularly useful for reducing its size, for example.

[0054] More specifically, the front post 400 of the leaf 40 houses an electrical energy storage unit 60 functionally connected to the motorized means 50 and to a first connector Cl for recharging this electrical energy storage unit 60, as illustrated in [Fig.2B] in particular.

[0055] In addition, the front post 10 houses a second connector C2 for recharging this same electrical energy storage unit 60, as illustrated in [Fig.3]. This second connector C2 is connected to at least one external electrical power supply source (not shown).

[0056] Thus, when the leaf 40 is in the closed position, the connectors Cl, C2 cooperate so that the external electrical power supply ensures the recharging of the electrical energy storage unit 60. In other words, the electrical energy storage unit 60 is automatically recharged when the leaf 40 is in the closed position.

[0057] In the illustrated example, the front post 10 includes a socket (not shown), of the "plug & play" type (in Anglo-Saxon terminology), for connection to the external electrical power supply. The electrical connection of the gate 1 is therefore relatively easy, even for ordinary individuals without electrical qualifications and / or automation skills.

[0058] A transformer is also provided to adjust the voltage of the external electrical power supply source to that of the electrical energy storage unit.

[0059] Furthermore, this embodiment provides for the implementation of a disengagement mechanism for the motorized means 50, and in particular for its support wheel 51, as well as a handle for manipulating the gate leaf 40. Such a disengagement mechanism is particularly useful in the event of a failure of the motor 52 or the electrical energy storage unit 60, to allow manual movement of the gate leaf. Such a disengagement mechanism is also useful in the event of an interruption of service of the external electrical power supply, typically the electrical grid.

[0060] In this embodiment, the gate 1 also includes locking means 70 configured to lock the leaf 40 to the front post 10 when the leaf is in the closed position.

[0061] More specifically, the locking means 70 comprise a first part 71, housed inside the jamb 400 of the leaf 40, and a second part 72, housed inside the front post 10.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the locking means 70 include a movable bolt, projecting from the jamb 400 of the leaf 40, configured to fit together with a complementary portion located inside the front post 10, in the closed position.

[0063] The locking means 70 can also be controlled electrically, via a radio or wired control device, or manually, via a key inserted into a lock.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the portal 1 includes means for detecting an obstacle through the traffic passage PC.

[0065] More specifically, the detection means 80 comprise a first part 81, housed inside the upright 400 of the leaf 40, and a second part 82, housed inside the front post 10.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the first part 81 of the detection means 80 is a photocell configured to emit and receive infrared signals and the second part 82 of these same detection means 80 is a cell configured to reflect the infrared signal emitted by the photocell 81.

[0067] In this embodiment, the front post 400 of the leaf 40 carries a signaling device 100 configured to emit a light signal when the leaf 40 slides from the opening position to the closing position, or vice versa.

[0068] In the illustrated example, the signaling device 100 is located at the upper end of the upright 400 and forms a sealing cover for it.

[0069] In order to simplify the assembly of the leaf, and more particularly of all or part of the devices and / or mechanisms housed in the front post 400, the latter includes on one of its walls a removable cover 401.

[0070] In the illustrated example, the stile 400 of the gate leaf 40 has a height H400 of 1.25 m. This is the minimum height required to accommodate the various devices and / or mechanisms detailed above within the stile 400. Naturally, the height of the stile 400 can be increased, particularly depending on the privacy and security requirements of the property where the gate is to be installed.

[0071] Moreover, in this example, the removable cover 401 forms the entirety of one wall of the upright 400, namely the one intended to come into contact with the front post 10. Such an arrangement makes it easier in particular to insert the elements inside the upright 400.

[0072] In this embodiment, the gate 1 includes guide means 110 for the leaf 40 in the closed position. Such an arrangement makes it possible, in particular, to guarantee alignment of the first and second parts 71, 72 of the locking means 70 as well as of the first and second connectors Cl, C2 for recharging the electrical energy storage unit.

[0073] In the illustrated example, the guiding means 110 include a lug 111, carried by the upright 400 of the leaf 40, configured to fit into a complementary recess 112, provided in the front post 10, in the closed position.

[0074] 5.2 Other embodiment(s) illustrated

[0075] Fig. 4 illustrates, from a top view, an automatic gate conforming to a second embodiment of the proposed technique.

[0076] This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment by the use of photovoltaic modules. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, only the differences from the first embodiment are described below.

[0077] In this second embodiment, the gate 1' is equipped with a plurality of photovoltaic modules 90 arranged on the upper surface 431' of the upper beam 430' of the leaf 40'.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the upper surface 431' of the upper beam 430' supports two photovoltaic modules 90. Each photovoltaic module here has a length of 900mm and a width of 60mm.

[0079] Obviously, the number of photovoltaic modules and / or their dimensions are determined in particular according to the dimensions of the upper beam of the leaf.

[0080] 5.3 Other embodiments not illustrated and variant embodiments

[0081] In the illustrated examples, a panel is arranged in the frame so as to define a solid leaf. In variations, the leaf could also consist of a barred grille.

[0082] In the illustrated examples, the frame has an essentially rectangular shape. In variations, the frame could also be arched or gendarme's hat shaped.

[0083] In the second illustrated embodiment, the photovoltaic modules are arranged on the upper surface of the leaf edge. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the photovoltaic modules can be arranged on at least one of the lateral sides of the vertical panel of the leaf, or even replace it.

[0084] In another embodiment, not shown, the second connector, for recharging the electrical energy storage unit of the gate leaf, is housed in the rear post of the gate. In this way, the electrical energy storage unit is recharged when the first and second connectors cooperate in the open position of the gate leaf. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the gate is intended to be installed in a location with heavy traffic.

[0085] In other embodiments, not illustrated, in order to reduce costs in particular, the gate may be devoid of all or part of the following elements: disengagement mechanism of the motorized means, locking means, guiding means, signaling device, removable cover and means for detecting an obstacle.

[0086] Obviously, the proposed technique is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that a person skilled in the art may consider within the framework of the proposed technique, and in particular all combinations of the different embodiments described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

[0087] Depending on various aspects, the proposed technique therefore offers all or part of the following advantages, depending on the embodiments chosen: - to guarantee a long lifespan for the portal;

[0088] - allow for a limited footprint of the leaf, and a fortiori of the gate;

[0089] - to propose a versatile solution (motorized and / or manual);

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093]

[0094]

[0095] - propose an ergonomic solution; - limit the environmental impact of the gate; - propose a structurally simple gate; - propose an energy-autonomous gate; - guarantee easy installation of the gate for the operator; - etc.

Claims

Demands

1. Gate (1, 1') comprising at least: - a front post (10) and at least one rear post (20) intended to be joined at a distance from each other to define between them a passageway (PC); - a guide rail (30) extending along said passageway (PC) at least from one to the other of said posts (10, 20);- a leaf (40), comprising a hollow frame, mounted to slide along said posts (10, 20) between at least one opening position of said passageway (PC), in which its front end is located near said at least one rear post (20), and a closing position of said passageway (PC), in which its front end cooperates with said front post (10), - motorized means (50) for moving said leaf (40) between said at least one opening position and said closing position, and vice versa, characterized in that said motorized means (50) are housed inside an upright (400) of the hollow frame of said leaf (40), located at its front or rear end, and comprise a load-bearing wheel (51) projecting from said upright (400) so as to be in contact with said guide rail (30).;

2. Gate (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that said leaf (40) carries at least one photovoltaic module (90) for supplying said motorized means (50) with electrical energy.

3. Gate (1, 1') according to claim 2, characterized in that said leaf (40) has an upper surface (431), extending along a substantially horizontal plane, on which is disposed said at least one photovoltaic module (90).

4. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said hollow post (400) of the gate leaf (40) further houses at least one electrical energy storage unit (60), said electrical energy storage unit (60) being connected to said motorized means (50) and to a first connector (C1) for recharging said electrical energy storage unit (60), and in that said front post (10), or said rear post (20), comprises a second connector (C2) for recharging said electrical energy storage unit (60) of said leaf (40), said second connector (C2) being connected to at least one electrical power supply source, said first connector (Cl) being configured to cooperate with said second connector (C2) when said leaf (40) is in the closed position, or in the open position respectively.

5. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said upright (400) of the leaf (40) includes on one of its walls a removable cover (401) for inserting said motorized means (50) inside said upright (400).

6. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises locking means (70) for said leaf (40) to said front post (10) in the closed position, and in that a first part (71) of said locking means (70) is housed inside said upright (400) of the leaf (40)

7. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises means for detecting (80) an obstacle through said passageway (PC), and in that a first part (81) of said detection means (80) is housed inside said upright (400) of the gate leaf (40).

8. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said gate (40) includes a handling handle and in that said motorized means (50) are disengageable so as to allow manual movement of said gate (40).

9. Gate (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said post (400) of the leaf (40) has a height (H400) of at least 1.25 m.

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