A gate arm part for modular gate arm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gate arm part for a modular gate arm for a loading bay gate comprising: a first arm and a second arm connected to form a substantially L-shaped frame. At least one brace connects the first arm to the second arm. A plate extends laterally from an outer region of least one of the arms and is coplanar with a plane defined by the L-shaped frame. The plate has at least one pivot aperture for receiving a bar about which the gate arm part pivots.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to gate arm part that is connected to another gate arm part to form a modular gate arm for supporting a loading bay gate. Background Secure loading bays are provided on construction sites to safely store materials prior to use. The loading bays provide a platform with a pivoting gate mounted on gate arms that is lifted to gain access to load materials on to the platform from one side, keeping the leading edge protection in place by the handrail dropping into position at the opposite side of the loading bay. Due to the size of materials stored, the gate arms needs to be a length that corresponds to the size of materials. As a result the gate arms are large and awkward items that take a up storage space when not in use that makes them more likely to get damaged and can be difficult to manoeuvre into position in some locations due to their length. The present invention overcomes these problems. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a gate arm part for a modular gate arm for a loading bay gate comprising: a first arm and a second arm connected to form a substantially L-shaped frame; at least one brace connects the first arm to the second arm; a plate extends laterally from an outer region of at least one of the arms and is coplanar with a plane defined by the L-shaped frame, wherein the plate has at least one pivot aperture for receiving a bar about which the gate arm part pivots. In use, two gate arm parts are connected together on the bar (pivot bar) to form a modular M-shaped gate arm that pivots about the bar. A pair of modular gate arms support a gate to loading bay platform. Advantageously by forming each gate arm from modular parts the storage space required for the gate arms is less and the gate arms can be more easily and safely moved into position and transported. The first arm and a second arm are connected at a corner to provide the substantially L-shaped frame. In a preferred embodiment the arms are joined at a 90° corner to form the L-shaped frame. In preferred embodiments each arm of the L-shaped frame is the same length. The two arms that form the L-shaped frame have a brace extending therebetween. The brace provides structural strength to the gate arm part. The two arms of the frame define a plane in which the gate arm pivots from a first closed position to a second open position. The gate arm pivots about the bar that is in an axis perpendicular to the plane of the L-shaped frame. The plate extends laterally in the plane of the frame from the side of one of the arms. This means that the L-shaped frame and the plate are coplanar. The plate is provided at a distal end of one of the arms. In a preferred embodiment the plate is arranged to provide a flat surface that abuts a second plate on a second gate arm plate. To permit engagement between the plates of two gate arm parts, the plate is provided on a front or rear face of the first arm and extends laterally to the side. In this way the flat surface of two plates of two separate gate arm parts can be presented one to another to form a close connection whereby the resulting modular gate arm supports a gate and pivots from a first closed position to the second open position by rotation about the bar. The plate has pivot apertures through which the bar is received. Preferably the pivot apertures are round for receiving a round cross section bar so that the gate arm part can rotate about the bar. For example the bar may also be formed from round steel tubing, such as scaffold tube. In a preferred embodiment the bar, or pivot bar, has a cuff that may be a continuous raised ring welded onto an outer surface of the pivot bar so that the bar can only pass through the pivot aperture to the point that the cuff contacts the pivot aperture. The cuff acts to locate the bar in a fixed position so that it extends from either side of the pivot aperture a specified amount. In a preferred embodiment the cuff is positioned on the pivot bar so that there is a long end and a short end. This enables the short end to be connected to a scaffold structure of the loading bay and the long end has enough length to receive both gate arm parts and receive a cover cap or secure fitting. In some embodiments the cuff may be discontinuous, for example a raised node, or a series of raised nodes around the bar. In some embodiments a cover cap or secure fitting is received onto at least one end of the bar. Preferably the external facing end of the bar has a cover cap, but it is appreciated that both bar ends may include a cover cap. In some embodiments the pivot aperture may include a bearing to permit rotation and thereby to optionally be adapted to accept a bar of a different cross section, such as box section. In some embodiments the pivot aperture may include a ratchet mechanism to enable incremental movement. In some embodiments the pivot aperture may include a damper mechanism to allow the gate to slowly close from an open position to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment the plate has at least two pivot apertures to provide different configurations when two gate arm parts are connected to the same bar. Preferably the pivot apertures are spaced along a line to alter the spacing between two gate arm parts when connected together. The spacing between the two gate arm parts and therefore the length of the modular gate arm when assembled from two parts, is variable depending upon which pivot apertures on each part receive the bar. Advantageously this allows the gate arm parts to be used in different sized loading bay depths, removing the requirement for gate arms of different sizes. Preferably the gate arm parts are made in a size to fit traditional loading bay depths, however, it is appreciated that the gate arm parts may be made in different sizes to accommodate any size loading bay depth. Advantageously the gate arm parts are shaped and dimensioned so that when received on the pivot bar through the corresponding pivot apertures that form the desired gate arm length, the gate arm that is formed is correctly balanced for easy opening and closing. In a preferred embodiment the at least one pivot aperture has a collar extending from a face of each pivot aperture through the plate to define an elongate channel through which the bar is received. The collar extends from the face that is opposed to the flat surface that is presented to an adjacent plate. Preferably the collar is no deeper than the depth of the frame to allow easy stacking when the gate arm parts are stored and moved. In a preferred embodiment the collar length is at least 40mm and preferably 50mm. In this way two aligned collars on two separate gate arm parts create an elongate channel of 100mm when assembled. Advantageously, this gives stability to the gate arm parts at the point of rotation about the bar, firstly when erecting a gate arm formed from two individual gate arm parts and secondly when in use with the connecting guard rails, kick board and debris mesh to the front and back. In preferred embodiments the plate on each gate arm part has a plurality of connecting holes for receiving connecting pins or lugs. The pin or lug may be any suitable component that can be received through and retained in the hole to prevent movement. For example a pin may be a bolt. In this way a connecting hole on a first gate arm part can be aligned with a connecting hole on a second adjacent gate arm part, and a pin received through the two aligned connecting holes to lock the two gate arm parts together in a fixed position. The arrangement of the holes on each plate sets the angle at which the gate arm parts are locked together at the plates to form the M-shaped gate arm. Preferably the hole locations are arranged relative to each pivot aperture so that both gate arm parts can be arranged at selected angles relative to each other. The selection of the holes on each plate that are to be aligned to receive a pin / lug dictates the angle at which the two modular arms are set to form the gate arm. The shallower depth of gate arm requires a more acute angle between two gate arm parts to maintain the open gate rail height. In preferred embodiments the gate arm part is formed from round steel tubing such as scaffold tubes, to provide a strong and durable part. Advantageously by using scaffold tube, scaffold fittings can easily be connected to receive the leading edge rails and other framework formed from scaffolding to create the loading bay. It is appreciated that the tube can be replaced by box section, or the like, with pre fitted couplers to receive the leading edge rails etc. Preferably the gate arm is formed from two identical gate arm parts. Advantageously this minimises costs for fabrication since only one part is required. Furthermore, the parts are easier to store when not in use as they take up less space than a traditional gate arm and the gate arm parts are less likely to get damaged as they are smaller and therefore easier to manoeuvre. Additionally if a gate arm is damaged, it may be possible to replace only one gate arm part on the gate arm, rather than replacing both. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of two L-shaped gate arm parts assembled to form an M-shaped gate arm for an eight board depth loading platform; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of two L-shaped gate arm parts assembled to form an M-Shaped gate arm for a six board depth loading platform; Figure 3 shows preferred dimensions of a plate and pivot apertures; Figure 4 shows two gate arm parts stacked in a storage stillage; Figure 5 shows a side view of two connected gate arm parts mounted on a pivot bar to form a six board depth loading bay gate arm in the open position; Figure 6 shows a side view of two connected gate arm parts mounted on a pivot bar to form a gate arm in a partially open position; Figure 7 shows a close up view of two connected plates; and Figure 8 a front view of the connection at the two plates when mounted on the bar that is supported by a framework. Detailed Description of Figures The Figures show a preferred embodiment of the gate arm part 100 and examples of two gate arm parts 100 connected together to form a complete gate arm 200. Like parts have like references. Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic views of gate arm parts 100 configured to form gate arms 200. Figures 4 to 8 show the gate arm part 100 with a frame 15 and brace 20 formed from lengths of round steel tubing welded together and with a flat plate 30 of sheet steel welded to a distal part of the arm 10. Each gate arm part 100 has two arms 10A, 10B that together form the L-shaped frame 15. A brace 20 is provided and welded between the two arms 10A, 10B. At a distal end 11 of one arm 10 there is provided a plate 30. The plate 30 is a planar rectangular sheet that is welded to a face of the arm 10 presenting a flat outer surface that engages with the flat outer face of a plate 30 on a second gate arm part 100 when assembled. The plate 30 has two pivot apertures 31, 32. The pivot apertures 31, 32 are provided in a line X-X (see Figure 3). Pivot aperture 31 is at a distal most point with respect to the arm 10. Pivot aperture 32 is closer to the proximal end 12 of the arm 10. Figures 1,2 and 3 show preferred dimensions of the gate arm part 100 that will accommodate traditional loading bay platform sizes that are most commonly six or eight scaffold boards deep and allow for the correct standard leading edge protection guardrail height. It is appreciated that the gate arm parts may be made in a variety of different sizes to accommodate different uses and requirements. When two gate arm parts 100 are joined by a bar 300 passing through pivot apertures 31, a gate arm 200 with the largest span is formed. In this pictured embodiment shown in Figure 1 this is a span that corresponds to a depth of eight scaffold boards. Preferably the bar 300 is designed with a correct sized and positioned cuff (not shown in the Figures) that is preferably a raised ring welded onto an outer surface of the pivot bar so that the bar 300 can only pass through the pivot aperture to the point that the cuff contacts the pivot aperture. In this way the bar can only be fitted in a desired way that has a short externally projecting end (in relation the loading bay) and long end that extends into the loading bay. This enables the short end to be connected to a scaffold structure of the loading bay and the long end has enough length to receive both gate arm parts and receive a cover cap or secure fitting. An end of the bar 300 has a cover cap 310 (see Figure 5) or secure fitting 310 (see Figure 8). In this arrangement (Figure 1) the height when open as pictured is 1995mm. When two gate arm parts 100 are joined by a bar 300 passing through pivot apertures 32, a gate arm 200 with the shortest span is formed. In this pictured embodiment shown in Figure 2 this is a span that corresponds to a depth of six scaffold boards. In this arrangement (Figure 2) the height when open as pictured is 1950mm. The height dimension shown is the minimum head height from the working platform to the underside of the lowest guard rail. Each arm is a set length to allow the correct height leading edge rails to be fitted. The brace 20 connects at 290mm from the distal ends 11 of each arm 10A, 10B. The length in the pictured embodiment from the centre of the pivot apertures 31, 32 to the distal end 11 of the arms 10A, 10B is 1095mm. The distance between the proximal end 12 of the arms 10A, 10B and the proximal pivot aperture 32 is 675mm and the distance between the proximal end 12 of the arms 10A, 10B and the proximal pivot aperture 31 is 900mm. Thereby the pivot apertures centres 31, 32 are 225mm apart which is the size of a standard scaffold board. The pivot apertures have a 64mm diameter. Each plate is 370mm (length) by 190mm (width). The unique design of the gate arm parts 100 and position of the pivot apertures 31, 32 is to ensure that the gate arm 200 is correctly balanced when the gate arm parts 100 are mounted on the pivot bar 300 through the corresponding pivot apertures (either aligned pivot apertures 31 on two gate arm parts to form the longer gate arm as shown in Figure 1, or aligned apertures 32 on two gate arm parts to form the shorter gate arm as shown in Figure 2). In Figure 4 two gate arm parts 100 are arranged on a storage stillage 400. Both pivot apertures 31, 32 have a collar 33 that extends from the plate 30. A bar 300 is extending through the distal pivot aperture 31 to hold the gate parts in place when stored on the platform 400. In Figure 5 two gate arm parts 100 are connected by the bar 300 passing through the proximal pivot aperture 32 of each gate arm part 100. This forms the gate arm 200 used with a second gate arm 200 to support a gate (not shown). The gate arm 200 is shown in the open orientation with arrows indicating direction of loading. In Figure 6 the gate arm 200 is midway between open and closed. In Figure 7 there is a close up view of the two plates 30 as they are engaged in Figures 5 and 6. A pin 34 (which may be a pin, bolt, lug etc.) is passed through two aligned holes 35 to prevent movement of the gate arm parts 100 relative to each other when the gate arm 200 is moved between opened and closed. Each pin 34 is passed through two aligned holes 35 one hole 35 on each plate 30. The holes 35 to be aligned depend on which pivot apertures 31, 32 is used. The pins 34 prevent rotational movement between two connected gate arm parts 100. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

aims1. A loading bay modular gate arm for a loading bay formed from two separate gate arm parts that are mounted one after another on a bar to form the modular gate arm, each separate gate arm part comprising: a first arm and a second arm connected to form a substantially L-shaped frame; at least one brace connects the first arm to the second arm; a plate extends laterally from an outer region of at least one of the arms and is coplanar with a plane defined by the L-shaped frame, wherein the plate has at least one pivot aperture for receiving the bar about which the two gate arm parts pivot.

2. A loading bay modular gate arm according to claim 1 wherein the plate on each gate arm part extends from a distal end of the first arm.

3. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the at least one pivot aperture has a collar extending from a face of the plate to define an elongate channel through which the bar is received.

4. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the L-shaped frame is formed from hollow steel tubing.

5. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein on each gate arm part the L-shaped frame is formed from box section.

6. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the plate has at least two pivot apertures to provide different gate arm configurations when an aperture on each of two gate arm parts is aligned to receive the bar.08 07 257. A loading bay modular gate arm according to claim 6 wherein on each gate arm part the at least two pivot apertures are spaced along one axis on the plate that is parallel to an axis of the gate arm from which the plate extends laterally.

8. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the pivot aperture(s) includes a bearing.

9. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the pivot aperture(s) includes a ratchet mechanism.

10. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the pivot aperture(s) includes a damper mechanism.

11. A loading bay modular gate arm according to any preceding claim wherein on each gate arm part the plate has at least one hole for receiving a pin.

12. A loading bay modular gate arm formed from two identical gate arm parts as described in any of claims 1 to 11.

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