Electromechanically actuated bifolding closure apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG.
1 of the drawings, a perspective view is shown illustrating a closure super-structure in accordance with the present invention as implemented in a double bifold gate supporting embodiment.
The illustrated embodiment includes a pair of bifold units 10 and 12 respectively mounted to vertical posts 14 and 16 normally sunk in concrete on either side of a drive or other paved surface.
Attachment of each of the units 10 and 12 to posts 14 and 16 is accomplished by means of upper and lower hinge pin mechanisms 18 and 20 (right side) which will be described in more detail below.
Each of the bifolding units 10 and 12 includes a pair of generally C-shaped frames 22 and 24 normally fabricated of tubular metal of rectangular cross-section.
The two C-shaped frames are juxtapositioned with their open sides facing each other and have their distal extremities joined together at top and bottom by means of hinging mechanisms 26 and 28 which will be described in greater detail below.
The opening and closing of the bifold units is accomplished by drive motors 30 and 32, respectively mounted in the lower left and right hand corners of the units, and a drive train disposed within one or more of the tubular elements forming the C-shaped frame 24.
The units 10 and 12 are latched together by suitable mechanical or electromechanical devices contained in or affixed to the elements 31 and 33.
The motors and associated position sensing and gate latching means are electrically connected to a control unit 37 by means of buried cables, the unit being remotely positioned at any suitable location.
The unit 37 may include a radio controlled receiver for facilitating vehicle remote actuation of the gate and/or may be connected to a key locked or card locked entry acess station or other access station, or to any other type of access control means.
In addition, the unit 37 may be integrated into an intrusion detection and/or burglar alarm system.
One such system particularly suited for use with metal picket fences is disclosed in the co-pending U