Gate unlocking

U.S. Cl. 49-55

26 Claims

US 6,499,254 B2 Gate unlocking Jon R. Rossman, Chelmsford, Mass. (US); Bryan R. Hotaling, Arlington, Mass. (US); and Carl J. Conforti, Tiverton, R.I. (US) Assigned to The First Years Inc., , Del. (US) Filed on Dec. 12, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/735,268. Application 09/735268 is a continuation of application No. 09/293010, filed on Apr. 16, 1999, granted, now 6176042. Prior Publication US 2001/0000556 A1, May 03, 2001 Int. Cl.7E06B 3/68 U.S. Cl. 498212;55 26 Claims 1. A safety gate for temporary mounting across a passageway to inhibit children while permitting passage by adults, the gate comprising: a frame removably mountable across the passageway, the frame having first and second side frame members for engaging opposing surfaces of the passageway and defining an opening therebetween; and a door pivotably mounted to the first side frame member for movement between a closed position, with the door extending across the frame opening between the side frame members, and an open position, with the frame opening clear of the door to permit passage of an adult therethrough; the second side frame member having a lock for retaining the door in its closed position, the lock including a door-engaging surface movable between a first position for engaging and retaining the door in its closed position, and a second position for releasing the door for pivoting movement to its open position; and a foot pedal extending from a lower portion of the frame and actuatable by a user on either side of the door, the foot pedal operatively connected to the door-engaging surface to move the door-engaging surface toward its second position when depressed in a hands-free operation.