Pop Up Gates

Installation space is usually a big issue when selecting a gate type (for example a sliding or a swing gate). Therefore there have been a number of attempts to find ways to move the gate leaf on a vertical trajectory in order to save space. In most implementations the leaf is lifted above the passage but in this particular case, the leaf is retracted into the ground.

The following 2 videos from YouTube demonstrate the way this type of gate works.

Pop Up Gates: Timber Finish
pop up gates 1

As you can see in this example, the gate leaf is in 2 long pieces:



The gate is now retracting:



The gate has retracted almost completely:



The user can now drive over the gate:




There are some disadvantages that seem obvious with this approach:

1) The pit into which the gate retracts must have perfect drainage and not fill with dirt.

2) It seems difficult to avoid accidents when the gate leaf is close to ground level (ascending, descending or even stopped) because, in this position it is not very visible (and practically invisible once you are close or over it). Moreover, the speed of the gate appears to be low and this means that even an immediate descend movement commanded by typical safety devices (ie photocells) may do little to avoid an accident. Add this to the fact that such a gate may cause significant damage to the underside of a car and you will come to the conclusion that this type of gate must be treated with special care in regards with safety.