Stabilizing device

Abstract

A locking plate and a plurality of rigid extension members are capable of being mounted on a structure such as a gate or fence providing rigidity. The locking plate and a cover are capable of fixing the plurality of rigid extension members, when the gate or a fence is positioned properly. A first extension member may be fixedly attached to the locking plate or may be fixedly mounted in a channel on the locking plate. Additional extension members may be rotatably mounted such as on pegs that fit in holes located proximally to one end of the extension members. The length of extension members may be adjustable, such as by using telescoping extending members fixedly attachable to ends of the extension members.

1 . A stabilizing device for stabilizing a structure, comprising: a locking plate; a plurality of rigid extension members wherein a first extension member is fixedly mountable on the locking plate and at least one other extension member is rotatably mountable on the locking plate such that the ends of the plurality of the extension members are capable of being fixed to the structure, and the rotatably mountable extension member is capable of being locked in position when the structure is mounted properly.  
   
   
       2 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one extending member capable of being fixed to one of the plurality of extension members such that the length from the locking plate to a free end of the extending member is adjustable until locked in place.  
   
   
       3 . The stabilizing device of  claim 2 , wherein the extending member includes a connecting structure.  
   
   
       4 . The stabilizing device of  claim 3 , wherein the connecting structure includes machine screws or bolts.  
   
   
       5 . The stabilizing device of  claim 4 , wherein the extending member is connected to the structure directly by machine screws or bolts.  
   
   
       6 . The stabilizing device of  claim 5 , further comprising caps sized to cover the machine screws or bolts.  
   
   
       7 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein two of the plurality of the extension members are rotatably mountable to the locking plate and each is locked in place by machine screws threaded into tapped holes in the extension members that extend through slots in a cover plate.  
   
   
       8 . The stabilizing device of  claim 7 , wherein the locking plate has a plurality of pegs extending from a surface of the locking plate such that the holes disposed in each of the plurality of extension members are capable of receiving the plurality of pegs.  
   
   
       9 . The stabilizing device of  claim 8 , wherein the pegs are tapered.  
   
   
       10 . The stabilizing device of  claim 9 , wherein the first extension member is fixedly mountable by a channel structure and a peg extending from a surface of the locking plate.  
   
   
       11 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover plate fixedly mountable to the locking plate, such that the plurality of extension members are held between the locking plate and the cover plate.  
   
   
       12 . The stabilizing device of  claim 11 , wherein the cover plate has two arcuate slots.  
   
   
       13 . The stabilizing device of  claim 12 , wherein two of the plurality of extension members have holes tapped with threads disposed such that machine screws are capable of being inserted through the arcuate slots, and screwed into the holes, locking the two extension members into a fixed, non-rotatable position, when the machine screws are tightened.  
   
   
       14 . The stabilizing device of  claim 13 , wherein the arcuate slots have opposite edges, and the opposite edges are tapered.  
   
   
       15 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of extension members is tubular.  
   
   
       16 . The stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of extension members consists of three tubular extension members, the first extension member being capable of being mounted fixedly on the locking plate such that each of the two ends of the first extension member extend outwardly from the locking plate, the second and third extension members being capable of being mounted at one end such that the opposite end is rotatably positionable until locked by a locking structure.  
   
   
       17 . The stabilizing device of  claim 16 , wherein the locking plate comprises a cover plate having two arcuate slots, a threaded hole in each of the second and third extension members and machine screws, such that tightening of the machine screws in the holes is capable of fixedly locking the second and third extension members within the locking plate, when the machine screws are inserted through the slots of the cover plate.  
   
   
       18 . A gate utilizing the stabilizing device of  claim 1.