Patent Application
20100156119
The invention relates to latching mechanisms and, more particularly to an adjustable gate latch assembly for a fence gate adapted to close against a fence post.
A gate latch provides a simple method for securing a fence gate to a fence post. The gate latch also allows the gate to be opened with minimal effort. The gate latch is often used in fenced areas to prevent unwanted openings of the gate.
A gate latch typically includes a main gate latch body that is mounted on a gate pipe and a receiver that is mounted on a fence post. When the gate is closed against the fence, the gate latch body latches onto the receiver, thus securing the gate to the fence. A gate latch assembly typically provides an easy method to open the gate by unlatching the gate latch body from the receiver. The gate latch body may, for example, include gravity latches or drop latches for unlatching or detaching the gate latch body from the receiver in order to conveniently open the gate.
Currently, there are various types of gate latches available. Some gate latches are suitable for round pipes while some are suitable for square pipes. Also, a gate latch is typically designed for a pipe of specific diameter or size. For example, a gate latch designed for a 1.660 inches diameter pipe is unsuitable for a 2.375 inches diameter pipe. If a gate latch designed for a 1.660 inches diameter pipe is mounted on a 2.375 inches diameter pipe, the gate latch would not fit properly due to design constraints.
An adjustable gate latch assembly for a fence gate is adapted to close against a fence post. The gate latch assembly includes a gate latch body including an extended plate section and a cantilever plate section joined by a curved intermediate section. At least part of the curved intermediate section is corrugated. The extended plate section extends at a first angle from a first edge of the curved intermediate section. The cantilever plate section extends at a second angle from a second edge of the curved intermediate section. The curved intermediate section is adapted to receive a fence gate pipe.
A latch clamp includes a plurality of curved protruberants at a first end and an opening proximate to a second end. At least a part of the latch clamp is corrugated. A plurality of adjustment slots are formed on the extended plate section to selectively receive the curved protruberants to anchor the first end of the latch clamp to the extended plate section. An opening is formed on the cantilever plate section. A bolt extends through the openings of the latch clamp and the cantilever plate section is secured by a nut to cause the latch clamp to engage the fence gate pipe to enable the gate latch body and the latch clamp to hold the fence gate pipe.
A striker pin is attached to a back side of the curved intermediate section. The striker pin is adapted to slide on a cover ramp of a receiver assembly to push up one of a pair of drop latches. The receiver assembly is mounted on the fence post. The striker pin is held centered on the cover ramp between the pair of drop latches in their released position to cause the fence gate to remain closed against the fence post. A first lock plate is attached to the back side of the curved intermediate section. The first lock plate has a hole adapted to be aligned to a hole of a second lock plate of the receiver assembly to enable a padlock to be placed through the holes to lock the fence gate.
For a more complete understanding of the features, example embodiments and possible advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:
Referring now to
In one implementation, the extended plate section 140, the cantilever plate section 144 and the curved intermediate section 148 are formed by bending and shaping a plate. As a further illustration,
As shown in
As shown in
The cantilever plate section 144 extends at a second angle from a second edge of the curved intermediate section 148. In one embodiment, cantilever plate section 144 extends substantially perpendicularly from the second edge of the curved intermediate section 148.
The gate latch body 100 includes a latch clamp 156 having a plurality of curved protruberants 160 (shown in
The extended plate section 140 includes a plurality of adjustment slots 152 for selectively receiving the curved protruberants 160 to anchor the first end of the latch clamp 156 to the extended plate section 140. The adjustment slots 152 are selected based on the diameter or the width of the pipe. For example,
The latch clamp 156 includes an opening 164 shown in
A striker pin 172 shown in
A lock plate 176 (shown in
Referring now to
The cover ramp 404 is mounted on the catch mount 412 proximate to the drop latch bracket 416. The cover ramp 404 forms a barrier to restrict the length the drop latches 408 can slide. As discussed before, the cover ramp 404 enables the striker pin 172 to slide over to push up one of the drop latches 408. The striker pin 172 is held centered on the cover ramp between the pair of drop latches 408 in their released position. As will be appreciated, when the catch pin 172 is centered on the cover ramp 404, the drop latches 408 drop to their released position, thus trapping the striker pin 172 between the drop latches, which causes the fence gate to remain closed against the fence post.
The edge of the drop latch 408 that comes in contact with the striker pin 172 is angular-shaped, which causes the drop latch 408 to be pushed up as the catch pin is forced against the drop latch 408.
During installation, the latch clamp 156 is detached and removed from the gate latch body 100. Next, the gate latch body 100 is positioned around the gate fence pipe and the latch clamp 156 is attached to the gate latch body 100 by inserting the curved protruberants 160 into a selected pair of adjustment slots 152. As discussed before, the depending on the size of the pipe (i.e., diameter, side length), a pair of adjustment slots is selected. After one end of the latch clamp 156 is anchored to the adjustment slots 152, the latch clamp 156 is attached to the cantilever plate section 144 via a bolt and a nut. As discussed before, the bolt extends through the holes 164 and 168 to cause the gate latch body 100 and the latch clamp to tightly secure the pipe. After the gate latch body 100 is mounted on the gate fence, the receiver 400 is mounted on the fence post so that striker pin 172 is centered between the drop latches 408 when the gate is closed against the fence. Also, when the gate is closed against the fence, the holes 184 and 180 are aligned, thus permitting a padlock to extend through the holes to lock the gate, if necessary.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.
