US2789849A - Gate latch - Google Patents

Description

April 23, 1957 c, HUGHES 2,789,849

Filed Nov. 1, 1955 a /a 8 8 L x aw 7 $35; 6 I //////A Fig.5

/7 I I 26 J Clyde A. Hu he INVENTOR.

United States Patent GATE LATCH Clyde A. Hughes, Odessa, Tex.

Application November 1, 1955, Serial No. 544,296

2 Claims. (Cl. 292-57) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in latches particularly for yard and playground gates and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a latch of this character which cannot or at least is unlikely to be opened by small children.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a latch of the aforementioned character which will automatically and positively lock the gate when it is closed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a gate latch of the character described comprising a slidable, gravity projected, manually retracted or lifted bolt, together with novel gravity actuated means for automatically securing said bolt in retracted position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a gate latch of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, reliable and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a gate latch constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section substantially similar to Figure 3 but showing the vertically slidable bolt in raised or retracted position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially U-shaped horizontal housing of suitable metal which is designated generally by reference character 6. The bight portion of the housing 6 has formed therein a vertical slot or channel 7 providing furcations 8. The furcations 8 have formed therein openings or bores 9 for the reception of countersunk screws 10 for firmly securing the housing 6 in position on a gate post 11.

Rising from the upper leg 12 of the substantially U- shaped housing 6 is a substantially rectangular, integral post 13 having formed therein a vertical bore or passage 14 in which a bolt 15 is slidable. At its lower end, the bolt 15 terminates in a rounded head 16 which limits the upward sliding movement of said bolt. The lower leg 17 of the housing 16 has formed therein an opening or bore 18 which is aligned with the bore 14 for the reception of the headed lower end portion 16 of the bolt 15.

A handle 19 in the form of a horizontally elongated loop is provided on the upper end of the bolt 15. The

I 2,789,849 -Patented 1 spr..-23 195.'7

handle 19 has formed therein an opening 20 in which a cord or rope may be anchored. to facilitatelifting the bolt 15 to raised orretractedposition fromtheOPPOsite side of the gate. 'The lower portion of the bolt 15 is provided with an opening 21 for the reception'of asuitable padlock for securing said bolt in lowered or projected position as seen in Figure 4 of the drawing, when desired. Mounted for vertical sliding movement on the post 13 is a metallic plate 22 having formed therein a cam slot 23, said slot being arcuate with one and further from the axis of rotation of the bolt 15 than the other end of said slot. Depending from one end of the handle 19 is a finger or the like 24. With the plate 22 in raised position as seen in Figure 1 of the drawing, the finger 24 is engageable in the cam slot 23 for frictionally securing the bolt 15 in lowered or projected position upon rotation of said bolt in the bore 14.

An angular metallic dog 25 has one end portion pivotally secured, as at 26, in the lower portion of the slot 7 between the furcations 8 of the housing 6. The dog 25 is provided, on its free end, with a head 27 which is engageable beneath the rounded head 16 of the bolt 15 for releasably securing said bolt in raised or retracted position. When in operative position beneath the bolt 15, the dog 25 rests on the wall portion 23 of the leg 17 of the housing 6.

The recess or chamber 29 defined by the legs 12 and 17 of the housing 6 is for the reception of an angular striker 30 which is mounted on the free end portion of the gate, as indicated at 31. One end portion of the striker 30 is provided with spaced openings 32 which accommodate securing bolts 33. At its free end, the striker 30 terminates in a T-head 34.

It is thought that the operation of the latch will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing.

Briefly, when the gate 31 is in open position, the bolt 15 is manually raised to retracted or inoperative position. When the bolt 15 is thus elevated the dog 25 swings by gravity therebeneath and is arrested by the portion 28 of the housing 6. The bolt 15 now rests by gravity on the dog 25. This is shown in Figure 5 of the drawing. When the gate 31 is swung to closed position, the striker 30 enters the recess or chamber 29 in the housing 6 and swings the dog 25 upwardly, thereby disengaging said dog from beneath the bolt 15. When thus released, the bolt 15 drops by gravity into the bore 18 for positively retaining the striker 30 in the housing 6. To frictiona-lly lock the bolt 15 in projected or operative position, the plate 22 is elevated on the post 13 and the finger 24 is engaged in the cam slot 23. Through the medium of the handle 19, the bolt 15 is then rotated for frictionally binding the finger 24 in the cam slot 23. To positively secure the bolt 15 in lowered or operative position, a padlock may be inserted in the opening 21.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gate latch of the character described comprising: a housing, a post extending from said housing, a gravity projected bolt rotatably and slidably mounted in said housing and said post, and means for frictionally securing the bolt in a projected position, said means including a plate slidable on the post and having a cam slot therein, and a finger on the bolt engageable in the slot for binding contact with the plate upon rotation of the bolt.

2. A gate latch of the character described comprising: a horizontal housing for the receipt of a striker, a gravity actuated retaining bolt for the striker rotatably and slidably mounted in the housing, and means for securing said bolt in a projected position, said means including a plate slidable on the housing and having a cam slot therein, and a member on the bolt engageable in the cam slot for frictional retention by the plate upon rotation of said bolt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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