Patent ID: 6425612
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A01K,E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A gate latch comprising:a striker bar integral to the free end of the swinging gate; a keeper assembly comprising a rectangular housing having a front wall which faces the gate, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, the housing having a striker slot through the front wall and through a portion of the first side wall and second side wall, the slot having a height and depth sufficient to permit the striker bar to swing through the slot, a first flapper being pivotally mounted within the housing in proximity to the first side wall so that the flapper has a first normal hanging vertical position between the first side wall and the striker bar when the striker bar is in its closed position, a second restrained position, where the first flapper pivots slightly outward with respect to the center of the housing and obstructs at least a portion of the striker slot thereby restricting the striker bar from moving past the first flapper, and a third inward pivoted position where the first flapper is pivoted upward sufficiently to permit the striker bar to pass underneath the flapper and through the slot; a second flapper being pivotally mounted within the housing in proximity to the second side wall so that the flapper has a first normal hanging vertical position between the second side wall and the striker bar when the striker bar is in its closed position, a second restrained position, where the second flapper pivots slightly outward with respect to the center of the housing and obstructs at least a portion of the striker slot thereby restricting the striker bar from moving past the second flapper, and a third inward pivoted position where the second flapper is pivoted upward sufficiently to permit the striker bar to pass underneath the flapper and through the slot; such that when the gate is swung shut, the striker bar enters the striker slot and forces the first flapper from its first normally hanging position to its third upwardly pivoted position so that the striker bar may pass underneath the first flapper, allowing the first flapper to then return to its first position, the striker bar continuing its motion until it contacts the second flapper which is hanging in its first position, the second flapper then being forced to pivot slightly outward to its second position which prevents the striker bar from passing through the striker slot, the striker bar then being confined between the two flappers so that the gate is secured in a closed position.